Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR long-term review – update one

Rach is back with an update on her long-term test bike, the Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR. In the last three months, the race season has kicked off with a mixed bag of results for Rach, while she has put the Oiz's versatility to the test all over the UK.

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It has been a busy year so far for me and the Orbea Oiz.

We kicked things off with the Lanzarote 4 Stage Mountain Bike Race in January, then tackled a couple of regional cross-country races in the south of England under horrendous conditions. Next, I dabbled in a bit of gravel racing to keep things interesting. Now, we’re in the midst of the National Cross-Country Series with races coming thick and fast.

On top of all the racing, I've taken in several UK trips, putting the Oiz to the test on steep enduro trails in Scotland, big mountain routes in the Lake District and various bike parks around Wales.

Between the tape 

My faith and confidence in this bike enables me to focus entirely on racing, knowing the Oiz is always where I need it to be.

The steep 76.5-degree seat angle keeps my weight centred, enabling me to effortlessly generate power through the pedals. With the suspension locked out, it offers a solid platform for a strong sprint start, flying off the line – assuming I can get clipped in of course.

On the technical sections of the tracks, I've found it easy to stay dynamic on the bike, which helps me maintain traction and momentum. My confidence on the descents keeps growing. I trust the Oiz to handle anything I throw at it, whether climbing or descending.

The only time the bike has faltered on the race track has been down to the components. I mentioned in my initial report that the lockout of the Fox 34 SC stopped working. The Fox service centre in Risca soon sorted this issue by replacing the roller bearing on the lockout mechanism and now it's working perfectly.

Another issue I have is with Orbea’s Squidlock. I just can't find a position where the lockouts and dropper lever are comfortable to use, requiring me to compromise on one – not ideal for a race bike.

The over-the-bar dropper lever is especially awkward; it forces me to loosen my grip to actuate the dropper lever, which is frustrating and impractical, especially during racing. For me, this design simply doesn't work.

Swapping bits

I have been making frequent changes to the Oiz, with different races and adventures requiring slightly different setups.

It feels as though I'm forever changing tyres.

Away from racing, I still favour the combo that came on the bike, with the Maxxis Dissector up front and a Maxxis Rekon on the back. This provides me with added confidence in corners and over rough terrain. Plus, when I'm not racing, rolling efficiency and lightness are not major concerns. 

The Vittoria Mezcals have proven to be the tyres of choice when it comes to dry, dusty trails. In Lanzarote, they held up well with a perfect combination of fast-rolling efficiency and traction on the loose hardpark surfaces.

Fortunately, I had similar conditions at Margam Park in South Wales last month and the Mezcals performed well again.

Recently, I put the e*thirteen Optimus XC tyres to the test. While they proved to be a nightmare to seat and struggled in muddy conditions, they performed on technical trails laden with roots and rocks, providing enough grip to push my speed.

I've now got my hands on some Kenda Booster and Karma 2 tyres, and plan to put them through their paces in the coming months. 

I've made a couple of changes to my cockpit setup too. I was struggling with how low my handlebar was, and because the bike came with a low-stack headset cup, I couldn't add spacers under the bar to raise it slightly.

Although Orbea offers a regular stack headset that allows for spacers, it hasn't sent me one yet. However, it did send me a set of bars with a 35mm rise and a 35mm stem, which helped bring my position to a more upright stance. This has improved my comfort on long rides.

One bike for all 

Away from the race track is where the Oiz has truly shone for me.

While I expected this bike to excel on the race track, it has pleasantly surprised me with how much fun it is across various disciplines and terrains.

When choosing my long-term test bike, I opted for an XC race bike with 120mm travel, wanting a bike that could handle more than just the race track. Without a doubt, I made the right choice.

On the steep, tight trails of the Golfie in the Tweed Valley, the Orbea Oiz felt right at home. Sure, I had to ride more precisely, and my speed wasn’t what it would have been on a trail or enduro bike, but I was enjoying the descents rather than just surviving them.

Plus, with the excellent pedalling capabilities of an XC bike, pedalling up that Golfie climb was actually enjoyable.

At BikePark Wales, I had a blast tearing down Hot Stepper and Root Manoeuvres. The Fox suspension and the more trail-oriented Maxxis Dissector tyre worked hard to give me a fun and enjoyable ride. No matter what trail I tackled, a smile was always plastered across my face.

That smile persisted when I took the Oiz to the Lake District for some classic Lakes riding. Big loose rocks, slate descents and mountainous climbs were no trouble for this modern XC race bike.

