Orbea Laufey 2023 - The model range
There are three models of the hardtail in total. The entry level starts with the Laufey H30 for a reasonable 1499 euros. The Laufey H10 costs 1899 euros. The Laufey H-LTD costs 2499 euros. All three variants come in four frame sizes and three colour options. The triple-butted aluminium frame is identical on all models.
Orbea Laufey 2023 - technical data
- Price: 1499 - 2499 euros, three models
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Frame size: S, M, L, XL
- Suspension travel: 140 mm front
Equipment (Laufey-LTD model)
- Fork: Fox 34 Float Performance
- Gear system: Shimano XT 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 30; 11-52
- Brake system (front / rear): Shimano M-6120
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: OC Mountain Control MC21, 125/150/170/170mm (for size S,M,L,XL), 31.6mm,
- Wheels: Race Face AR 30c Tubeless Ready
- Tyres: Maxxis Dissector 2.60" 60 TPI Exo TLR
Unsurprisingly, the quality of the equipment increases with the price. It is less important for the riding behaviour whether Deore gears and brakes are used, as on the entry-level model, or SLX (H10) or XT parts, as on the H-LTD. Experience has shown that all variants work very well and reliably. Customers are more interested in the quality of the fork, as this has a decisive influence on downhill performance.
The top model is fitted with the Fox 34 Performance suspension fork with 140 millimetres of travel. The fork promises solid performance (as the name suggests), although in our experience the compression cartridge does not come close to the performance of the more expensive Grip2 from the same company. However, since a hardtail rarely reaches the speed of a full-suspension bike, especially not in very exposed terrain, the adjustability and control of the compression damping is sufficient. The Marzocchi Bomber Z2 in the H10 model is virtually identical in terms of performance. The cult brand was bought by Fox some time ago. Even if the casting looks different, the inner workings are very similar. The Z2 therefore plays in the same league as the Fox34. Here the customer can save a few hundred euros if he doesn't necessarily want to carry around XT gears and brakes on his bike. The Rockshox Recon RL in the entry-level model may be from the competition, but it is quite capable if the applications are not too heavy.
Orbea Laufey 2023 - Details
Visually, the Orbea Laufey differs significantly from its predecessor. The frame is now very clean. Straight tube shapes characterise the look. In the previous model, the area around the seat node was even more uneven: the curved top tube also served as a seat tube reinforcement. The double-welded seat tube was significantly longer. The new design with a very short seat tube does justice to the modern, longer-stroke telescopic seatposts.
The storage compartment in the down tube also takes the Laufey a step forward in terms of usability. Now you can stow tools, provisions and a water bottle in and on the frame and set off without a rucksack, without having to stand around in the woods in case of defects. Originally designed by Specialised developed feature is now (almost) standard - and that's a good thing!
Area of application - who is the Laufey intended for?
Orbea is very open when it comes to the range of use: The Laufey is intended to be a fun machine that should work just as well on tours as it does on freeride-heavy rides with jumps and drops. The frame comes with an unlimited warranty (for life!) and the press kit images supplied by Orbea are pretty impressive.
However, with its 64.5 mm head angle and 440 mm rear triangle, it is more on the moderate, tour-ready side in terms of geometry. The Orbea Laufey is therefore not an oversized dirt bike, but rather an all-rounder that has few design limits in the hands of a very experienced rider. "It's not the bike (alone), it's the rider", as the Americans like to say. And that also applies to the usability of the Laufey. Do what you want, the Orbea Laufey will do it with you, you could say. And at a budget that won't leave you with any worry lines on your forehead. The only thing you have to sacrifice is comfort downhill at the rear. But riding a hardtail is a matter of attitude: you either love it or you hate it. With the Orbea, you should love it or look elsewhere.
