Orbea Orca

Price Paid:  $1800.00 at EBay

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Any day I can get out

Bike Setup:
Campy Chorus 11, Mavic R-SYS wheels, Thompson seat post, Sella Italia Flite Max saddle, 3T Ergosum bars and stem.

Summary:
This is actually a review of a 2009 Orbea Orca. Great bike! Sure, the shape of this frame is exotic and not standard. That said, it is very stiff, particularly for hill climbing. The bike feels like it is ascending with much less effort, partially because of the light weight, partially because of the stiffness in the bottom bracket and chain stay area. Built with Campy Chorus 11, Mavic R-SYS wheels, this weighs low 15 pound range for a 60 cm frame.

Strengths:
Solid stiff frame for climbing and comfortable on the open road. Very light weight. Excellent craftsmanship in construction.

Weaknesses:
My other bike is titanium which is a very hard metal and very durable. The carbon fiber frame I baby to protect it from scratches or scrapes to the surface.

Price Paid:  $5500.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Alpine Tour of the Suburbs

Summary:
Bought my 2008 Orca as my second carbon bike, spent heaps of time going over all the european marks and the generals (giant, specialized etc). This has got to be one of the best bikes around! Yes i have heard if your a little obn the heavy side maybe it might not be for you but for a lightweight like myself it doesn't get any better, superbly stiff, climbs like a mountain goat, but if you want to really put the power down on the flats she goes like the clappers! Twitchy??? if you think that maybe work on your handling climbs like a goat and just as surefooted! AWESOME!

Strengths:
Stiff, comfy, great for your day long rides or for quite crits and sprints!

Weaknesses:
If your heavier i've heard maybe you shoudl look elsewhere, otherwise no probs for me!

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR, 1930's super elliots (Classy!) haha

Price Paid:  $4900.00 at St. Helena Cyclery

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Sonoma Wine Country

Bike Setup:
Orbea Orca Dura-Ace, compact crankset, Mavic Kyserium SL wheels, Fizik Aliante saddle, Continental Grand Prix 400S tires.

Summary:
This is a beautiful to ride and look at bikes. Handles precisely and is super responsive. It is stiff, but it does not beat you to death. The same quality, pedigree and performance (and good looks)as bikes costing 50% more. Sammy Sanchez won an Olympic Gold on an Orca - why don't I have his legs?

Strengths:
Most anything you could want in a bike whether racer or recreational rider.

Weaknesses:
My frame cracked, but Orbea replaced it immediately with a 2008 model. Great customer service. It is so beautiful that it attracts too much attention.

Price Paid:  $2800.00 at ebay

Summary:
2009 Orca w/ Sram Red & Race Lite wheels - all I can say is WOW!! Since I'm coming from a 80's aluminum frame w/ down tube shifters and sew-ups, I reckon any modern bike would make a big impact on my riding. I tested the Roubaix, the Orbea Onix and ultimately decided to go w/ the Orca and am so glad I did. This bike makes me feel like I have wings and makes me want to ride! All carbon is a smooth ride and the bike is super responsive adn stiff enough for me - 200lbs. On the limited hills we have here its a climber & almost feels like someone is pulling me uphill w/ a rope! I can honestly say that the bike has made me a better rider. My only grip is that the Sram red is a bit "noisy" - but it shifts super sweet and what a pleasure coming from downtube shifters - I had bike "setup" and strongly recommend a pro fit session to everyone, worth every cent.

Strengths:
Comfortable, forgiving, incredibly nimble and responsive - FAST!!

Weaknesses:
None at the moment - the SLR saddle gets uncomfortable after 40miles - but I don't attribute that to the bike.

Price Paid:  $3300.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Hills

Bike Setup:
Campy chorus, mavic elite

Summary:
2008 Orca closeout from LBS.

Stiff and smooth (for long distance)

I was looking for entry level carbon bike, like look 566 or pinarello fp3. But I bought this one because of performance and good deal.

Strengths:
Hill climbing

Weaknesses:
Sizing issue

Similar Products Used:
Tested, Pinarello FP3 with dura ace, Look 566, Litespeed (forget specific model)