waterskidriver

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/or...NjQ2F0MTAwNTY1


I have been thinking about purchasing this bike for few weeks now and at this price it looks more of an awesome deal.

Can anyone tell me if they had any bad experience with Orpea bronze frames or any other issues with this model?

I currently ride a trek 2.1 aluminium frame with 105's. I ride anywhere from 80 to a 120 miles a week, I have been thinking about a new carbon frame for a while and this seems to fit the $$$. I am looking for more of a long rides bike than a racer that is extremely light weight.

Any comments or suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately I haven't ridden the bike since I am thinking of getting it from competitive cyclists.

seymour1910

I have heard good things about that bike, I didn't get one because I didn't have the funds but I know someone that did and they love it. If they have your size I think it's a good buy. Here is a thread that was started a few month back ad some info about that bike is in it, take a read.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...bea+as+a+brand

waterskidriver

Thanks a lot

RollCNY

For what it is worth, buy it, ride it, and judge for yourself. I bought a BMC from CC 2 years back, rode it for 30 days, and returned it with no issues. You will never get that opportunity from a LBS. And that was under the old 60 day return policy, not the new forever one.

I have no specific Orbea info, other than I constantly eye the same deal, because it looks great.

seymour1910

No problem, the only thing to be sure about with buying online is knowing what size you need. If your options are still open here is another good deal on a bike you may like. $1225 shipped

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-20...item19e51c7d9c

gus6464

CC is a good place to buy. Their stuff comes packed extremely well too. If it's not for you the return process could not be easier with them.

Cyclelogikal

I bought that same bike back in September from them for $1899 and it is a nice ride for sure. I have since changed the crankset to a Force; Force FD & RD; Yokozuna SS brake and shifter cables; Spinergy Stealth carbon wheels. All in all I have spent another fortune on upgrading it.

You will not be disappointed for sure. Good Luck.

Cyclelogikal

Oh BTW.................Whomever puts the cables on the bike prior to getting to you messed mine up. Had them criss crossed and just jumbled up. Made no sense. I road the bike knowing I was replacing the cable system anyway and when I did the one shifter cable had rubbed all the way through into the brake cable!!!!! I contacted CC to let them know if they are the ones who put the cable together they need to teach their mechanic how to properly do so. If not then it was Orbea. But I highly doubt Orbea was the responsible party.

gsa103

It sounds like you're riding a fair amount, I'd be tempted to save up and go a for higher-end frame and better groupset.

Before you buy that bike, you should at least test ride some of the ~$2500+ carbon bikes to see how they feel. The last thing you want to do is buy a new bike, then decide you want a better one in two years. Alternatively, N+1.

Cyclelogikal

Not sure why anyone would think the Bronze frame is inferior. I climb alot and sprint from time to time putting alot of lateral force on the frame and no problems. I just upgraded the Rival components and the Apex crank because I am OCD to things sometimes. The price they have that bike at now is insane!!!! In fact if I had waited a month that bike went from $1899 to $1599! But who would have known.

So to the OP...............this bike frame wise is not much less than the Silver or Gold frame for the most part and if your no pro rider you will never notice. The Rival predominant groupo is great......I just wrench and sometimes need projects and just made the bike drivetrain wise better.

Good luck and never look back at that price because that is $1000 off what they sold at the LBS for the most part.

bonz50

heavier than I thought it would be at just over 19lbs. though I reckon at that price its still a pretty damn fine deal, if they have your size.

Cyclelogikal

And another note.............I bought this bike unseen but had a Orbea Aqua 2011 model so I knew how Orbea's are so I made no hesitation buying the bike even at $1899. The bike will be great and provide you with great miles to come. The only thing that if any that I was hesitant about was the BB30 system I read so much negative about. Either people loved it or hated it. Come to find out it all depends on the factory when the bike was made and if they got the BB you might say introduced straight and not at some slight offset. If so the BB30 system is nice. At least mine has been. I have taken it apart to look at the system and it is truly straight forward.

Good Luck! And that Anthracite color is awesome!

Cyclelogikal

It was heavier than I thought it would be but so are their Silver and Gold frames. But weight is really not the all everything if everything else is clicking. This bike was 1/2 lb. lighter than my Aqua and my avg. speed went up 1 mph overall. I also climb quicker and the frame when picked up is still light.

