Ridden to an Olympic gold medal in Beijing by Basque rider Samuel Sanchez, the next-gen Orca performed to the expectations of the team of skilled designers who took an award-winning design and made it better. Orca was the first of our bikes to be built using Orbea’s proprietary Size Specific Nerve (SSN) technology, which utilizes specific design characteristics for each frame size, making the ride quality consistent from the smallest to largest rider. A higher percentage of Toray’s premium M40J carbon fiber made Orca lighter, but with a 20% increase in bottom bracket stiffness. Paired with Orca’s complex tube shaping the result is a bike with great visual lines and incredible road feel. Truly the best racing machine available, with a lifetime warranty to back it up.
Strengths: Good fit. Good components(Shimano 105 gears, ulterga derailer)
Weaknesses: None that I can point to at this time.
Bottom Line:
I'M an avid road cyclist. Been cycling for appox. 10 years now. I've owned several bikes including Giant, Litespeed, and Cannondale. Eventhough I was measures for each bike I never really felt comfortable on the bike. I was either stretched out or back on my pedals and not getting any power from the bike. I became discouraged and switched to mountain biking; however this was not for me. Recently started training for Triathalons and needed a new road bike. Purchased a Orbea and went for the bikes virgin ride this past weekend. Great bike! Comfortalbe fit and a lot of power from the bike. I think what helped me is that I went down a cm on the frame and shortened the handlebar width from 42 to 40cm. I have even gone from a triple chainring to a double and getting up hills a lot easier. Even in the smallest gear that took extra effort with the other bikes. Not with the Orbea! I am very satisfied with my purchase!!!
Similar Products Used: Giant, Litespeed, Cannondale
Bike Setup: The bike was set up by John Pugh of Cahaba Cycles in Birmingham, Alabama. He took the time to listen to my problems with the other bikes and not only recommended the Orbea(because of the proper size) but made the few adjustments needed to get the optimal power I needed from the bike and make the rides enjoyable!! Plus, I got a great bike with great components for the price.
-Aluminum frame with carbon fork/seatpost
-Shimano 105/Ultegra components
-Bonterrager wheels
Strengths: Light, fast, smooth and shifts nicely. What an awesome bike!
Weaknesses: Me and my legs! Not a thing I can think of with the bike!
Bottom Line:
It has been a time since I've been on a bike, let alone a serious road bike. I do a lot of weight lifting, at 6' 210 lbs, but it has taken a toll on the joints over the years and I wanted to reap the benefits of bike riding.
I recently rode a hybrid 25 miles from S.F. to Tiburon with some experienced road riders. Needless to say, I was hurting and had no chance of keeping up.
After doing much research, taking into serious consideration the reviews left on Road bike, riding various brands, and the lifetime frame warranty, I purchased the 2007 57 cm Orbea Orca equipped with sram force shifters, sram red cranks, and Mavic wheels,weighing just over 15 lbs.
Livermore Cyclery had several 2007 Orbea models left. Steve Carkeek, the owner, stayed 2.5 hrs after closing to fit me to the bike and gave me an incredible deal on the bike and equipment. Their service was impeccable. I did go to and would not recommend Pacific Bicycle in S.F. I looked at their Orbea and Cervelo and left after being treated rudely.
On Saturday, I tested the bike out, riding from Yountville through St. Helena, down the Silverado Trail, and back to Yountville. Had lunch at V.Sattui and did the ride again, for a total of 35 miles.
This bike is incredible! So smooth and very fast. It climbs nicely and handled my frame with no problem. I would, as others have, highly recommend this bike!
Strengths: Light weight and high performance, with plenty of stiffness (even for a big rider); balanced with enough compliance for long rides. Fairly unique name and style.
Weaknesses: None, other than it still costs plenty.
Bottom Line:
There is a reason that one of the top climbing teams in the world (Euskaltel-Euskadi) uses this bike - it's simply great when your doing serious climbing and descending. Light, compliant, balanced, comfortable - a world-class frame that has no problem handling a 195 lb rider. Very handsome - draws comments like "it looks like a Ferrari" (sorry Colnago). Like a Ferrari, it does demand a certain level of skill to really enjoy the bike - immediate response to rider input could be unsettling to less experienced riders, but that may be true for most pro-level bikes. Although I did not ride some of the big name, big dollar competitors (Pinarello, Colnago, etc) I can not imagine their top-of-the-line bikes could offer a better ride, finish or styling, and I could not justify paying thousands more for the name. It came with a funky Zeus stem and bars that Adventure Cycle kindly substituted.
Strengths: Looks and weight. Handles well in a group or going up hill. Stiff out of the saddle.
Weaknesses: Had to get rid of the Orbea seatpost. It would not hold the saddle in a stationary position.
Bottom Line:
Very comfortable ride, Handles brilliantly and looks great. Very light weight. This is a great bike but its kinda pricey. I would not have bought if I had not build it up myself (with a little help from my friends ). The price is for the frame and fork only.
Hello to all,
My LBS is selling me on a new 2008 Orca with Dura Ace for $3200 ... is that a good deal??
Good bad and ugly about the 2008 Orca? I've looked for reviews and wr Read More »
I ordered a 2009 Orca frameset today and was wondering if the seatpost was included? I thought I remembered hearing that it had been in the past. I have a FSA K Force that will f Read More »
I'm about to buy a 2009 ORCA.
I have to chose the color.
The LBS have only the black on in stock. Nice
I'm also intersted by the white and gold.
How is it?? Does anyone have s Read More »
