Four years after setting the benchmark for the lightweight eMTB trail category, Orbea debuts the second-generation Rise: two distinct models with more power, larger battery capacity, modernized geometry, and a stiffer frame. Sticking with the "less e, more bike" approach, Orbea's updates appear to be the answer to a more capable package that riders had been asking for. To determine if the numbers on paper translate to progress on the trail, we traveled to Orbea's home terrain in the Spanish Basque Country for an up-close first look at the new Rise.
Rise SL Highlights | Rise LT Highlights |
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Second Generation Rise Overview
An early adopter of the SL (superlight) eMTB concept, Orbea introduced Rise in 2020. Quickly becoming a favorite among riders seeking a lightweight eMTB with handling that closely mimicked a mountain bike, the immediate success of Rise surprised even Orbea.
With several years of confirmation that their "less e, more bike" philosophy was a worthwhile endeavor, Orbea updated the Rise platform in 2023, implementing mostly modest changes focusing on decreasing weight, adding battery options, and enhancing overall integration with the electronics. The lightest builds tipped the scales at less than 36 pounds. While the updates were mostly welcome (insert the ever-debated headset cable routing here), many riders were asking for a stiffer frame, modernized geometry, and more travel to match how the bike was realistically being utilized on the trail.
The second-generation Rise aims to do just that: resolidify its hold as a top pick for the SL category as a true rider's eMTB, presenting relevant changes in design and power — whether that rider is a seeker of flowy singletrack or attacker of big mountain terrain. The 2025 Rise emerges with two distinct models: a 140mm trail ripper and a 150/160mm all-mountain shredder with adjustable geometry, both offering customizable componentry and battery options.
Frame Details
Like in the past, Rise's carbon frame is constructed with Orbea's premium OMR carbon layup technique which Orbea claims improves stiffness-to-weight ratios. The new frame, weighing 2.2kg, is asymmetric, following the design cues of the recently released Occam trail bike that features a brace on the left side of the frame. The brace increases front triangle stiffness by 8% while adding only about 40g, and the water bottle cage is offset to the right side to balance weight. The asymmetric design also allows Orbea to tune the frame rigidity for each size, ensuring the feel of the bike stays consistent as frame sizes and leverages change. A revised rear triangle design, most notably the chainstay, increases rear-end stiffness by 14%.
Rise SL and Rise LT are built with the same frame, but the SL utilizes a carbon shock clevis to decrease the travel to 140mm and adjust suspension kinematics. The frame also uses a new linkage that is lighter and stiffer while also housing Orbea's nifty FLP multitool, which is secured by a magnet. Sealed Enduro bearings are used in all pivots. The heavy-duty bearings are double the cost of a standard bearing, an investment Orbea believes is well worth long-term durability.
Orbea's integrated cable guidance system, SIC System, presents a clean cable aesthetic and a shorter cable length by routing cables through the headset but allows for straightforward stem and handlebar changing.
Geometry Updates
In our review of Rise EVO last summer, we stressed the datedness of the bike's geometry numbers, especially regarding head angle and wheelbase. We clearly were not the only ones who felt this way, as all our issues with sizing and geometry have been addressed with the 2025 Rise.
Where the prior bike felt small considering its reach and wheelbase, the numbers on our size medium Rise LT test bike —a 460mm reach and 1228mm wheelbase (high geometry setting)—hit the target for a capable eMTB.
Rise LT features an easily adjustable geometry chip on the shock clevis which adjusts the head angle by a half-degree and bottom bracket drop by 26cm in the high setting and 34cm in the low setting. Rise LT's head angle has been slackened from 65.5 to 64/64.5-degrees, while the SL remains at 65.5-degrees.
eMTB Motor and Battery Details
Rise maintains its integration of Shimano's full-size EP801 motor while improving the Orbea-specific RS (Rider Synergy) tune. The Gen2 tune delivers 15% more power, bumping max torque from 60 Nm to 85 Nm. The motor now comes pre-configured with two RS+ modes: a natural 56 Nm mode that's optimized around a 70-90rpm cadence window and a powerful 85 Nm mode that delivers power at lower cadences to help tackle technical ascents. The Shimano E-Tube app permits a wide range of tuning to adjust the RS mode, and motor assist functions while displaying battery level and offering bug fixes, among other helpful options.
To supply the EP801's full 85 Nm of torque, Orbea has increased battery capacity in both of its battery options, from 360 Wh to 420 Wh and 540 Wh to 630 Wh.
