Twelve years have passed since the first Orbea Oiz came onto the market. Back then, the Spaniards still had Julien Absalon under contract in their World Cup team. That's why the Oiz was always a thoroughbred race fully, a model designed to win. However, a lot has happened in MTB sport since then, 26-inch wheels have long been history for marathon racers and carbon production has come a long way. With the new Oiz for 2019, Orbea once again wants to build a race bike with which the women of the Clif Pro Team around Catherine Pendrel can ride at the front of the MTB World Cup. In addition to the cross-country version with 100 mm travel, there will also be a TR version with 120 mm travel. Orbea is offering its new Oiz in two wheel sizes: for smaller riders there is the S-frame in 27.5 inches, while the version with 29-inch wheels is available in four frame sizes (S-XL).
Centrepiece of the new Orbea Oiz: the carbon frame
With the Occam TR & AM and the Rallon enduro bike presented last year, the Basques have shown that they can build competitive, stylish and unique mountain bikes. The latest evolutionary stage of the Oiz was presented at the 2016 MTB World Championships, and the new bike will be on the starting line for the first time at the XC World Cup in Andorra in mid-July. As with the predecessor model, Orbea has placed particular emphasis on carbon processing. The prepreg mats made of pre-impregnated carbon are cut to size using lasers to minimise unnecessary excess before the mould goes into the enclave. The result: less material, which saves weight. The rear triangle construction without a joint around the rear wheel axle (Orbea calls the system UFO) has also been optimised. The carbon frame now consists of just three parts: the main frame, the rear frame triangle and the new rocker. The latter is made of a fibreglass-carbon mixture (Fiberlink), weighs just 59 grams and is reminiscent of Magura's injection-moulded carbon brake levers. The special fibrelink material, which originates from the aerospace industry, is also used in the rest of the frame. According to the manufacturer, the new Oiz frame in size M should weigh just 1.6 kg without the shock, which would be sensational. As soon as we receive the bike, we will check the data in the BIKE test lab.
The new Orbea Oiz: Exclusive lockout linkage from Fox and two bottle cages
The cables - whether gearstick, brake or dropper post - run completely inside the frame on the new Oiz. The cable for the lockout remote also disappears into the frame at the head tube. In co-operation with Fox, Orbea uses custom shocks, which are used on all four Oiz models. They are called "Inside Line" and make the linkage hidden under the top tube possible in the first place. As a result, the remote should require less maintenance as it is protected from splash water and dirt. You won't see any ugly cable lassos on the Oiz bikes either, as everything is neatly housed in the frame. To make the Oiz attractive for marathon racers too, there is space for two water bottles from frame size M upwards, despite the curved seat tube. Other special features of the Oiz: You can ride a dropper post with a remote control integrated into the frame, but not a front derailleur, as the bike specialises in single-speed drivetrains. In addition, the entire rear triangle is equipped with enduro brackets.
Geometry and MyO-Custom programme of the new Oiz
Orbea is following the general trend with the geometry of the new Oiz: slacker head angle (69 degrees), steeper seat angle (75 degrees), a longer reach (435 mm) and shorter chainstays (435 mm). The values refer to the 29-inch version in size M. In addition to the classic 100 mm fully, there will also be a TR version of the Oiz M10. This will have a suspension with 120 mm travel, a dropper seatpost as standard and more robust tyres. The other two models - the Oiz M-LTD and the Oiz M-Team - can also be upgraded to 120 mm. Thanks to the MyO Configurator you can swap individual components and mix and match your favourite paint finish at no extra cost.
Orbea Oiz 2019: models and prices
There will be four models of the Orbea Oiz 2019. The top model is the Oiz M-LTD for 7500 euros with a Sram XX1 Eagle Gold. This is followed by the Oiz M-Team for 7000 euros with the new Shimano XTR M9100. Orbea offers an XC version of the Oiz M10 (100 mm) for 4600 euros, which comes with a Sram Eagle mix and Shimano XT brakes. The TR version of the Oiz M10 costs 200 euros more, for which you get the Race Face Aeffect dropper post and coarser Maxxis tyres.
