The Orbea Orca becomes more accessible

Following the 2019 release of the new OMX carbon Orca (which has just been voted Bike of the Year by Le Cycle magazine), Orbea is now offering a more accessible version of its flagship, versatile OMR carbon model, available from €1999. This bike remains configurable via the MyO program and can be adapted for a more comfortable position.

Photo: @Orbea

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With the OMR carbon version of the new Orca, Orbea aims to democratize a model that has quickly achieved great success due to its performance, technical solutions, meticulous craftsmanship, and value for money. The Orca OMX has also just been voted Bike of the Year by Le Cycle magazine, against competitors as renowned as Cannondale, Canyon, Look, and Origine.

OMR construction

Orbea uses four types of carbon fiber, distinguished by their stiffness, weight, vibration absorption level, and the compaction process during manufacturing (to limit excess material inside the tubes, for example). OMX fibers are the highest-end from the Spanish manufacturer, followed by OMR, then OMP and OME, the latter having been used for entry-level carbon models.

For the 2021 range, Orbea now offers the Orca not only in the already known version, but also in a more affordable version with OMR carbon fibers, with complete bike prices ranging from €1999 to €4499 depending on the equipment, while the OMX is offered from €4899 to €8999. This more accessible version, as always with Orbea, is offered with a wide choice of options to cover all kinds of needs, to upgrade components or to adapt the riding position.

To simplify the range and bike family names, the brand is discontinuing its Avant endurance model (with a more comfortable geometry), and replacing it on the new Orca with the mounting of a handlebar with a slightly raised shape, which allows the cockpit position to be raised by 15 mm and shortened by 10 mm. This solution is offered on the first three models in the range (which have a fork with an aluminum steerer tube), or offered as a free choice on subsequent models, in addition to the other customization options already known at Orbea with the MyO program. Note that in the Orca family, the Orca Aero remains in the catalog.

For those whose main concern is comfort, the Orca in this OMR version is of course still compatible with tire widths up to 32 mm, which allows riding with lower inflation pressure or makes more uneven terrain (such as unpaved roads) accessible. For the same purpose, and unlike the OMX, the OMR is supplied with a round seatpost and not a D-shaped one, in order to offer a slight additional flex on the rear part of the bike.

For the rest, the OMR construction benefits from the same amount of technology as on the OMX models, starting with component molding using EPS foams and PU inserts for the head tube and bottom bracket shell, to eliminate wrinkles and sharp edges in critical areas, which allows less carbon to be used without any compromise in durability. The layering of carbon and the dynamic frame structure offer flexibility, increasing vibration absorption by around 5% compared to the previous OMR frame and 10% compared to the OMX, according to Orbea.

Like the OMX, the new OMR benefits from integrated cables and hoses, with the ICR Plus system which offers internal routing through the head tube and previously under the stem, which allows for adjustable handlebars and stem. An ICR stem that is also compatible with an out-front bike computer mount.

Finally, in terms of weight, the OMR is 200 g heavier than the OMX (1030 g vs. 830 g for the frame alone).

The different versions

The Orbea Orca OMR is available in several versions, starting from €1999, and only with disc braking.

• Orca M40: Shimano Tiagra groupset, Orbea wheels with Shimano hubs, raised handlebar: €1999
• Orca M30: Shimano 105 groupset, Orbea wheels with Shimano hubs, raised handlebar: €2199
• Orca M20: Shimano Ultegra groupset, Orbea wheels with Shimano hubs, raised handlebar: €2699
• Orca M20 Team: Shimano Ultegra groupset, Fulcrum Racing 700 DB wheels, compact (or raised) handlebar: €3299
• Orca M25 Team: Shimano Ultegra groupset, Vision 40 SC Disc Carbon wheels, compact (or raised) handlebar: €3799
• Orca M20i Team: Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset, Fulcrum Racing 700 DB wheels, compact (or raised) handlebar: €4299
• Orca M21 eTeam: Sram Force eTap AXS groupset, Fulcrum Racing 700 DB wheels, compact (or raised) handlebar: €4499

These bikes are offered with several option systems through the MyO program, whether for colors, wheels, saddles, tires, cranksets with or without power meters, gear ratios, and position components.

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