The lighter 420 Wh battery weighs 1960g, while the larger 540 Wh weighs 2880g. A 210 Wh optional range extender, weighing 1037g, slots into the water bottle cage. However, the extender does limit full torque output in the RS+ mode.
A handlebar-mounted remote controls the motor's assistance levels and features the system's power button. Different LED lights reflect the assistance level, while battery life is indicated on the remote by a green light until the battery level drops below 20%, signified by a red light. Rise is pairable with Garmin systems for data tracking, which, surprisingly, is the only way to discover the exact battery level.
Suspension Design
Rise LT's suspension curve has been adjusted from 22% progressivity on the prior model to 23% on the 2025 model. Supple at the initial stroke, the suspension curve ramps up throughout the stroke to control bigger hits and the revised curve is more adept to running a coil shock, an option Orbea offers through its MyO configurator.
Rise SL has a slightly different suspension tune than the LT, using the carbon shock clevis to change the suspension kinematics to 140mm of travel with increased anti-squat for better pedaling efficiency.
Build Kits
Rise launches with two build kits for SL and LT. The Rise LT M-Team comes in at $11,999 and is highlighted by a FOX Factory 36 fork, DHX shock, and Shimano's XT Di2 drivetrain. The Rise LT M10 forgoes the electronic shifting in favor of a Shimano XT mechanical package for $8,999.
Rise SL M-LTD is the only Rise build using SRAM's XX Eagle AXS Transmission electronic shifting. At $12,999, this build is equipped with FOX's Factory 34 fork and Float EVOL shock. The SL M10 build trades the SRAM AXS shifting for Shimano XT mechanical at $8,699.
If the factory builds fail to suit your taste, Orbea's MyO online customization program allows you to choose specific components and personalize your style with a host of incredibly attractive paint schemes. Additional build kits will be announced in summer.
On The Trail
Staying true to their Basque Country roots, Orbea hosted a preview of the new Rise in the Spanish Pyrenees mountain range this spring. With the help of local trail guide professionals Basque MTB, we spent two full days on the new Rise LT, sampling some of the best technical singletrack (and food and beverage) that the locals are graciously willing to share.
To demonstrate the customizable options of the MyO program, Orbea encouraged us to test several different components on our Rise LT build, which was mostly comprised of the top-level M-Team build featuring Shimano Di2 electronic shifting and the smaller 420 Wh battery. We began the experience with the Oquo LTD carbon wheels and Float air shock, later changing to Oquo's alloy wheels and the DHX coil shock for comparison.
The trails in the Ainsa region are physically demanding, whether up or down. Rarely do the trails give a moment to recover or relax. An eMTB allows for longer rides that would be nearly impossible on a mountain bike, especially considering many of the trails we climbed were previously known only as descents. Our first day consisted of pedal-intensive undulating rock terrain with a few sustained fast and rocky descents.
One of the first noticeable traits of the new Rise was the stiffer frame which resulted in added traction whether climbing or descending. While the previous bike was at times vague in holding traction when pushed aggressively into corners or off-cambers, when the new Rise makes contact, it holds contact.
Adjusting the geometry chip is easy, taking less than ten seconds with the magnetic wrench conveniently housed in the rear dropout. Simply loosen the bolt, and the chip moves to the alternate position, then tighten. We took advantage of this feature numerous times during testing, as the ease of adjustment makes it worthwhile.
Descending Performance
Having spent considerable time on the previous Rise, familiarity was our friend. Despite the changes in geometry, the Rise felt immediately at home with a 40mm stem, 35mm riser bar, and 210mm Fox dropper post that made for a comfortable fit.
From the first descent, the geometry modifications instantly proved to be a welcomed change. The slacker head angle instilled confidence on steep, loose descents, while the longer wheelbase provided predictable stability, especially on off-camber sections. The chunky terrain of Ainsa was a perfect testing ground for the suspension updates. The added travel of the 160mm FOX Factory Grip X fork and 150mm Float X revealed that not only is the new Rise more compliant and capable on technical terrain, but it is chock-full of traction. We never experienced an unpredictable loss of traction.
We were relieved to discover that the more aggressive geometry and suspension changes have not sacrificed Rise's agile personality. Easy to change lines at a moment's notice, the progressive suspension provides plenty of support and traction through technical terrain. After switching from the Float X to the DHX shock, traction was in even further supply, and the supple coil shock took the edge off square-edge hits even more so than the air shock. We did bottom the coil shock on a couple of harsh G-out drops, but it wasn't a harsh experience.
