Orbea has completely redesigned the Oiz and is positioning the new model as an uncompromising competition bike for cross-country and marathon racing. The demands of these disciplines have changed significantly in recent years. Today, riders are looking for bikes that are not only lightweight but also deliver consistent performance on technical trails, steep climbs, and at high speeds.

Since the introduction of the first Oiz in 2005, the model has been considered a key benchmark in the XC segment. With solutions such as flexing seat stays, the Squidlock system, and the patented I-Line technology, Orbea has continuously refined the bike over several generations. The new version is designed to continue this tradition and, above all, improve upon stiffness, efficiency, and control.

At the heart of the development is a completely new frame. According to Orbea, three years of work went into the project. The goal was to specifically increase stiffness without adding weight. To achieve this, the tubes, joints, shapes, and layup of the carbon frame were redesigned. Finite element analyses helped fine-tune the bike’s dynamic behavior even before the first practical tests.

The area around the bottom bracket, chainstay, and rear triangle underwent particularly extensive redesign. The new chainstay is made of forged aluminum, is more compact, and, according to Orbea, significantly stiffer. Strategically placed cavities reduce the weight by 30 percent compared to the previous version. An additional bridge supports the seat stays and is designed to keep the rear triangle precisely aligned even under high loads.

The tube shapes have also been adapted. Sharp transitions have been reduced so that the carbon can be compressed more efficiently and the resin content lowered. This is intended to improve the stiffness-to-weight ratio. The wing-shaped top tube increases structural stiffness, while the chainstays and seatstays have been designed for high torsional stiffness. The Powerspine structure from the head tube to the bottom bracket is also intended to improve power transfer, especially during sprints and explosive accelerations.

The suspension setup remains clearly geared toward racing. The new Oiz features 120 millimeters of travel front and rear. Optionally, it can be ridden with a 130-millimeter fork. The kinematics remain degressive. A fixed initial travel is intended to reduce unwanted sag and bobbing, while sufficient progression at the end of the travel is designed to prevent bottoming out.

The geometry has been adjusted in detail. The chainstays have been shortened from 432 to 430 millimeters, which is intended to make the bike more agile. The steeper seat tube moves the riding position further over the bottom bracket and is intended to improve power transfer and front-wheel traction on steep climbs. The head angle has been slightly flattened from 67 to 66.8 degrees to achieve greater stability at high speeds.

I-Line technology routes the cables through the top tube directly to the shock. This reduces tight cable bends and is intended to minimize friction and operating forces. The Squidlock system allows the suspension and dropper post to be operated with two levers. Additionally, three lockout modes are available without having to take your hands off the handlebars.

Regarding weight, Orbea lists 1,700 grams for the frame in size M, including the shock. However, the goal was not the lightest possible weight, but rather the best combination of light weight, stiffness, precision, and riding feel. According to Orbea, in blind tests, the Orbea FOX Factory Team preferred the final layup over a prototype that was nearly 50 grams lighter. At the top of the model range is OMX Carbon, while OMR Carbon is designed to offer a balanced ratio of weight and performance.

The complete package includes OC components such as an integrated cockpit and various dropper posts. It also features a multi-tool integrated into the frame, space for two bottle cages in all frame sizes, reinforced bearings, the Spinblock system to protect the frame and paint, a post-mount brake mount, and a threaded bottom bracket. Through Orbea’s MyO program, the bike can be individually configured in terms of paint scheme and ergonomics.

The new Oiz was tested by the Orbea FOX Factory Team in the XCO World Cup as well as by Team Klimatiza Orbea in the marathon category. Pierre De Froidmont and Jennifer Jackson describe the bike as follows: “The new Oiz has impressed us. Above all, the new frame construction and increased stiffness in key areas make it significantly more capable. In many ways, the new Oiz rides almost like a trail bike: it feels more predictable and is much easier to keep precisely on the desired line.”

The new Orbea Oiz is available now through authorized Orbea retailers.

orbea.com