Review: 2022 Orbea Rallon M-LTD

Mar 21, 2022
by Matt Beer  

Orbea updated the Rallon for 2022, but don't mistake this new generation frame for a simple color scheme makeover. Hiding in plain sight are subtle refinements, including in-frame storage in the carbon downtube. Tweaks to the geometry have also been made, but they haven't gone too extreme in any particular direction.

The bike's suspension curve is now more progressive, allowing it to work well with coil and air shocks, and a replacement shock yoke ($57) can accept a 27.5" rear wheel. To further appeal to a wider audience, Orbea has a custom bike building program on their website that lets you choose from a library of paint colors and make substitutions to the components packages.

Orbea Rallon Details

• Wheel size: 29" (MX compatible with different shock yoke)
• Travel: 170mm front, 160mm rear
• 3x LOCKR storage solutions
• Custom colors and builds available
• Reach: 480 mm (size L, low geo setting)
• Chainstay: 440 mm
• 64º head angle (lower)
• 77º effective seat angle
• Weight: 14.5 kg / 31.9 lb (size L)
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• MSRP: $4,999 - $9,999 USD
orbea.com



bigquotesThere's something to be said for jumping on a bike and instantly feeling comfortable. Contemporary geometry and predictable suspension are exactly what you want for enduro racing where you'll encounter vast terrain and varying speeds. Matt Beer




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Frame Details

Orbea is no stranger to carbon construction thanks to their long history of building high-end road frames using Orbea Monocoque Race (OMR), a high modulus carbon makeup. The matte clear coat over the raw carbon on our test bike left no room for flaws and the frame is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Starting at the head tube, the bearings rest directly on molded, carbon races, which is an area burly enough to handle a 180 mm single crown fork. The neat cable ports allow the rear brake line to be run on either side of the handlebar and are held in the downtube with partially enclosed guides, but spend a fair bit of time outside of the carbon skeleton. This is visible from inside the first of three "Lockr zones" - the downtube storage, accessible by unlocking a lever on the bottle cage hatch. Opening up the door reveals a neoprene bag to hide your snacks or a light jacket, and on the backside of the water bottle door is a small rubber band to hold a tire lever, CO2 cartridge, or any other simlarly shaped item.

Packing all of those features inside the front triangle was no easy task. A 650ml water bottle at the lowest possible position rubbed the shock reservoir upon loading and unloading when a pump bracket was installed under the cage. Above the bottle cage lies the 12-millimeter offset shock to give way for an asymmetrical brace between the seat tube and top tube, adding to the rigidity of the frame. Orbea states that this layout retains the best stiffness to weight ratio. On the yoke, you'll find a flip-chip to slacken the angles by half of a degree and shorten the reach by 5 mm. The 27.5" wheel clevis is slightly longer to rotate the seat stay rearwards and nearly retains the geometry of the lowest 29" setting.

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A tube in a tube in a tube. The cable routing stays quiet inside the frame and can be run moto style.

To offer protection on this sleek finished fiber frame, a rubber molded downtube shroud wraps under the 73 mm threaded BB area, topped off with ISCG 05 tabs. An e*thirteen Micro chain guide covers the top of the ring and is scantily perched on a secondary bracket that reaches out from the ISCG tabs. Plastered along the top and bottom of the chainstay and underside of the seatstay is more rubber, but that stops a little short of the chain and ring engagement.

For the powerhouses out there, the rear triangle is bomber enough to carry a 223mm rotor and has clearance for a 34-tooth ring without pushing the 52mm chainline further outboard.

Enduro Max Black Oxide bearings are found on all of the pivots and are equipped with extra seals to keep out the worst elements. Two of these pivots on the front triangle are anchored down by pinch bolts to alleviate overloading the preload on the bearings, which would increase the friction and hinder the suspension performance. Inside the forward rocker pivot is the second Lockr stash - a small tool holds a set of common hex keys from 2-5 mm. You'll need pincer-like fingers to disconnect it from the small magnet and rubber seal holding it firmly in place. That's not enough to complete a full tear down or tighten the 10mm main pivot bolt, but it should let you quickly adjust cockpit controls.

No stone is left unturned on the Rallon, and thoughtful touches include the respective torques printed on the main pivot bolts. The third Lockr zone is found at the removable rear axle lever, which doubles as a valve core remover.

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The coveted downtube storage compartment. More than a handful of manufacturers are finding ways to store essentials on the bike these days.
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Three "Lockr" zones highlight the Rallon's resource carrying capacity. A neoprene, zippered bag will be included for customers.



Orbea Rallon 2022


Geometry

As mentioned, the Rallon's figures were updated during the marginal makeover for 2022 with the reach measurement being the largest number to change. In fact, the large jumped from 455mm to 485 in the steeper setting. The medium reach drops down to 455/460mm, but that doesn't mean that you have to decide on reach for sizing. The "steep and deep" label hypes the short seat tube lengths and Orbea's sizing chart and outlines how someone 178 cm can ride either a small, medium, or large frame.

Further changes for 2022 see a few millimeters added to the chainstay and a minutely slacker head tube angle. Normal numbers like a 440mm chainstay remain unchanged across the frame sizes and the 64-degree head tube angle plays well on all trails, as does the much steeper 77-degree seat tube angle. The BB height is quite low, with a drop of 35mm in that slack setting. It's something to keep an eye on, but is not alarming since this is the static number that can change, depending on how you set the suspension sag.

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A flip-chip allow you toggle between a 64-64.5º head tube angle and the shock is offset to make room for the frame stiffening brace.
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A low standover height and seat post insertion depth let riders choose between frame sizes based on wheelbase.

Orbea Rallon 2022
Orbea Rallon 2022
Orbea Rallon 2022
The progression has been increased from the previous iteration to provide more small bump sensitivity and further bottom-out control. The Rallon can run with either a coil or air-sprung shock.

Suspension Design

Concentric Boost 2 Pivot is what Orbea call their suspension layout, but it's similar to Split Pivot where the chain and seat stay co-rotate around the rear axle to balance the pedalling and braking forces. It's a familiar looking layout that covers all of the bases with fewer complications and compromises. Large diameter bearings are used at the dropout pivot and the clevis-driven shock reduces side loading on the shock.

The most notable change to the kinematics would be the overall progression. That's been positioned to gain a softer beginning stroke, but also more ramp control towards the end of the travel. The Rallon moves from 21% up to 24% to play well with either a coil or air shock.

The anti-squat has been kept fairly high to reduce pedal bob in lower gears, starting around a listed 134%. A low anti-rise number hovers around 55-60% throughout the travel, inviting the rear wheel into the suspension travel under braking.

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Orbea's Concentric Boost 2 Pivot system moves the rear axle in a continuous arc, beginning with a slight rearward trajectory.

Specifications

Decked to the nines and retailing at $9,999 USD, I tested the Rallon M-LTD draped in all the Kashima stanchions, Shimano XTR, and Race Face Next R carbon components you can outfit. Sure, that's a lot of dough, but we're talking about cream of the crop gear and there are much more affordable builds available. Fancy parts usually mean lighter weight too, and the M-LTD feels like a featherweight compared to something like the Norco Range C1 build at a similar price and specification package.

