Orbea Rise LT M-Team review

Suspension

Using a concentric rear-axle pivot, the Rise LT has 150mm of rear-wheel travel.

This suspension design is claimed to separate braking and suspension forces, hopefully improving on-the-brakes suspension action compared to a traditional single-pivot design with a seatstay pivot.

According to the brand, progression has been upped to 23 per cent, which should improve bottom-out resistance

Motor and battery

Fitted with Shimano’s latest EP-801 electric bike motor, the Rise now has up to 85Nm of torque – from a software-limited 60Nm previously – and 600W of power.

While the RS version is physically identical to other EP801s, Orbea has worked with Shimano to develop a special tune to extend battery life.

The different tunes – RS and RS+ – can be applied to the bike or adapted using Shimano’s E-Tube Project smartphone app.

Fitted with a 420Wh battery, it’s claimed to be incredibly energy-dense thanks to 5.8Ah cells, which up capacity by 16 per cent for the same weight.

The Rise can be specced with a 630Wh battery and a 210Wh range extender is available.

Setup

Getting the Rise LT M-Team set up was relatively straightforward.

I initially inflated the fork’s spring to 87psi – which is roughly the recommended pressure for my 75kg kitted-up weight – and left the two stock volume-reducer spacers installed.

During initial shakedown testing, I increased pressure to 100psi and added +8 clicks (from fully open) of low-speed compression damping. All other damper adjustments remained fully open.

Increasing fork pressure was a function of finding the balance with the rear shock, but also matching the bike’s on-trail performance; you can ride the Rise hard, so pressures need to be upped.

Equally, as mentioned, it has a relatively low stack height, so benefits from a fork that rides higher in its travel, hence adding spring pressure and low-speed compression damping.

It was a different story at the rear end. I started with 227psi, but dropped to 215psi during testing. I left the single turquoise volume-reducer spacer installed. I also fully opened all the external rebound and compression-damping adjustments.

After initially trying the geometry adjustment in the high setting, I gave the low setting a go.

Switching positions is simply a case of loosening the yoke-end shock mounting bolt and letting the flip chip slide between the low and high settings, then tightening the bolt once the chip is in your preferred position.

After trying the low setting and liking it, I left the bike that way for the duration of the test.

Orbea Rise LT M-Team climbing performance

True to the brand’s ‘steep ‘n’ deep’ seat tube at the heart of the Rise, its pedalling position is brilliantly comfortable and very efficient.

Your hips and feet sit directly above the bottom bracket rather than feeling stretched out in front of you, helping transfer as much of your power as possible into drive with piston-like pedal strokes.

Most of your weight is concentrated through your sit bones rather than your hands, helping reduce shoulder fatigue on longer rides.

However, it doesn’t have a sit-up-and-beg position like a lot of electric enduro bikes; its trail bike colours shine through thanks to a relatively low front end (633mm stack).

Sinking your shoulders to the bars to hunker down on steeper inclines feels natural and is rewarded with impressive pace.

Steering control and balance

Thanks to the size large bike’s relatively balanced front (817mm) and rear (442mm) centres, your weight is distributed evenly between the bike’s wheels.

Steering control is always well within your grasp and managing front-end lift with rear-end traction isn’t like walking a tightrope.

The rear suspension isn’t as forgiving as other 150mm-travel bikes, although it’s supple enough to smooth out trail chatter and prevent the rear skipping over smaller bumps – but only when the damper’s compression and rebound adjustments are set to fully open

Most noticeable on bigger impacts when ridden passively, it stalls as you bump up steps or negotiate successive, reasonably deep compressions.

While this means it doesn’t use up its travel unnecessarily elsewhere, this in-built progression limits outright speed.

Short-travel feel

It has a shorter-travel trail bike feel when ascending; best ridden actively and proactively, you end up pushing, pumping and lifting the wheels over and through holes to level out the terrain.

