Launched this weekend at Challenge Roth in Germany, Spanish bike brand Orbea notes that its new Ordu was ‘born to seize the moment’. A company release goes on to add… ‘To help our users defeat time, snatching a few vital seconds off in a triathlon or a time-trial. We are now releasing a next generation Ordu, which has all the features to face the most challenging races with optimal aerodynamics.’
Helping to reinforce the speed credentials of the new bike, Orbea was pleased to announce that Andrew Starykowicz established a new bike split record at this year’s Challenge Roth, with a time of 4:09:12. (To grab the Challenge Roth bike course record, Orbea-sponsored Starykowicz beat the time of 4:11:43 set by Andreas Raelert in 2011.)
Orbea adds that its new Ordu is ‘endorsed by those athletes who are looking for a new ride on a lighter, faster, more aero bike and by elite road cyclists and pros who need an UCI-approved time-trial machine.’
The new Ordu was first put to the test at the Tour de France time-trial on 4 July, when the members of Team Cofidis first officially turned the pedals of the new bike.
Development process
The Ordu is the result of a ‘multi-perspective collaboration’ by Orbea designers, engineers, product and sales managers. Together, they came up with the optimal design and functionality. The experts at Mondragon University were by the company’s side to develop improved aerodynamic features, including the FreeFlow fork and the shape of the frame.
Orbea notes that all this work bore fruit, with ‘a bike designed by and for racing people.’ It is billed as being efficient, versatile, performance-oriented, easy-to-use and handle for both users and mechanics.
The new Ordu comes in a variety of sizes and two colours (black and a distinctive blue/black version), with an assortment of components to choose from and with various ergonomic designs.
Advantages
Orbea adds that the new Ordu development process has resulted in a number of advantages:
- Efficiency: Aerodynamic forks traditionally are spaced close to the tyre, rim and spokes. The Ordu Freeflow Fork moves the fork blades away from these components reducing the aerodynamic drag, especially with modern width wheels and tyres.
- Versatility: The new Ordu comes in five sizes and it has been designed with a multisport geometry under the premise that there is no reason to settle for anything but perfect positioning. The linear progression across sizes and the wide range of saddle positions as a result of the symmetrical seatpost should assist rider position and comfort.
Orbea is part of the Mondragón Cooperative Corporation and is Spain’s largest bicycle operator. Orbea bike frames are manufactured in Asia and finished in Spain – with the brand shipped worldwide.
In 2011, Orbea further cemented its relationship with Orca – the wetsuit and apparel tri brand. Heralding from New Zealand, Orca is part of the Orbea family – with Orbea and Orca reaching an agreement in 2011 for Spanish Orbea to acquire Orca’s ‘operation rights in the triathlon and compression area.’ This deal gave Orbea global rights to the Orca brand, following ‘four years of fruitful relations’ between the two companies.