For nearly $2,000 less, the M Team loses the "R" in the Shimano kit and carbon wheels, but keeps the fancy Fox components. Oddly enough, this is the only build that is spec'd with mixed wheels, which means you'll need to purchase the 29" clevis if you want to use a larger rear wheel. The same purchase applies if you want to cut a mullet into one of the 29er builds. $5,499 USD will get you started on the M20 model with Fox Performance suspension, alloy Race Face kit, and Shimano SLX components.

Maxxis EXO+ tires are equipped on all the models, so that's something to keep in mind when referencing the overall weight. These might do for light-duty day to day riding, however, I've never seen any pro EWS riding use anything less than a Double Down casing.

Alloy frame options are nowhere to be found, raising the barrier to entry into the Rallon family significantly, however, you still receive the same premium carbon frame across the builds. One final thing to note is the lack of skid plates. For nearly the same price as a new chain, mishaps could easily be avoided in the first place if a plastic taco was bolted on there.

Specifications
Release Date September 2022
Price $9999
Travel 160 mm
Rear Shock Fox DHX2 Factory 2-Position Adjust SLS Spring 230x60mm
Fork Fox 38 Float Factory 170 mm Grip2 QR15x110 Kashima
Headset Acros Alloy
Cassette Shimano XTR M9100 10-51t 12-Speed
Crankarms Race Face Next R 170 mm
Chainguide E13 Vario Compact Guide
Bottom Bracket Race Face BSA 73 mm
Rear Derailleur Shimano XTR 12 spd
Chain Shimano CN-9100
Shifter Pods Shimano XTR 12 spd
Handlebar Race Face Next R
Stem Race Face Turbine R 35 mm
Grips Race Face Getta Grip
Brakes Shimano XTR, Galfer 200, 180 mm rotors & pads
Wheelset Race Face Next R 31
Tires Maxxis 2.5" Assegai 3C EXO+ / 2.4" Minion DHR II 3C EXO+
Seat Fizik Taiga Kium rail
Seatpost Fox Transfer Factory 31.6 mm



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Plenty of raw carbon parts are finished with a splash of gold and orange.

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The rubber chainstay protector needed a touch more coverage and could be a bit softer to absorb the clacking noises.



Test Bike Setup

When you task an EWS veteran like Damien Oton to improve an already capable bike, you're bound to go to extensive lengths during testing. The results are valuable literature on setup tips for suspension and in-depth technical details from damper settings to seat post insertion measurements. Navigating the website is a little convoluted, although everything you need to know about the Rallon can be found in the "Blue Paper" document.

Winter sloppy trails around the Pacific Northwest result in slower trail speeds and less high speed impacts, so I was content to start on a 400 pound spring for more grip. That also raked out the dynamic head angle to make the ride a little more aggressive when pointed downhill. Eventually, I moved up to a 425 spring without losing too much of that setback stance and there was enough progression in the linkage so the rear end worked in a parallel fashion of the fork. Having a few springs might be necessary if you plan on riding diverse locations. Stepping up to 450 would be useful to add composure in summer months when high speed bike park trails are regularly on the menu.
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Matt Beer
Location: North Vancouver, BC, Canada
Age: 35
Height: 178 cm / 5'10"
Inseam: 79 cm / 31"
Weight: 75 kg / 165 lbs
Industry affiliations / sponsors: None
Instagram: @mattb33r

My recent rant or "Opinion" article went deep into the gaps in sizing. Although I got along well with the larger Rallon, I kept it in the slacker setting for the shortest reach possible. That meant ditching the stock steering components for my preferred 765 mm wide, 35mm rise handlebar and 35mm length stem on top of 15 mm of spacers.

Mixed, MX, mullet, or whatever you want to call it - it's is a simple transition that invites shorter riders into the picture. For the majority of the test, the Rallon stayed in the full 29" setup, but I did have the chance to toy with the smaller rear wheel too.

I'm well accustomed to the Fox 38 and ran with a slightly higher pressure of 102 psi and less damping than recommended on the fork. In terms of the rear shock, I did prefer a slightly more forgiving ride with less damping on the compression clickers than suggested, but it's an excellent place to start. More damping might be something to keep in mind for top speeds in faster bike park environments to calm down the wheel movements.

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Climbing

As a born and bred enduro race bike, you'd expect the Rallon to partake in lots of climbing. Getting out of the saddle to power up a steep wall doesn't sap any energy and still has plenty of traction to tap into. The suspension stays moderately high in its travel which plays a huge factor in how the weight shifts under power transfer can upset the balance on bikes with less anti-squat.

The BB drop is low for an enduro race bike, and you do have to be mindful of pedal placement up rock-filled climbs. That MX modifier is supposed to mirror the low geometry setting of the 29er, however I noticed more crank strikes while climbing. There is a slight decrease in rollover and traction that comes with the mismatched wheels, but a choice in wheel size is welcomed.

It's worthwhile to flick the lever when objects get too close to the pedals on technical climbs - something that takes some practice to find and is only accessible with your left hand. The Rallon could be a choice candidate for 165mm cranks due to the 35mm BB drop in the slack setting.

I never had any issues steering through switchbacks, since that front axle wasn't dangling miles ahead of me. This is where the steeper seat tube angle and effective top tube measurement come into play. The seated position was upright and the 440mm chainstay kept my weight equally balanced between the axles. Rarely did I have to move far from a neutral seated position to eke out grip or keep the front wheel from lifting on any incline.

With that said, the Rallon feels like a long legged trail bike for the climbs and one of the least burdening 160mm bikes I've ridden uphill. Part of that is undoubtedly thanks to the overall low weight and svelte rolling mass. Surprisingly, it doesn't hold back on the way down the mountain.

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Blocked from the right side by the frame's top/seat tube brace, the climb switch is tucked away. Traction is abundant while climbing, but the switch is useful in the slacker geometry setting to keep the cranks away from ground.

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Descending

The last thing I want to imply was that the Rallon was boring because it rips in so many aspects of riding. It didn't have any groundbreaking moments, but that's one of the best parts about it. Nothing was ever unexpected and where the other latest and greatest high pivot bikes have their shining moments, there are downsides that come along with them. For a 160mm travel bike with a burly 170mm fork it really has the "get up and go" in tighter trails that require body movement to generate speed.

Again, like climbing, the balance of the chainstay length suits the race-bred bike, never tucking too far under the rider's center of gravity and making it possible to maintain a controlled, centered position through hard corners.

In terms of suspension action, anything in my way was easy to anticipate because I knew exactly where the bike would be in its travel. Too much progression can be challenging to perceive what the bike might do on the next hit. Even on the coil shock the bottom out bumper rarely gave a mechanical confirmation that Id reached the end of the road, and as expected it wiped out any small bumps. The suspension action is inviting, never wallowing too deep in the stroke and tracked through all the North Shore rubble and roots without too much feedback or erratic movements. If you're charging repeated huge hits and tapping out at bike park speeds, you might give up that suppleness for a touch more support towards the end of the stroke with an air shock. The grass is always greener on the other when it comes to this choice.

