A few days before the start of the Tour de France, Orbea the new Orca Aero It is the fourth generation of the Basque brand's aero racing bike, and the bike on which Lotto-Intermarché He rides in the Tour. The team already rode him in races as the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
21 watts, but where does that come from?
Orbea claims that the new Orca Aero runs at 50 km/h 21 watts Faster than the previous one. That’s a claim for both cyclists and runners, which Orbea calls ‘Aero 360º’. The majority, about 14 watts, comes from a lower sitting position thanks to a trapezius reduction of 78 mm, According to Orbea, it is the lowest of all aerofoils. The frame itself produces about 5 watts.
In addition, Orbea claims a 6 to 7 watt gain on gravel or rough asphalt due to the wider tires, and about 2 watts on an 8 percent climb due to the lighter, stiffer frame.
What's new?
- Frame weighing about 900 grams, Approximately 250 grams lighter than the previous generation.
- Tire clearance up to 37 mm; According to Orbea, you get the best aerodynamical performance with tires from 29 to 35 mm in diameter.
- Smaller handlebar with a standard handlebar tube, a wider lower tube with new aerobond holder mounts and a storage compartment on the handlebar that also doubles as an aerocap.
- Integrated OC RA10 steering wheel in 13 sizes and an aero saddle with two offsets.
- Only for electronic groups, with UDH path.
Versions and prices
There are six versions, from Shimano 105 to Dura-Ace Di2 and SRAM Red AXS, and also a version with Campagnolo Record. The top models run on Oquo RA57LTD aerocover wheels. In euros, the prices are as stated above. € 5,699 to € 10,999. Through MyOrbea you can choose the color and finish yourself. For the exact price and delivery time, please contact an Orbea dealer.
Our perspective
That 21 watts sounds great, but it’s mainly the effect of a lower sitting position. That can be faster, but you have to be flexible enough for that. The bike itself only gains about 5 watts. Still, this is a strong package: 900 grams, 37 mm tire clearance, and a handlebar in thirteen sizes. With these features, the Orca Aero is more versatile than many other aerofoils.
Source: Orbea