Orbea has launched new components as part of its RS concept, consisting of the HMI handlebar control for ebikes and its own wired electronic MC10-RS smart dropper. Both run off an ebike’s battery.
The new dropper post runs off the ebike battery and is programmable for custom drops.
Orbea claims the new RS dropper is the lightest 240mm dropper post available, including all mechanical and electric posts.
The Basque brand has also shared details of its new Rise eMTB range, with a full launch slated for 23 September. The new tech will feature as standard on those bikes.
A control ecosystem
Orbea calls the new RS concept products “The future of control”. It’s a new communication ecosystem linking an ebike's motor, dropper and display, which Orbea is confident will set the standard for the future.
The Basque brand is keen to stress it isn't launching simply a remote or a dropper. The brand claims it is reimagining the whole system, by both replacing the Shimano EMC100 remote (used on the current Orbea Rise) with a more ergonomic and integrated ebike remote, and integrating a dropper post lever.
Aware that many ebikes have five or more batteries, Orbea set out to design a system around one central ebike battery, with one auxiliary control on the handlebar.
The resulting RS Control System links the motor, dropper, display and handlebar control.
Orbea MC10-RS dropper post
Orbea boasts the new dropper is around 100g lighter than a typical cable-actuated dropper post.
The MC10-RS is said to be the world's first 'smart' dropper, meaning the button can be programmed to perform different functions, such as a partial drop, which could be useful on technical climbs.
The post is available with 180, 210 or 240mm of travel, and each can be adjusted by 25mm in intervals of 5mm.
Orbea claims this is the lightest dropper post in its category: as light as an XC dropper, but with the performance of enduro droppers.
Orbea says using the CAN BUS technology means there's no need for a separate battery or cable: it runs on the main ebike control cable. No additional batteries are required for the dropper or remote because both run off the ebike battery.
Orbea explains its Time Of Flight sensor unlocks the smart features programmable in the Orbea RS app.
The dropper button on the Human Machine Interface (HMI) can be used as a traditional dropper by pressing and holding.
It can also be programmed with smart features. These include using a double-press to activate a 20% drop, which could be useful for technical climbs (the percentage drop is programmable through the app). This tech could have significant real-world implications, changing the way we use dropper posts.
The new design means fewer cables hanging out of the front of the bar than a mechanical dropper. The cable for the ebike remote (with integrated dropper lever) goes from the grip through the handlebar and into the frame. The cable is plug-and-play, with connectors inside the bike linking the dropper and drive unit with the same cable.
Due to not including the weight of the cable or the battery, Orbea is claiming some impressive weights for the post. It says the 180mm MC10-RS (564g) is lighter than a cross-country dropper, such as the Fox Transfer SL 150 (560g).
Orbea claims the MC10-RS is 140g lighter than wireless droppers, with the 240mm post claimed at 646g. Fox’s Transfer Neo in 200mm (with remote and battery) is said to weigh 786g and the RockShox Reverb AXS in 225mm weighs a claimed 815g for the system.
Orbea also compares the MC10-RS with mechanical dropper posts, stating it’s the lightest 240mm dropper on the market. It claims the MC10-RS is lighter than the mechanical Fox Transfer setup in 240mm size, which it says weighs 862g, and OneUp’s V3 in 240mm, which is said to weigh 733g.
Orbea RS HMI handlebar control
Orbea’s Human Machine Interface (HMI) handlebar control is designed to be integrated and ergonomic, and function as a control for both the ebike and the dropper post.
The HMI has larger buttons with replaceable touch points and a minimal display. It has a graduated light on the front and five LEDs on top.
This doesn’t look to be particularly intuitive and riders will need to learn what the different colours and lights mean.
Shimano symbiosis
Orbea’s RS concept is: “More bike and less E, with a seamless connection between bike and rider”.
To enable this, Orbea developed its own firmware and battery to work in conjunction with the Shimano motor and handlebar control.
New Orbea Rise coming soon
This tech will be included as standard on the new Orbea Rise eMTB, with four models launching on 23 September.
These are the LT version in M10 and M-Team specs, and the SL version in M10 and M-Ltd specs.
The bikes will include Shimano Di2, with the shifting powered from the main ebike battery, and use Shimano’s Free Shift technology.
There are two battery sizes on offer: 420Wh and 630Wh. These can be chosen on the Orbea configurator. Both carbon and alloy Rise models will have these options.
Riders can switch between two profiles: RS mode, offering 54Nm, which Orbea says brings a more natural feel, and RS+ mode, unleashing the full 85Nm for maximum power.
Orbea hinted that this may not be the peak power of the drive unit, but declined to reveal any figures.
Orbea estimates using the dropper post and shifting while on a ride will equate to “less than 1% of the main battery’s capacity”.