Throughout the front half of the bike, there is a solid energy transfer without being too overbearing, whereas the rear half of the bike has more forgiveness. I appreciated less lateral wiggling through the bottom bracket area, keeping my torso in line with the bike and letting the tail wag when needed. The best thing about this combination of front and rear frame stiffness is that the rear shock is able to track on cambers without getting bounced off line for being too rigid. There was some evidence of tire rub on the seatstays under hard cornering, but the bike never felt "noodlely". A closer look reveals that the 2.5" x 27.5" wheel doesn't receive as much clearance as the 29" either.

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Transition Spire
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Orbea Rallon

How does it compare?

The Rallon reminded me of the Transition Spire Carbon. They both have this character of being lighter, longer-legged enduro bikes that shine on more than pure downhills. Both 170-ish travel bikes are highly adaptable to multiple riding zones and can feel playful with the right setup.

The Rallon might win out on EWS-style tight switchbacks, whereas the Spire will need a little more coaxing. It will depend on what type of trails you visit the most, but I could see the slacker head angle of the Spire appealing to a descent-focused rider with less races and more bike park trips in their calendar. I wouldn't have minded if the Rallon had a slacker head angle in the low setting, and had a 64-degree head angle in the higher setting. That would make the two settings more useful, with the steeper position for all-around pedaling, and the slacker one for high speed bike park ripping.

On that note, the Spire does edge out the Rallon at high speeds
. Most of that comes down to the much longer wheelbase; an 8mm longer chainstay and a mega-slack 62.5º head tube angle increase the stability of the Spire. Adding to the downhill might of the Transition is an extra 10mm of travel at the rear wheel, however, the suspension action is comparable and simple to get along with.

As for frame features, the Spire has the coveted ZS56 upper and lower head tube to play with reach and, as crazy as it sounds, reel in that head tube angle - yes, make it steeper if you want to avoid stoppies through tight corners. Both carbon bikes have flip-chips and seat tube lengths that will work for a variety of rider inseam, but Transition wins out on the sizing game by offering a XXL size. On the flip side, the Rallon does a better job of preserving the geometry when it's run with mixed-wheels

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The tiny E-Thirteen top chainguide didn't hold up well and I dropped the chain numerous times on this photoshoot.
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The M-LTD build is decked out with a lot of clear-coated carbon and premium Fox/Shimano components.

Technical Report

Fox DHX2: The performance and adjustment in this shock, paired with the leverage curve of the Rallon's linkage gave an incredible amount of grip. As per the setup guide, the damper settings were very close to what I was looking for and worked brilliantly to stay planted on the worst webs of wet roots. The DHX2 needed less tweaking on colder days and had a seamless transition when the shock shaft changed directions. Those premium SLS springs are conveniently available in 25 lb increments too. My only minor gripe with the shock was the location of the climb switch.

Race Face Next R wheels: Orbea worked tirelessly on the stiffness of the frame's front and rear triangles, but these carbon rims did result in more feedback than other hoops that I tried on the Rallon. Considering the quick pick up on the hub, they roll with less resistance than other high engagement hubs and added to the Rallon's climbing ability, letting you ratchet through spots of trail when you can't spin a full revolution of the cranks.

E-Thirteen chainguide / Race Face Cinch chainring SHIM-12: I've had good luck with Race Face Cinch rings in the past and this particular one still had lots of life left, but I experienced numerous dropped chains with the insufficient E-Thirteen CL52 guide. The arm that connects the plastic guide to the ICSG tabs is awfully thin and needs stouter hardware to attach it. I can't totally blame the chain and ring combo here, but once a OneUp Bash Guide was installed, I never looked back.

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Pros

+ Exceptional grip and predictability from the rear suspension
+ Well crafted carbon frame packed with features
+ Mixed wheel compatible
+ Geometry makes it highly adaptable to any riding zone

Cons

- Head angle could be slacker to pair with low BB height
- Chain retention issues with stock equipment
- Needs more chain damping on frame



Pinkbike's Take
bigquotesEnduro racing requires a bike that has an even radar chart - no corner should be pulled too heavily in one direction and the Rallon answers well in all situations. Aside from the chain problems that could be worked around, it's challenging to be critical. High levels of grip from the suspension let the standard geometry send harder, ultimately making the Rallon a top candidate as a long travel, pedal worthy machine. The appropriately sturdy frame is packed with features to carry all of your goods and is built with a fine attention to detail. In-frame storage, 29 or 27.5" rear wheels, air or coil shocks - Orbea's race weapon has it all.  Matt Beer







Author Info:
mattbeer avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2001
360 articles

217 Comments
  • 185 13
 Bike is $10,000. It should have zero issues in testing. Chain retention issues and noise? Bike industry, you've done a poor job in the engineering department when these things are still issues after 30 years with bikes now costing 10 grand.
  • 29 10
 Agreed. Looks like an incredible bike, but for over 8 grand more than what my bike cost me, i should expect it to float over the rocks like a magic carpet.
  • 36 40
flag conoat (Mar 21, 2022 at 9:42) (Below Threshold)
 Bugatti's have all kinds of nagging issues......people still buy them.

I mean, if you don't think that comprimises are ever made on a $10k bike, you're wrong. could it be that this chain guide was all they could source with current parts issues?
  • 23 1
 So do we blame Orbea, or E13?
I have the last gen Rallon with a OneUp chainguide, and no issues with noise or chain drop.
  • 5 6
 Troll?
  • 8 21
flag foggnm (Mar 21, 2022 at 11:06) (Below Threshold)
 I hear ya, but I wouldn't use one media person's opinion as the truth about any bike product. Keep some perspective. They are writing for advertising dollars and nothing else.
  • 6 30
flag nickfranko (Mar 21, 2022 at 11:06) (Below Threshold)
 @conoat: what do you know about owning a Bugatti? Other than reading someone’s anecdote?
If it’s not your own anecdote, don’t use it.
  • 25 2
 @nickfranko: his point is valid. There is no bike, nor any car, at any price point, which is flawless.
  • 7 12
flag conoat (Mar 21, 2022 at 11:16) (Below Threshold)
 @nickfranko: oh, so if a new bike comes out that the entire internet says has a glaring flaw, you're just going to ignore it because "it's not your anecdote"? do you honestly think that is how the world works???

