EMTB or MTB? The Orbea Rise M-Team makes this a pointless question. Thanks to it's outstanding handling, modular battery concept and successful motor integration, the Orbea Rise can easily shred with its non-motorised competitors downhill while leaving them behind in a cloud of dust uphill. Too good to be true? We tested the Rise and tell you how it compares to the other analogue and motorised mountain bikes in the test.

Needless to say, it takes a lot more than just bolting an electric motor onto a good mountain bike frame. Although the Orbea Rise is based on its analogue counterpart the Occam, both visually and technically, the Spanish brand has put a lot of effort into developing an entirely new eMTB. At the heart of the Rise sits a Shimano EP8 RS motor, which Orbea have tweaked for a more natural ride feel as well as reducing the maximum torque to 60 Nm. The motor draws its power from an internal, fully integrated 360 Wh battery. For particularly long rides, you can increase the range with an optional 252 Wh range extender stored in the bottle cage which weighs 1.5 kg – but can be comfortably stored in the bottle cage. Shimano’s modular display and remote concept allow several configurations, from minimalist setups without a display or remote, to more elaborate configurations with either a remote or display or a mix of both. In addition, the companion app lets you customise the support levels and characteristics of the motor. In typical Orbea fashion, the paint finish of the Rise can be customised via the MyO configurator. Here you can choose from countless colour schemes and give the carbon frame a very unique look.

SPECIFICATIONS

Motor Shimano EP8 RS 60 Nm
Battery Orbea RS Internal 360 Wh
Display Shimano SC-EM800
Fork FOX 36 Factory 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX DPX2 Factory 140 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 175 mm
Brakes Shimano XTR M9120 200/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XTR 1x12
Stem Race Face Turbine R 50 mm
Handlebar Race Face Next 35 780 mm
Wheelset Race Face Turbine R30 29"
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF EXO 3C MaxxTerra/DHRII EXO Dual 2.5/2.4

The geometry of the Orbea Rise M-Team

Not only the silhouette but also the suspension and geometry of the Orbea Rise are based on Orbea’s popular analogue trail bike, the Occam. However, the engineers had to stretch the chainstays to 445 mm to make room for the motor in the bottom bracket area. The long rear end is complemented by a very spacious front end with 474 mm reach and 627 mm stack in size L. At 76.5°, the seat angle of the Rise is relatively steep, positioning the rider centrally above the motor. On long rides in flat terrain, the position feels front-heavy, putting pressure on your hands. However, the Rise really comes to life when the trail gets steeper. In all support levels, the EP8 RS motor can be modulated intuitively with the sheer pedal pressure and cadence, which in combination with the quiet motor, ensures a very natural riding experience.