First Look: 2023 Orbea Oiz - A Modern XC Machine
The new Oiz wasn't created to be a downcountry or trail bike – Orbea designed it to be a modern, purebred XC machine, and they say it's the fastest XC bike to leave their factory in over 180 years. I'm not totally familiar with what the hot bike was back in 1842, but I'll take their word for it.
The 2023 Oiz has 29” wheels, 120mm of travel front and rear, and a lightweight carbon frame that weighs just 1750 grams for the highest end, OMX version. Orbea had a complete bike on display that weighed just 9.98 kg (22 lb), and that's with pedals, a dropper post, and a bottle cage. There are aluminum models in the mix too, a good option for privateer racers and riders looking for a less expensive ride.
The 2023 Oiz has 29” wheels, 120mm of travel front and rear, and a lightweight carbon frame that weighs just 1750 grams for the highest end, OMX version. Orbea had a complete bike on display that weighed just 9.98 kg (22 lb), and that's with pedals, a dropper post, and a bottle cage. There are aluminum models in the mix too, a good option for privateer racers and riders looking for a less expensive ride.
Oiz Details
• Carbon and aluminum frame options
• Wheel size: 29"
• Travel: 120mm
• 67° head tube angle
• 76.5 seat tube angle (size L)
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Pricing: $3,299 - $10,499 USD
• orbea.com
• Carbon and aluminum frame options
• Wheel size: 29"
• Travel: 120mm
• 67° head tube angle
• 76.5 seat tube angle (size L)
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Pricing: $3,299 - $10,499 USD
• orbea.com
Prices range from $10,499 USD for the top level Oiz M-LTD down to $3,299 USD aluminum-framed Oiz H30, with a total of 11 different models in the lineup.
The Oiz uses Orbea's 3-position 'Squidlock' remote to lock out the fork and shock.
Details
The shape of the Oiz mirrors that of its predecessor, and it still uses a single pivot, flex-stay suspension layout. The seatstay tube diameter on the carbon frames has been increased, which Orbea says increases the stiffness by 12%. The bearing size in the carbon fiber rocker link was also increased, another step to increase rear triangle stiffness.
There's room (and mounts) for two bottle cages inside the front triangle, a welcome sight for thirsty marathon racers.
A 'Spin Block' keeps the handlebar controls from hitting the frame during a crash.
'Integration' continues to be a buzzword in the mountain bike world, for better or worse. In the case of the Oiz, Orbea have routed the brake, derailleur, and dropper housing through the headset, keeping the housing close to the frame for a very clean look. It does add inconvenience when the upper headset bearing needs to be replaced, but at least it's possible to swap out the stem or handlebars without any unnecessary mechanical gymnastics.
Along with the new housing path, a 'Spin Block' has been added to the front end of the bike to keep the bars from rotating too far during a crash. For as rowdy as cross-country courses have become, they haven't added a slopestyle section yet, so barspin-ability isn't a feature racers are clamoring for – keeping the frame protected from the brake levers takes higher priority.
Geometry
The Oiz has undergone the longer and slacker treatment, emerging with a head angle of 67-degrees, and a reach of 472mm on a size large. A low stack height and 60 – 90mm stems make the Oiz's XC intentions very clear. The slack head angle should help provide stability on the descents, but the low, stretched out riding position is geared towards putting the power down on grueling climbs. The chainstay length sits at a relatively short 432mm on all sizes.
Models
There are 11 models in the lineup, so it's best to head over to Orbea's website to see all the options. Here are three examples of the possible configurations.
Oiz M-LTD: $10,499. OMX carbon frame, SRAM XX1 AXS drivetrain, OQUO MP30 LTD carbon wheels, Fox 34 Float SC Factory.
Oiz M10: $5,999. OMR carbon frame, Shimano XT driverain, brakes, OQUO MP30 Team carbon wheels, Fox 34 Float SC Factory.
Oiz H10: $3,999. Aluminum frame, Shimano XT drivetrain, M6100 brakes, Fox Float 34 SC Performance fork.
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framebuildersupply.com/collections/housting-cable-guides/products/housing-guides-with-clips-2-10-packs
$1 apiece plus some acetone and fancy glue.
I think this XC trend is due to the following:
- WC XC courses evolved and brands were forced to release bikes that actually perform on proper MTB trails
- many people realised that what they actually liked about big enduro bikes was the geometry, more than the travel
- with all the lockdowns and restrictions during the pandemic there was a rediscovery of just grabbing your bike and ride locally, rather than driving the car to some big hill
This coming from a guy that one year ago was riding a 170mm travel, coil shock, DH casing tires bike and now as happy as I could be with a new Spark
Now with 120 mm of travel, XC bikes cover pretty much all the riding I'll ever want to do. Too old and too many scars to ride anything 120 mm bike can't handle.
I've worked in the industry for over 14 years, including regional race team support, but I'm sure glad I got out (for various, more lucrative reasons) before internal cable routing was the norm. I have no problem with fiddly magnets and other things to keep cables from making noise in the frame for working on my own bike at my own pace, but I can see being frustrated by even a light load of 4 sets of cable changes after a muddy race.
Same component spec, same weight, same price....no head tube cable routing
LTD version is not worth it, difference is: Lighter carbon frame, lighter wheels, SRAM AXS and other bits and bobs
Can we get the red/white paint job on the M10 XT/carbon model please?
Cheers,
Canada
Regressive suspension ratios are often matched with air shocks and XC bikes which are designed to be ridden with low sag values.
A bike with regressive ratio that runs 30% sag is going to require a ton of volume spacers in the shock to prevent bottom out. Where as a bike that runs 20% sag needs a regressive ratio to get full wheel travel. Particularly an XC bike which doesn't experience the same peak forces as a trail bike.
But i understand what you're thinking and Oreba dealers have this nice thing where you can change length without any cost + it will probably come with spacers undr the stem, a lot of manufacturers take pictures without, because it looks better