Orbea 2009 Orca

Price Paid:  $5600.00 at Adventure Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Deer Creek Canyon High Grade, Denver, CO

Bike Setup:
Campy Chorus 11, Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels, Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow saddle

Summary:
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:
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.

Similar Products Used:
BMC Pro Machine, Quattro Assi Team 2000

Price Paid:  $2300.00 at Sugar Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Pineywood national park, Lufkin, Texas

Bike Setup:
Sram Red, Garcia V shaped wheels

Summary:
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.

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.

Similar Products Used:
Orbea Opal, Fuji Team RC

Price Paid:  $5000.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Mount Diablo

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace 7800, Ksyrium SL wheels, Michelin Pro 3 tires, Sella saddle (very comfortable)

Summary:
I've had this bike a month and I can honestly say it is the best bike I have ever ridden, and I have been a cyclist for more than 40 years. I have the Dura Ace 7800 Group with Ksyrium SL wheels. It climbs great, is fast on the decents, and delivers a very comfortable ride over long distances. It has more cornering ability than I have cajones if you know what I mean...handles very well

Strengths:
Stiff bottom bracket and headset, smooth ride. Frame is finished beautifully.

Weaknesses:
none that I can see now

Similar Products Used:
looked at a lot of bikes in this class, just loved the look of the Orca

Price Paid:  $4900.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Hills of Clermont

Bike Setup:
Dura Ace 7800 Gruppo, Race X Lite wheels, Pro Race 3 Tires, Sella Lite Gel Flow Flight saddle

Summary:
Since I have only had it a few days, I will update after a few more months. Right off the bat it gives a very smooth ride, Stiff where it needs to be, and very, very responsive. I have the Dura Ace 7800 Group on the bike, and so far I am very impressed.( I previously road Ultegra) The Bike weighs in at 15.8 Puunds with Pedals, and CPU.
Like I said I will update as I go along. But so far I am very pleased.

Strengths:
Light Bike for the Price, Stiff frame with a smooth responsive ride. Sella Lite Saddle is comfy...

Weaknesses:
None Yet.

Similar Products Used:
Giant OCR 1 with Ultegra SL Gruppo, Ultegra SL Wheels, Pro Race 3 Tires.
Inform RL Saddle