Bike Test: Orbea Oiz M10

Race bikes are designed with one thing in mind: podium-winning speed. Every structural element on a race bike is meticulously engineered to optimize the strength-to-weight ratio that’ll determine whether or not the rider is drenched in champagne at the day’s end. The Orbea name is among the most distinguished in the racing world, but the 26-inch Oiz from years past lacked the bigger wheels now dominating World Cup courses. Will the new larger-wheeled Oiz be the ticket to continued top-of-the-podium finishes?

WHO IS IT MADE FOR?

We chose to test the Orbea Oiz M10, the middle-of-the-road build kit that offers all the pedaling performance without the added cost that comes with shaving off additional grams. That said, the Oiz M10 is still designed for the racer who aims to stand atop the podium after a Cat 1 entry. The 27.5-inch version comes in three sizes, catering to those 61–75 inches tall, while the 29-inch version is also offered in three sizes and designed for those 65–78 inches tall.

WHAT IS IT MADE FROM?

The Oiz frame is fully carbon, from the head tube to the rear dropouts. Not only are the rear stays made out of carbon, Orbea has engineered them to flex in order to provide 7 millimeters of bend that is attained without the need for an additional pivot. This cuts down on the weight of the frame while adding stiffness for acceleration and also requires less maintenance. The Oiz is fully compatible with all mechanical and electronic shifting systems, which are sleeked out through internal cable routing. It features an oversized tapered head tube and utilizes a Press-Fit 92 bottom bracket shell for increased stiffness and durability.

WHAT CAUGHT OUR EYE?

The unique frame lines are always the first aspect we notice of any Orbea mountain bike. Its top tube hump is less pronounced than those of other Orbea models but is certainly still a distinguishing feature. The remote Fox CTD lever is a welcome sight on a race bike where quick damping adjustments are crucial, but it also creates quite the clutter, with six cables looping out in front of the handlebars. A carbon FSA SL-K handlebar and seatpost provide the weight savings required by the racer who wants to beat the pack off the starting line, while the Formula R1 brakes provide the lightweight stopping power required when the speed needs to be toned down a bit.

HOW DOES IT PERFORM?

Moving Out: Formula R1 brake calipers are very finicky when it comes to proper alignment with the rotor, but after a few adjustments we found the sweet spot where braking was smooth and quiet. Venturing out to the trail system used for a local race series, the Orbea Oiz immediately showed its colors as a full-fledged race bike. Orbea abandoned the concept of a fast trailbike and committed to designing a bike that puts speed above all else.
Climbing: We opted for the 29-inch version of the Oiz and certainly enjoyed its benefits on the climbs. Its low stack-height options put us over the handlebars in an aggressive stance, while the short-for-racing 90-millimeter stem still kept us in a position where we didn’t feel as if we were plowing into hills. Paired with the Maxxis Ikon tires, the Oiz delivered a powerful climbing platform that refused to loosen up on the steepest of climbs. Out-of-the-saddle climbing caused the fork to dive through its travel, even at a stiff setting of 15 percent sag; however, using the Fox CTD remote to ensure the bike was in Climb mode prevented this whenever the trail pitched upwards.
Cornering: The long reach of the Oiz, combined with its short stem, provided a ride that remained confident at high speeds. We felt confident letting the brakes go without the fear of getting twisted up in corners. Tight corners would surely be even easier to tackle on the 27.5-inch model, but the 17.5-inch (445-millimeter) chainstays and 44.3-inch wheelbase of our 29-inch model had us snaking through the tightest switchbacks with ease.

Descending: The Oiz M10 exceeded our expectations and was able to descend with greater ability than we typically expect from a lightweight race bike. The entirety of the frame, including the rear linkage, provided ample stiffness and held a line with ease. Orbea’s Tensegrity strut in the swing-link pivot adds rigidity to a minimalistic design, producing a ride that provides on-point tracking and responds to rider input at a moment’s notice. Providing on-the-fly adjustment at the push of a thumb, the Fox CTD remote enabled us to top out a climb and head right into the descent without skipping a beat or stealing our focus.
Braking: Formula R1 brakes provided all the stopping power we desired at a minimal weight. Though it may seem like an unusual observation, our hands never felt truly comfortable with the considerable distance between the lever and handlebar. The brakes have an adjustable lever position, but the lever angle we’re accustomed to is nearly twice as far out as found on most brake levers from other manufacturers. Insufficient low-speed compression tuning in the fork caused the front end to dive under heavy braking and often left us hesitant to let the bike rip in sections where we might have to be heavy on the brakes. It was a choice between the lesser of two evils, as the only way to counteract the diving was to increase the fork’s air pressure to a point where it would not absorb chatter from the trail and therefore created a harsh ride.

TRICKS, UPGRADES OR TIPS?

With six cables routing off the handlebars and some of these cables being excessively long, the cockpit was cluttered right off the bat. To lighten up on the visual distraction and cut down on the tapping of cable slap, we suggest taking the time to shorten them to lengths that naturally allow less contact between them. Additionally, purchasing a pack of rotating cable hooks or simply getting creative with some zip-ties will ensure you keep your sanity through the roughest rock gardens.

BUYING ADVICE

The Orbea Oiz M10 is a race bike that inspires confidence and lets us ride alongside the strongest of riders, regardless of the terrain or conditions. While the Oiz M10 may be designed for striking down podium wins, we also see dedicated cross-country trail riders finding it equally at home on Sunday group rides. If you’re under 75 inches tall, we suggest test riding the 27.5-inch version to experience more agile riding characteristics, although anybody taller will greatly benefit from the larger 29-inch wheels. If you happen to be visiting San Diego, Ca anytime soon, you can pop into MJ’s Cyclery and give one a test ride.

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