An all-new Occam from Orbea for 2018

Considering Orbea’s Occam is named after the problem-solving principle that says if there are two explanations for something, choose the simple one, you’d think it would be a bike based on simplicity. However, the latest and greatest Occam is made up of two platforms with new geometry, wheel sizes, suspension travel and frame design. But hey, there is one less pivot, so there’s that.

For the new Occam, Orbea has done away with the pivot point at the rear axle and instead added flexible seatstays, which the brand claims improves stiffness and acceleration, saves 140g, and of course means one less pivot to develop a creak.

The new frame comes in TR (trail) and AM (all-mountain) versions, and Orbea puts both under its Advance Dynamics suspension umbrella, but each bike is decidedly unique in its squishy bits.

The top-end AM M-LTD frame gets a 150mm front and rear with a Fox 34 fork and Fox DPX2 rear shock, while the TR M-LTD is a bit shorter with a 130mm Fox 34 fork and 120mm Fox Float DPS shock with the EVOL can. And the differences don’t stop there.

It's complicated

In addition to the extra travel, the Occam AM sees a slacker 66.5-degree head angle, 74.5-degree seat angle and 27.5in wheels wrapped in 2.4in rubber. On the other hand, the Occam TR is 67.5 degrees at the front, has a 74-degree seat angle and Double Duty wheel sizing, which means the frame can take 29er wheels and tyres or 27.5 wheels with up to 3in tyres.

Both platforms feature wider bars, rims and tires on every spec.

Both frames also feature Boost 148 rear hub spacing to make room for wider tires as well as 435mm chainstays to keep the rear-end compact. The 148 spacing movies the chainline outboard by 3 mm, maximising space around the bottom bracket.

The AM and TR platforms are available in monocoque carbon frames, with internal cable routing including provisions for a stealth dropper, post mount brakes, ISCG05 tabs and integrated frame protection.

The TR model sees four carbon builds and three aluminium builds — one of each being a 27.5 build — and the AM gets three carbon builds and three aluminium builds.

Both the TR and AM will be available in S–XL sizing.

International pricing and availability are to be announced.