Orbea 2015 road range – first look

Orbea has today announced that it is adding three new platforms to its 2015 road range. The Orca line of racing bikes will have two new platforms – the Orca OMR and OMP – while Orbea’s endurance platform, the Avant, will be boosted by the addition of a new entry-level carbon frame, the Avant OME.

Orbea also informed us that it have begun a new partnership with Vision and FSA to supply wheels and components.

Orca OMR and OMP

The new additions to the 2015 Orca range are the OMP and OMR framesets. The OMR is a high-end frame and depending on spec, complete bikes will cost between €3,500 and €9,000 (there’s no word on UK, US or AUS prices yet). The OMP is made of a lower grade of carbon and complete bikes will cost between €2,400 and €4,500.

Orbea’s road manager, Joseba Arizaga, told us that the new Orcas are an evolution and refinement of the Orca, with the end goal being to create the best racing bike Orca has ever designed.

Joseba said that the new Orcas are: “a reflection of an attitude for people who want to go faster and push their individual performances.”

Both the OMP and OMR frames have new profiles, and the frame is more compact than the existing Orca. In comparison to existing Orca, the flatter top tube on the OMP and OMR slopes down to the seat tube at a steeper angle, with a robust shape where it meets the redesigned head tube junction. It then tapers out as it meets the seat tube.

The head tube area has undergone a noticeable redesign and reshaping

The seatstays have been made thinner and the seat tube has a more svelte shape, eliminating excess material. The chainstays have been designed to deliver optimum power transfer. Looking at the profiles of this new frame compared to existing Orca frames, it’s possible to see that Orbea have worked to slim it down in order to make it more aerodynamic and efficient. The new frames also have a more minimal, understand design and finish.

The OMP and OMR Orcas have been made using EPS moulding technology, which Orbea claims has allowed it to use less material in each frame, while increasing strength and stiffness for improved power transfer. Orbea claims that a 53cm OMR frame is 232g lighter than the equivalent carbon Orca, with the new OMP weighing 180g less.

In terms of geometry and fit, Orbea has aimed the new frames to offer a better fit to more people, with different sizes having linear changes in geometry, so each frame has the same ride quality and characteristics. The OMP and OMR will be available in seven sizes (47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57 and 60cm). To maintain front triangle geometry across sizes, the three smallest frames use a fork with a 53mm offset, while larger frames have a 53mm offset.

Orbea’s new partnership with Vision and FSA meant that some of early production models they presented to us were kitted out exclusively with FSA and Vision parts. There is no word yet on exact specification and pricing, but we do know some of the specific components and finishing kit that will be on offer. These include: Prologo Scratch and Kappa Evo saddles, Vision Metron 40, Trimax 30, Team 30 and Team 25 wheels, 27.2mm FSA SLK seatposts and FSA Energy and K-Force cockpits.

The Orca OMP will be available from July and the OMR will be available from October or November.

Avant OME

The Avant is Orbea’s endurance bike and, for 2015, the range is boosted with the inclusion of a new entry-level carbon frame, the Avant OME. These bikes will cost between €1,000 and €2,000.

As with the new Orcas, Orbea hasn’t released any exact breakdown of specification or kit yet, but Mr Arizaga did tell us that the Avant range will also benefit from the  partnership with Vision and FSA, and the component options listed above.

The Avant will also come with the option of Challenge Forte rubber and will be fitted with FSA Omega, Gossamer or Gossamer Pro cranksets.

The new OME frame has a claimed weight of 1,300g and features a tapered head tube, compatibility with mechanical and electronic gears, and press-fit bottom bracket shell. Unlike the existing Avant OMP frames, the OME is not compatible with disc brakes, but is UCI legal.

Joseba was keen to mention that the Avant could be used for competition, and not just big days out, although it won’t be as reactive as an Orca. It’s also compatible with power meters.

Like the new Orcas, it’s available in seven sizes, with the same progressive and linear geometry as frame size increases.