First Look: The 2021 Orbea Oiz Gets Even Lighter

Jul 21, 2020
by Daniel Sapp  
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Orbea launched the last iteration of their Oiz XC bike a couple years back. The bike, available in two different versions - a 100mm XC race version and then a more trail-friendly 120mm version, has received several updates for 2021, including a high-end OMX frame option and a new rear triangle.

Orbea now have three different frame constructions in the Oiz line. The OMX, the OMR, and a hydroformed high polished alloy. The new OMX frame uses a blend of high modulus fibers that allow Orbea to tune the weight and stiffness for each size.

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Orbea's Fiberlink, found on the higher end frames, utilizes long fibers to create a stiff and lightweight shock link.

The 'Fiberlink' that drives the shock is made by injecting long fibers to create a stiff and lightweight link and integrate with the shapes of the Oiz and seat tube. There is also an aluminum version of the link available on certain models of the bike.

Additionally, the chainstays on the rear end are now 430mm, 5mm shorter than previous, and there's a flat-mount rear brake. The flat-mount brake allows Orbea the lightest, cleanest, and stiffest caliper integration they could design. This brings the weight of a size medium frame to a claimed 1,740g including the shock, a 250g reduction from the OMR carbon frame.


Geometry and Kinematics

The Oiz has a head angle of 69-degrees, seat angle of 75-degrees, and a 435mm reach for a size medium. The chainstays are 430mm across all sizes.

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New Cockpit Integration

The Oiz has a newly redesigned cockpit and integrated OC headset spacer and stem. There is an optional computer mount that is compatible with all major brand computers. The OC component collaboration is, according to Orbea, a detail that ties together the high-end feel of their bikes.

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The integrated OC headset spacer and stem have an optional computer mount as well (not shown here).

New Graphic Personalization and Build Options

The new Oiz has three unique design schemes and a fourth finish option of Matte/Gloss. There are additionally scores of color combinations available utilizing their 'MyO' program.

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Paint schemes and options are abundant with the Oiz.

There are a total of ten different build options between the standard 100mm travel Oiz and the 120mm travel Oiz TR. Additionally, each frame level, the OMX, OMR, and Hydroformed Alloy have different builds to choose from.

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Oiz M Team
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Oiz M LTD

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Oiz M Pro
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Oiz M Pro TR

Sizes available are S-XL. Prices start at $2,599 USD for the Oiz H30 and go all the way up to $8,999 USD for the Oiz M-LTD.

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Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks XC Bikes Orbea Orbea Oiz


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90 Comments
  • 64 2
 When do we get the XC field test?? I can'y wait any longer and need help to decide if I need a new bike or notSmile
  • 23 21
 You don't, trust me.
  • 52 2
 you do, trust me!
  • 31 15
 Just pump your tires till they dont grip at all and voila there is your xc bike
  • 7 0
 @TylerG96: always n+1
  • 6 2
 @TylerG96:

Neeah, the problem with multiple bikes is that you arrive at a point where you spend too little time on each; having only one(well, two at the moment but trying to sell the last one so that, finally, in 6 years, can have just one bike) and not 4-5-6-etc improves on that situation.
(From not spending time on multiple bikes to not spending time on only one bike. Hahahahaha.)
  • 5 0
 @eugenux: I totally agree. Its cool to have a bunch of bikes but like you said you can Only ride each one so much. My GT and my neighborhood cruising shit bike is all I need.
  • 2 0
 @TylerG96: Trust is a beautiful thing. We all need it!
  • 1 0
 @eugenux: it can't be!
  • 2 0
 @Thirty3: you can have a neighborhood cruising shit bike from gt you know!
  • 2 0
 Without riding any of the other bikes they'll test I can't wait to argue in the comments that the results are BS and the Epic I bought is the best XC bike.
  • 2 0
 @Counsel: Obviously, sir, you are a genius. Why listen to them when you exist on that lofty plane?
  • 1 0
 exactly...when are the results and is it a vide?
  • 48 0
 Fiberlink sounds like an app for tracking one's fiber consumption
  • 10 0
 @Ambushell with our new app, Fiberlink, you can track your consumption of Metamucil as it passes through your colon.
  • 20 0
 @dan23dan23: With our Stoolnalysis technology, simply defecate directly on your phone screen to see fiber and health related metrics about your body.
  • 3 0
 @camcoz69: You joke, but it will be a great day when we have smart toilets for early detection of ailments like bladder and colorectal cancers. And hilarious to see partnerships like Kohler and GRAIL.
  • 3 0
 @CourierSix: This is quite the fascinating subject, but I'm afraid that all of you, despite your intellects, quite plainly, are full of shit.
  • 33 1
 Love raw carbon under a gloss coat. Good looking bike. Almost tempted to get some spandex. Almost.
  • 5 3
 I'd be tempted to put a 120mm travel fork on it to make it more downcountry.
  • 13 0
 @tacklingdummy: You can, they have Oiz TR models with a 120mm 34 Stepcast fork and 120mm shock.
  • 40 0
 All the hair on my body fell off as soon as I saw this bike
  • 38 0
 @unrooted: Username checks out
  • 2 21
flag sanchofula (Jul 21, 2020 at 14:03) (Below Threshold)
 @tacklingdummy: Yeah, cuz that would totally make the bike worthy for technical riding ...

