Coming in fast off the back of Cervélo’s Áspero 5 and Wilier’s new aero-optimised Rave SLR ID2, Orbea is joining the aero-gravel race party with an addition to the Terra range.
The Basque brand says the new Terra Race adds a lightweight, aero-optimised frame with race-focussed handling to the line-up.
The new Terra Race takes its design cues from the Orca OMX, Orbea's flagship road race bike.
It also shares Orbea’s highest grade carbon composition, OMX. As a result, the new frame, compared to the previous generation Terra, is 300g lighter, bringing the claimed weight down to 910g (claimed medium). This is paired with a 425g OMX carbon fork.
The frame has clearance for 45mm tyres but, with some gravel race bikes going further to satisfy riders wanting to run 50mm+ rubber, it's at the more conservative end of the spectrum for a new launch.
The aero-optimisation is achieved through full-cable integration, aided by the new OC SH-RA10 aero cockpit.
This integration – the bar/stem, head tube and fork – is all taken from the Orca’s front end. At the rear, the aero-shaped seat tube has the integrated clamp from the Orca, too.
The rear also features dropped and flattened seat stays, which Orbea claims are designed to reduce high-frequency chatter whilst keeping the rear wheel planted.
Orbea also says the frame's stiffness has been increased over the previous generation at the bottom bracket and head tube. Orbea claims this improves efficiency for the racer, especially when sprinting or climbing.
Orbea Terra Race geometry
Orbea’s new ‘Gravel racing geometry’ is again derived from the brand's road racing bikes, with the focus on a lower stack and longer reach to put riders in a more aerodynamic position.
| Size | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube (C-T) | 405 | 440 | 470 | 505 | 540 | 575 |
| Top Tube (EFF) | 523 | 538 | 555 | 567 | 585 | 600 |
| Head Tube | 95 | 120 | 139 | 162 | 181 | 205 |
| Chainstay | 420 | 420 | 420 | 420 | 420 | 420 |
| BB Drop | 78 | 78 | 78 | 76 | 76 | 76 |
| BB Height | 265.5 | 265.5 | 265.5 | 267.6 | 267.6 | 267.6 |
| Wheelbase | 1005 | 1018 | 1026 | 1040 | 1048 | 1058 |
| Head Angle | 70 | 70.5 | 71 | 71 | 71.5 | 72 |
| Seat Angle | 74 | 74 | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73 | 73 |
| Rake | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
| Standover | 680 | 710.8 | 735 | 764.6 | 791.4 | 821 |
| Reach | 375 | 383 | 389 | 395 | 402 | 409 |
| Stack | 514.9 | 540 | 560.3 | 580 | 600 | 625 |
| Fork length | 390 | 390 | 390 | 390 | 390 | 390 |
| Trail | 65.6 | 62.4 | 59.2 | 59.2 | 56.1 | 53 |
Frame details
As we’d expect of any new gravel bike, the Terra Race comes with a UDH-compatible rear dropout.
However, the Terra Race is designed to be adaptable, hence a removable front derailleur mount, and 1x and 2x bike options, available with both of SRAM's new XPLR drivetrains and Shimano's 2x new GRX Di2.
Tyre clearance is 45mm, but with 6mm of clearance around the tyre. Orbea say it is possible to size up beyond 45mm should you wish, depending on tyre and wheel choice.
However, with many gravel racers now running 50mm / 2.1in tyres and beyond, does a new gravel bike launch in 2025 with clearance only in the 40s start to look dated before it even takes to the start line? Ultimately, that depends on who's riding it and their view on gravel's wide-tyre trend.
Looking at two of the latest gravel range launches, the updated Cervélo Aspero 5 matches the Terra Race, with 45mm of clearance, while the Wilier Rave SLR ID2 pushes things to 52mm.
- Read more on gravel's wide-tyre trend: Why XC mountain bike tyres are gravel racing's hottest pro trend
Meanwhile, back in February, Cannondale launched a new SuperX with room for a 51mm tyre at the front and 48mm at the rear.
While Orbea says the Terra Race isn’t available with a suspension fork and the geometry was derived without thinking about suspension, they say it is possible to run a 30-40mm travel fork with no detrimental effect on the geometry.
Range and choices
The Terra Race range launches with five models in both 1x and 2x trim, but Orbea is encouraging riders to use the MyO customisation platform to choose components, wheels, tyres, finishing kit and a full spectrum of custom colour options.
Orbea TERRA RACE M11eLTD 1x
- €9,999 / $10,499 / £9,899
- SRAM RED XPLR AXS
- Oquo RP50LTD wheelset
- Integrated OC SH-RA10 carbon cockpit
- Vittoria Terreno T30 Gravel Endurance G2.0 700x40c tyres
Orbea TERRA RACE M21eLTD 1X
- €6,599/$6,899/£6,299
- SRAM Force XPLR AXS
- Integrated OC SH-RA10 carbon cockpit
- Vittoria Terreno T30 Gravel Endurance G2.0 700x40c tyres
Orbea TERRA RACE M20iLTD
- €5,999 / $6,199 / £5,699
- Shimano GRX RX825 Di2 2x drivetrain
- Integrated OC SH-RA10 carbon cockpit
- Vittoria Terreno T30 Gravel Endurance G2.0 700x40c tyres
Orbea TERRA RACE M31eLTD 1x
- €5,499/$5,699/£5,199
- SRAM Rival XPLR AXS
- Integrated OC SH-RA10 carbon cockpit
- Vittoria Terreno T30 Gravel Endurance G2.0 700x40c tyres
Orbea TERRA RACE M20LTD
- €4,999 / $5,199 /£ 4,699
- Shimano GRX RX820 2x mechanical
- OC Gravel GR10 bar, OC Performance stem
- Vittoria Terreno T30 Gravel Endurance G2.0 700x40c tyres
