The centrepiece of the Orbeas is the shiny gold Fox suspension. It makes perfect use of the limited 120 millimetres of travel and fearlessly takes on the more lavishly equipped competition. The modern geometry with short chainstays (Boost makes it possible), long reach and slack head angle are fun to ride downhill, while the balanced riding position lets you pedal comfortably uphill. Telescopic dropper post? Orbea fits its own low-budget version, which requires you to use the quick-release saddle clamp but limits the extension to your individual stride length. Another clever feature is the spare bolt attached to the derailleur hanger in case it breaks. The Occam scores full points in the paint and warranty categories. The only downside is the high weight and the wide rear triangle due to the Boost standard, which can rub your feet.
ConclusionThe Occam was the testers' favourite. Modern geometry, strong equipment and confident handling. So, it does work in this price range!
The alternative: TR stands for Trail, 120 millimetres and 29 inches. The AM in the Occam AM H10 model stands for All Mountain. It has 27.5-inch wheels and 140 millimetre suspension travel (Fox 34 fork). Price: 3399 euros.
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