There are really few bikers in the world who don't know the Orbea Oiz. In its nearly 15-year history, the Spanish brand's cross-country bike with full suspension has become a symbol of this sport thanks to various factors. Factors that, combined, have resulted in one of the best-selling bikes in its category worldwide. In addition, we must not overlook the fact that it was designed in our country. This aspect has also contributed to its huge popularity among Spanish bikers. But what is it that really attracts people to the Orbea Oiz? What is the secret of its omnipresence in events, races, or any Sunday group ride? Why does it continue to be a sales leader almost 15 years after its launch? Because of a mix of the following factors.
Extensive history
The Orbea Oiz is a veteran model within the mountain bike market, and this already gives it an advantage over rival models with less development or little presence in the segment. It was launched in 2006 as a dual-suspension XC bike aimed at racers and amateur cyclists seeking pure performance on every ride, while also featuring an efficient rear suspension system that did not compromise the frame's stiffness. To achieve this, the engineers of the Basque brand designed the UFO suspension system. Even in its early days, it incorporated solutions such as utilizing carbon flex to eliminate pivot points in the frame and save weight. At the same time, it maintained a level of stiffness that is very necessary for cross-country racers. This revolutionary system was the basis for creating a fast and highly maneuverable all-terrain bike.
Development in competition
The first Orbea Oiz was very distinctive thanks to the shock absorber installed in the superior part of the rear triangle, which remained virtually unchanged until 2012, when the third generation was developed. This development used the Mountain Bike World Cup as its main testing ground, with two champions of the event as test riders: Julien Absalon and Catharine Pendrel. Both raced with prototypes of the new Orbea Oiz, whose frame design, still made for 26” wheels, looked much more like the current model and where experiments began with monocoque frame construction, integration of the rear shock into the frame, and other technological solutions of modern mountain bikes. The result of these advances was a lighter, stiffer, and more agile bike for cross-country circuits and XC marathon events.
Cutting-edge and technological
Competition has been the best testing ground for technologies applied to the Orbea Oiz. The Spanish brand has targeted the Oiz as the focus of all advances in frame manufacturing and the integration of components into it. Precisely this frame is one of the crown jewels of the brand and one of the reasons for its success. In its 2012 and 2014 generations, it applies for the first time the monocoque manufacturing technique, in a single piece, and the use of high modulus fibers (OMR, recently OMX), with one of the best weight/stiffness ratios. Likewise, the work with the carbon absorption properties, the basis of the UFO rear suspension system, has remained constant since the first model in 2006. They have especially applied it to the seat stays, with a special fiber layout at this point so that it can flex without deforming up to a critical point. This solution allows them to dispense with an extra pivot point on the rear axle, which would add extra weight. The length of the chainstays has also been minimized (in the current model it is 430 mm, one of the shortest in the segment), resulting in a reduced, stiff, and light rear triangle, ideal for transmitting all the pedaling energy to the bike and increasing its acceleration power.
A bike for everything
This monocoque configuration, with the rigid rear triangle, without suspension pivot points, varies in the current generation (the sixth) depending on the version chosen. Because the current Orbea Oiz has split into two variants, one purely cross country (XC version), and another closer to trail (TR). This range expansion follows the current trend of making a more absorbent and comfortable bike, for long stage races or very technical XC circuits. Thus, the frame geometry of one variant or the other is a little different, with slacker angles, longer reach and stack, and 20 mm more suspension travel on both axles.
However, Orbea has not been swayed by trends and, even with this expansion of models, remains faithful to a very versatile geometry scheme, with dimensions more typical of previous XC models (steering angle relaxed to 69º) and updates at key points to avoid falling behind and also attract new bikers (short chainstays, long reach, etc).
Practical details
In addition to the lightweight and well-designed frame, the Orbea has always been a bike designed to make life easier for the biker . It features several technological solutions designed for this purpose, such as optimized internal cable routing, which hides even the shock lockout. This, together with the integration of this camouflaged under the top tube, leaves space to install up to two bottle cages, a very attractive possibility for marathon race riders. It also incorporates, in its latest model, the SRAM UDH derailleur hanger, a new standard compatible with all rear derailleurs on the market (SRAM, Shimano, BOX, Sunrace). This will make it easier to find a replacement in case of breakage. In addition, the frame of the Orbea Oiz comes with factory plastic protectors, molded by double injection, very lightweight and protecting the most sensitive parts. The OC stem (standing for Orbea Components), for its part, comes with an optional bike computer mount, compatible with the main models that use standard adapters.
Value for Money
This is one of the main arguments for the sales success of the Orbea Oiz. Although it comes equipped with some of the most advanced technologies on the market, it is not an elitist bike, because it opts for efficient but not very exclusive builds, prioritizing, as we have seen, their practical purpose. In addition, the Orbea Oiz also has versions with hydroformed aluminum frames, whose finish perfectly imitates the monocoque finish of the carbon one. This aluminum range is not limited to one or two models, as has been happening in rival brands for some time, but is offered in three different builds, all within the most versatile configuration, the Trail (120 mm). Comparing it to one of its main rival models on the market, the Specialized Epic, the Orbea Oiz offers tighter prices in its carbon range, without excessively reducing component quality. Its entry-level model, the M30, starts at €3,599, while the Epic starts at €3,999 in its EVO Down Country version (120-110 mm). Likewise, the Oiz range includes aluminum variants (although only in TR version), which lowers the price by 1,000 euros, versions that the Specialized Epic does not have, as it is only available with a carbon frame.
A Viral Bicycle
All the previously mentioned aspects, use of advanced manufacturing technologies, XC and Trail/marathon geometry, practical solutions and contained prices, are complemented by an effective and innovative social media marketing campaign that has positioned the Orbea Oiz as a leader in its segment. Orbea has taken advantage of the potential of social networks, leveraging the attracting power of industry influencers to promote its Oiz. We have seen cyclists with large followings on social media, such as Tomi Misser, riding the double XC in their favorite races and events or performing all kinds of tests and training, which has increased its visibility and presence in these mass-following channels. The quality and versatility of the Orbea Oiz is beyond doubt, but its success has also been influenced by its longevity in the market and the intense marketing campaign behind it. These aspects should be objectively evaluated to see the model in perspective. The Orbea Oiz is still a model designed for performance. It is not a bicycle designed for a biker Occasional or novice. In fact, it is not economical and does not offer a viable version for this cyclist profile. Therefore, if you do not consider yourself a good-level biker nor have you considered competing, even occasionally, the double from Orbea may not be the best purchase option.