We preferred to set the bike in the Low geo position for sustained descents. Not only does the head angle slacken to 64, but the top tube reach decreases 5mm, and the center of gravity drops with the bottom bracket. The Low setting was reassuring on steep terrain and significantly improved the bike's descending capabilities compared to the prior Rise. On day two, we descended a former EWS stage that offered a great mix of fast tech, corners, and steep, loose chutes. The Rise handled it commendably, leaving us asking for a second lap. We asked Orbea if they would have considered that course for a media camp on the previous Rise, and they candidly said no.
For those familiar with the Shimano EP8 motors, a noticeable "knocking" sound is common when descending rough terrain. Unfortunately, that sound remains, although it seems to be becoming more muffled with each revision.
Climbing Performance
Rise has always been a capable climber, but the new tune on the RS motor and longer reach give the bike added capability on technical climbs. The revised tune nearly eliminates the "jolt" experienced on the prior Rise and RS tune when the assist kicks in. The Gen2 tune provides a more natural, elastic form of power to match the rider's cadence, rewarding the rider on challenging, technical climbs.
A unique feature of the Ainsa terrain is the natural integration of long, off-camber rock slabs on singletrack, reminiscent of Moab or even Squamish. The hard rock surface allowed for a plethora of traction from the Rise when climbing, and it was fun to test the RS+ tune on some steep pitches. The mode's ability to utilize the full 85 Nm of torque was appreciated. Where the former bike topped out at 60Nm, RS+ offers a clear advantage when pushing harder. While the RS torque output at the factory setting doesn't feel quite comparable to that of a full-power bike, the power output is smooth, aligning seamlessly with the rider's cadence in what Orbea calls the "suffer zone" of the rider's effort. Again, the power level can be adjusted in the Shimano app.
We also experimented with adding a fourth assist mode between Trail and Boost. This was a welcome setting that we ended up using on technical climbs where Boost was not completely necessary, but having more assistance than Trail took some of the weight off our effort, especially after a big Basque lunch on day two.
We stayed with the 420 Wh battery through the test period, plugging in a Range Extender when necessary. Battery life seemed to be within expectations and every rider will put different levels of strain on the battery. Those looking to do longer rides with technical climbs would surely benefit from the 630 Wh.
We were pleased to see Orbea specced Rise with 165mm cranks. With the square-edge rock terrain that was common during our testing, shorter cranks were a necessity to clean climbs. Placing the geometry in the High setting was noticeably useful, setting the head tube angle and top tube reach in optimal climbing positions as well as increasing the bottom bracket height to ward off pedal strikes. We attempted one technical climb in Low and discovered that the low bottom bracket position resulted in too many pedal strikes.
The revised geometry made getting over the front easier, keeping the front wheel glued to the ground, and the 29-inch wheels providing excellent traction. The longer top tube allows for more room to manipulate the bike on techy ups, capable of making quick line changes.
What's The Bottom Line?
By splitting Rise into two customizable models, Orbea was able to satisfy the desires of two distinct groups of riders while making nominal sacrifices. Rise SL caters to those who want a lightweight trail-worthy eMTB, while Rise LT pleases those concerned with riding bigger terrain on a capable eMTB that still responds like a mountain bike.
Rise LT retains its agile mountain bike-esque personality while adding stiffness, stability, and predictability. Orbea's Gen2 tune of the EP801 RS provides a more natural power feel, adding full torque in the RS+ mode for aggressive climbs. The 420 Wh battery rewards riders who choose to keep the bike lighter and are willing to put in effort using the lower assist modes.
Orbea's updates to Rise SL equate to lightweight eMTB that's substantially more capable than its predecessor on aggressive terrain. No longer satisfied with only managing to navigate its way on technical terrain, Rise SL's latest geometry, frame stiffness, and power result in a bike that advocates for rough descents and demanding climbs.
For more information, please visit orbea.com
View key specs, compare e-bikes, and rate the new Orbea Rise SL and Rise LT in the Vital MTB Product Guide.
About The Tester
Rick Reed - Age: 41 // Years Riding MTB: Who's counting? // Height: 5' 9" (1.75m) // Weight: 142 pounds (64.4kg)
A veteran of the bike industry, Rick "E" Reed is a regular contributor to Vital. Rick enjoys riding fast tech, backcountry singletrack, and bike parks, occasionally sharing his chocolate with a select human being or two (you know who you are). He resides in Reno, Nevada, with his terror dog, Zuul.
5/2/2024 7:00am
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