Orbea

Orca Bronze/SRAM Rival Complete Road Bike - 2013

Orbea modeled its new Orca BRV after its flagship Gold and Silver road bikes, applying many of the same technologies and design elements into its makeup. However, we're all able to rejoice that the aforementioned arrives at a price that's, well, more attainable. The lines and geometry are strikingly similar to Orbea's top-end machines, and so too is the stable handling, exceptional ride quality, and overall comfort that Orbea carbon road bicycles are known for.

The Orca BRV was built using Orbea's Bronze grade carbon. Essentially, this is a blend of intermediate modulus fibers that have a touch more elasticity than the higher modulus fibers used to construct both the Gold and Silver Orcas. The result is a durable layup that provides a smooth, compliant, and road-dampening feel. However, this is achieved without compromising the Orca's trademark, rigid pedaling platform. Accordingly, your pedaling power is directed straight into the back wheel, instead of being wasted on flexing the frame side-to-side.

Like the Gold and Silver models, The BRV frame and fork were molded using a monocoque construction method. Essentially, this creates a homogenous structure with fibers running continuously along the length of the tubes and through the intersections. This increases the total strength of the bike, particularly at the tube junctions. Additionally, it adds to frame's overall durability. However, there are a few structural differences that separate the Orca BRV from the Silver and Gold. The BRV uses alloy dropouts, which are a few grams heavier than the full-carbon versions found on the more expensive models, but the tradeoff is that they are much more durable. Also, the seat tube on the BRV is round whereas the Gold and Silver have a more sculpted, aerodynamic shape. This allows the use of a standard round seatpost and conventional clamp assembly.

Aside from these small differences, the front triangle uses the same planar styling as the other Orca models. The angular tube shapes and pronounced edges are the result of what is known as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), which was engineered to create resistance to flex in critical areas like the bottom bracket, seat tube, and head tube junction. Orbea also applied what it terms as Size Specific Nerve (SSN) technology in order to produce frames that provide the same comfort and ride-quality characteristics throughout the size range. In other words, each frame size has specific carbon layups and tube dimensions, providing the same road-tuned feel regardless of what size of frame you select.

The Orca BRV was built with a BB30 bottom bracket and a tapered, oversized head tube. Both of these details work to decrease weight while increasing stiffness where it counts. At the bottom bracket, you’ll enjoy a stiffer and lighter junction compared to standard external bearing design, which is the same for the tapered, 1.5-inch lower bearing head tube. Both of these design characteristics were trickled down from the Silver and Gold models, which increases the torsional stiffness of the frame.

As for the build of the Orca BRV, Orbea spec'd the bike predominantly with SRAM's dependable Rival 10-speed drivetrain, finishing it off with a BB30 Apex 50/34t compact crankset. The cockpit received Orbea's aluminum Pro bar and stem, with a carbon post supporting Selle Italia's SL Flow saddle. In the wheel department, Orbea wrapped its durable, smooth-rolling 28-spoke alloy wheels in Vittoria's Rubino tires.

The Orbea Orca BRV Complete Road Bike is available in the color Anthracite and in six sizes from 48 to 60cm.