Best bike - O rbea Rallon review
More than ten years since the first R allon was born . Generation after generation, in Orbea they have not stopped evolving and improving, of advancing at their own pace, until they reach this incredible R 4. There are many small details that make it great, but above all, there are two that stand out from the rest: s peed and performance. Apply one drop of oil on each bike cleaning accessories
The new O rbea Rallon R4 has already achieved its first podium in the E nduro World Cup, and it was just one day before its official presentation in Finale Ligure , Italy, as far as we go, getting a great third place with Junior Aurélien Demailly , that surely is not the only one in the next season. :: NEWS Without going into details, at first glance we can see that t he painting has been completely redesigned . Tubes, connecting rod, shock absorber, geometry ... Orbea engineers together with the riders of the Enduro Orbea-Meríbel team have focused on creating a bike prepared for high competition, with a functioning and efficient suspension system, designed for go down like a missile and preserving its efficiency of pedaling and lightness, but leaving aside something that many expected, as was the version with carbon frame of the Rallon. After two long years of development, many tests, and big changes, the carbon did not fit into the plans of the R 4, because the advantages that it could have, would have increased the price and the final time.
For this, a new geometry based on a lower bottom bracket (14mm lower than in the R3), shorter sheaths, only 420mm, a wheelbase that increases by 40mm, fork quite thrown and a tube of The most advanced and vertical saddle, make the behavior of the new Rallon change completely. If all these changes were not enough, the new R4 gives one more twist, and goes into the change of geometry, with two main arguments, lower the bottom bracket, to be exact, 21mm lower than in the R3, reaching up to 338 mm in height, and launch even more the fork, reaching up to 66º. The angle of the vertical tube also varies with this c hange of geometry , going from 75º to 74,5º. The change of geometry is done with an Allen key and in less than a minute, with the simple gesture of rotating a small concentric piece located in the upper anchor of the shock absorber. Long-distance cyclists Other characteristics that improve the appearance and good functioning of the Rallon are the i nternal wiring (also possibility of being external) of the telescopic seatpost, as well as the clean and careful guidance of all other cables through the diagonal tube, rubber protectors in sheath, braces and lower part of the diagonal
tube, or possibility of mounting chain guides with anchor ISCG05. The lower anchor of the shock absorber has two sealed bearings instead of friction bushes, which guarantees a longer life and a high sensitivity. ORBEA RALLON X LTD
:: ON THE TERRAIN What better scenario to test the R 4 Rally than the same trails that a few hours before, the best runners in the world, played the World
Enduro Series. The heavy rain on Sunday after the competition left the ground in perfect condition, and although always with the threat of clouds and the prognosis nothing good of the always poopers "men of time", the thing endured, being able to enjoy two days of test by the huge network of paths that surrounds the small town of Finale Ligure.
Best cycling performance enhancer After a good breakfast at the Villaggio di Giuele, where we stayed for five days, we went to the Orbea mobile tent , located on the seafront. There O rbea mechanics composed by "El P. amo" and his assistant, along with Arthur Quet , responsible for B os Suspension, had our R4 lists , adjusted according to our weight and driving style, and which only lacked a personal touch , like the power height, handles, etc ... Without further ado, and with the help of local guides, we headed to the highest point of Finale to discover some of its best roads.
This is the final prototype that Orbea-Merbelor broker Simon Andre has been using in recent months. There are almost no variations with the final model, except painting and assembly. The model that we could prove was the X TEAM, mounted with BOS suspensions . On the front wheel the B OS Deville fork and on the rear the new Kirk damper customized for the Rallon, with pedaling platform and all the adjustments you can imagine. The components are in charge of Race Face , and the group Shimano, with its XTR d ouble plate, leaving for the brakes to the powerful Formula T1 Gold, which surprised by its good performance. The wheels of this XTEAM are the new Mavic Crossmax Enduro LTD of 27.5 " . It should be noted that this new Rallon, despite being debutant with the new wheel size, this issue was the least talked about throughout the presentation, both by Orbea and its professional runners, as well as by the different media that there we put together At first Orbea did not rule out continuing to ride 26 "wheels, and created the two prototypes, 26 and 27.5, but all the tests carried out
with the new design and both wheels, always gave a clear result: t he wheels of 27, 5 are much faster. At the time that the results of the different tests performed with both wheel sizes were known, Orbea and the E nduro professional team focused all their efforts on creating the best Rallon seen so far, with wheels of 27.5. We would like to emphasize this aspect , since we believe that the moment is coming to stop thinking about a bike on whether it has a wheel size or another, focusing on more important aspects, such as its actual operation, regardless of whether it is 26, 27 or 29". Our first impressions when riding on the R 4 cleared any doubt. It's more comfortable. A longer upper tube, along with the vertical tube, more vertical, and a short power with a fairly wide handlebar gives us the feeling of being on a bike less "cane" and more "friendly". Already involved in the task, and with both suspensions correctly configured for the hard and abrupt terrain of Finale, we can also say that the bike asks to go down. Even with a reduced weight of the whole, the R4 has been designed to go fast and always ask for more.
Far from what everyone always comments and, it must be said, what we expected, both BOS suspensions have a soft touch while adhering to the ground drawing the terrain whatever the size of the pothole. The rear suspension system is active at all times, even with the pedaling platform activated, its o peration is effective . Pedaling, the system stops being so active, thus avoiding the annoying sway, although without stopping working in big obstacles. The curve passage is quite good thanks to the short sheaths, and despite the long wheelbase and 27 "wheels, the R 4 R4 defends itself quite well.
After the photo session with J uanjo Otazu where we could enjoy the beautiful views of the valleys of Finale, we finished the day back to the hotel. A small break in the only sunny day we had while the photo session was taking place. Enduro Orbea-Meríbel team rider Simon Andre was the host at the dinner, where the journalists did not stop asking and giving their
opinion on the sensations of the R 4. Again nothing is heard about the wheel size. What was talked about was a waitress, who brought more than one crazy at dinner. In order to thoroughly test the R allon we had local lifts to make as many descents as possible. Yes, the Rallon can also climb, and quite well, but the new geometry and design screams for releasing the brake on the descents. Simon Andre in action with his prototype with the sea in the background. Sometimes the road gave us snapshots like these, in which we had to get off for a few seconds of the R allon to immortalize these great moments. Primoz with a happy face. The trails of Finale are worthy of it. We had many opportunities to test the Rallon in tight and bumpy corners, weak point of the big-wheel bikes, and where the R 4 works very well.
Beñat Auzmendi , O rbea engineer demonstrating that he also has the level to take the Rallon. The fast and well- marked trails made us enjoy riding the R4 Rong in all its essence. The environment through which we entered was the ideal to put it to the test and did not disappoint; agile, fast, without skimping on stability and control. Everything that begins has its end, the worst part of this trip was when we arrived again at the end of the path, but there are always new roads with which to continue enjoying this magnificent O rbea Rallon R4. A lowering machine, always with the possibility of climbing comfortably. All Rallon models, as well as the rest of the 2014 range, can be customized in terms of assembly, using Orbea MyO. Set up yours at The new Rallon R4 will be available as of January 2014.