So one guy looks at this bike and sees what it can do and another sees what it can't do, they both take it riding, which one is most likely to get in over their head?

So yeah, don't bring a knife to a gun fight, this is not the down country bike you're looking for.
  • 10 1
 @nurseben: lol what?
  • 3 0
 @nurseben: You are taking my comment way too seriously. Lol. It was just hypothetical sarcasm. I have had a 100mm/100mm Specialized Epic 29er and pushed it to it's limits in rocky tech. It is fun to push the limits and take bikes into different categories than what they were made for.
  • 3 0
 @tacklingdummy: Unless you weight 85 kg like me, and "take bikes into different categories" just plain means "fubarize every single bolt on your bike".
  • 24 0
 Do I buy the top spec model? Orbea responsible spender and add a few grams to pay a few thousand less? Oiz a tough decision.
  • 4 0
 You're very Specialized in puns
  • 24 6
 Leverage Ratio curve needs to be renamed to "Anti-Fun".
  • 37 2
 For some of us, putting our head down and suffering is... fun.
  • 6 0
 I rode one for a couple weeks while my bike was in the shop, and absolutely loved it. Probably not the bike for all occasions, but for absolutely blasting singletrack, it's ideal. Gets out of it's depth on really messy descents, but otherwise a lot of fun.
  • 8 6
 Having to packing the shock with more than the recommended number of volume spacers and having to run max pressure in the shock to not bottom out the suspension on anything that’s not flat if you weigh more than 60 kilos sounds like an incredible design decision, what do you mean?
  • 5 0
 So I am reading it right? It has a severely falling rate?
  • 11 1
 @hamncheez: Yes, race bikes work extremely well with that leverage ratio. This is not a trailbike or a downcountry machine... This is a race bike.
  • 3 0
 @hamncheez: allows racers to run 10% sag for a really firm ride but still get full travel when the curve falls at the end!
  • 2 2
 @TheSlayer99: I had a 2016 oiz, you don't have to do that.
  • 2 0
 @clink83: what does that have anything to do with this years kinematics, it’s a different leverage curve?
  • 8 0
 @Antoncor: I guess small volume air cans don't need much rise, and if you try and put a coil on this the lead engineer of Orbea personally visits you to slap your face?
  • 3 1
 @TheSlayer99: it has/had the same regressive leverage ratio...its not exactly new for orbea.
  • 1 0
 @ferntreekid:

Actually, from a xc terrain type, the 2018 models was much nicer, a little edgy, keeping you on your tip-toes; felt racier..more jumpy...springhy?!..anyway, just felt better. The 2019/20/probably next year as well model felt like a little weird combo of a trail bike feel with 100mm suspension. More rational, more efficient overall but more of a bland feeling and a little less xc-fun. That was my impression on both, riding them each for a year.
  • 3 0
 @hamncheez: I used to ride the previous gen Scott Spark that also had a falling rate suspension and it kinda sucked. It had no support and you'd blow through all the travel easy and bottom hard even when running minimal sag. It was unpredictable because it felt firm around sag point, but then it would drop out from underneath you on medium and big hits and you didn't know when you could trust it to have support and when you could't.

