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With its international World Cup team KMC-Orbea alone, the Spaniards need a competitive race hardtail that the racers can ride on easy cross-country trails. To ensure that Malene Degn and Thomas Litscher do not fail because of the material Orbea since the Alma hardtail was slimmed down and revised for 2021. In addition to the aluminium version (Hydro) and the carbon models (OMR), there will also be the OMX frame who in size M just 820 grams on the scales. As the Basques are so convinced of the longevity of their carbon frame, they offer a lifetime guarantee.
Alma OMX: Geometry update and new details
With the current We had Alma in the BIKE test lab measured a frame weight of 1146 grams. With its announced 820 grams, the new OMX version of the Alma should be one of the lightest MTB hardtails on the market in 2021. The other carbon bikes of the Alma - Orbea calls the frame OMR - are still expected to have a frame weight of around 1100 grams. The geometry of the race hardtail has been slightly revised and follows current trends. The head angle is slightly slacker at 68 degrees, the chainstays of the 29-inch bike measure 430 millimetres and the reach has increased slightly (426 mm in size M). In terms of seating comfort, the new Alma models are said to be ten per cent more comfortable than the previous bike.
Another new feature is that the double option has been removed and the Alma can now only be ridden with a single drivetrain. To protect the carbon frames of the Alma (OMX and OMR) from impacts from the cockpit, Orbea has designed its own steering stop limiter, which is flat and located in the upper bearing shell of the semi-integrated headset. On top of that, Orbea equips the Alma OMX with a special Garmin mount, which is nicely and flatly integrated into the Ahead cap. As ever wider rims and tyres are also being used in cross-country, the new Alma frame for 2021 will fit tyres up to 2.4 inches.
Orbea has also revised its carbon rigid fork "Spirit" for purists. The front brake line can now be routed inside the fork. In the MyO configurator, you can also choose more design options and personalise your Alma. According to Orbea, the Alma OMX will be available from August.
Models and prices
Orbea offers three Alma bikes with the lightweight OMX frame: the M-LTD (7500 euros), the M-Team (5000 euros) and the M-Pro (4000 euros). The M50 and the M50 Eagle for 1700 euros pave the way into the carbon range of the Alma. The four aluminium models of the Alma start at 800 euros (H50) and end with the H10 Eagle for 1300 euros.
