Launched in 2020, the Rise was Orbea's first 'SL' (super light) eMTB offering. At the time, few brands offered models in the fresh category that Orbea deemed "less e, more bike." The bike was launched to positive reviews and quickly became a benchmark for lightweight eMTBs due to its superb ride quality, power-to-range ratio, customization options, and competitive price points.
As eMTB technology has continued to progress, Orbea has not rested on the success of the inaugural Rise, and has continued to optimize the platform. The goal of the 2023 Rise was to decrease weight, add more battery options, and enhance overall integration, all in the name of a high-performance ride experience — a package that Orbea refers to as Rider Synergy.
We've spent the past six months testing the Rise with two different component packages (a super light trail build and a more aggressive all-mountain build) to see if the latest version continues to carry the torch as a class leader in the lightweight e-bike category.
2023 Rise Highlights
- OMR Carbon frame
- 29-inch wheels
- 140mm (5.5 inches) of rear wheel travel // 150mm (5.9 inches) fork travel
- 65.5-degree head tube angle (150mm fork)
- 76.5-degree effective seat tube angle
- 12x148mm rear hub spacing
- Internal cable routing
- SIC Cockpit System
- 60Nm Shimano EP801 RS-Tuned Motor
- 360Wh integrated battery (540Wh battery available for + $159)
- 252Wh range extender sold separately (+ $529)
- Sizes: S-XL
- Verified weight of M-LTD Build (size L, no pedals): 35.6 lbs (16.1 kg)
- Verified weight of MyO Build (size L, no pedals): 39 lbs (17.7 kg)
- MSRP M-LTD Build Tested: $11,499 USD
- MSRP of MyO Build Tested: $11,723 USD
Strengths | Weaknesses |
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Orbea Rise Overview
The Rise's carbon frame is constructed with Orbea's premium OMR carbon layup technique which Orbea claims improves its stiffness-to-weight ratio. While very similar aesthetically to the prior version, front triangle stiffness has been increased, and thanks to Orbea's Secure Battery System, the integrated battery's weight is now better distributed within the frame. Slimmer batteries have also allowed the downtube's waistline to shrink, resulting in a frame that is hardly distinguishable from a normal mountain bike.
Much like their new Wild eMTB, Orbea took the opportunity to improve the integration of its technologies with the rider. An integrated cable guidance system (SIC System) presents a cleaner cable aesthetic and shorter cable lengths while maintaining the ease of maintenance or adjustability of a non-integrated cockpit. In reality, interacting with the integrated headset proved more complex than a traditional headset—more on that below when we cover swapping forks on our Rise build.
It's hard to argue the tidiness of the cockpit and frame where only the front brake cable is exposed. The custom SIC headset also utilizes Orbea's new Spin Block, a bumper that activates at 124º, prohibiting the bar and stem from turning further than necessary, further enabling short cable lengths. The Spin Block isn’t noticeable when riding, but exists to stop the bar from spinning around in a crash or when lifting the bike.
Sealed Enduro bearings are now used in all pivots. The heavy-duty bearings are double the cost of a standard bearing, an investment Orbea believes is well worth the long-term durability for their customers.
Shimano EP801 RS-Tuned System
The 2023 Rise maintains Shimano's EP system but updates to the new EP801 motor with the Rise-specific RS (Rider Synergy) tune. The Orbea-specific tune limits the motor's output to 60Nm.
While the motor sees small revisions (the highlight being compatibility with Shimano's latest XT Di2 drivetrain), the system adds a new handlebar-mounted EN600 controller. The new remote is intuitive for changing modes by thumb and contains a power button and LED lights corresponding with assistance modes and battery level, all of which are easy to understand while on trail with a quick glance. The previous version of the Rise featured the power button low on the seat tube and a small Shimano EW-EN100 junction attached to the brake line to display assist mode. The lack of a power button in the seat tube now allows for deeper seat post insertion. A green light on the remote indicates battery life until the battery drops below 20% when it turns orange, and then red when the battery is near depletion. The new remote's power cable is routed through Orbea's OC handlebar and headset for a clean cockpit.
Shimano's E-tube smartphone app provides additional details and a slightly more accurate battery level reading. And, of course, the app allows for specific power tuning, fixing bugs, and updating software. The Rise is also compatible with Garmin computers. Interestingly, the only way to know the exact battery level is via a Garmin device.
The Rise now uses new 21,700 cell batteries that shave weight (300g on the 360Wh) and offer a better charge and discharge ratio with improved heat management.