wtf mate. lmao
  • 6 0
 @foggnm: which usually means most reviews tend to be overly positive or dismissive of product flaws, all to satisfy the paying customer (which is the advertiser and not the website viewers). When review sites criticize a product, there is usually something to it. It might still be a single product flaw or something very dependent on circumstances, but they usually don't invent criticisms...
  • 5 6
 it also looks like a session
  • 42 1
 @ratedgg13: Blame Orbea for putting ethirteen parts on a $10k bike.
  • 5 4
 @jeremy3220: now THAT is a fair critique. that said, maybe was all they could get ahold of at the volume they needed.....which is probably for a reason...lol
  • 5 3
 @jeremy3220: to be fair, I have one of the newer E13 cassettes because I couldn’t get a SRAM one at the time last year, and I’ve actually been really happy with it and I picked up their tires at the same time also and have been pleasantly surprised by how much I like them.
  • 7 0
 Incoming Broken Record Redux: This is the responsibilities of consumers: KEEP IT [Wallet] IN YOUR PANTS applies here too, and stop rewarding companies who are delivering poor value.
  • 8 0
 @jeremy3220: exactly. I’ve never had an e13 component that wasn’t poor quality. I would say switching to a OneUp changuide/ bash guard is a minor inconvenience, but I agree that it shouldn’t have to be done on a top tier bike.
  • 5 0
 @conoat: people dont buy bugatti to ride bugatti. They do it to show they own Bugatti. Nobody really does that with a bike (except maybe let my ibis to the job guy)
  • 1 1
 To me it doesn't seem to be much of a surprise for Orbea to bring out a bike that has a couple issues out of the box. I have had multiple friends with Orbrea's that have had constant issues from the get go to do with chain and linkage areas.
  • 1 0
 $12k is the new $10k…
  • 1 2
 @ratedgg13: Both and more! Don't spec the lame part, don't make a lame part and push it to be specified, and eliminate the need for the part in the first place. 1x drivetrains are good but at this point they should be great. At the price point (RIP) of these high-end drivetrains I shouldn't need a chain guide.
  • 1 0
 @Jaib06: hahahahaha
  • 1 0
 My El cheapo Spesh Enduro comp has a no name top guide and RF ring and it hasn't dropped a chain in 4 years. That's value :-)
  • 4 0
 @ratedgg13: e13. Always blame e13.
  • 7 5
 Push bikes are too expensive, you can nearly get the best Enduro motorbike for the same money, it’s got an engine, a damn fine one too!
freestylebikes.co.uk/husqvarna-te300i-2022-enduro-bike
  • 1 2
 @vemegen: and anyone on a Yeti.....Smile
  • 1 2
 @DG370: 4 stroke ktm or bust..
  • 6 4
 @DG370:
This analogy is tired.

Try getting a motorbike primarily constructed from carbon fiber and titanium bits, and get back to us with the price.
  • 2 0
 @hllclmbr: my motorbike and mountain bike are nearly the same price, neither has any carbon or titanium.

There’s so many companies making bikes now, must be dozens, the margins must be pretty good!
  • 2 0
 @whambat: I bought one to and it was truly awful. Got rid of it within a month as it does change gears properly. Swapped the cassette out and the drive train started working properly again
  • 1 0
 @CM999: was it one of the older or newer ones? I heard the old design was pretty bad. I will say the install is a little complicated to get right, I had to reinstall to get rid of the creak where the two parts came together, but it works for me pretty dang well. I ended up putting one on my wife’s 11speed GX setup for the better range, and it shifts better than the GX cassette.
  • 1 0
 @stainerdome:

Both bought new?

Bruni likes all aluminum stuff on his bike, but it’s still 10k, I’d guess.

One can certainly buy a new entry level moto and a high end bicycle for the same amount of money. I’m just trying to compare apples to apples.

The bike that this article is about is a pro supercross bike in the moto world, and those run $100k or so.
  • 3 0
 @hllclmbr: Is it?

Try getting a mountain bike primarily constructed from high tolerance machined and ground forged components, with dozens or hundreds of moving parts, and get back to us with the price.

Boutique markets always deliver boutique prices. Mountain bike prices are the result of the contrived exclusivity that bike brands and retailers manufacture. Consider the complexity, material and logistical expenses of a Chevrolet Spark, which starts at $14,595, which is less than some of the major brands' top e-bikes.

Forty years ago, carbon fiber was incredibly expensive, niche and difficult to fabricate. It is a commodity item now.
  • 1 0
 @rideordie35: carbon is still a time and labor intensive process.. That's where the price comes from. Plus, machining time and costs to make the molds...
  • 1 0
 @hllclmbr: yeah but if you know anything about moto there really isn’t different build kits. Yeah maybe brands offer a works addition, but you definitely aren’t picking different priced build kits or get your option of suspension manufacturers.
  • 1 0
 @pargolf8: yeah, when was the last time Honda offered 5 build kits and 4 different frame sizes on a CRF450?
  • 1 0
 @rideordie35: CARS HAVE AIRBAGS AND SEATBELTS
  • 1 0
 @pargolf8:

Sure, at the moto shop.

We are speaking to elite racing here
  • 1 1
 @ratedgg13: His point isn't valid though, it's made up BS from someone who doesn't know what he's talking about. What are those "nagging issues" on Bugattis? Are Bugattis delivered to customers unfit for purpose and requiring modifications straight away to fulfil their basic task? Especially when said purpose is symbolizing status and the price has zero to do with performance. But even despite that, you can drive your brand new Bugatti and expect it not to lose key drivetrain parts, which is not the case with this Orbea.

No one's talking about "flawless". This isn't a little flaw. This ten thousand dollar mountain bike loses its chain when you take it mountain biking in the mountains. It's unfit for purpose out of the box. For ten grand.
  • 1 0
 @bananowy: Okay but you're wrong. In 2016, over 100 Bugatti's were recalled due to structural problems that made the vehicles unsafe to drive.
  • 1 2
 @ratedgg13: Haha, 2016 and over a 100 cars suggests you're talking about that possibility of reference plates falling off and causing issues for following traffic. You've just put it in really dramatic words. So not really, I'm still not wrong.

Also a recall for a possibility of something happening to cover the manufacturer's legal ass is not the same as something actually happening. Knowing e13's reputation it's pretty safe to expect Matt won't be the only one with that issue.


Waiting for Orbea to recall Rallons and put working chainguides and chainrings on them though. That would actually be the kind of customer service expected with a premium item.
  • 2 1
 @bananowy: yes, Orbea should switch the spec to OneUp or another brand of chainguide. Thats what they should do.
But thats not the point here, the point is that vehicles costing in the millions of dollars had to be recalled - including for cracking driveshafts, tire defects, and literally parts falling off the vehicle.
This is not the first, nor the last time a brand will spec a part on a bike, that doesn't like up to its specs. Just don't pretend like Orbea is unique in this, or that Bugatti doesn't have the same screw ups.
  • 3 1
 @bananowy: can we stop for a sec and take a breath?

where we are at: this one chainguide was shit

where you are at: ORBEA NEEDS TO RECALL EVERY BIKE UNTIL THEY SORT OUT EVERY CHAINGUIDE(regardless of whether or not it's a systemic issue)

big deep breath buddy........
  • 4 0
 I’ve put about 500 miles on mine and I thought my Ripmo v2 had worse chain issues than this. Either way, I took out a chain link now that I ride in the low setting permanently and its smooth as butter and no issues with the chain slap. This is a magical bike. Having put over 1000 miles on each of ripmo, the Sb150, Stumpy Evo and an Enduro (less time on the enduro) over the last 3 years, this Rallon is hands down the best bike I’ve ever ridden. This thing is just absolutely phenomenal here in the PNW. This bike doesn’t get near enough praise for how good and how fast it is.
  • 1 0
 @jperki5: how did you find it compared to the ripmo? I'm after long travel trail bike. Just wondering if its too much bike compared to the ripmo or is it still fun and poppy and good on the climbs like the ripmo
  • 117 15
 Gotta say PB, bringing Matt on was such a good choice. Actually both Matt and Alicia have rounded out the tech team really well (I am not sure if Alicia is actually a tech editor, but she should be if she wants).

