Orbea Wild with new Bosch CX motor: Lighter, quieter, more powerful, better? The new Wild in review
Florentin Vesenbeckh
· 03.10.2024
In our readers' poll in the summer of this year the Orbea Wild won the race for the most popular E-MTB in the Enduro category. The reasons? Presumably the successful combination of Bosch motor, strong downhill characteristics and low weight. So how are the Spaniards going to make their popular bike even better? Don't worry. The Orbea engineers have come up with quite a few ideas. Even if the new edition is more of a shallow evolution than a blatant revolution of the successful model.
Drilled out: The Orbea Wild gets more extreme
Even more than its predecessor, the new Orbea Wild is designed for rough terrain and offers sporty bikers a precise tool for difficult trails. To this end, there have been updates to the suspension travel, kinematics, geometry and battery concept. The new model will only be available with a 170 mm suspension fork and the new Orbea Wild also has 170 millimetres at the rear. The predecessor (tested here) had 160 millimetres at the rear and could be ordered with either a 160 mm or 170 mm fork. In order to also cater for the more moderate target group, the new edition comes with a new short-travel version, the Wild ST Hydro with aluminium frame. More on this below. But we'll stick with the powerful enduro model for now.
The facts about the Orbea Wild 2025
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 600 or 750, permanently installed
- Range extender: Optional Bosch Power More 250
- Suspension travel: 170 / 170 mm (ST version with 150/150 mm)
- Wheel size: 29 inch, optional 29/27.5 inch
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Weight: from 21.7 kg (top model M-LTD in size L, measured in the EMTB lab)
- Prices: Carbon model from 7499 euros, aluminium from 6499 euros, ST version from 5299 euros
New: Option for small rear wheel and mullet set-up
Orbea is certain: a large 29er rear wheel is faster, has better traction and is safer. That's why the Wild was previously only available as a full 29er. The Spaniards have not deviated from their opinion with the new edition. However, the new Orbea Wild gives customers freedom of choice. The Wild now comes with a different rocker link as an option, which should make the chassis fit for a mullet setup, i.e. a small 27.5 mm rear wheel. The geometry and suspension kinematics should remain completely unaffected. The mullet option can be selected in the MyO configurator at the time of purchase. However, the "mullet rocker" is not compatible with the older Wild frames.
Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5: The new motor
The real reason for the relaunch of the Orbea Wild is the new version of the Bosch Performance Line CX motor. The new Swabian unit is minimally lighter, quieter and, above all, rattle-free. There are also new, lighter battery options. Of course, Orbea didn't want to miss out on these benefits.
Difficult choice: 600 or 750 watt hours
The 23 Wild already came with a choice of two battery sizes: 625 or 750 watt hours. With the new model, you can choose between the 600 Wh and 750 Wh options. So: Either the new, very light Powertube 600 (3.08 kg, a good 500 g lighter than PT 625). Or the old Powertube 750 (4.35 kg, a whopping 1250 g heavier than PT 600!).
The new Powertube 800 theoretically offers an even better weight/energy ratio (800 Wh at 3.95 kg) and is therefore even lighter than the old PT 750 - but does not fit into the down tube of the new Wild. This is because it is significantly thicker. This would have required the developers to make too many compromises in the frame design, according to reports from Spain.
The concept of fixed integration remains the same. There is no way to easily remove the battery from the bike for charging, swapping or storage. For more range, the optional Power More 250 can be mounted on the down tube. As with its predecessor, this requires an adapter plate, as the screws for the water bottle cage are positioned as low as possible to keep the centre of gravity low.
The chassis of the new Orbea Wild
More suspension travel for the game! The front and rear have 170 millimetres of travel as standard. In addition, the rear suspension has been designed to be slightly more progressive, which should provide more sensitivity at the beginning of the stroke. But here too, the changes compared to the predecessor are rather minimalist. Antisquat and Antirise are said to have hardly been changed. A Fox X2 or Fox Float X damper is used at the rear on all models - this should provide the most ideal and consistent suspension performance possible across all models. There are also 38 mm forks at the front.
The geometry of the Orbea Wild MY25
There were hardly any changes to the geometry compared to the predecessor. However, Orbea still had to make slight compromises on the 23 model, as the frame was sold with 170 and 160 forks. The new chassis is now consistently designed for the 170 fork. The bottom bracket has been lowered again and the seat angle is also slightly steeper compared to its predecessor with a 170 fork. The reach, wheelbase, chainstay length and steering angle, on the other hand, are identical to the dimensions of the predecessor.
The new Wild will continue to be available in the four sizes S to XL. The dimensions are sporty and modern, but do not drift into extremes. The reach in particular remains comparatively moderate. Size XL ends at 505 millimetres. Tall riders who prefer long reach values might miss an XXL size. The chainstays remain constant at 448 millimetres across all frame sizes.
There was an update for the seat tube. Orbea was able to increase the insertion depth for telescopic seatposts without lengthening the seat tube. This means that a 240 mm Fox dropper post now fits into bikes of size L, which remains completely retractable. The Spaniards call this "Steep'n Deep". Also with the new Light-E-MTB Orbea Rise has this massive adjustment travel. In size S, the frame should already fully accommodate 200 mm uprights. The appropriate stroke can be selected for each size in the configurator on the homepage.
