Orbea Orca 2024 first ride review – The renaissance of climbing bikes?

Nothing ever stays the same for long, and the new Orbea Orca 2024 is about to shake things up once more! The Basque manufacturer have seen the light, and decided to shift away from all-round aero bikes and return to a more traditional distribution of roles. But can the Orca 2024 assert itself as a climbing bike and revive the era of lightweight road bikes?

Not long ago, classic climbing bikes like the new Orbea Orca 2024 were declared dead, and the era of nimble and light bikes seemed to be over. The new, unifying genre of all-rounder race bikes was thought to be the answer, with a focus on maximum aerodynamics and minimum weight. Although these bikes may be surpassed by the specialists in their respective fields of expertise, they are designed to excel with consistently good performance in any terrain – at least in theory. After all, there’s no point being first to the summit, if you’re last on the descent.
However, this is where the crux of the matter lies. Especially in steep and slow terrain, gravity still determines who climbs the mountain the fastest. That’s exactly what Orbea thought, too, and reinvented the new Orca 2024 under the motto “Praise The Light”. But how does the bike perform in our first test, and what do the mysterious OQUO, MYO, and OMX signify?

Why the Orbea Orca 2024 is not outdated

The predecessor of the new Orbea Orca 2024 was also an all-rounder, combining aero and lightweight construction, and was entirely in line with the trends of its time. However, times have changed, and pure lightweight bikes are undeniably faster in certain situations. Particularly at speeds below 15 km/h, a bike’s aerodynamics can sometimes be more of a hindrance than an advantage due to the extra weight, lending a sluggish, heavy ride quality.
This is where the new Orbea Orca 2024 comes in. The pro peloton is increasingly coming on board with this line of thinking. Jumbo-Visma are probably one of the best-known examples, as their riders in yellow are renowned for changing bikes in the midst of a race. Even during time trials, the switch to climbing bikes is not uncommon. And if it works for the pros, it certainly makes sense for us regular riders too, right?
Let’s not forget that we are not professionals; we ride bikes that are fun and motivate us, so the sensation of speed is arguably more important than the speed itself. We can’t simply switch bikes and choose the right one for the respective terrain. Plus, a few seconds lost on flat terrain don’t bother us if we enjoy the bike we’re riding.

Orbea Orca 2024 – What defines a climbing bike in 2024?

Lightweight construction is the hallmark of climbing bikes, and the Orbea Orca 2024 is no exception. For the lightest possible frame, Orbea rely on round shapes and tube profiles. Not only does this offer high stiffness at a low weight, but also avoids sharp edges on the bike. This simplifies the manufacturing process – sharp corners are much harder to produce reliably, and can require the use of more fibre and resin to ensure strength, thus increasing the weight.. This design philosophy is noticeable throughout the bike: the seat post, seat tube, seat stays, and down tube are all round. Typical for Orbea, the front also features round shapes, especially at the transition between the head tube, down tube, and top tube. The fork also adheres to the lightweight construction ethos: extremely slim and elegant, it perfectly complements the bike. It’s no wonder that a bike built with Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 in size 53 weighs only 6.64 kg.

Orbea are also promoting the bike with the “stiffness-to-weight” concept, to keep the ride quality consistent across the frame sizes. The idea is that the stiffness of the frame is tuned to match the expected rider weight, so that the small sizes don’t feel excessively harsh or the large sizes too noodly.
The new Orca comes in two frame variants. OMX signifies the lighter, more expensive frame, which maintains the same stiffness with a reduced weight, resulting in a higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. OMR refers to the less expensive frame option, with slightly more weight and a lower stiffness-to-weight ratio. This difference gives each variant a distinct character and feel. Spoiler alert: Orbea have done a great job!
Despite the lightweight construction, Orbea don’t neglect aero features. Integrated cable routing, a narrow top tube, and slightly aero-optimised tube profiles contribute to the bike’s visually fast appearance. Interestingly, the bike wasn’t tested in a wind tunnel, a conscious decision by Orbea.

OQUO – Orbea’s state-of-the-art wheels on the new Orbea Orca 2024

To complement the new bike, Orbea’s somewhat tricky-to-pronounce component brand OQUO have introduced their first road and gravel wheels to the lineup. At the end of 2022, the brand was launched with MTB wheels and is now venturing into the drop bar bike realm. The new range features a variety of wheels: “Performance Road” caters to the traditional road racing segment, while “Road Control” encompasses the gravel/all-road wheels with a 25 mm inner width. Notably, the manufacturer from the Basque Country take particular pride in the “Mini Hook” – a hybrid of hookless and hooked rims that amalgamates the best of both worlds. By combining the larger internal width and improved tire profile of hookless wheels with the wide range of tire choices and pressures offered by conventional hooked wheels, it presents an intriguing concept.
The full OQUO wheel range spans from 35 to 57 mm deep carbon and alloy rims, all equipped with Zipp hubs. The manufacturing process, which involves a blend of “human touch” and automated production technology, takes place not far from Orbea’s headquarters. We had the privilege of peering inside OQUO’s workshops, and are eagerly anticipating the innovations that lie ahead.

High-end and value for money – What you get with the new Orbea Orca 2024

We had the opportunity to extensively test the new Orbea Orca 2024 in the Pyrenees. Both the OMX and OMR frame variants were at our disposal, each equipped with OQUO wheels and fully decked out with OC components. By the way, OC is another of Orbea’s brands, manufacturing everything from seatposts to handlebars.