When it comes to riding the Orbea Oiz, I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about it. It’s pure pleasure every time I sling my leg over it!

Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR frame, suspension, specifications and details

The Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR frame features Orbea's premium OMX carbon construction, designed for exceptional responsiveness and light weight, tipping the scales at 1,740g for a medium frame, including the shock.

Designed with 120mm travel, the frame incorporates a flex stay suspension design. Notably, the flex is strategically integrated into the lower portion of the seatstays, creating a flattened area compared to the rest of the tube. The main pivot is positioned just above the chainring.

The rear shock is actuated by a FiberLink linkage, beneath the top tube. This redesigned linkage not only reduces weight compared to the previous version, but also enhances stiffness.

When it comes to suspension, the Oiz M-Team is kitted out with a Fox Factory shock and fork. A Float DPS takes care of the squish out back and up front is a 120mm Step-Cast 34 fork, both with remote lockout.

Fox also provides the Transfer SL Factory Kashima dropper seatpost and a Selle Italia SLR Boost saddle sits on top.

The Orbea Squidlock lever governs the remote lockouts and dropper, providing convenient on-bar control. Riders can flick between the shock’s three damping positions (Open, Medium, Firm) and the fork's two damping positions (Open, Firm). In the middle position, the fork remains in the Open mode.

Additionally, the Squidlock lever incorporates a vertically mounted dropper lever for seamless integration.

The bike sits on Orbea’s own Oquo MP30LTD wheels, with 30mm-wide carbon rims, DT Swiss hubs and Sapim spokes.

The tyres are from the Maxxis range – a Rekon 2.4 on the rear and the burlier Dissector 2.4 on the front. These differ from Orbea’s stock bikes, where there is a choice of Maxxis Rekon Race or Schwalbe Wicked Will.

The test bike I received is equipped with a complete Shimano XTR groupset. Power is delivered through a 10-51t cassette and a 34t crank (compatible up to a 38t chainring), while Shimano's two-piston XTR brakes, featuring 180mm (front) and 160mm (rear) rotors, ensure effective stopping power.

As is becoming commonplace, the Oiz has headset cable routing, something most mechanics hate to see, myself included.

Orbea does this through its own in-house designed headset. According to the company, this design improves the aesthetics by providing a cleaner look and reduces steering resistance by minimising cable flex when turning the handlebar.

The cockpit features Orbea’s OC carbon handlebar (800mm) and a 40mm stem. My bike came with the low-stack headset cup, which enables you to slam the stem as low as possible for an aggressive race position.

A small chain guide, frame protection, two bottle cage mounts and Garmin mount complete the bike.

When buying the Oiz, you can choose additional specs such as tyres, a shorter bar, shorter stem, saddles and a different-length dropper.

The bike is also part of Orbea's MyO program, enabling customisation of paint panels and logos, with various colour options at no extra cost, though it may slightly delay shipping.

Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR geometry

Orbea has given the Oiz a geometry makeover in its latest version, with the updated figures bringing the Oiz more in sync with modern XC race bikes.

Notably, my large-sized bike boasts a reach of 472mm – a 16mm increase compared to its predecessor.

Additionally, there's a 2-degree reduction in the head angle. This lengthened front end and the more relaxed head angle should contribute to more control and confidence to push the speed on technical descents.

The seat angle sees an increase of approximately 1.5 degrees, aimed at maintaining optimal body-weight distribution during climbs, with your hips ideally positioned over the pedals.

Moreover, a chainstay length of 432mm ought to ensure the bike remains agile and responds well to power, which will be an advantage on the racetrack.

Although these adjustments may not crown it as the most radical XC bike design we've seen in recent years, it's clear Orbea intends the Oiz for modern XC race tracks.

Why did I choose this bike?

My riding focus has changed over the last year and after dabbling in a few cross-country (XC) races in 2023, I was keen to get hold of an XC bike that I could put to the test for a whole season of racing here and abroad.

Opting for 120mm travel was important to me, not just because I like the extra squish for my confidence but also to make the bike more versatile. I don’t just plan to ride this bike between the tape.

My first race with the Oiz was the Epic Camí de Cavalls 360º, a 190km (118-mile) three-stage mountain bike race around the coast of Menorca, after which I was sold on the capabilities of the bike. It made the climbs effortless and gave me loads of confidence on chunky descents.

Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR initial setup

For the most part, setting up the Oiz was hassle-free.

