[velopan]

Orbea Opal

2006 Orbea Opal, anyone know anything about it?

I just got the 2006 Orbea catalog, however the shop knew nothing about the Opal, its 50g lighter than a Orca, and slots inbetween a Orca and Onix in the range, however they didn't know the price or anything else about it

Anyone have any more info?

I just got an Opal in silver (only thing available right now according to my shop). 51 cm.

stripped of headset and FD & seatpost clamp, it weighed in @ 1100g on the nose.

getting the word from this forum that it ships with the non-SL fork, I upgraded to the SL.

It looks spectacular. the cosmetic carbon wrap is like the Scott, so it really sparkles in the sun.

MSRP I was told is $2399. I paid less.

Haven't built it up, but rode with some Orbea reps on a ride with the Jelly Belly pros before the SF Grand Prix. The reps had Opals that had just been assembled the night before. My shop also had a Silver Opal with Record and carbon Campy wheels just in for the Orbea tent @ the Grand Prix. [drop dead georgeous that was] The reps said (based on just a few miles of riding) that they couldn't tell a whole lot of different between the Opal and the Orca, although the Opal does feel stiffer and perhaps a little less forgiving. They said the Opal will the "crit bike" of the lineup.

Hmmm. Well, I will be doing hilly road races on it at less than 140lbs, so I hope it provides what I'm looking for too: A stiff, light climbing bike that is less skittish on the descents than my TCR composite.

 

[velopan]

I guess it's too late now, but did you consider the Arin? All aluminum, made with Orbea's own alloy that is ONE THIRD the thickness of Columbus Starship, according to the Orbea rep for the LBS that I work at. Designed essentially to be a pure alu climbing frame; probably at a lower cost than the Opal. According to their website, weighs 920 grams, and the rear end is designed to be a bit shorter than the carbon frames.

I've never enjoyed riding alum frames; I tried the Bianchi San Lorenzo (scandium), and it just beat the crud out of me. So I was pretty settled on carbon. (or possibly titanium, which, in general, is much more expensive for weight comparable to carbon).

I have now assembled the Opal and ridden it. Dura Ace 9-speed; Ksyrium SLs; FSA carbon pro; Am Cl BB; zero gravity brakes; easton carbon bars; slk seat; zeus carbon seatpost. Weighs just a tad over 15 lbs. I was a little pissed that the Opal weight was not as claimed (actual: 1100g for 51cm. v. claimed: 1054 for 54cm), but oh well. I can't complain too much about a 15 lb. bike. With carbon wheels, it will be well under the UCI limit I'm guessing.

I've ridden around the block on an Orca, so I can't really compare it to the Opal fairly. The Opal seems plenty forgiving to me. I have been riding a Merlin (w/ Easton SLX fork) and an 04 TCR composite. The Opal takes the sting out of rough spots better than the Merlin or Giant. I think I like the geometry better than the Giant; the Opal's got a more traditional geometry like the merlin. The Opal is stiffer than the Merlin. The Zeus SL fork is plainly stiffer than the Easton and not too much heavier. It's been too long since I've ridden the Giant to say the Opal stiffer than that. I'm done racing this season, so I can't comment on race condition performance.

All in all, the Opal is a wonderful bike.

 

[velopan]

Let me know what you think of the Zaga seatpost. I've had my Orca a month and the saddle slipped on me several times. The saddle clamp just doesn't to want to hold on the the carbon grooves of the seatpost. I replaced it this week with a Thomson Masterpiece (no heavier) and am much more at ease with it.

No problems with the seatpost thus far. (1/2 dozen rides; 200 mi or so). I did have that exact problem on my Giant TCR composite. Carbon on Carbon can be a problem. I broke a clamp trying to tighten it, so had my LBS use a torque wrench and they finally got it tight enough without breaking it.

 

[velopan]

How long of a ride have you gone on so far? I'd be very interested in the comfort factor over a ride of a few (3-4) hours in duration; I suppose you could say I'm in the market as well. The Orbea rep that I've spoken with described it as too harsh of a ride for extended use, but I'd like to get your opinion on that.

I've done a couple of rides now at b/w 3-4 hrs. The frame is definitely stiff, but it dampens pretty well. I have found myself consciously avoiding rough spots LESS than on my old ride. I have carbon bars and post and titanium rails, so all of those things probably contribute too. I've never had CF bars before. OTOH, I'm riding SLs right now, and they're not the softest ride, so.....

If it means anything, I'm doing a century the middle of next month on the Opal and I'm not concerned about getting beaten up. And I'm 5'6"/140lbs, so getting beat up is definitely a concern.

But I am also willing to trade off a little comfort for stiffness for racing performance, so it might depend on what qualities you put a premium on.