This engaging style is fun and encourages you to tap into the trail’s natural flow, but it can be tiring during long days in the saddle. The taut ride means those seeking a luxury self-propelled shuttle rig should look elsewhere.

Overall, it epitomises how a trail bike can ride and, as Orbea states, lives up to the 'less e more bike' mantra.

Di2 electronic wizardry

Shimano’s electronic XT Di2 drivetrain is a fantastic match to any eMTB; shifts are crisp, quick and reliable.

Adjusting the derailleur via the smartphone app – the Rise doesn’t have an onboard screen – is also straightforward.

Needing a smartphone to make simple adjustments (such as trimming the derailleur) may frustrate some, especially compared to SRAM’s Transmission, where everything can be done on the bike. You can add a display, but it’ll set you back £135.

Also unlike Transmission, the derailleur shifts at will rather than waiting for timed shift ramps on the cassette. With a heavy hand and multiple shifts, it’s possible to jam the chain, so care needs to be taken.

Motor performance and battery life

The previous-generation Rise – with its software-limited 60Nm EP8 motor – was a mid-powered ebike, but this latest model gives riders access to Shimano’s full 85Nm of torque in the RS+ mode.

You can flit between the range-extending Eco and Tour settings and the full-whack Boost to scale the steepest inclines.

Maximum torque and power are accessed at 67rpm, which is significantly lower than Bosch’s SX motor.

Tackling steep, techy trails is way more manageable with the EP8. Plus, its natural-feeling power delivery is seriously befitting of the SL ebike category.

However, accessing full power incurs a penalty; in Boost mode, the battery drains much quicker.

But use its power sparingly and you’ll be surprised just how far the 420Wh battery can take you. In exclusively Eco, I managed 1,796m of ascent over 39.58km and finished the ride with 10 per cent battery remaining.

Battery life is impressive, even with the smallest 420Wh unit.

Orbea Rise LT M-Team descending performance

Orbea’s work to increase stiffness is evident on the downhills.

It’s taut and accurate, and holds any line you’re trying to take confidently, regardless of how rough the terrain is.

But to harness that accuracy you’ve got to actively control the bike. While larger hits don’t deflect the wheels off-line, there’s a definite rigidity transferred through your hands and feet.

When you’re on your A-game, this connection with the trail feels commanding and thoughtful – intentional line choices are accurate and precise.

As on the climbs, small-bump suspension sensitivity is good, but its overall feel edges towards the increased feedback end of the spectrum rather than all-out monster truck plough bike.

That said, you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting. The rear damper absorbs a good chunk of mid- and large-sized bumps, and is especially controlled the deeper into its travel it goes.

There’s heaps of support on tap and bottom-outs are relatively infrequent.

If you’ve got the skills and intent to pull it off, there’s little that stands in the Rise’s way.

However, find yourself off-balance, out of shape or stray off-line and it doesn’t offer much of a helping hand to get things back under control. In this respect, it can feel quite punishing, especially if you’re trying to push the limits.

The frame’s balance is good; front and rear-centre measurements (817mm and 442mm respectively, size large) place your weight evenly between the wheels.

Shifting grip between the front and back ends requires neither delicate precision nor massive movements. This helps rein in some control lost to the sporty suspension.

Chassis stability – because of your balanced weight distribution – is great, and seesawing over successive bumps isn’t detrimental to the ride.

Add in the 29in rear wheel – that rolls over bumps better than a 27.5in equivalent while providing more grip, control and stability – and relatively static dynamic geometry, and the need for overt body movements to keep the bike balanced are reduced. Control is delivered firmly into your hands.

The suspension’s support and the firmness of the chassis pay dividends on flatter, bumpier trails. Riding proactively by pumping and working the terrain results in plenty of speed and fun.

While the 19kg headline weight figure isn’t exactly light, the Rise doesn’t feel chunky or hefty. It’s possible to proactively hustle your way over tight, technical terrain without hernia-inducing levels of muscular input.

Picking up either the front or rear wheel is fun and engaging, with increased pace your reward.