orbea ora

Would love to know the response to this or where your thinking is at the moment. Mostly because I am in the same situation... I have a 2003 aluminum Raleigh, and have decided that riding is definitely for me, and I want to upgrade my bike, but at a reasonable cost (sub $3k) I have been looking at the Madone 5.2, but they recently announced the 2007 5.0, which is (as far as I can tell) the same as the 2006 Madone 5.2. But key to the thinking is that I want something that is a little “not so common” and I have seen some very good reviews of the Orbea Orca. Bicycling magazine recently reviewed the Orca TDF and highly recommended it. An LBS sells both, but I have not gotten a chance to get there. I rode the 5.2 a few weeks ago, and found it to be much smoother than what I have, and generally more comfortable. So now the dilemma is simple – go with something common at a good value in the new model or something a bit different but potentially a great value.

paulcassidy63 said:

Would love to know the response to this or where your thinking is at the moment. Mostly because I am in the same situation... I have a 2003 aluminum Raleigh, and have decided that riding is definitely for me, and I want to upgrade my bike, but at a reasonable cost (sub $3k) I have been looking at the Madone 5.2, but they recently announced the 2007 5.0, which is (as far as I can tell) the same as the 2006 Madone 5.2. But key to the thinking is that I want something that is a little “not so common” and I have seen some very good reviews of the Orbea Orca. Bicycling magazine recently reviewed the Orca TDF and highly recommended it. An LBS sells both, but I have not gotten a chance to get there. I rode the 5.2 a few weeks ago, and found it to be much smoother than what I have, and generally more comfortable. So now the dilemma is simple – go with something common at a good value in the new model or something a bit different but potentially a great value.

Hi,

I was beginning to think that nobody was reading my post. I have just about made up my mind - I will likely be going the Ora (not to be confused with the Orca - check out the brochure at your LBS). My LBS has just got one in and I had a peek yesterday - it looks awesome. I have read good things about Orbea. Although I am happy with my trust Trek 1500, I see heaps of them at the triathlons (as well as Giants) so, if the test ride goes okay will be buying something a little different.

petsol said:

Hi,

I will likely be going the Ora (not to be confused with the Orca - check out the brochure at your LBS).

Checked out Orbea web site... and indeed, there is an Ora, which I had never looked at before. I do confuse the names of their bikes -- I had actually been referring to the Onyx TDF. That was highly praised by Bicycling magazine. As was Orbea in general. I wonder if you rode in Spain... would you see a lot of Orbeas and no Treks?

I see you're in Brisbane. What shop are you going through? Couldn't help but notice. I live in Brisbane too. Just bought myself an Orbea Vuelta from MB Cycles on Lang Parade.

chodadog said:

I see you're in Brisbane. What shop are you going through? Couldn't help but notice. I live in Brisbane too. Just bought myself an Orbea Vuelta from MB Cycles on Lang Parade.

Looking at a mob called Bike Force at Kedron. They offer lifetime warranty on all frames and forks and have 12 month interest free finance terms.

Are you happy with the Orbea?

Very happy with it.

Although I must say I don't have a great deal of experience in road riding. This is only my second bike, and the first one's innings ended rather prematurely (hit by a car about 3 weeks after purchase). So I really can't compare it to anything but a Specialized Allez Elite. But it feels great to me. It just feels right, if that makes sense.

The guy who hit me messed me around like you would not believe and it ended up taking something like 4 months to get sorted out. Marcel from MB Cycles went above and beyond to help me out. I had a test ride on a 2006 Vuelta shortly after the accident and he made me a deal on the 2006 model. By the time the insurance came through, he couldn't get a hold of the 2006 model and ended up giving me the same deal on the 2007 model which he'd literally only ordered a few days before.