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Laufey - Update for the trail hardtail from Orbea

Adrian Kaether

 · 20.06.2019

Laufey - Update for the trail hardtail from OrbeaPhoto: Xabier Eguino
Laufey - Update for the trail hardtail from Orbea
Only a few MTB manufacturers manage to offer an all-mountain bike for less than €2,000. Like many others, Orbea has opted for a trail hardtail that has been given a makeover for 2020.

An all-mountain bike with decent equipment for 2000 euros? Most manufacturers - with the exception of the German mail order companies - capitulate here, because the complicated frame and suspension elements alone cost almost 1500 euros. And without wheels, gears, handlebars and a saddle, it's just a bad ride. The solution can therefore be Trail hardtail.

The Orbea Laufey is getting a major update for 2020: new design language, flat angles, large wheels.Photo: Xabier Eguino The Orbea Laufey is getting a major update for 2020: new design language, flat angles, large wheels.

All mountain for little money: the Laufey as an affordable alternative to the Occam


Orbea, which is located below the new Occams also wanted to offer an all-mountain bike for less than 2000 euros. That's why the Basques have given the somewhat outdated Laufey has been given a major update. Above all, the new bike is longer and slacker than its predecessor, offers 140 millimetres of travel at the front, but now also rolls on large 29-inch wheels with wide 2.6-inch tyres - instead of the previous 27.5-inch Plus with 2.8-inch tyres.

The logo is a little reminiscent of lumberjacks in the Rocky Mountains. And it certainly should, because the trail hardtail from Orbea wants to be just as reliable and uncomplicated.Photo: Xabier Eguino The logo is a little reminiscent of lumberjacks in the Rocky Mountains. And it certainly should, because the trail hardtail from Orbea wants to be just as reliable and uncomplicated.

Obea Laufey - Geometry and equipment


The head angle flattens out to 65.5 degrees, the chainstays increase by five millimetres to 435 millimetres, the reach also increases by 25 millimetres to 435 in frame size M. Only the seat angle is significantly steeper (from 73 to 75 degrees). A strategy that has also been used on the new Occam to make the bike more comfortable when pedalling uphill.

As with the Occam, Orbea also relies on the new Shimano 12-speed drivetrains for the Laufey.Photo: Xabier Eguino As with the Occam, Orbea also relies on the new Shimano 12-speed drivetrains for the Laufey. The frame finish of the pre-series is impressive. The wide handlebars and the longer reach are equally impressive. If the series looks the same, the Laufey could find many fans.Photo: Xabier Eguino The frame finish of the pre-series is impressive. The wide handlebars and the longer reach are equally impressive. If the series looks the same, the Laufey could find many fans.


In terms of equipment, the seatpost is particularly eye-catching. From the cheapest model, the Laufey H30 (1299 euros), Orbea installs its own dropper post in 125, 150 or 170 millimetres, depending on customer requirements. From the H10 (1599 euros), the new Shimano 12-speed groupset is also available. Functional forks (Rock Shox Recon, Marzocchi Z2, Fox 34 Performance), powerful brakes (Shimano MT 501 on the H-LTD and H10, only for an extra charge on the H30) and decent tyres (Maxxis Forekaster Dual Exo) round off the package.

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There will be three models between 1299 and 1999 euros, all of which come with Orbea's own Vario seatpost, with 125, 150 or 170 millimetres of drop, depending on customer requirements.Photo: Xabier Eguino There will be three models between 1299 and 1999 euros, all of which come with Orbea's own Vario seatpost, with 125, 150 or 170 millimetres of drop, depending on customer requirements.

Configuration according to customer requirements, but without MyO configurator

As usual with Orbea, you can also upgrade parts of the equipment for an extra charge - fork, brakes, wheels, saddle and handlebars. Laufey customers only have to do without the configuration in the MyO configurator - an individual colour scheme for each Laufey would not have been economical.


All information about the new Orbea Laufey can also be found on the Website of the manufacturer.

The equipment of the Orbea Laufey is high-quality, but not super light. We don't have any weights yet, but you can expect something between 13 and 14 kilos.Photo: Xabier Eguino The equipment of the Orbea Laufey is high-quality, but not super light. We don't have any weights yet, but you can expect something between 13 and 14 kilos. The Laufey certainly feels at home on the beach, but it is only really challenged on hard trails. At best, the sea could be the end of a tour.Photo: Xabier Eguino The Laufey certainly feels at home on the beach, but it is only really challenged on hard trails. At best, the sea could be the end of a tour.
Adrian Kaether

Adrian Kaether's favourite thing to do is ride mountain bikes on bumpy enduro trails. The tech expert and bike tester knows all about Newton metres and watt hours, high and low-speed damping. As test manager at MYBIKE, Adrian also likes to think outside the box and tests cargo bikes and step-through bikes as well as the latest (e-)MTBs.

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