Orbea Opal vs Orca

[ricksanders]

The Opal frame is advertised as 30% stiffer and slightly lighter than the more expensive (by a little) flagship Orca. Anyone know whether ride quality, durability or anything else is sacrificed with the Opal frame vis-a-vis the Orca?

Orbea website says that the difference in the frames is that the Opal is entirely M 30 carbon while the Orca is M30 blended with other carbon types.

 

[bbattle]

The Opal is designed more for crits while the Orca is for long stage rides. The Onix is stiffer than the Orca as well but costs a lot less; uses a different blend of carbons. The geometry is the same for all three. Lifetime warranty on frame and fork. Ride them both and pick which one feels best to you.

I've got an Orbea Dauphine and maybe someday the Onix will be mine. My LBS isn't going to carry the Opal as its stiffness means little demand in our area; not enough to have one collect dust in the shop.