Orbea Onix

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at Shop in Charlotte, N

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
2007 Orbea Onix

Bike Setup:
Full Ultegra components.

Summary:
Went down to buy a 2007 Madone 5.0. But after riding the Madone, they asked if I would like to try the Orbea Onix and I agreed. I instantly could tell the difference, this bike climbs like a mountain goat and the position I have on the bike is so much more comfortable than anything I have ever ridden. I was so Trek branded, but this bike has opened my eyes.

Strengths:
Position on the bike, power it lays down on hills, full Ultegra components.

Weaknesses:
I haven't found it yet. I'm sure I will, but not yet.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1000, Trek 2200

Price Paid:  $2300.00 at Ghisallo Sports, Che

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Orbea Onix

Bike Setup:
Stock Onix with Shimano Ultegra gruppo except for the addition of Ultegra pedals, Serfas Carbon cage mount (perfect match to the red/black bike) and a Cateye wireless computer. Also the stem was changed out to a Bontrager Race Lite. Wheels are mavic Kyserium Elite, if I had the funds would go with some stiffer wheels.

Summary:
Bought this bike after more than two weeks of Internet surfing, testing and reading magazine reviews. I think what steered me to Orbea was those sexy Etxe Ondo ads showing the new Orca -- couldn't afford one of those however. As this is my first road bike I didn't ahve much to compare it to. What I liked was the value -- 2300 bought Ultegra components compared to a Specialized Robaix at the same price point with 105 level. Love the looks and that first test convinced me -- I went home with it. It accellerates well, it's light weight, the CF frame smooths out the bumps and it handles great. Once I got used to the shifting I can ride this about anywhere, hills are no problem and people stop and stare whenever I go by. I did test teh Opal just so I wouldn't have any regrets. These bikes are very similar except the Opal had much nicer wheels and was quite a bit stiffer. I'm thinking the Onix might be more comfortable over the long haul.

Strengths:
Would have to say the smooth ride, especially at high speed and its hill-clmbing ability plus the great looks ( I have the red and black model but with Shimano components rather than the SRAM that usuall comes with the red/black frame.) I've had this bike up to 43 mph on a downhill road with narry a shimmy. Can climb steep grades at 14 mph, not bad for a newbie.

Weaknesses:
I'm 206 lbs and 6-1, so I can flex the frame if I really get on it. this is most noticeable on hill climbs and I've since learned to relax my grip. Sometimes I wish it had another ring up front. Zero problems, only had to have the shifting adjusted afterthe cables stretched.

Similar Products Used:
this is my first road bike but I have several mountain bikes, including a Yeti 575.

Price Paid:  $2300.00 at bicycle x-change

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
still one with little or no traffic

Bike Setup:
rival group, xero formula 1 wheels with dura ace cassette.

Summary:
this is a follow up of an earlier review. after 800 miles, i noticed the paint chipping around the bottom bracket. orbea replaced the frame. they are serious about the warranty they put on their bikes.

i have put 1800 miles on this bike since the last review, upgraded my wheelset, cassette and tires. this puts the bike (48cm) slightly under 16 lbs now, and it is very fast.

Strengths:
great warranty. still makes me feel like a better rider than i am.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
giant tcr 2

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Model Year:
2006

Favorite Ride:
Latigo, Santa Monica Mtn

Bike Setup:
ITM Visia stem/bars
FSA carbon compact crank
Ultegra grouppo
Ksyrium ES wheelset

Summary:
This is an update from my previous review (the 1st one on this site re. the Onix). I ordered my Onix on the Made-To-Order Orbea site, before they started packaging the Onix as the TDF, TDE, etc. You can read my review there - a great experience w/ 4-day turnaround.

Update is simple - the bike is still great - a nice compromise instead of twitchy-handling, aggressive geometry bikes. Basically I have ridden this bike 2000-3000miles this year, with nothing but great experiences on it.

The main issue in my first review was a slight shimmy in the front fork under hard braking. Let me set the record straight - this was not the bike! It was the Rolf Vigor RS's! I switched to Mavic Ksyrium ES's a few months ago, and the bike has no more brake shimmy, and it handles even better than before. The ES's aren't so stiff and don't chatter around corners, etc. Much more confidence descending now. I have had 130 mile/15,000 feet climbing days on this bike, and I have also ridden 1h maxed-out criteriums on this bike - it does it all for me! Frame is still stiff under my 165lbs, accelerates and corners great.

Strengths:
Great feel and fit
Strong performance climbing and cornering
Looks cool

Weaknesses:
Not as light as some other frames (mine's 17.5 lbs)

Similar Products Used:
Giant TCR, Scott CR-1, Felt F1C, etc.

Price Paid:  $900.00 at Warranty replacement

Model Year:
2007

Favorite Ride:
Dogwood

Bike Setup:
Mix of Campy Record/Chorus grouppo parts
Reynolds Alta Race wheels
Fizik Aliante saddle
Reynolds Race stem
Deda Magic bars
Speedplay Zero pedals
Thomson seatpost

Summary:
I had my eyes set on an Orbea Orca after my Litespeed Ultimate Ti cracked (Again!)I've gone through 2 of theses in 9 years. So after this debacle and with no help from Litespeed, I have a bitter taste in my mouth about titanium. I am a big rider (6'4", 205 lbs.) and I know that I am hard on parts - frames in particular. I've broken a CrMo and an Alu frame, as well. So, I thought I had better give carbon a good long look because it was just about the only frame material I hadn't broken. I know lots of people who have ridden Orbeas in my area in the last few years and after hearing their raves and after reading all of the stellar reviews of the Onix as well as the Orca, I kept my eyes open.So, when I saw there was a gentleman in Oregon who was selling a brand new, never ridden, never built up Onix in my size and color, I decided to take the plunge. He was excellent to work with and the frameset arrived exaclly as promised. As one other reviewer here said, you have to see this frameset closeup to truly appreciate how beautiful it is. It is a work of art as far as I am concerned. I almost didn't want to build it up but rather mount it on my wall and drool over it. I put my drool bucket away and proceeded to build it up that night and ride it the next AM. First imprssion: Wow! I can't flex this thing or at least it is totally impervious to my perception of any flex. I knew the geometry, even though it is a compact design, was close to what I have been riding,but I was a little concerned about the sloping toptube. Not to worry, because this bike fits me great and is quite comfortable to ride. Contrary to popular opinion, carbon does not smooth EVERY bump in the road, but it is a nice quiet ride and the jars are certainly diminished.The tube thicknesses are very thoughtfully laid out in just the right places .You can tell that these Spaniards are very serious about how they build bikes.

Strengths:
It climbs like a scalded mountain goat Sprints like a motivated greyhound.
The paint job is stunning.
Craftsmanship is excellent
Price is a steal

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Litespeed Ultimate (2 of them)
DeBernardi CroMo
Specializes Alu
Leader Alu
Fuji CroMo
Nashbar CroMo