Orbea says that the typical profile of an XC MTB rider has changed over the years since it first launched the Oiz, back in 2005. While, back then, it was about just going out to ride their bike, now it sees that riders are training to reach goals and improve their results in races. The Oiz has evolved to meet their aspirations.
The Oiz is a benchmark in the XC MTB category, lauded by reviewers, with Orbea consistently developing new design and construction solutions that improve performance. Orbea says that the new Oiz is the product of one of its most ambitious development projects ever, with three years’ work from concept to production.
The pinnacle of this performance orientation is the pro XC riders competing in World Cup races, with Orbea Fox Factory Team rider Simon Andreassen riding the new Oiz to 16th place at the Novo Mestre round of the World Cup XCO in May.
Four-time Canadian XCO MTB champion Jenn Jackson also rides for the team and is currently placed fourth in the UCI MTB World Series.
Commenting on the new bike, she says: “I’m impressed with the new Oiz. The new frame construction and, especially, the increased stiffness in key areas clearly elevate its performance. This new Oiz feels like a trail bike in many ways: it is more predictable and much easier to hold the line I choose.”
You can read more details of the latest generation Oiz on Orbea’s site.
Here’s how the new Oiz pushes XC MTB performance forward, creating one of the most capable bikes in its category.
Stiffness without added weight
Increasing frame stiffness and improved power delivery are key goals across all bike segments, but it’s vital this is achieved without adding weight.
So Orbea’s engineers used advanced finite element analysis to analyse every component of the frame tubes and junctions and optimise stiffness. At the same time, they avoided adding weight and fine-tuned the frame’s dynamic behaviour.
The tube transitions are smoother, which allows the frame to be built more efficiently, with greater carbon compaction and less resin, so that the stiffness-to-weight ratio is increased.
While carbon may be the go-to material for a modern bike frame for its high strength and low weight, Orbea has swapped from carbon to forged aluminium for the rear frame suspension linkage in the new Oiz. Internal cut-outs in the component have allowed it to reduce weight by 30% from the previous generation bike.
It’s smaller, but also stiffer, while a new bridge between the seat stays works with the chainstay shape to ensure rigidity in the rear triangle and stability on technical terrain and descents.
Stiffness has also been increased in the front triangle, with features such as the top tube shape engineered to increase the frame stiffness. This works with the Powerspine featured in the lower part of the frame to optimise power transfer in sprints and when climbing.
It also allows the cable to the rear shock to run near-straight in Orbea’s patented I-Line design, which reduces friction, improves durability and leads to smoother actuation.
Suspension designed for racing
Orbea has also worked on suspension performance, reducing torsion around the main pivot for increased control and smoother operation.
The Oiz is designed for 120mm travel front and rear, but a 130mm travel fork can be swapped in if extra capability is needed.
As in the old model, the suspension kinematics are regressive and prioritise support in the initial part of the stroke. Orbea says that this reduces unwanted suspension compression and bobbing and so improves pedalling efficiency. It fits a small volume shock that supports a more supple mid-stroke and progression at the end of the suspension travel, helping to avoid bottoming out.
Via the Squidlock system, just two levers control the suspension and dropper post, so that the three lockout positions can be selected while maintaining a hold on the handlebars.
Tweaked geometry
With winning speeds in XCO World Cup races now 24km/h, up from 18km/h ten years ago, Orbea has also refined the Oiz’s geometry in three areas, to fine-tune the bike to deliver at an ever-increasing race pace.
First, the head tube angle has been slightly slackened from 67º to 66.8º, which increases stability and control at speed.
Second, the seat tube angle has been increased, so that the rider sits further forward. This, Orbea says, improves power transfer and traction on steep climbs.
Third, the chainstay length has been reduced from 432mm to 430mm, for faster handling and acceleration.
Lower frame weight
Orbea says that the combined updates in the new Oiz result in a 1,700g frame weight for the OMX grade frame in size M, including the shock, which it claims makes the bike one of the lightest XC MTBs available. In top Team spec, Orbea’s scales show that a complete bike weighs as little as 9.63kg.
Orbea also sells the Oiz in OMR grade carbon. It’s as strong as the OMX frame, with the same performance, just a little more weight and a lower price.
In both frame grades, there’s room for two bottles across all frame sizes, so there’s no need to carry a hydration pack.
Reliable performance
The Oiz isn’t just a fragile butterfly bike though. In fact, Orbea added around 50g to the frame weight over an early prototype to satisfy its pros. It stresses that the Oiz is a bike that’s not only for race day, but offers the reliability owners need year after year, with a robust frame and components chosen for their longevity.
Orbea’s OC components are designed around the bike too, helping to lower weight while still offering great performance. The one-piece OC integrated carbon cockpit fitted to higher specs avoids a separate stem, while the MP11 dropper post has 100mm of travel and weighs just 404g.
Clever design features include an eight-piece multitool that nests under the top tube ahead of the shock, allowing fast access when needed.
Full customisation using MyOrbea
Orbea’s custom build programme allows you to choose your own colour scheme from stock colours, carbon view paints that show the frame’s structure and special iridescent and colour-changing paints. You can also choose logo colours, frame detail contrast colours and even have your name printed on the frame.
There are multiple component choices too, including cockpit, saddle, tyres and wheels, which feature wheelsets from Orbea’s sister Oquo wheel brand. Orbea’s bike builder app lets you see your design close-up, along with your local currency price and estimated shipping date.
Prices for the ten specs of the new Orbea Oiz start at just £2,199 / $2,756 for the Oiz H30 and head up to £9,999 / $12,127 for the Oiz M-LTD with a SRAM XX SL Eagle groupset, Fox 34 Factory 120mm travel fork and Fox Float SL Factory Kashima shock.
Check out the full range and technical details on Orbea’s site.
Deep roots
Orbea is a company deeply rooted in its Basque Country homeland, as well as in cycling competition, founded as long ago as 1840.
Back then, it made firearms and it wasn’t until 1931 that it transferred its expertise in precision manufacturing to producing bicycles. It was deeply involved in road cycle racing right from its switch to bicycle manufacturing.
Its employees took ownership of the company in 1969 and formed the co-operative structure that continues to this day, building a state-of-the-art headquarters, where its bikes are designed and assembled.