Sarah: XC/pedally riding
Levy: XC hooligan/gravelduro
Alicia: regular, balanced rider
Kaz: DH focused, not racing
Matt: DH focused, fast as f*ck

And somehow everyone seems to ride and work together well. Well done, and thank you!
  • 31 2
 What about Henry?
  • 44 2
 @travieso429: the David Attenborough of the bunch
  • 53 14
 I hate posts like this and the thinking behind it, which puts everyone to some kind of little box
  • 15 1
 @travieso429: how could I have forgotten Henry! What a gem. And also the resident psychedelic tester.
  • 7 2
 @sonuvagun: part of the post was to mention that everyone seems to have their niche but works together so well. Just really liked Matt's perspective and review so thought I'd comment on how the current team is just really solid.
  • 18 0
 @sspiff Thank you! We have such a great tech team and it's always a blast to get together at our Field Tests.
  • 4 0
 @mattbeer: That "Riding the Rallon" picture is great. If that were me I would blow it up frame it and give it to all my family members, and then be pissed when they didn't hang it in their living rooms.
  • 5 37
flag SlavikChris (Mar 21, 2022 at 11:50) (Below Threshold)
 @travieso429: Not so much.....there's a reason he didn't last long on GMBN....I don't like him.
  • 17 0
 @SlavikChris: he was wasted at GMBN imho. There’s only so many ways you can go in-depth on the same crap regurgitated and repackaged ad infinitum.
  • 2 0
 @travieso429: That's Hucking Henry to you
  • 2 0
 @travieso429: Low-key mumbling, tea and biscuits Smile
  • 1 0
 @mattbeer: Another great review here Matt. You have a knack for communicating some of the subtleties of what a bike will feel like to ride.
  • 67 2
 Has anything positive ever been written about any E13 product, ever?! They're like the 2020 version of 2000's Crank Brothers
  • 4 1
 The E13 wheels on my Jeffsy took some big hits , but yeah on the the whole their stuff sucks.
  • 38 0
 Do you remember when the LG1 was the best chainguide on the market? Pepperidge Farm remembers...
  • 2 1
 Well, if something just continues boringly doing what it's supposed to do, it's not necessarily a talking point. Such has been the case with my TRSr carbon cranks. Four years and many rock hits later, they are still rock solid. The same with the TRSr wheels's hubs, whose bearings I haven't even changed yet. This in contrast to the ones on a DT Swiss 240 rear hub, that required replacement after a single summer!
  • 2 0
 The TRS rims are pretty decent actually, but how the flip did they become so big in chainguides when they are still absolute shit after all these years?
  • 1 0
 Their tires are pretty sticky, their carbon wheels are solidly average, and their chain guides are basically ocean fill
  • 46 8
 Hey look, another new bike from (brand). It’s longer, slacker, and lower. It has on-frame storage and even an integrated multi-tool! It’s more progressive and now coil-compatible! But they also added more anti-squat which, combined with (suspension design), makes this a better climber than the last bike too!

The more time you spend on this site, the more the Grim Donut philosophy makes sense.
  • 33 2
 The more they try to make bikes “better” the smaller the changes become and the more everything just starts to become the same, at which point you just find the one that looks cool and fits your budget. Snowboards have been like this for years. They’re all pretty much the same within their categories, despite the industry always trying to convince you that buying the next product is going to provide triple the pleasure of whatever you’re on right now.
  • 11 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: Honestly, DH bikes have done the same thing for the most part. Arguably wheel size changes and mullets make modern ones different, but barring ridiculously small sizing, DH bike geo hasn't really changed over the past 10 years. And the sizing thing was easily overcome by just buying larger bikes. A top of the line DH bike from 2012 is about the same as top of the line DH bike today with a bit of maintaining.

And it's awesome that Enduro bikes are hitting the point of diminishing returns. Gonna be cool when you can pick up an enduro bike from today in 10 years and have it be basically the same thing as a new one.
  • 1 0
 But this one has less anti-squat, not more. Although that's precisely the trend nowadays, to have less anti-squat for less chain growth. And this bike is indeed following all the trends, less anti-squat, smaller head angle, lower BB height, smaller chainstays, but all these changes are very minute, probably even smaller than a measurement tolerance, and it's really just to give a little incentive to those who are looking for "improvement" on a product that was already pretty much at the spot, so much so that based on numbers alone, I prefer the previous model, but wouldn't mind having the current one, given how minute the changes are. I have also accurately measured my Gen 2 Rallon and the numbers are different from what's claimed, but that's a different topic.
  • 1 0
 " I have also accurately measured my Gen 2 Rallon and the numbers are different from what's claimed, but that's a different topic."

@DavidGuerra: Ooooo do expound on that please. It's the BB measurement I'm most interested in.
  • 2 0
 @IamZOSO: BB drop was 25,6mm on the higher setting, vs. the claimed 25mm. Chainstay lenght was 437 vs. the claimed 435. But those are the more approximate measurements. When I tell you the others you might doubt my accuracy of my numbers, but I have to stand by them. HA 63.9 vs. 65, stack 648 vs. 627, reach 473 vs. 485, for a fork axle to crown length of 582 mm. I measured this in Autocad, from a photo shot from 50 meters away to minimize perspective distortion.
  • 2 0
 @IamZOSO: It's as if they calculated reach and stack with a 150mm fork...
  • 1 0
 @DavidGuerra: Interesting. Thank you!
  • 35 4
 I can't believe the Frame alone is $4500.
  • 40 15
 Might as well buy a yeti frame for $5000.

The ridiculous cost is actually why I’m not buying this bike. It’s not that I can’t afford it, but I’m not supporting this shit
  • 20 3
 $500 more than the base level, but capably equipped, Fezzari La Sal COMPLETE BIKE
  • 12 7
 It's made in Europe ... Does Yeti make frames in the USA?
  • 4 3
 @lkubica: their carbon mountain frames are made in China
  • 1 1
 @lkubica: as in or was carbon mountain frames…and yeti’s
  • 7 2
 @lkubica: Are you SURE it's made in Europe? I tired to find out, but all signs point to them being painted and assembled in Portugal, but carbon layup in China/Taiwan
  • 5 2
 @thingswelike @lkubica : Here is a Youtube video of a factory tour, @2:30 the Orbea guide says we do everything but the frames here in Spain.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOfyZgHyexA
  • 2 0
 @rickybobby18: and it doesn't even sound like an iconic Italian sportscar manufacturer!
  • 8 0
 @thingswelike: No I am not sure and as you can see they are not. This was wishful thinking from my side, thought that if they have the factory and offer custom paint then they do it locally. Kind of disappointing considering the price.
  • 1 0
 @Tmackstab: if it weren't for the crazy world these last couple of years, you'd think someone made a typo and mistakenly added an additional '1' to the price...
  • 3 0
 @rickybobby18: And $500 less than the complete bike, with full GX, Code RSCs, and RS ultimate suspension.
  • 4 9
flag endoguru (Mar 21, 2022 at 15:21) (Below Threshold)
 @Mntneer: Yep. That’s why I buy framesets and build them myself. I just built a Stumpjumper Evo S Works frame set with Fox Factory suspension, XO1 drivetrain, Code RSC brakes, I9 stem, OneUp carbon bars for 6K. The only thing I didn’t spend money on was carbon wheels. I bought aluminum wheels. This same build straight from the bike company would be 8-9K in today’s market.
  • 14 2
 @endoguru: Just googled MSRP for everything you listed
SJ EVO Swork: $3400
Fox 36 Factory: $1140
X01 groupset $1124 (colorado cyclist)
Code RSCs $490
200/180 centerline Rotors ~$150
I9 A35 stem: $155
One up bars: $150

