Orbea further lightens its Rise electric mountain bike, which weighs less than 16 kg

As early as 2021, Rise has been one of the pioneers of lightweight electric mountain biking. When the world of off-road electrics seemed to be all about go-anywhere tanks, Orbea set out on a mission to create a playful and nimble eMTB. All without sacrificing assist performance, despite using a “restricted” RS version of the Shimano EP8 motor. A bike on which we were able to ride during the Roc d’Azur 2022 and which clearly did not disappoint us.

For 2023, the Spanish brand is gently evolving its recipe, while broadening the spectrum of its range. The Rise 2023 does not present a revolution in the geometry of its frame. The carbon model nevertheless shows a gain of 100 grams on the scale. A hunt for weight which also continued at the level of the 360 ​​Wh battery, of which a different covering was able to save an additional 300 g. The brand’s top-of-the-range model adopts carbon rims from Oquo, Orbea’s brand, for less than 1.5 kg per wheel – excluding tires. Rims that flirt with 2000 € each, all the same. With all these refinements, the Rise M-LTD 2023 displays only 15.81 kg on the scale. A featherweight in the world of full-suspension electric mountain bikes, enough to float above the roots.

The Rise stays true to its trail philosophy with a default fitment of 140mm both front and rear. A 34 Float Factory fork and DPS Float Factory suspension sourced from Fox are on the menu. For a few extra pounds and grams, it will be possible to opt for a larger 36 Float Factory fork with 150 mm of travel.

Orbea seems to be aware that the sole factor of weight does not guide all mountain bikers. The Rise now offers the option of choosing a 540Wh battery, similarly housed in the frame. This represents a 50% increase in capacity and makes it possible to envisage much longer outings or to use higher assistance modes. For 159 € and 500 g, the option seems frankly attractive. A range extender is also available, to gain 252 Wh all the same, and increase the potential total to nearly 800 Wh.

Small novelty also on the side of the engine, which remains with Shimano: the Rise now opts for the EP801 instead of the EP800. It is still an RS version, customized by Orbea to offer a maximum of 60 Nm of torque compared to 85 Nm in normal times. The change here lies above all in the compatibility of the new Japanese engine with the latest generation transmissions offering Freeshift and Autoshift.

The transmission, precisely, is also from the stalls of Shimano. Depending on the versions chosen, the Rise has a choice of SLX, XT or XTR 12-speed groupsets. The same choice is offered for the hydraulic disc brakes of the Japanese brand. For the pneumatic part, Orbea opts for 2.4-inch-wide tires (Maxxis Rekon and Dissector by default).

Aluminum versions, less extreme, but more affordable

Launched later, the aluminum frame version, or Hydro as Orbea calls it, is also evolving. By default, the Rise H10, H20 and H30 are offered equipped with 540 Wh batteries. It is possible to lower their price by 149 € by opting for the smallest, 360 Wh. If the Rise H10 2023 uses the Shimano EP801 RS motor well, the H20 and H30 choose the EP601 RS version. A novelty that could go unnoticed, but which is important. Certainly, this engine displays the same characteristics as its big brother, but for 300 g more. This does not prevent the entry-level Rise from remaining rather light electric mountain bikes.

The technical data sheet of the Rise H30 2023 is certainly less impressive than that of its elders, but it remains quite honorable. Admittedly, it is equipped with a less prestigious fork from Marzocchi, a Shimano Deore M6100 transmission or MT410 hydraulic brakes. But for a starting price of 5149 €, the proposal is not indecent.

For carbon models, the prices displayed are much higher. They range from $6,999 for the Rise M20 to $10,999 for the Rise M-LTD. A bill that rises on average by 500 €. An upward trend that does not seem destined to end in 2023.