Well, it is finally here! Dealers have been tight lipped and stressed as an embargo has sat over our head. Every time a customer calls asking for a lightweight but full powered ebike, and is also price point and battery size conscious, we have had to bite our tongues. This type of ebike already existed within the Orbea Rise M series but knowing there is a new series starting at $5299 and arriving in December 2021? BRUTAL to keep quiet. Enough of my pain and misery of having to keep a secret, now that the secret is out, here is the newest addition to the Orbea Rise family, the Hydro!
Overview of the Rise Hydro lineup:
Nothing compares, plain and simple. When looking at the Orbea Rise Hydro we were hell bent on finding a way to compare it to the competition, but there isn’t any. Even if this was a plain old normal spec’d, run-of the mill bike it is still priced as if Covid didn’t happen. You would never know shipping containers went from 3k to 25k. You would never know that components and parts for manufacturers are 300+ days out. Orbea has somehow created a superlight ebike in the height of the supply chain pandemic and priced it for the masses. This emtb series has the same “bones” as their carbon counterpart but comes in at customer-friendly prices and holds true to its roots; lightweight, rider friendly, and an authentic ride feel without sacrificing power… as most superlights do.
What makes the Rise Hydro different from the Rise M series? On the surface the answer is easy, the new Hydro is aluminum and the M series is carbon. Even with this change Orbea has somehow made the bike lightweight like its counterpart. Most aluminum ebikes these days weigh anywhere from 50-58lbs. The H series? 42-44lbs depending on model. There is also a battery difference. Even with the low weight Orbea has managed to pack a 540 wh battery into a sleek and discrete downtube. Want more? Throw on the extra 3lb 252wh range extender for a full 792whs of battery and still only be at 45-47lbs!
What's the same? First, sitting next to each other you can’t tell the difference between the Carbon and the Aluminum builds. Welds are smooth and the down tube is exactly the same. The motor also stays the same. Orbea has a relationship with Shimano that makes a very unique EP8 RS (rider synergy) motor system with 60nm of torque. Yes it is a bit less than the industry standard (80-90nm) but with the lightness of the bike it gives you (almost, not quite, in my opinion) the same sensation and help as the full powered ebikes. It is natural feeling, quiet, and with the lower torque you’ll find your range almost 1.5 times that of a full powered ebike. Other superlights in the industry have only 35nm of torque which we have found just not enough to be considered an ebike, those are more so considered strong acoustic bikes.
Geo Charts:
Let’s jump into the three new models:
Orbea Rise H30 Build Overview:
At $5299 you would expect entry-level RockShox (maybe even Suntour) and entry level components. What did Orbea do? The opposite. Right off the bat, in the entry level Hydro, you’ll get a Fox Float DPS rear shock and something rare, a Marzocchi Bomber front shock. To put that in perspective: This is higher quality suspension than what you would find on a Trey Rail 9.7 that is priced at $7550. The rear derailleur is a Shimano SLX (more and more common on sub 8k bikes, found on the popular Turbo Levo Comp) and brakes that could probably use an upgrade eventually but still with plenty of stopping power.
Who is this model for?
This bike is not for big drops and extreme downhill. Yes, you could do it, but it is not what it is made for. This bike is playful but with 140mm of travel it is for fun all mountain riding with small jumps and pops but not for nduro enthusiasts. Flow trails and blue single track it will handle with ease but once you get into black diamond riding you may wish you had 150-160mm of travel and some thicker diameter stanchions. It is for someone wishing emtbs were a bit more manageable in terms of weight but don’t want to sacrifice power and ability.
Click here to check out the full breakdown on the Orbea Rise H30
Orbea Rise H15 Build Overview:
We’ve reviewed the entry level Orbea Rise H30 and now we are diving into the mid tier model, the H15. This is when this bike gets really interesting. Not only do you get the same lightness as the H30 but you start to see some real quality component increases. At $6299 you get a Fox 36 (150mm) and a new favorite in the mountain bike industry, the new Fox Float X (upgraded and redesigned Fox DPX2). ALL your components take a massive leap (Shimano XT derailleur and higher spec’d brakes) and you get pricing for a bike that competitors have at:
- Trek Rail 9.8 XT - Still not spec’d as good - Price? $9049!
- Canyon Spectral: ON CF 7 - all components are lower end but it is carbon - $6299
When we see how it compares plus the lightness and playfulness of the build we are confident that if your budget is around 6k there is not a better buy.
Who is this model for?
When it comes to my favorite bike in the Hydro series this is by far the top of my list. The H30 is great for those entering the ebike market who aren’t going to try and thrash the bike. But for me, a black (growing more confident) diamond rider but not quite a 6 foot drop nduro rider, this bike takes the cake. I am 200lbs and with the riding I do the H30 140mm travel just wouldn’t be enough. But with a Fox 36 and a high quality rear shock I can do everything in my wheelhouse on this bike and still have room to grow into more expert style riding. This bike is for someone with a little bit extra in their budget or who will ride often and want to be able to ride it hard. The components are top of the line (I would still prefer XT brakes to be honest, but at this price you have room to upgrade if you decide you need it) and the battery life and motor power are more than enough. It is a superlight bike that didn’t skimp on battery life (540whs) nor power (60nm of torque).
Click here to see the full breakdown on the Orbea Rise H15
Orbea Rise H10 Build Overview:
More similar to the H30 in it’s suspension travel but closer in components to some brands highest end mountain bikes. The H10 finally got what we asked for in our other two reviews...extremely good brakes, and my favorite, Shimano XTs! They match this with an XT derailleur and with Fox front and rear. The suspension isn’t your hard hitting package but it is a lightweight and quality buildset. The rear shock is the Fox Float DPS (responsive and easy to set) matched with a Fox 34 Factory with Kashima coated stanchions (the best bling in bikes!).
Who is this bike for?
This bike is not for big drops and extreme downhill. Yes, you could do it, but it is not what it is made for (sound familiar to the H30?). This bike is playful but with 140mm of travel it is for fun all mountain riding with small jumps and pops but not for nduro enthusiasts. Flow trails and blue single track it will handle with ease but once you get into black diamond riding you may wish you had 150mm of travel and some thicker diameter stanchions. It is for someone wishing emtbs were a bit more manageable in terms of weight but don’t want to sacrifice power and ability. It is for the rider that no matter what terrain they are on they want the best components available. If you have the budget, and you want lightweight and reliable components, the H10 is your choice.
Click here to see the full breakdown on the Orbea Rise H10
What Size am I?
How do I get one? Pre-ordering is live and Fly Rides in year one of being an Orbea dealer is now the biggest Rise dealer in the USA. We ship across the USA (free shipping and no sales tax if you are out of state), we provide complementary rebates to have your bike inspected after shipment, and offer free warranty support/labor to all bikes sold through us. Want to know who we are? Take a look yourself: Who we are
Good Rides and Good Vibes.
