Orbea Gain M10 in Review

The Orbea Gain M10 stands out from the crowd with its upbeat colour scheme. Manufactured in Spain, the ebike featuring MAHLE ebikemotion’s X35 motor and a maximum tire clearance of 700x40C is out to impress. How will it fare in a direct comparison?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: The best E-road bike of 2019! – 13 of the most exciting models on test

Following hot on the heels of FOCUS, Orbea was among the first bike brands with an E-road bike on the market. With its slim silhouette, harmonious tube proportions and vibrant paint job, our test team loved the looks of the Gain M10. Orbea cleverly combined the classic diamond frame shape with a high level of integration, dropped chainstays, fender mounts and plenty of clearance for tires up to 700x40C. All-road or gravel fans should find enough options to adapt the bike to their own needs. Our test bike featured the mechanical Shimano DURA-ACE R9100 groupset with 160 mm rotors up front and 140 mm rotors on the rear. The Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon Disc UST wheels came fitted with Mavic Yksion Pro UST tires, which look a little lost on the frame at 28.5 mm wide, though they should perform well on the road. As with the Bianchi, the cable connecting the MAHLE ebikemotion hub motor with the battery in the down tube is routed along the bottom of the chainstay. The cover protecting the cable has to be removed before you can remove the rear wheel. You won’t be able to be in a hurry when repairing your rear wheel and always remember to take a 1.5 mm Allen key with you when you ride. In size L, our € 7,499 test bike weighed in at only 11.53 kg.

The ORBEA GAIN M10 in detail

Motor/Battery MAHLE ebikemotion X35 250 Wh
Drivetrain Shimano Dura-Ace 9100
Gearing 50/34 T und 11–30 T
Brakes Shimano R9170 Hydraulic Disc 160/160 mm
Stem FSA OS-99 CSI 110 mm
Handlebar FSA K-Force Compact 440 mm
Seatpost FSA K-Force SB25
Wheels Mavic Cosmic Pro Carbon Disc UST
Tires Mavic Yksion Pro UST 28C

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	470 mm	510 mm	540 mm	555 mm	570 mm
Top tube	517.9 mm	528.0 mm	549.5 mm	568.8 mm	591.0 mm
Head tube	98.7 mm	115.0 mm	130.0 mm	142.0 mm	155.0 mm
Head angle	69.5°	69.5°	71.0°	71.9°	72.5°
Seat angle	72.4°	72.4°	72.4°	72.4°	72.4°
Wheelbase	1,005.6 mm	1,016.0 mm	1,024.5 mm	1,034.9 mm	1,051.4 mm
Reach	355.0 mm	360.2 mm	375.4 mm	390.0 mm	407.6 mm
Stack	515.0 mm	530.2 mm	550.1 mm	665.0 mm	579.5 mm

The ORBEA GAIN M10 in review

The Gain M10 is a light and spritely bike, which is a lot of fun on sprints and climbs! Whether you pedal standing up or sitting, the Orbea knows only one way – full speed ahead! However while the agile front end directly responds to rider steering input, the rear-end seems to trail it sluggishly at times. The front end of the Gain M10 is also quite susceptible to crosswinds and its agile character needs to be kept in check in stormy conditions. The aggressively stretched riding position suits the character of the Orbea well. Thanks to the E-road bike’s central and low centre of gravity, experienced downhill riders will be able to set new PBs. Beginners could quickly become overwhelmed by the direct handling and the relatively low volume of the tires if they try pushing their limits and get out of their comfort zone.

You can bet that even the most hardcore E-road haters will like the look of the Orbea!

Speaking of comfort: the stiff rear triangle combined with the 31.6 mm seat post provides a lot of feedback from the ground and a minimal level of comfort. Overall, this suits the stiff front end and racy looks quite well. However, on longer rides, the lack of compliance can quickly become a drawback. The power curve of the MAHLE ebikemotion motor feels similar to the smoothly tuned performance of the Bianchi. However, the system doesn’t seem to be powerful enough for more demanding off-road rides, though open gravel roads with moderate climbs don’t pose a problem!

Conclusion

With the Orbea Gain M10, you get a good overall package which combines aggressive and direct handling with lots of visual appeal. Extroverted and design-loving club riders as well as ambitious hobbyists who occasionally enjoy some support and value large clearances will find their bike here. For added comfort and versatility, we recommend fitting wider tires.

For more info head to: orbea.com

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: The best E-road bike of 2019! – 13 of the most exciting models on test

All bikes in test: Bianchi Aria e-Road | BMC Alpenchallenge AMP ROAD ONE | Cannondale Synapse Neo SE | CENTURION Overdrive Carbon Road Z4000 | Coboc TEN Torino | FOCUS Paralane² 9.9 | LOOK E-765 Optimum Disc | Moustache Dimanche 28.7 | Pinarello Nytro | Specialized S-Works Turbo Creo SL | Thömus Sliker E1 | Wilier Triestina Cento1 Hybrid Custom

---

---

Did you enjoy this article? If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. By becoming a supporter of GRAN FONDO, you will help secure a sustainable future for high-quality cycling journalism. Click here to learn more.

Words: Photos: Valentin Rühl, Benjamin Topf, Robin Schmitt