So don't get bogged down on a carbon should weigh like 14 lbs. or so. I guess if you sink another 8 grand in a bike yes. But this is really a price point carbon that Orbea did well with.

bonz50

no, I'm not bogged down by it at all, just was expecting slightly lighter, maybe by a lb or so. i'm sure a wheel swap would take care of most of that. either way, a top shelf brand carbon framed bike with Rival group at less than $1400 is a helluva deal even if it is a touch heavier than I expected. if they had my size I probably would buy one.

Lamabb

Don't let the weight discourage you. I ride this frame with Ultegra Di2 and it's a dream. They aren't kidding about this frame having a smoother ride because of the different kind of carbon fibers it is made of. I think the pros of the ride quality far surpasses the downsides of a few grams difference between a lighter frame.

gsa103

Most of the bike weight is in the choice groupset. Lightweight frames are ~800g, a mid-tier carbon frame is ~1100g, and a heavy frame might be 1300g. That's a difference of 1.1lbs between the lightest and heaviest carbon frames, and a total ~4-5 lbs for frame, fork & seatpost. The remaining 10-15 lbs of bike are in the groupset, wheels, bars, and everything else. For example, an Ultegra Di2 version probably is the same 19 lbs, just because Ultegra Di2 is a relatively light groupset.

IANative

OP, I bought the BRV from CC back in August, and couldn't be happier. The only thing I've done is change the factory wheelset to a set of Fulcrum 5's w/ GP4000s. I plan to use the factory Orbea wheel on the trainer. My only other upgrade currently planned is a new Romin or Toupe saddle.

I find myself choosing the Orca over my Roubaix for most rides.

Bah Humbug

I want to get an Orca Bronze to replace my old S1 frame, now that I have a real tri bike. I'm always bothered at how rare they seem to be on group rides and around here compared to a lot of other major brands, though.

GuitarBob

I couldn't stand it anymore and just ordered one of these. When I asked about the possibility of upgrading the wheels (modestly) to Mavic Aksiums, they offered me a set at a very reasonable price.

waterskidriver

Many thanks for all the valuable info and your input guys, I really appreciate it, its exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

lastostrogoth

I bought my Orbea Orca Bronze 105 in September from a dealer online through Ebay. I paid $2100. The best price I could find for that model in a shop was about $400 more than what I paid. I have ridden an Erickson custom built steel frame for about 20 years. I am about 5'8". My frame measures 55 CM. Despite the recommendation from Orbea that someone my size should be on a 53 CM model, I chose to get the 55 in the Orca. It fits me very much the way my Erickson does. The bike came with 172.5 MM Cranks and 142 handlebars, so it was obviously set up for a larger rider than I am. I replaced the cranks with 170s and sold the originals on Ebay. I replaced the bars with Cinelli Neo Morphe carbon fiber bars, and I replaced the Orbea wheel set with Fulcrum Racing 3 wheels.
I love my Erickson. It was sized and built for me by a master craftsman. I have ridden it, perhaps, 100K miles over the years. It has beautiful, chromed lugs, hand carved. It is a beautiful bike. However, when I ride it all anyone sees is bicycle that doesn't look any different than any other bike. The Orbea is beautiful and it stands out. It has lovely lines. But, most important, it is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. I have ridden it about 650 miles since September and cannot bring myself to get back on the Erickson. The Orbea climbs and accelerates wonderfully. However, most important is that riding it on chip sealed roads which predominate in this area is no longer as punishing as it was on a steel frame.
I bought the Orbea without riding one. I agree that you should, if possible, find one and ride it to insure that you like it. However, much of the other advice given by people who do not own or have not ridden one needs to be taken with a few grains of salt.
One other comment. The rear brake cable routing on the Orbea is internal. I had to replace all of the cables when I put the new bars on, a bit of a pain in the a$$. The rear brake cable routes through the top tube. There is nothing to guide the cable from the entry to the exit. A simple trick using brake liner housing makes the job quick and easy. The front derailleur cable travels down along side the top tube on the non-drive side. it passes through a router at the bottom of the Bottom bracket shell and then through a hole which passes through the bottom bracket shell to emerge just below the front derailleur. That particular set up is a major PITA. After I pulled out the original cable I found the passage blocked. I went to the web and searched for a solution without any success. The problem was common, lots of examples with several brands mentioned, including Orbea and Cervello. In desperation I took my hand drill and a very small bit and ran it up the hole. Whatever was in the way was rapidly removed and the cable passed through without any resistance or difficulty.
Anyway, I do love the bike and recommend that you consider it. It is a wonderful even before the mods I made. With them it is a dream.

Elvo

Orca bronze rival is $1k now after discover/befrugal cashback
https://www.backcountry.com/orbea-orc...NDEwMDAwMDIxMg