Orbea Vuelta

Price Paid:  $1300.00 at Local Bike Shop

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Univest Cyclosportif

Bike Setup:
2006 stock components.

Summary:
I looked at and rode several bikes in the summer of 2006; I was looking for Shimano 105 drivetrain or better, a compact crank, and aero wheels. This Orbea Vuelta was by far the best riding, and the best value. The FSA compact crank really does have a useful range of gears -- low enough for my late 50's knees and little redundancy within the 10 speed setup.

Strengths:
Light weight, Shimano 550 aero wheels, FSA carbon compact crank, carbon frame components where they're needed most, paint job, and...you gotta feel good about having a Zeus product (brakes, front fork) on your bike after all these years.

Weaknesses:
Haven't discovered any in a year of riding -- I'm quite pleased and would buy another.

Price Paid:  $1399.00 at Healthy Habits

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
RAGBRAI

Bike Setup:
I added Forte areobars. For the dash I put on a CilcoSport CM-215 cyclometer with altimeter. I put on a Minoura Space Bar on the under side of the areobar. This allowed me a mount for a NightHawk 10w headlight and a reserve Serfas LED headlight. The saddle was a quality Orbea saddle. But I replaced it with my white ISCA Dakar Titanio. The bike comes stock with Shimano 550 wheelset. I replaced this with a new Rolf wheelset. Nothing against the 550 set. The 550 set will go on my Trek 2100.

Summary:
This is a 2006 frame with 2007 component. The Orbea rep was closing out the 2006 stock. So I got a good deal. The quality of this bike can not be appreciated until you see it and ride it. The compact crank makes this bike a climber as its light weight. It is hand painted and air brushed. You can not see the detail in the catalog photos. The paint color transitions are feathered with an airbrush. The down tube logo Was masked and the paint was feathered around it. Just beautifully done. No decales are used. All the logos were masked. The 105 group mated with the FSA Gossamer crank makes a quality driveline. A quality priced bike period. this bike will be used on long distance rides and brevets.

Strengths:
Handcrafted and painted. Well designed and quality matched components.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2100

Price Paid:  $1399.00 at Healthy Habits

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
RAGBRAI

Bike Setup:
I added Forte areobars. For the dash I put on a CilcoSport CM-215 cyclometer with altimeter. I put on a Minoura Space Bar on the under side of the areobar. This allowed me a mount for a NightHawk 10w headlight and a reserve Serfas LED headlight. The saddle was a quality Orbea saddle. But I replaced it with my white ISCA Dakar Titanio. The bike comes stock with Shimano 550 wheelset. I replaced this with a new Rolf wheelset. Nothing against the 550 set. The 550 set will go on my Trek 2100.

Summary:
This is a 2006 frame with 2007 component. The Orbea rep was closing out the 2006 stock. So I got a good deal. The quality of this bike can not be appreciated until you see it and ride it. The compact crank makes this bike a climber as its light weight. It is hand painted and air brushed. You can not see the detail in the catalog photos. The paint color transitions are feathered with an airbrush. The down tube logo Was masked and the paint was feathered around it. Just beautifully done. No decales are used. All the logos were masked. The 105 group mated with the FSA Gossamer crank makes a quality driveline. A quality priced bike period. this bike will be used on long distance rides and brevets.

Strengths:
Handcrafted and painted. Well designed and quality matched components.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Trek 2100

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Alan's Bike Shop

Favorite Ride:
Pacific Coast Highway

Bike Setup:
Upgraded to Wing Bars and a shorter stem for more comfort. I also upgraded to the Mavic Equipe wheelset. Everything else is stock.

Summary:
Couldn't have been happier with my choice. I test rode many bikes before I settled with the Vuelta. The equivalent equiped Treks, Specialized, Felts, Giants, Bianchis, etc... all test rode well. But the Vuelta performed way beyond the others. It has an incredibly responsive ride and I really felt like I was part of the bike. I had re-assure myself by re-testing the other bikes, twice over. When it came down to it, my choice was easy. It's definitely a super fun bike to cruise on or to kick it up.

Strengths:
Extremely responsive frame and well designed frame. Great for sprints and hils climbing. Looks are good too with its paint job and the Orbea name all over it. The carbon seat stays, forks, and seat post smooth out the road on the longer jaunts.

Weaknesses:
None really. Although, the frame is a little on the heavy side its not noticeable when riding. My bike weighs about 20lbs. But keep in mind, I test rode bikes weighing less that did not perform nearly as well.

Similar Products Used:
Specialized Allez Epic Carbon.