The aluminium frame of the Orbea Wild H
As usual, Orbea also offers high-quality aluminium frames. The elegantly polished weld seams are particularly eye-catching. This is also the case with the new Wild. However, the aluminium frames are clearly noticeable on the scales. The aluminium frame is said to be a full 1.5 kilos heavier than the carbon chassis. Orbea charges around 1000 euros more for the carbon frame. According to Orbea, the weight of the carbon frame is 2.6 kilos. That's really low for the chassis of a full-power enduro bike. The frame of the non-motorised Rallon enduro bike is said to weigh 2.7 kilos.
New platform: The Orbea Wild Hydro ST
In order to appeal to more than just aggressive enduro riders and gravity cracks with the Wild, Orbea has added a dignified ST version to the Wild. With 150 millimetres of suspension travel and a more moderate geometry, the bike should remain easy to control when ridden at a leisurely pace. Orbea sees the range of use from tour to trail, not in enduro or bike park terrain. The battery and motor concept is identical and the Wild ST also inherits many other features from its more extreme brother. The ST frame is only available in aluminium. (Yes, even the "fat" Wild is available in aluminium!) As usual with Orbea, the weld seams are beautifully polished. The Wild ST is available in two versions for 5299 and 5999 euros.
The geometry of the ST model has not changed too drastically. The head angle is one degree steeper, but remains on the modern side at 64.5 degrees. The reach is even longer than on the version with more travel and the chainstay length is also 448 millimetres across all frame sizes.
The new Orbea Wild on test
We already have a test bike of the new Orbea Wild M-LTD in the editorial office. On the scales, the expensive top model in size L with a 600 battery weighs in at 21.7 kilos. In a 29er set-up, with a thick Fox 38 GripX2, X2 shock, robust Doubledown/Exo+ tyres - but also a number of carbon parts. Bikes with Bosch CX rarely reach these (light) spheres. The brand new Santa Cruz Vala, for example, achieves similar values with a similar weight and concept. A detailed test of the Orbea Wild 2025 will follow shortly - as soon as we have had the chance to ride the bike extensively on the trails.
Orbea Wild 2025: Models and prices
The new Wild is available in two versions with an aluminium frame (Wild H) and four versions with a carbon frame (Wild M). Prices start at 6499 in aluminium and 7499 euros in carbon. In addition, there are the two variants of the Wild ST H from 5299 euros. All models can be customised in certain details using the configurator (MyO) on the homepage. The frame colour and decals can also be selected by the customer. All carbon models are even available at no extra charge!
Orbea Wild M-LTD - 11,999 euros
- Frame material: Carbon
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 600 (optional 750)
- Fork/shock: Fox 38 Factory GripX2 / Fox X2 Factory
- Gear system: Sram XX Eagle Transmission
- Brakes: Shimano XTR
- Wheels: Oquo MC32 Power LTD (carbon rims)
Orbea Wild M-Team - 9499 Euro
- Frame material: Carbon
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 750 (optional 600)
- Fork/shock: Fox 38 Factory GripX2 / Fox X2 Factory
- Gear system: Shimano XT
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheels: Oquo MC32 Power Team (aluminium rims)
Orbea Wild M10 - 8499 Euro
- Frame material: Carbon
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 750 (optional 600)
- Fork/shock: Fox 38 Performance / Fox Float X Performance
- Gear system: Shimano XT
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheels: Oquo MC32 Power Team (aluminium rims)
Orbea Wild M20 - 7499 Euro
- Frame material: Carbon
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 750 (optional 600)
- Fork/shock: Rockshox ZEB / Fox Float X Performance
- Gear system: Shimano SLX
- Brakes: Shimano Deore
- Wheels: Raceface AR30 (aluminium rims)
Orbea Wild H10 - 7299 Euro
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 750 (optional 600)
- Fork/shock: Fox 38 Performance / Fox Float X Performance
- Gear system: Shimano XT
- Brakes: Shimano Deore
- Wheels: Oquo MC32 Power Team (aluminium rims)
Orbea Wild H20 - 6499 Euro
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 750 (optional 600)
- Fork/shock: Rockshox ZEB / Fox Float X Performance
- Gear system: Shimano SLX
- Brakes: Shimano Deore
- Wheels: Raceface AR30 (aluminium rims)
Orbea Wild ST H20 - 5999 Euro
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 750 (optional 600)
- Fork/shock: Fox AWL HD, 150 mm / Fox Float Performance
- Gear system: Shimano SLX
- Brakes: Shimano Deore
- Wheels: Raceface AR30 (aluminium rims)
Orbea Wild ST H30 - 5299 Euro
- Frame material: Aluminium
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5
- Battery: Bosch Powertube 600 (optional 750)
- Fork/shock: Rockshox Psylo RC, 150 mm / Fox Float Performance
- Gear system: Shimano Deore
- Brakes: Shimano Deore
- Wheels: Alloy wheels (aluminium rims)
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