Our M-LTD test bike came with a 360Wh battery; however, Orbea's MyO customization program offers the choice between a 360Wh or 540Wh battery across all builds. A 252Wh range extender is also available, maxing out battery capacity at an impressive 792Wh.
Geometry
When we were first introduced to the new Rise last fall during Orbea's press camp for the bigger-hitting Wild enduro eMTB, we were surprised to learn that no updates had been made to the geometry. While its reach numbers are relatively in line with today's trail bike standards, the Rise's wheelbase and chainstay run on the shorter end of the spectrum, resulting in the sizing feeling small. Furthermore, the 66°/65.5° head angle (140mm fork/150mm fork) leans conservatively, especially in modern trail bike offerings.
According to Orbea's sizing chart, our 5'9" (175cm) tester was smack in the middle of medium and large — not the first time we've experienced this with Orbea's sizing. Being accustomed to that, we knew to go with the size Large.
Build Kits
Four factory-spec carbon frame builds exist, ranging from $6,999 up to $11,499. Three alloy, or Hydro, builds complete the Rise family, ranging from $5,299 to $8,799. If none of the factory builds suit your taste, Orbea's MyO customization program offers the ability to choose specific components and create an eye-catching paint scheme. There truly is something for everyone.
We first tested the top-level carbon build, M-LTD. The M-LTD uses the 360Wh battery with a 140mm FOX Factory 34 fork, a Float DPS inline shock, a Transfer SL dropper post, Shimano's XTR 9100 drivetrain and brakes, and Orbea's Oquo carbon wheels with Maxxis Rekon tires. We then swapped our suspension to a 150mm FOX Factory 36 fork (+$159) and Float X shock (+$45), and Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR tire combo (+$20). These options are available through MyO, but the economical way to achieve our second build would be to purchase the M-Team build for $9,999 and receive the more aggressive components from the get-go.
Our M-LTD build weighed in at 35.6 pounds before pedals— quite impressive for an eMTB regardless of the very light-duty tires. Our second all-mountain build tipped the scale at 39 pounds. While the frame and battery do shave a small amount of weight over the previous version, the final weigh-in is not a drastic difference from the prior model which was already one of the lightest eMTB offerings.
To see all the models lined up for comparison, check our Product Guide.
On The Trail
Throughout our six-month test, we rode a wide variety of terrain from our local Reno/Tahoe Eastern Sierra mixture of decomposed granite and rock — including many laps on fall-line singletrack and machine-built trail at Sky Tavern Bike Park — to San Francisco Bay Area tacky loam and fast flowy terrain in Oregon.
Setup
Beginning with the lightweight M-LTD setup, we spent most of our ride time with the Float DPS rear shock's sag near 25% to reduce bottom-out. With the 34 up front, we were about 10% above FOX's suggested PSI range to keep the fork from diving.
Upon switching to the Float X, we increased sag to 28-30% as the shock was much more supportive and forgiving. The 36 fork worked well within its suggested PSI range with a few clicks of low- and high-speed compression.
Descending Performance
Already familiar with the previous Rise, little time was needed to adapt to the new model. Not only did familiarity play a role in its descending friendliness, but the Rise simply rides like a normal mountain bike. When the pedals aren't turning, and the motor isn't engaged, it's very easy to forget that a motor and battery are tucked into its svelte frame. The motor and battery are out of mind until it is time to climb back up and take nothing away from the bike's playfulness or cornering abilities. To say that the Rise mimics a normal mountain bike would be an understatement. It IS a mountain bike— a highly capable one that happens to have e-assist.
Its agile personality makes it easy to change lines at a moment's notice, and the active suspension provides plenty of support and traction through rocks, roots, and technical trail obstacles. Jumping was very intuitive on the Rise and it was easy to take to the air. It's difficult to resist kicking the rear end around for some whipping action. While not designed to be a bike park bike, the Rise was a joy to blast through flowy berms and floaty jumps.
The stoutness of the rear end came into question under aggressive riding as it is not the stiffest, and throwing the bike into corners or landing off-centered on jumps made this extra flex immediately apparent. The 65.5-degree head angle with the 150mm fork proved effective except when pointed down steep, rocky terrain. Here, we couldn't help but wonder what an extra half-degree or so of slackness could do for confidence and stability.
Climbing Performance
To best describe the climbing performance of the Rise, imagine an incredibly lightweight and nimble trail bike, then add 1.5x power to it. Essentially turning the bike into a superpowered XC race machine, the Rise's climbing capabilities are impressive.