The "firm/70mm" mode worked OK where the damping made up for the falling rate, so I kept it there, which leads me to think you need a very specific shock tune to make a falling rate work. Will be interested to hear what the reviews say, sure is a gorgeous bike.
  • 1 0
 @dthomp325: I have a lot of mile on these bikes and really don't have bottom out issues. I use full travel every ride but rarely do I feel a bottom out.
  • 2 0
 @JMHPB: except that really firm ride isn't always actually faster. Same reason Nino is running lows 20s PSI now. Let the anti-squat fight the bob, and let the tires and shock absorb bumps for traction and reduce losses from having to lift the rider/bike up and over the bumps.
  • 1 0
 @just6979: the oiz is fast, and works quite well being designed to be run at 15% sag rate. I have waaaaaaay more problems with pedal strikes on my 429sl too,.
  • 1 0
 @just6979: I don't disagree with you or others posting, but I believe that's the logic behind it.
  • 8 0
 I want one because there is beauty in things that are designed to be really really good at just one thing, instead of adequate at many things. That, and although I will never be fast, this would possibly make me half-fast.
  • 9 0
 Guys pleas release the XC Field Test already. I can't decide which Downcountry bike to buy Big Grin
  • 6 0
 The color options look really nice
  • 12 5
 Looks like an Epic.
  • 3 0
 I came here to say the same thing. I will admit that it's a sexy bike, and that transparent blue is sick!
  • 6 2
 Flat mount brakes on the rear, Orbea keeping in-line with making it seem that XC bikes are just road bikes in disguise
  • 1 0
 I have the Oiz TR M10 which seems to be a sweet spot spec-wise. I've had fun ragging the life out of it for the last year. My summary: It's definitely still an xc bike, you're mostly reminded of this by the 90mm stem (size L). If you're comfortable with this then it's a ripper. Raced Breck Epic last year with it, where it ate up the gnarly sections. Not 100% sold on the rear shock tune on the TR version, it's excellent downhill but requires the lockout uphill at recommended pressures for me (extra pressure is the workaround). Oh, and the main pivot bearings last five mins as they are tiny. Easy to replace though.
  • 2 0
 I think being lockout dependent is more of a linkage driven single pivot issue. I went from the oiz to a pivot 429 sl and I can't be happier. The Oiz is a better pure race bike, but the DW link on the pivots makes them way more versatile.
  • 5 0
 So XC field test soon?
  • 2 1
 I always think XC look so strange where their large wheels and short travel. The wheels always look disproportionate but I assume it fuckin rips
  • 2 0
 Looks like a 2014 Epic, which was probably the best-looking Epic. But with modern XC geometry!
  • 2 0
 That paint job though - Aquaberry Glosswirl
  • 3 0
 looks good
  • 2 0
 I still can’t pronounce Oiz
  • 1 0
 Oiz-thhh
  • 2 0
 Mondraker F Podium vs Oiz vs Epic vs Scalpel. Go!
  • 1 0
 That is so righteously on-sounding, mate! Let 'er rip!!!
  • 2 0
 Vs spark RC
  • 2 0
 Does it come with a Lefty?
  • 1 0
 Looks like a mini Salsa spearfish with a slightly different linkage
  • 3 4
 Using the same frame and different shocks means you get crappy bike fit geometry in the Oiz, or good geometry but longer travel in the TR...ugh.
  • 6 2
 The geometry stays the same between shocks. The e2e is the same, it's just the stroke that changes. It's the fork that alters the geometry between the TR and the XC. Owning an Oiz M10 TR, it's a far better bike with a 100mm fork, and a stack of volume spacers in the shock to ramp up the linear spring rate. It's definitely not a trail bike, it's an XC bike.
  • 3 8
flag clink83 (Jul 21, 2020 at 11:42) (Below Threshold)
 @rickon: orbea must be dumb then, because they claim the TR has 1 degree slacker angles.
As usual, pinkbike did a pretty lazy job with the article. Bike radar did a much more meaningful review:
www.bikeradar.com/news/2021-orbea-oiz
  • 4 1
 @clink83: Which is unusual because Bikeradar more often then not puts out junk. Seb Stott and Tom Marvin are a few of the exceptions who do very good work.
  • 2 0
 @clink83: Longer Fork... 120mm v 100mm accounts for geo
  • 1 1
 @JMHPB: yes, and if they used a different linkage you might not have ended up with a dumb 75 sta on a pro level race bike.
  • 1 0
 @clink83: they should have just steepened the STA. XC bikes are still years behind trail and enduro bikes. 440mm reach on a large is just plain wrong in 2020.
  • 1 0
 Looks like a sessi....i mean epic.
  • 1 1
 ebay.to/2OHznj8

Click here Found a Nice Bike
  • 1 0
 What a sweet bike !
  • 5 7
 Have all these manufacturers used the same designer for all these new XC bikes??
  • 5 0
 You're not paying attention...
  • 1 2
 if you're not a durt roadie is a bike like this even fun to ride?
  • 1 2
 Came here to say: What a boring Tuesday PB.
  • 6 8
 This is a gravel bike?
  • 3 0
 Maybe if you can’t ride. Last week I took my 2020 model down part of a DH course previously used for the British national champs and was surprised by how composed it was through the rock gardens.
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