GTFO you are at $6600 before dropper, wheels, and tires.
  • 3 9
flag Mntneer (Mar 21, 2022 at 15:49) (Below Threshold)
 @rustiegrizwold: who pays MSRP? EP or pro deal pricing only around here
  • 6 2
 @Mntneer: So you're bragging about buying a building a bike for $6K when you could've got complete for ~$5K?
  • 3 0
 @Mntneer: If you're getting deals still in this market then I'm impressed and jealous. For whole bikes I mean.
  • 3 4
 @rustiegrizwold: I didn’t pay near those prices. 3,100 for the frame as a starter. I shopped the individual components rather than buying the entire group set at one place. Besides, I looked at Colorado Cyclist as well as the competitors and even though they they listed the group set no one actually had a complete set available. It took me nearly 2 months to find all the components, but it was worth the savings. I started the process with the frame and that was about 4 months ago, so maybe I couldn’t do it for the same price currently. I’m pretty sure I could still do significantly better than buying the complete build. The Evo Pro is currently $8,600 and the only upgrade over mine is carbon wheels. Add an extra 1K for those and it still comes in much less than $8,600. I’m not complaining about the prices, just saying you can build a bike cheaper if you do it yourself. It takes a lot of shopping around and willingness to assemble it yourself. Not everyone can or wants to. I enjoy building my own bikes and I’ve bought all the tools needed over the years.
  • 2 2
 @rustiegrizwold: I’m not bragging. Just stating a fact. You could not buy the Evo in my build for 5K. If you want to simply talk price, you can get a good bike for much less than 5K. The Ibis Ripmo AF can be had for in the $3,500 range. I could ride that bike and be perfectly happy. I only have the bikes I have because I’m old and worked my ass off my entire life and am in a position to afford more expensive bikes, which are usually significantly lighter and makes a big difference pedaling to the top when you are older.
  • 1 0
 @rickybobby18: and those are very good bikes from everything I’ve read.
  • 1 0
 @endoguru: Are you arguing using two usernames? Anyway

I don't work in a shop anymore but when I did under the big S wholesale was ~70% off MSRP and EP was ~30% of that. That $8600 bike would've been $4400 before shipping. I'm sure the deals are worse but it should still put that bike in the ballpark of $5000-$5300. Also, everyone that works in a shop knows the most cost-effective way to build a bike is to buy an expensive model at EP, sell what you don't want, and EP the rest of the components. This is because complete bikes are always going to be cheaper than a frame build, we can't compete with the negotiated prices between component and bike manufacturers.

Again looking at that $8600 Evo pro. Nobody is building that bike for cheaper than they could get complete unless you put a bunch of used parts on the bike but I'd still call BS because there are no good used deals on AXS.
  • 3 0
 @rustiegrizwold: I’m not sure you what you mean by arguing with different user names. My bad on the AXS. I did not realize the Evo Pro had AXS. I would not want AXS. I have an AXS dropper on another bike and don’t like wondering if the battery is going to die mid ride,which it has. I will end up changing it out for a cable dropper. So, my build is between the Pro and Expert for less than the price of the Expert. The expert has a mix of GX and X01 with Code RS brakes and does not have the Factory fork and shock. I built mine with Factory fork and shock and all X01 and Code RSC brakes, except the cranks which are Dev5 and more expensive than X01 cranks. I chose the Dev5 because I wanted 160 cranks and not carbon. I’m assuming you would still say it is not possible because I did it for less than what Specialized sells for. You are entitled to your opinion. I originally posted simply to say you can build for less if you shop around. In addition, you get all the components exactly in the spec you want, such has stem length, bar rise, seat, brakes, etc. I am not anti-complete build. I’ve purchased many full builds over the years. It is that I know exactly what I want in a bike and the only way to get that is build from a frame. It does take a LOT of research and shopping around.
  • 1 0
 @endoguru: I totaled the prices of all the components you listed with EP prices, without shipping, from my old roommate who still works in a shop. Add everything below to a $3400 frame and it's ~$5800 without Tires, Saddle, grip, headset, cables & housing, and labor. And yes, I acknowledge you don't need labor but time is money.

Fox 36 Factory: $570
X01 groupset with the cheaper X01 crank and BB: $662
Code RSCs $256
200/180 centerline Rotors: $51
I9 A35 stem: $85
One up bars: $80
One up Dropper W/remote: $155
DT Swiss EX1700: ~$550 (he couldn't find the exact price)

So are you saying if you are patient you can get EP pricing on components even when the rest of the world can barely find anything stock?
  • 2 0
 @rustiegrizwold: 3100 not 3400 for the frame. Clearly you have predetermined what I paid irregardless of the actuality. You don’t have to believe any of it. End of conversation for me. Have a nice day.
  • 25 0
 Another E.Thirteen failure?
  • 15 1
 it was a race between the E13 bits failing and one(or more) of the RaceFace parts exploding. E13 wins(loses) this one!
  • 25 2
 Are we really complaining about a 64 HTA not being slack enough on an enduro bike?
  • 20 5
 It's more that it'd be nice if the 64-degree setting was in the high position, and then the bike had an even slacker option to go along with the low bottom bracket in the other position. That way you could use the 'high' setting for most rides (64-degrees is definitely slack enough for most trails), and then drop it lower for bike park laps, extra-steep trails, etc...

