Orbea Orca Aero 2022: the most aero bike ever designed by Orbea

The new Orbea Orca Aero 2022 is here, a bike optimised for extra watts when every advantage counts. We've already seen it riding under the name LLOA, but we've just discovered that it's an acronym: Long Live Orca Aero, Long Live Orca Aero!

Orbea Orca Aero 2022: the perfect balance for improving in everything

During the presentation of the new Orca Aero, Orbea reminded us that historically aerodynamics, stiffness and weight have been key factors in design, but rarely did that equation offer a dramatic improvement in the end result. Moreover, if a breakthrough was made in just one of them, it negatively affected the other two. That's why the new Orca Aero 2022 was born out of looking for new performance factors and finding the best balance between them.

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Orbea has called this process Perfect Balance and it has culminated in an Orca Aero that improves aerodynamics, weight-stiffness ratio, handling and ergonomics. The brand itself claims that this is the most aero road bike ever designed by Orbea.

Aerodynamics

After thousands of hours of computer simulations and wind tunnel testing during the development process, the Orca Aero 2022 incorporates new solutions to reduce drag and air turbulence. 

• Horizontal top tube and chainstays improve airflow.
• Down tube and seat tube profile has been aerodynamically optimised for 25-28mm tires. Single profile transitions between head tube and downtube and the seat tube and seat stays reduce turbulence in these areas.
• Drag around the rear wheel has been reduced by aligning the upper seat tube junction with the airflow.
• New aerodynamically designed fork is optimised for high profile wheels.
• New aero handlebar, stem and seatpost reduce drag by 2%

With this aerodynamic optimisation, Orbea's measurements show a saving of 15 watts at 40 km/h, and of up to 28 watts for those who are able to pedal at 50 km/h.

Stiffness to weight

More and more demands are being placed on aero bikes, so achieving aerodynamic improvements without increasing weight is as difficult as it is essential. Orbea has turned the problem around by trying to reduce weight without losing the stiffness necessary for maximum power transmission.

If the aerodynamic benefits can be seen at high speeds, the weight-stiffness benefits come to the fore on challenging climbs. The key to improving this factor has been the dynamic structure concept. Resistance to flex in the lower half of the frame, which carries the vast majority of torsional and lateral loads, translates directly into more watts transmitted instantly to the rear wheel.

In addition, the individual design of each section, the use of OMX carbon fibre and the specific lay-up for each frame size make the stiffness to weight ratio of this aero frameset one of the most efficient and fastest on the market.

Handling

Getting a geometry that performs well in the wind tunnel or computer simulations is relatively easy if you take comfort, stability and all that riding position entails out of the equation. The new Orbea Orca Aero 2022 is aggressive to maximise body aerodynamics and efficiency, but the ride is comfortable, precise and intuitive. Angles and dimensions have been carefully selected to increase power on the road with every pedal stroke. And more power means more speed.

Key points in the Road Racing geometry of the new Orca Aero:

• Shorter wheelbase is more responsive
• Shorter chainstays for better acceleration
• Size-specific fork offset gives improved control no matter what frame size
• Lower stack and bigger bb drop give better aerodynamics and stability
• Racing ergonomics = more watts!

With the possibility of mounting up to 30c tires, the Orca Aero proves that comfort can also be taken into account if our goal is to ride at high speeds. A wider tire with lower pressure can reduce rolling resistance, while a larger air volume significantly increases stability and traction.

Ergonomics

The Perfect Balance concept of the new Orca Aero has also taken into account the ergonomics of the bike to close the circle of comfort, aerodynamics and control that comes with increased speed.

The new OC cockpit has been designed with improved ergonomics in mind, forgoing full integration to allow adjustment of the handlebar position and width, and changing the stem length to achieve a perfect position for improved aerodynamics and reduced fatigue.

The ROAD OC2 ICR stem has been tested with the most powerful sprinters, is available in 7 lengths, from 70 to 130 mm, and guarantees a perfect fit compatible with the integrated cable routing. The front and the bike computer bracket have also been redesigned to allow the rider to adjust the inclination of the stem to suit the rider's needs.

The OC3 AERO handlebar has a 5° opening and offers 15° of rotation as well as a choice of width and reach. Together with the ICR stem it significantly reduces drag and provides excellent stiffness for the most aggressive riders.

The new aerodynamic ORCA AERO OMX seatpost is lightweight and compact, and with up to 50mm of insertion, it allows up to 25mm of adjustment in the setback and an inclination of +/- 10º.

Carrying water and tools on an aero bike can become a real problem that the Orbea Orca solves with its TOOLBOX and AERO BOTTLE, both of which are useful and aerodynamically beneficial.

Orbea Orca Aero 2020: models and prices

The new Orbea Orca Aero range comes with 6 models, 3 mounted on Shimano and 3 on SRAM, ranging from 3,999€ for the Orca AERO M20 LTD to 9,599€ for the Orca AERO M10iLTD.

All models come in 3 colour options and in sizes from 47 to 60. In addition, and as usual with Orbea, the MyO customisation program is also available for the new Orca Aero and you can choose a very unique aesthetic finish at no extra cost or choose other components, such as wheels or groupset, during the purchase process.

To find out more about the complete set-ups and prices of the rest of the Orbea Orca Aero models, please visit the official Orbea website.