I set the suspension to my preferred 20 per cent sag on the fork and 30 per cent on the shock. Pressure-wise, I run 65psi up front and 120psi in the rear.

I have the rebound set 10 clicks from closed on the fork and nine clicks from closed on the shock. I will be playing around with these settings depending on conditions, terrain and as my riding develops.

I run tyre pressures of around 22psi in the front and 24psi in the rear; this seems to be working for my 68kg weight.

As a newbie to clipless pedals, I've chucked on Shimano’s SPD Trail pedals. I like the confidence having a platform gives me and find Shimano's the easiest pedals to release from.

I had some issues getting the controls set up to my liking. I've suffered from a few hand injuries in my time and always find getting the levers in the right place for my comfort on the tricky side. The three-in-one Squidlock lever didn’t help with dialling in the placements.

It took some time and some miles under my belt, but I seem to have found the sweet spot on lever configuration, with maybe a little compromise.

Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR ride impressions

My first experience with the Oiz was during the Epic Camí de Cavalls 360º, a Menorcan stage race I tackled alongside senior technical editor, Tom Marvin.

This event provided an immediate test of the bike's capabilities in its intended environment.

The Oiz showcased its prowess on the challenging terrain of the Menorcan coastline. With gnarly descents featuring large rocks and spicy drop-offs, along with exposed lines on loose, dry trails, the Oiz navigated it all with unwavering confidence.

The 67-degree head angle played a crucial role, providing me with the control and assurance needed to push the limits at speed and stay on Tom’s wheel.

The trail-focused Maxxis Dissector tyre on the front end added to my confidence, enabling me to push my speed, while delivering inspiring grip on the dry corners.

Throughout the ride, I never felt overwhelmed, and the additional 20mm of suspension proved invaluable, smoothing out some of my less precise manoeuvres. More than once, the Oiz bailed me out of tricky situations.

I love a good climb and the Oiz did not disappoint here. The steep seat angle played a pivotal role in maintaining a centred body weight, enabling me to effortlessly generate power through the pedals.

As soon as I got a whiff of a wheel spin, the lengthy front end proved to be a saviour, with ample room to move forward and back to maintain traction and keep on rolling.

The bike's agility and responsiveness were standout features for me. It accelerates well and handles tight trails with ease, with very responsive handling – traits that will prove valuable on the racetrack.

However, there were instances when I found the rear end to be a tad too manoeuvrable, especially when exerting force on the pedals in rough terrain.

At times, the back end felt slightly skittish, lacking the planted feel I would have liked.

On technical climbs, the suspension worked well. The Medium mode delivered excellent traction while still offering a solid platform for cranking hard and maintaining forward momentum.

The agility of the bike made it easy to get up rocky steps. It was a joy to smash out technical climbs and satisfying to conquer lines I previously would’ve faltered on.

Initially, I didn’t have an issue with the low-stack headset. I liked the aggressive position it put me in, which made me attack the terrain.

However, during longer rides of five hours or more, I found the position too aggressive to sustain. To enhance comfort, I plan to raise the handlebar.

Regarding the Squidlock setup, the lockout levers function well, and I found them intuitive.

The vertically mounted dropper lever posed a minor issue, requiring me to release my grip to actuate it and exerting some force to drop.

While not a major concern during regular rides, it could be frustrating during fatigue at the end of a long day or when racing.

Another challenge surfaced with the fork lockout, becoming unreliable after a couple of months and eventually ceasing to actuate.

Though it hasn't significantly affected the ride feel yet, it may pose problems during sprint starts and bursts of power in race season.

I plan to address this issue promptly and report back my findings.

Despite these issues, the Oiz has consistently impressed me, always bringing a smile when I ride this exceptional bike.

I eagerly anticipate its performance in the upcoming XC race season and other adventures planned for 2024.

Orbea Oiz M-Team XTR upgrades

Having ridden the Oiz for a couple months, I have made some changes and have a few more up my sleeve. These are not so much upgrades but rather setup tweaks and personal preferences.

The first thing I changed was the grips. While I didn’t hate the ESI push-on grips, I suffered from hand fatigue on long rides, so I'm giving the Ergon GA3 grips a go.

I'm hoping the small wing will provide comfort for the long rides and marathon races I have planned.

On the note of hand pain, I will be doing away with the low-stack headset cup to enable me to raise the stem and bar a bit. I am not quite conditioned for such an aggressive position.

Throughout the season, I will be switching tyres to suit racecourses and conditions – it’s all about the small gains. This will be a good chance to try out various XC tyres and report back on their credentials.