It may seem like splitting hairs, but if a bike has two geometry settings it's preferable that they give the bike two distinct ride characteristics.
  • 8 2
 @mikekazimer: that makes more sense and I agree that would be helpful. But a missing luxury feature shouldn’t be listed as a Con in my opinion.
  • 32 3
 @Henrygoesfastsometimes, maybe, but wouldn't you want a $9,000 bike to have all the luxury features?
  • 17 0
 @mikekazimer: I’m not going to lie, you got me there. Thankyou for clearing this up with me.
  • 16 0
 Hello bike companies can you stop engraving your bikes with awkward and useless lingo like “steep and deep” , “advance dynamics”. Adds nothing except for cheese factor. Many do it I’m not sure why. Skis too. Very odd.
  • 5 0
 Anywhere there's a marketing guy,there will be cheesy,useless and akward lingo.
  • 1 0
 I'm looking at you trek
  • 1 0
 Buying skis is painful, I really don't care about the silver paint on the top sheets the marketeers invented some bullshit for, just give me a geo chart and ski construction cross section. A lot of brands can't even be bothered with the geo chart.
  • 15 0
 "Orbea's Concentric Boost 2 Pivot system moves the rear axle in a continuous arc"

Thank God for that.
  • 8 0
 It's a lot of words to say "single pivot"
  • 12 0
 This Looks like a fantastic do it all Enduro bike. I like that the HTA is moderate- Reminds me a bit of the Specialized Enduro in a lot of the Geo numbers!
  • 8 0
 Interesting that we're saying a 64 deg HTA is moderate. Off the top of my head, the only two enduro bikes I can think of that are more slack are the Range (63.25) and the Spire (62.5). A lot of others are squarely in the 64-64.5 range (Privateer 161, Raaw Madonna V2.2, Spec Enduro, Trek Slash, etc.) and a few fall into the 63.5+ range (Commencal Meta SX/MX, GG Gnarvana, etc.).

Feels like 64 degrees is squarely in the middle of the modern enduro bike, and Transition is off on its own with the Spire.
  • 10 0
 I own the the 2019 Rallon LTD and I race it, jump it, train it, and love it. I can only compare it to the S-Works Enduro, as I own an Enduro. I prefer riding the Rallon because it is a more efficient pedaler, with the same exact hit absorbing properties. I'm very surprised this bike is more popular. Note: A little noisy - Yes; Chain issues - No/Never.
  • 9 0
 Can't wait to actually get my hands on this thing! Ordered in October 2021... First ETA was February 2022, now its October 2022...
  • 2 0
 My ETA was originally October 2021 and it arrived earlier this month
  • 12 2
 Uh, Transition explicitly says you may run the Spire mullet in the high setting.
  • 6 1
 Yea but its not practical. I sat on one in an LBS and even with high setting the BB was around 325mm and the head angle around 62 degrees
  • 4 0
 There is no longer any info about this on their website.
  • 1 0
 If rumour is correct, it’s the same front triangle and link as the patrol, so I think you can swap chainstays for even more options.
Transition is willing to let consumers try just about anything, their bikes seem to be a bit on the overbuilt side of things, so have fun with them.
People seem to get hung up on some of these things, put a 650 wheel on there and try it out, what on earth could possibly happen if you do?
  • 1 0
 Yup it does/did
  • 6 2
 "clevis-driven shock reduces side loading on the shock."

Really? Not according to... let me see, what was my reference... oh yeah: www.pinkbike.com/news/pinkbike-poll-has-your-shock-ever-failed.html

"Clevis links increase the leverage over the shock, meaning a given lateral force is more likely to cause the shock to buckle or bind"

Make up your damn minds!
  • 4 2
 @justinfoil According to Orbea, they incorporated the seat tube/ top tube brace to neutralize those forces.
  • 1 1
 @mattbeer: So that must apply to Specialized as well...?
  • 5 1
 "A low anti-rise number hovers around 55-60% throughout the travel, inviting the rear wheel into the suspension travel under braking."

That's a weird way to describe it, since lower anti-rise means the wheel is _not_ pulled into the travel as much. Perhaps you meant the low anti-rise leaves the travel available to the rear wheel, invites it to _use it_. To me, "inviting it into the travel" sounds like it's actively pulling the wheel into the travel, which is a high anti-rise characteristic.
  • 3 2
 @justinfoil Yes, that's right. A bike with high anti-rise will force the shock into the stroke when you apply the brake.

inviting: offering the promise of an attractive or enjoyable experience.
  • 10 5
 "Pro-geometry, Con-headtube could be slacker." if the geometry is a pro how is the headtube a con? Isn't that part of the geo? lol only on pinkbike.
  • 6 0
 @mhoshal The geometry works well in some many places, but a slightly slacker head tube angle would better match the BB height in the low setting.
  • 4 0
 Geometry surprisingly means more than just the head tube…
  • 1 0
 @TannerValhouli: shut up nerd! You're making my brain hurt.
  • 6 0
 Steep, Deep, Cheap: Pick Two.
  • 3 1
 A size reference for the locker opening would be great. Should hold a banana or multi-tool or clif-bar or something in the opening so we can judge the size. Looks damn skinny to me, like it's gonna be tough to fish some things in and out of there.
  • 4 2
 @justinfoil I'm not sure what shape you think bananas are, but a small jacket will fit in there with some planning. Even with measurements, it would be tough to replicate a mockup. Multi-tools come in a variety of sizes, so visiting a dealer and trying your own gadgets might be the best bet.
  • 5 0
 @mattbeer: the banana is for scale.
  • 1 0
 @RonSauce: Thank you.

@mattbeer: for further reference: knowyourmeme.com/memes/banana-for-scale and/or www.google.com/search?q=enduro+banana

Yes, many things come in different shapes. I don't need to know right now which tools actually fit with how much clearance. Just a reference.
  • 3 0
 @justinfoil: Haha I love it. @henryquinney is our resident meme lord. I should have consulted him first.
  • 1 0
 @mattbeer: I'll eat my hat if Henry doesn't know "the banana is for scale", haha
  • 1 0
 Love my 2019 Rallon with Rally on link. Looks like they fixed some of its short comings (cable routing, bearing life, on board storage). Part of the reason I went with the Rallon is that for $7800 I got the build kit I wanted plus the geometry wasn't too long or too low. A specialized stump jumper with similar build require a bump up the s-works. The previous Rallon was fast but also super playful when set up right.
  • 4 0
 One of the most simple-beautiful bikes out there : no idler or complicated linkage. I'd like to see how Maes performs on it
  • 1 0
 Call me crazy, but if they're putting this out as their bling build that they know will be set up with a Kashima fork and post, why have a different shade of yellow/gold? Super nit picky on a killer bike, but still seems like an oversight with that intended kit.
  • 1 0
 I'm referring to the frame decals not being Kashima color if that wasn't clear.
  • 1 0
 @tokarsky268: Kinda weird it wasn't mentioned in the review but on all but the cheapest model you can choose custom colors for paint and decals.
  • 1 0
 These are killer, good job Orbea! To Matt's point on the sizing, once again those of us in the fat of the bell curve are stuck between sizes and have to make adjustments for the bike to fit. Womp, womp!
  • 2 0
 @mattbeer It's interesting that the bike was spec'd with Galfer rotors and pads. I didn't see any note about the components or how these parts worked during the test period?
  • 1 0
 @onestuntwonder Without a back to back comparison against the equivalent sized Shimano rotors, I can't say there were any notable changes from the last XTR brakes I tried.
  • 3 0
 Galfer rotors last significantly longer than shimanos, especially with sinter pads.
  • 2 0
 @mattbeer: Fair Matt. I figured you've probably tried your fair share of Shimano XT and XTR brakes to make the call.
  • 1 0
 @mattbeer Can you comment on how you might expect that matte/raw finish to hold up? I'm trying to decide between a raw or painted matte or gloss on a MyO build for an Orbea, ahem, gravel bike (mea culpa).
  • 11 7
 Looks like a stumpjumper
  • 11 6
 You mean the Stumpjumper looks like a Rallon.
  • 3 1
 If the DHX2 exploded oil all over it it really would
  • 3 1
 Great bike but hopefully they will make an alloy version soon. I have a upgraded alloy Occam and love it.
  • 3 2
 I'm not saying one copied the other, but I don't think anyone could tell apart this from the Fezzari long travel bike if you just looked at a silhouette of the frame.
  • 4 0
 Orbea has had this look for a bit (looks a whole lot like a Stumpjumper to me) but the Fezzari does have a similar profile.
  • 2 0
 Only if you squinted your eyes to the point you can't see anymore...??? Mr Magoo
  • 1 0
 Could say the same of the Specialized Stumpjumper Evo, but when you get into the geometry (the thing that matters most) there are real differences. The Fezzari is 10-20mm taller at the BB (depending on setting), the antisquat curves are different, the compression curves are different, etc. Those will all affect the ride character of the bike much more than the silhouette.
  • 1 0
 Matt, what length dropper did this bike have? Given the “steep and deep” seat post insertion design did you feel like you could have/wanted to fit a longer dropper?
  • 2 0
 @blopp220 This size large Rallon came with a 200 mm dropper post. That gave more than enough travel to go from my max seat height to an appropriate descending position.
  • 2 0
 I'd like to read that opinion article on sizing but the link doesn't work..what's up
  • 2 1
 Are anyone out there actually able to buy a 2022 Rallon? I have one on order. Was supposed to get it desember 2021. Now latest deliver date is May.
  • 1 0
 My dealer told me that everything was available, except for wheels (aluminium)... ETA got pushed back 8 months
  • 1 0
 Put deposit on mine in early Sept right when bike was released.. original ETA was mid October.. been pushed 5 times, currently being told mid / late Apr

