Orbea

Orca M30 Complete Road Bike

It's hard to believe how far road bikes have come as of late. We remember looking with skepticism on the early electronic drivetrain prototypes, but in what seemed like the blink of an eye, that futuristic tech has trickled down to levels that we mortals can enjoy. So, with its race-bred pedigree and Ultegra Di2 electronic drivetrain, the Orbea Orca M30 Complete Road Bike illustrates this point perfectly. It’s fast, it’s light, and the shifting is impossibly precise. Basically, you’re looking at a bike that’s superior to the pro-team machines we were drooling over just a few years ago.

As you may know, Orbea recently revamped its fit system to focus on stack and reach, instead of the oft-misleading effective top tube measurements. Upon close inspection, the team at Orbea found that many manufacturers’ sizing structures result in significant gaps between sizes, or worse, considerable overlap between frames of different sizes. By focusing on stack and reach, Orbea has eliminated both the gaps and overlaps in sizing that have plagued riders for so long, especially shorter riders and women. But don’t worry, the smaller frames have been flex-tuned for lighter riders. In other words, you’ll get a bike that fits correctly, not the way a marketing team tells you it should.

Orbea went to great lengths to ensure that the Orca’s handling is consistent across sizes. Accordingly, the 47, 49, and 51cm frames employ a more relaxed head angle, with a 53mm offset fork, as opposed to the 43mm rake found on the larger sizes. This allows the smaller Orcas to have the same trail measurement as the larger sizes, and accordingly, an identical cornering feel. Additionally, it ensures that toe-overlap isn’t a factor, so shorter riders need not fear interference from the front wheel.

The M30 is built on Orbea's monocoque carbon fiber construction, which bonds mirrored halves together into a lightweight, durable frame without the failure-prone junctions that can cause issues with tube-to-tube constructions. The Performance series frame comes from the same mold as the team issue Race series frames, but the blend employs more medium-modulus carbon fiber. While it requires slightly more material, medium modulus carbon fiber is more elastic, which results in a smoother ride. Additionally, the thicker layup makes the bike more resistant to crash-induced damage. Best of all, the weight penalty is a measly 100g — and the benefits make the Performance series a better choice for the vast majority of riders.

The Orca M30 is an ideal platform for its Ultegra Di2 11 electronic drivetrain, which provides the same zero-effort, unbelievably precise shifting as its Dura-Ace Di2 counterpart. The sleek gray finish finds its way onto everything from derailleur to brakes. Speaking of brakes, the 6800 series Ultegra calipers feature a dual pivot, which makes them immensely powerful. The cockpit comes courtesy of FSA, with a Gossamer stem and Wing Compact handlebar. The Selle Italia SL Flow saddle sits atop the integrated Orca seatpost, keeping the weight down and the ride responsive. It rolls on Mavic’s Ksyrium Equipe wheelset, wrapped in Mavic Yksion Comp tires. Think of it as an ideal training wheelset, because if you’re serious about racing, the M30 more than justifies investing in a top-tier wheelset for closed-course use.

The Orbea Orca M30 Complete Road Bike is available in seven sizes, from 47 to 60cm, and in the colors Carbon/red, Euskatel, and Carbon/pink.