Summary: Same views as everyone else so far - its just faultless. One of the reasons I chose the Orca as unlike most manufacturers they make a 51 frame with a Normal 73 degree seat tube unlike a lot of manufacturers. Its light, stiff, responsive, climbing is a joy - it just charges forward when out the saddle and even makes me feel confident descending. The ride itself is just smooooth without being a 'dull' carbon ride. And then just look at it, I've got the black/orange one and ity just looks the business!
Strengths: It has everything you'll ever want in a bike
Weaknesses: Doesn't make coffee
ok then NONE
Similar Products Used: Trek - dull
Specialized Tarmac - nice but 75 degree seat angle - I'm not a bl**dy triathlete!
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Bike Setup: orca size 54 orange euskaltl team, full dura-ace 10,itm millenium carbon bar,stem and seat post,selle-italia flite,mavic cosmic carbone wheels (and a light 2006 campy neutron), michelin pro-race tyres
Summary: When I was going to change my old bike I thought there would be too choices.. ´till the day I saw the orca. Euskaltel pro riders competition tests and life warranty did the rest. The bike looks great and goes really fast. I usually ride through hilly roads and the bike asks me to go faster every mile.. mavic cosmic wheels help to set my trainnig average between 30-35 km/h...
Stiff, light and very comfortable at the same time which it´s said by Iban Mayo as well.
I recently bought a campy neutrons to make it faster for long climbings and they turn pretty well!!!
Strengths: It makes you faster at any road you´ve ridden before.You feel light climbing and safe when going down the hills from the first day. Stiffness and comfort come togheter.
Weaknesses: none, so far
Similar Products Used: aluminium frame, dura-ace 9, mavic cosmic
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Bike Setup: Euskaltel Orange
Rolf Prima Elan Aero Wheelset
Campy Record Carbon all around, except
FSA Carbon Team Issue Cranks
Mavic Brakes (much stronger than Campy's)
Selle Italia Prolink Seat
Summary: I wholeheartedly agree with all the other rave reviews here. It's hard to imagine a much better bike.
First off, the bike looks gorgeous just standing still. It just calls out to be ridden. Orbea made a beautiful frame with sleek, muscular flowing lines. The hand painted colors and bare carbon work well together. The Orca simply looks better than any other carbon frame I've seen.
In motion, the Orca is a pure joy to ride. It's incredibly fast and smooth, just eating up the miles. Very lively, with perhaps just an iota more chatter than titanium. In the hills, it climbs like a gazelle. I'm still amazed every time I get out of the saddle - the frame is so wonderfully stiff and efficient. The amazingly light Rolf wheels don't hurt either.
This will be my favorite toy for a long time to come!
Strengths: An absolutely wonderful creation. I could go on and on...
Weaknesses: I spend too much time in the garage just staring at the darn thing.
Similar Products Used: 1. Merlin Ultralight Ti - this is the one the Orca replaced. A great bike by any measure, but it feels like a ton of bricks compared to Spanish carbon
2. Litespeed Ghisallo - One of the few out there with a comparable weight. To achieve that, the top tube slopes ridiculously low. For the same 57cm frame, the seat collar must be some 7cm lower. It rides well and climbs just as fast as the Orca, but looks like a silly BMX frame.
3. Trek 5500 - very boring, heavy setup compared to an Orbea
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Bike Setup: Campy Record, FSA Cranks, speedplay pedals, Mavic Kysrium, Token Integrated Handlebars. Bike weighs 15.6 lbs. and 15 with the AC sprint wheels.
Summary: This is the most beautiful bike I have ever seen. Love it, rides great, comfortable and very light weight. 1140g size 54cm, including headset. The fork is light as well at 320g.
Not scary light like the Litespeed Ghisallo. Carbon is the way to go on the road. Campy Record, FSA Cranks, speedplay pedals, Mavic Kysrium, Token Integrated Handlebars. Bike weighs 15.6 lbs. and 15 with the AC sprint wheels.
Strengths: I cant say enough about this bike.
Weaknesses: ZERO
Similar Products Used: Bianchi Ti, Airborne Ti, Litespeed Ghisallo
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Bike Setup: Orbea Orca frame (57 cm) with Campy Record Carbon grouppo. Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels. Zeus seatpost. Fizik Arionne saddle. ITM stem and handlebars. Look Keo pedals.
Summary: Wow! I thought the Trek and the Litespeed were great bikes, but this thing is incredible. It is just so stiff at the rear. When you dance out of the saddle, each pedal stroke seems to propel you forward up the climb. On the first long ride that I did, I noticed I was 1-2 miles an hour faster on average with no extra effort. This is an incredibly quick bike. If you’re riding any machine other than an Orbea Orca then be prepared to be passed.
Also, how can a racing bike be so incredible comfortable? If you think that carbon frames are dead in feel, then you really need to look at this bike. It blew me away with the way it soaks up the road vibration, but climbs like a jackrabbit. I ridden this bike on several fast centuries or long team training ride and I do not feel as beat up as I did on my old Trek.
This was my first time on Campy components. All I can say is that there is no way I will ever go back to Shimano. The Record group far exceeds DA in all areas.
Overall if you are looking to spend some money on a bike that can do long fast hilly rides or quick crits on and won’t beat you up, then this is the machine.
Strengths: Incredible climber, smooth, but responsive ride. Campy - clearly the best.
Weaknesses: None
Similar Products Used: Trek Y-Foil, Trek 5900, Litespeed Vortex and Ultimate
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