While many full-power eMTBs equate to a lot of bike to handle on technical climbs (despite the benefits of the motor), the Rise is an astounding pleasure to ascend. Intuitive, much like a normal trail bike, the bike is responsive to quick input and can easily change lines while ticking off the elevation. The 29-inch wheels provide excellent traction, though the Rise's light weight does require getting the body weight up over the front of the bike on steeper climbs to keep the front tire planted. Otherwise, it's easy to find the front wheel dangling in mid-air.
The DPS shock does feature a 3-position switch, but we never felt the need to use the climb mode. The Float X shock, being more supple, provided a bit more traction on more technical climbs.
Shimano EP801 RS Motor Performance
Shimano's EP8 motor has been a staple in eMTBs for years, with relatively little change over time. Other than being limited to 60Nm, the EP801 RS motor in the Rise is very much status quo, which overall is a good thing. When we first took delivery of our Rise, we were confused to find that the new motor emitted a very high-pitched sound, a whirling scream of sorts— noticeably more audible than the prior Rise we tested. We immediately brought this to Orbea's attention, and after a discussion with Shimano, Orbea had a motor swap in the works.
Swapping the motor is fairly simple and quick, requiring a crank arm removal, a handful of bolts, and two quick wire connections. Fortunately, the replacement motor did the trick. The high-pitch sound was absent, and the motor's overall noise output was quieter than the previous Rise. Orbea informed us that our test bike was the first 2023 Rise sent to the United States before production models landed. We have been assured the issue we experienced on the first Shimano motor is not a concern for the production bikes.
The EP8's power delivery was straightforward. Shimano's eTube app makes it easy to adjust motor output across various profiles, something we did upon replacing the motor. With the light weight of the Rise, we preferred a power curve that started less aggressively. The stock tune created a startling jolt when first applying pressure to the pedals.
Unfortunately, we found Shimano's eTube app cumbersome, and connecting with the bike via Bluetooth was difficult. The only way for the app to connect with the bike was to turn them both on simultaneously and wait 30 seconds to a minute for the connection to complete. There is no instant connection upon powering up the motor like some other manufacturers. The app also failed to give an exact battery level reading, using only bars that represent 20% increments. Fortunately, adjusting the motor's power output and setting profiles was straightforward.
The optimal cadence range of the EP801 RS is between 75-90 rpm. The detuned motor does have a noticeable cut-off point when that cadence range ends. Most of the testing time was spent in the Eco and Trail modes, only using Boost on occasion when riding with full-power bikes or on steep grades. The detuned EP8 rewards riders who are fit and don't mind pedaling. Under the right amount of rider input, the life of the 360Wh battery is impressive. On a particular ride accompanied by numerous full-power eMTBs, we achieved 6,000 feet of elevation — using mostly eco and trail modes— keeping the full-power bikes in sight on most climbs before expiring the battery as we returned to the vehicle. The 540Wh battery is an obvious upgrade for riders who want more juice, as using Boost mode eats up battery life much more quickly. The other option is the 252Wh range extender that can be attached to the frame for longer rides. The silver lining with lightweight e-bikes is that even if the battery dies during a ride, it can be pedaled without much penalty.
M-TLD and MyO Build Kit Analysis
An important factor to consider with the Rise build kits is that Orbea's MyO customization program allows the buyer to change many components, giving preference to what type of riding the user intends to do. Analyzing the M-LTD build kit tested, we have two complaints, one minor and one more bothersome.
We immediately swapped the uncomfortable Fizik Antares R1 saddle, but the real gripe was with the FOX Transfer SL seat post. The SL post (yes, even seat posts are available in superlight form these days) features only two seat post heights — fully extended and fully retracted. When not spinning up a consistent climb, most riders will probably find that the ideal saddle position rests somewhere between each option. When riding unfamiliar terrain, surprises on the trail result in the rider having to spend more time concentrating on getting the saddle entirely out. With a standard dropper, lowering the post a few centimeters is usually enough to allow for more rider movement to navigate tricky climbs. The Transfer SL is also prone to a large amount of play and noticeably flexes under the rider's weight. The good thing is Orbea offers the option for a standard Transfer post at no additional charge other than the heavier weight.
Why Upgrade to Beefier Suspension?
