A new prototype Orbea aero bike has been spotted at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (formerly the Critérium du Dauphiné).
The bike, which appears to be an updated Orca Aero, features a series of neat design tweaks compared to the current model.
Graphics have been hand-drawn onto the prototype frame, appearing to reveal where the changes have been applied, with a modified head tube and fork design most notable.
The fork crown arcs over the tyre more widely than the previous bike, while the underside of the down tube is cut away – both suggest an increase in tyre clearance, albeit the fork itself isn't as extreme as that found on the Factor One.
The bike featured 29mm Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed tyres mounted to Oquo wheels with a 23mm-wide internal diameter, but the space left over indicates a marked increase on the 30mm clearance the previous Orca Aero had.
The fork blades are deeper than before, extending forward of the front axle, which is likely designed to help manipulate the airflow more effectively before it engages with the rest of the bike.
That said, the headset and steerer arrangement also appears standard, as opposed to the offset 'bayonet' layout seen adopted by Factor, as well as the Cervélo's S5 and Colnago's Y1Rs. This is further evidenced by the riders' use of Oquo handlebars, which fit to a standard design.
The seat post also looks to have been redesigned, now more neatly integrated into the frame and is narrower than previous.
Close inspection of the bottom bracket, also helpfully revealed by the graphics, also reveals a protrusion extending backwards towards the leading edge of the rear tyre, which could serve to improve airflow.
The current Orca Aero features the ability to install a storage box in front of the bottom bracket area. This is outlawed by UCI regulations (but legal in triathlon competition), but mounting points remain in this area.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, this model – marked ‘Prototype 011’, belonging to Frenchman Baptiste Veistroffer – has had the bolts for this accessory removed.
The bike, which is a size 55cm, weighs 7.68kg with Shimano Dura-Ace pedals and bottle cages, fitted with 57mm-deep Oquo RA57LTD carbon-spoked wheels. A team mechanic confirmed that they expect to shave some more from this once Veistroffer's setup has been finished.