Our high-end and lightweight Orbea Orca M10i LTD PWR test bike, priced at € 10,999, comes with Shimano’s latest DURA-ACE Di2 groupset, including a power meter, that was unfortunately missing on our bike. The bike features an OC stem with an OC carbon handlebar, with fully internal cable routing, of course. For our test, we selected the high-end OQUO RP35 LTD carbon wheels with a 35 mm rim height and, in line with the racing spirit, equipped with Vittoria Corsa Speed tires in 25 mm. Overall, the equipment leaves little room for improvement; only a one-piece cockpit would be a welcome addition to the bike.

The OMR entry-level Orca M35i, priced at € 4,399, shifts reliably with the Shimano 105 Di2 groupset, featuring a 50/34 t chainset and 11-34 t cassette, and also comes with an OC cockpit, although it is entirely made of aluminium. Of course, OQUO wheels are also used here. The RP35 Team Carbon wheels are slightly heavier and have a different rim profile compared to the LTD version on the OMX models. The 28 mm Vittoria N.EXT tires, which are suitable for the intended use, perfectly complement the bike and provide enhanced safety even on rough roads.

In general, Orbea have catered to everyone, offering enthusiast-friendly bikes starting from € 3,399 up to pro-level stunners with a price tag of € 10,999. Notably, the mid-price segment contains some real highlights, making it definitely worthwhile exploring their portfolio.

What MyO has to do with your custom Orbea Orca 2024

MyO – because Orbea don’t have enough abbreviations, TLAs and fancy PR terms yet, let’s add another one to the mix. However, MyO is actually quite straightforward and stands for “My Orbea”, referring to the configurator for customising the bikes. On their website, the bikes can be individually tailored from a range of colours and designs, and even personalised with your preferred choice of components. The bike is then meticulously hand-painted at the Orbea factory in the Basque Country, followed by final assembly in the same hall before being shipped to the customer.
What may sound like a lot of work and, potentially, an additional charge is actually available at no extra cost for most Orbea bikes. With the new Orbea Orca, all bikes from the € 4,999 M35i model upwards can be customised to suit using MyO.

The well-proven geometry of the Orbea Orca 2024

Compared to its predecessor, not much has changed in the geometry, and that’s a positive. The tried and tested geometry of the Orbea Orca has proven to be excellent, so it would be a shame to make significant alterations. Orbea remain committed to the Orca concept, maintaining shorter chainstays for improved pedalling and acceleration, as well as a shorter wheelbase for a more agile and responsive bike. It’s these features that make the Orbea Orca perfectly suited for climbing.

Orbea Orca 2024

Size	47	49	51	53	55	57	60
Seat tube	440 mm	460 mm	480 mm	500 mm	520 mm	540 mm	570 mm
Top tube	510.3 mm	522.7 mm	535.9 mm	548.5 mm	560.4 mm	576.1 mm	590 mm
Head tube	110.5 mm	118.2 mm	134.6 mm	152.9 mm	173.1 mm	191.2 mm	218.3 mm
Head angle	71°	71.5°	72.2°	72.8°	73°	73.2°	73.2°
Seat angle	74.5°	74°	73.7°	73.5°	73.5°	73.2°	73.2°
Chainstay	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm	408 mm
BB Drop	72 mm	72 mm	72 mm	70 mm	70 mm	70 mm	70 mm
Reach	370 mm	375 mm	380 mm	385 mm	391 mm	398 mm	404 mm
Stack	506 mm	515 mm	533 mm	552 mm	572 mm	590 mm	616 mm

The Orbea Orca 2024 on the road

During our test ride, we could clearly discern the differences between the OMX and OMR models. The lighter and more expensive OMX Orca exhibited exceptional agility, responding swiftly to steering inputs and requiring minimal effort from the rider. It climbed effortlessly, and handled predictably through fast successive curves on the descents, eager to accelerate back out of the corners. As such, it proves to be the better option for athletic, experienced, and well-trained roadies. The choice of gear ratios and tires further reinforces our impression, as the Vittoria Corsa Speed offers excellent rolling speed and grip, at the expense of puncture protection and durability.

Thanks to the same geometry, the more affordable OMR model remains a reliable climbing bike, but its different stiffness-to-weight ratio makes it more forgiving and composed. It offers a higher sense of security and is not quite as razor-sharp as its OMX counterpart, making it suitable for beginners with less experience. And that’s obviously its intended purpose, as shown by the choice of tires and the more leisurely gear ratios. Both bikes share a good level of compliance and comfort.

In the end, it becomes evident that neither of the bikes is designed to be an aero bike – far from it. Although both bikes roll impressively well, they won’t be able to match the straight-line speed of dedicated aero bikes, particularly on flat or rolling terrain. However, both bikes are at the top of their game when it comes to riding fun. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your personal preferences. While the significant surcharge on the OMX may be justifiable for some, it may not be worthwhile for others. We recommend the top frame option for athletic and experienced riders, as it offers enhanced performance and snappy handling. On the other hand, with the less expensive OMR frame, laid-back and leisurely riders will get their money’s worth.

Our conclusion on the Orbea Orca 2024

With the new Orca 2024, Orbea present a genuine climbing bike, breaking away from the trend of all-rounder race bikes in recent years. What may initially appear as a step backwards actually turns out to be a leap into the future, injecting new excitement into their range. The Orca brings a breath of fresh air to the somewhat standardised world of road bikes, delivering pure riding fun. With a high level of customisation, and a distinct difference between the OMX and OMR models, the Orbea Orca 2024 is undoubtedly worth considering.

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Words: Calvin Zajac Photos: Orbea