We began the test with a 140mm FOX Factory 34 FIT fork and a Float DPS shock. The 34's limited compression adjustments made finding a setup that kept the fork riding higher in its travel a little tricky. Even with running pressure higher than suggested, we would still find the fork using most of its travel quickly on medium-sized compressions. This may have been solved with an additional volume spacer, but rather than fiddle more, we installed the Factory 36 GRIP2 150mm fork to see if it would be more to our liking.
When we swapped the Fox 34 fork for the 36, Orbea's internally routed headset setup presented some challenges. A few swear words were uttered as we struggled to stay organized with the numerous headset spacers, Spin Block, and various pieces involved in Orbea's intricate design. It was nearly a two-headed, three-handed project. After going through this process a few times, it likely becomes easier, but it definitely requires some patience.
Once the 36 was mounted, there was no looking back. The 36 was an immediate step in the right direction, and we noticed how it did not deflect from obstacles like the 34. The GRIP2 damper felt instantly more supportive and responsive than the 34's FIT damper, with a full range of high- and low-speed compression and rebound adjustments.
The Float DPS rear shock's limited adjustability made it challenging to tune the bottom-out we were experiencing on rougher trails and bigger hits. Much like we experienced with the fork change, the upgrade to the Float X was instantly appreciated. The low-speed compression adjustor offers plenty of noticeable tune range, and our bottom-out issues disappeared.
For riders sticking to pure trail or more xc-style riding, the 34 and Float DPS will do the job, and the lighter weight will be appreciated. Riders who choose more aggressive trail riding and look to get rowdy on the way down will be better suited to the 36 and Float X, which are plenty qualified for the job and well worth the upgrade cost.
Tire Performance
Our M-LTD arrived with Maxxis Rekon tires, which Maxxis considers a light-duty trail tire. While our teeth are far from straight and pretty, we still prefer having them versus not. The Rekons contribute to a very light build, but a more capable and durable tire combo would be preferred straight out of the box, especially up front. Fortunately, again, Orbea's MyO program provides options for Dissector, Minion, and Assegai, even in DH casing. We swapped the tires before putting the bike through a proper test. Orbea sent us the Minion DHF/DHR combination (+20), which complemented the Rise in most conditions.
2-Piston Brakes on an eMTB?
Our build featured Shimano's XTR 9100 2-piston brakes. While the stopping power of the 2-piston caliper impressed us, the brakes can be upgraded to the four-piston 9120 through the MyO program for only $55. For riders burning descents on the daily, don't even think twice about reaching for the four-piston model.
Our build came with 180mm rotors front and rear. When we swapped forks, the front rotor was upgraded to 200mm, and offered noticeably more bite.
Long Term Durability
Other than the Shimano EP8 motor issue at the beginning of our test, we found no signs of long-term worries with the Rise. The paint and clear coat are of high quality, holding up exceptionally well, and we have experienced no creaks, with pivots and bearings still working as well as day one. Orbea offers a lifetime warranty on the frame should a manufacturing defect occur.
What's The Bottom Line?
The Rise is a unique eMTB, not only because it can essentially be built to cater to different riding styles and terrain but because it can be the best of both worlds — a no-sacrifice, fun-consuming, playful trail bike that happens to be equipped with a motor. Most rewarding for riders who don't mind putting in the work to pedal (especially with the 360Wh battery), the Rise’s 60Nm motor and ability to offer 792Wh of battery capacity make it one of the leading models in the lightweight category.
A refined evolution from the original model rather than a revised offering, the Rise’s enhanced integrations balanced with carry-over geometry may not warrant a reason to upgrade for existing Rise owners. But for potential e-bike buyers wanting a lightweight eMTB that gives up little to nothing in handling characteristics and pure fun, the Rise is one of the most advanced and honed e-bikes available today.
For more information on the Rise, please visit orbea.com
Photos by Zach Heath
View key specs, compare e-bikes, and rate the Orbea Rise models in the Vital MTB Product Guide.
About The Reviewer
Rick Reed - Age: 39 // Years Riding MTB: Who’s counting? // Height: 5' 9” (1.75m) // Weight: 142 pounds (64.4kg)
A veteran of the bike industry, Rick now finds himself in his first phase of self-described “early retirement,” allowing him time to actually ride. Obsessive about bike setup, dissecting products and European croissants, Rick enjoys riding fast tech, backcountry singletrack, and bike parks, occasionally with the company of a select human being or two (you know who you are). He resides and takes siestas in Reno, NV with his terror dog, Zuul.
8/28/2023 5:00am
View replies to: TESTED - 2023 Orbea Rise Long Term Review
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