I was told back in Dec that they were waiting on fork & handlebars... then in Feb I was told they're now waiting on rims & drivetrains.

It all sounds like a bunch of hoopla to me
  • 1 0
 @dlim805: Much the same here. I was also told that Orbea would start a system where one could get the bike even if some parts were missing. That would be great for me since i will transfer a lot of parts. But I never hear more about it. Disapointing.
  • 1 0
 Got mine a few week ago, M10 MyO.
  • 3 1
 Made in Spain, I know the factory. Orbea has not manufactured anything in Asia for years :-)
  • 2 0
 The frame itself is from Asia.
Nevertheless, great that even painting (and assembly anyway) is done in Spain.
  • 3 1
 @FloImSchnee: The frame molds are in Spain.
  • 2 2
 I own an orbea and want this to be true. Do you have a source because everything I've read online says their carbon frames are made in Asia? If they really are making them in Spain they are keeping that way too secretive! Advertise that fact.
  • 3 0
 @Rosstech True, they closed the last factory in Taiwan about 3 years ago, and apart from the Mallabia factory they opened another one in Portugal, although in that last one they only manufacture medium/low range. All the high range entirely in Spain. Greetings.
  • 2 0
 @trisquel Exactly ;-)
  • 1 0
 @trisquel: Really? It's not apparent on their website. I just bought a new Rallon and it's freakin' fantastic.
  • 1 0
 Can I buy this shock yoke so I can put a 27.5 on the back of my 2021 Orbea Rallon? The bike rips but the tight corners could use a mullet for sure...
  • 1 0
 Interesting that they are charging extra now for the Mullet yoke. All previous reviews says it comes with the bike free.
  • 1 1
 its a great bike i'm sure but lets be realistic with cash cash. 5k and im lol at mylesf should be a great bike. B?UT HMMM infkl=latos$$$ etc wetc check ur but cuz t oday is tomrw and morw GL peeps.
  • 2 0
 Matt, at 5.10, what size bike did you test, M or L ?
  • 3 1
 I can tell you Martin Maes is on a M...
  • 1 0
 @alexisalwaysonfire I was riding a size large for the test.
  • 3 0
 It’s a bike.
  • 3 2
 Sorry, I must have missed the newsletter.. But what is MX Compatible wheels? Motocross????
  • 1 0
 Mixed Wheelset (Mullet- 29/27.5)
  • 1 0
 Mixed wheel size.
  • 3 2
 I’ll buy one next year on Pinkbike for £3000 ,like all the other Rallons.
  • 3 3
 I can't find the geo on their website!! WTF? Is it me...? It's one of those, "Wow look what we can do with HTML. Also, good luck finding the shit you need..."
  • 2 1
 Rode around a parking lot on one of these, my OCD loses its shit looking down and seeing that shock offset.
  • 2 0
 That’s a proper technical review. Well done, sir.
  • 2 0
 Good luck with dhx2 and this suspenion layout.
  • 1 0
 @mattbeer Which color has the frame on the picturers? Carbon raw matte?
Thank you!
  • 1 0
 Yes that's correct.
  • 1 2
 I can see how modern #ebikes are having an impact on the design of old style bikes, although i like this for that very reason, i still cant believe it doesn't have a motor at that price.
  • 1 0
 Coming soon in 2024. I swear Orbea must have the worst availability next to Scott of all the brands out there.
  • 2 0
 165 lbs but 100+ PSI in the FOX 38? Matt's definitely a sender.
  • 1 0
 Can confirm that those Next R wheels make for a ridiculously harsh ride. Brutal and luckily sold!
  • 1 0
 "Head angle could be slacker to pair with low BB height"

Put a 180 fork on mine. Was a win win really.
  • 1 0
 But how does it work for people with BMX-background?
  • 1 0
 The Orbea link in the details doesn't work, lists HTTP twice.
  • 1 1
 Get ready for some cracked and broken carbon crank arms after continuously pedal striking on that low BB height.
  • 1 0
 It's not that low... My bike is the same according to its chart: though I did overfork by 10mm, but I also run a few percent more sag than the chart on both ends, so I'd imagine the actually ridden BB height is pretty close. Yeah, my cranks are pretty beat, but I tend to just pedal through everything so my use case is extreme, and I 've also seen some carbon cranks from the same area with the same worn areas and they're generally OK.
  • 1 0
 It should be made out of alum. WAY GREENER!!!!!
  • 1 0
 "we have stumpjumper at home"
  • 1 0
 180mm rear rotor on an Enduro bike just shouldn't be seen these days...
  • 1 0
 Bias a bit? this reviews are comical if anyting.
  • 2 2
 Well I guess we know what the next generation StumpJumper will look like.
  • 3 4
 Well that’s a big f-u for running a dropper in size small
  • 1 1
 Stumjumper
  • 1 1
 ...TOO expensive
  • 3 4
 $10 000 Multitool?
  • 7 8
 Stopped reading at $9999
  • 4 0
 Aw c’mon! It’s not like they priced it in the 5 figures!
  • 1 0
 #Ka$hima bits.

The lower builds are pretty decent value.
  • 1 2
 but is it a race bike?
  • 3 6
 Just here to listen to people whine about bike prices. Pay to play people.
  • 2 4
 LOOKS LIKE A SESSION
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