First rides with the new Orbea Terra 2026

The new Orbea Terra 2026 has been presented with an even more adventurous approach without giving up its sporty spirit. We have already tested it and here we tell you our first impressions.

Orbea Terra 2026, a gravel bike to face any challenge

In the new Terra, they have sought to enhance its capabilities even more without losing performance. They have slightly adjusted the geometry, increasing both the reach and the total length. In addition, the head angle is also relaxed by one degree, reaching 70° in size M. These changes anticipate a stable and comfortable bike. In its frame, made with OMR fibers, they have sought good vibration absorption capacity, designing a specific laminate for this purpose. Likewise, the wheel clearance has been increased, reaching a capacity to mount 50mm tires. The Terra is compatible with a dropper post, so if we opt for it, we can face descents with greater safety.

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Cannot be missing on a bike prepared for any adventure, like this Orbea Terra, attachment points for bags or accessories at different points on the frame and fork. And also, the storage space inside the frame is now considerably larger, now called LOCKR XXL.

The Terra 2026 in action

We received our test bike and were captivated at first sight. The new Terra has bolder and less classic lines. The first thing that stands out is the change in dimensions that can be seen in the downtube, increasing its volume at the bottom, so that the storage space gains a lot in capacity.

But these variations in the tube volumes can also be seen in the seatstays and fork, giving the Orbea Terra a very particular aesthetic. We also see that the junction of the seatstays with the seat tube is somewhat lower than in the previous version. Another detail to highlight is the shape of its top tube, really flattened, with very marked lateral edges, seeking to increase lateral stiffness while allowing good vibration filtration capacity. The seatstays are asymmetrical, optimizing space and stiffness, although the right one does not drop as much as in the previous generation.

Terra M31eTEAM 1X

Our test model is one of the highlights of the range as it also features a new groupset. It is the new Sram Rival XPLR AXS 13-speed. A specific monoplane gravel groupset with a 10-46 cassette.
In the rest of the assembly, we find Oquo RC25PRO wheels with aluminum rims and components from the OC brand, highlighting the carbon XP10 seatpost and the RP23 stem that provides a very good integration aesthetic, with discreet and practical hose routing underneath.

We went through the formality of weighing it before putting on the pedals and it marked 9.11kg. We made the necessary position adjustments and set off.

The Terra seems like the kind of bike that you fit well with from the first moment. The increase in reach is noticeable but, at the same time, it has a setback-free seatpost in a frame with a 74° seat tube angle, which positions us quite forward and will favor climbing. It is a bike oriented towards comfort but without neglecting performance, in fact, in our test unit, which did not have spacers under the stem (only the essential ones to guide the hoses), our position encouraged us to push the pedals. The handlebar also maintains a perfect balance, with a not too pronounced flare angle.

We were riding on well-maintained tracks and it is easy to maintain a high cruising speed with the Orbea Terra.
When the terrain became a bit rougher, despite not having any type of suspension system, the absorption that its frame and fork are capable of providing, combined with the 27.2mm carbon seatpost and 45mm balloon tires, allowed us to continue riding quite comfortably.
On descents, the increased length gives the Terra a lot of stability and confidence, allowing us to trace with great confidence on firm terrain. The main constraint, as is usual in gravel bikes, will be found in the tires when the terrain is looser.

In climbs, we benefit from that forward seat position we mentioned and also from that increase in reach that favors pedaling in these conditions, and we were able to climb quite agilely on both asphalt and rougher tracks. It should be mentioned that the gear range is quite good with this 10-46 cassette, but it does not offer the range of a mullet transmission with an MTB cassette, so if we intend to tackle those challenging ramps of terrain closer to MTB, we will have to push hard.

One of the great novelties in the assembly of our Terra is the Sram Rival XPLR 13-speed transmission. And it has clearly met expectations. The ergonomics of its levers and its shifting mode, shifting up with the left lever and down with the right, seem very intuitive to us. The precision of the shifts is up to what we expect from Sram, and that progressive stepping, which allows for mounting 13 cogs, helps us always maintain the appropriate cadence.

We have only been able to ride with the new Orbea Terra for a couple of days before its launch. From now on, we will continue with it for a while to prepare a more thorough test.
Our feelings have been really positive. The Terra now seems more comfortable and manageable, ideal for spending many hours on it, but it does not lose that spark of reactivity and agility if we want to go fast.
With the increased wheel clearance and storage space, it further enhances its adventurous capabilities, and that bold aesthetic line will not leave anyone indifferent.

Orbea Terra M31 eTEAM 1X: specifications, weight, and price

• Frame: Orbea Terra Carbon OMR
• Fork: Terra Race ICR Full Carbon
• Crankset: Sram Rival 1 XPLR Dub Wide, 40T
• Handlebar: OC Gravel GR31, reach 70, drop 110
• Stem: OC Road Performance RP23, 5°
• Brakes: Sram Rival AXS
• Derailleur: Sram Rival XPLR AXS, 13s
• Chain: Sram Rival 12-13 speed
• Wheels: Oquo Road Control RC25PRO
• Cassette: Sram XG-1351 XPLR 10-46, 13 speed
• Tires: Vittoria Terreno T30 fine loose gravel endurance G2.0, 700x45
• Seatpost: OC Performance XP10 Carbon 27.2mm
• Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X7 aluminium rail
• Weight: 9.110 Kg
• Price: €4,199