Orbea Rallon: The New Queen of the Mountains. World Cup DH Winning Bike & Unbeatable Enduro Machine!
The new Orbea Rallon redefines the rules: a World Cup-winning downhill bike and a versatile enduro machine, all in one platform.
Orbea Rallon: The New Queen of the Mountains. World Cup DH Winning Bike & Unbeatable Enduro Machine!
The new Orbea Rallon redefines the rules: a World Cup-winning downhill bike and a versatile enduro machine, all in one platform.
Orbea, the renowned bicycle brand, has unveiled its latest innovation: the new Orbea Rallon. This isn't just any mountain bike; it's an engineering masterpiece designed to dominate both the steep descents of the World Cup circuit and the most demanding enduro trails. The proof? It has already claimed a victory at the DH World Cup with the talented Tahnee Seagrave, even before its official launch!
Orbea Rallon: Two Souls, One Winning Heart
Orbea calls it a "master of two trades," not a "jack-of-all-trades." The Rallon is, by nature, an aggressive enduro race bike, but the latest generation brings unequivocal downhill credentials. But how can a single frame offer the capability of a world-beating DH bike while still being pedalable uphill as an enduro bike? The answer lies in its innovative engineering.
Geometry and Suspension: Unprecedented Adaptability
The Rallon is a 29er with a mullet option (29" front wheel and 27.5" rear wheel), and boasts fully adjustable geometry and suspension. First introduced in 2013 and revamped numerous times, the latest iteration of the Rallon takes adaptability to the next level.
The core of the Rallon's versatility is the interchangeable Gravity Link (OOLAB). This plate, which bolts into the frame to form the lower shock mount, allows you to:
Change the geometry
Modify the rear wheel size (with the mullet option)
Adjust suspension travel (with different shocks)
Control suspension progression
Travel Options: From DH to Enduro in a Flash
The new Rallon can be configured for 170mm of travel (ideal for enduro and bike park riding) or 200mm for full downhill duties.
Enduro Version (170mm): The enduro-specific Gravity Links (compatible with 205x62.5mm shocks) offer four possible adjustment positions: high/low bottom bracket height, and greater or lesser progressivity in the shock actuation ratio.
DH Version (200mm): The downhill Gravity Link, which works with a longer shock, provides the full 200mm of suspension travel. It doesn't offer adjustable BB height, but the shock actuation can be switched between 30% and 25%.
Interesting note: The DH version is only available with a Gravity Link for a 27.5" rear wheel, despite the chainstays and all other architecture being ready to accommodate the larger wheel.
Limitless Adjustments: Orbea's Most Customizable Bike
Orbea states this is the most adjustable bike they have ever made, with approximately 250 setup combinations! In addition to the three Gravity Links on offer (DH 27.5", Enduro 27.5", and Enduro 29"), there are also multiple headset cups offering ±0.75 degrees of head-angle adjustment from the straight-cupped middle setting of 63.7 degrees.
Optimized Suspension: Top Performance
Orbea's OOLAB technicians, with the help of team rider Martin Maes, have fine-tuned the Rallon's suspension. The result?
Minimal pedal kickback: Thanks to low anti-squat numbers, the bike remains fluid on rough terrain.
Balanced anti-rise: Designed to help the bike remain neutral under braking, providing just enough anti-rise to help it hold its shape during heavy braking.
Like the outgoing model, the new Rallon features a single-pivot axle path, defined by the position of the main pivot above the bottom bracket. A concentric pivot on the dropout helps manage the bike's braking prowess in rough terrain.
Customizable Weight: Improved Stability and Control
All Rallons will include three removable weights (395g, 95g, and 93g) that can be bolted to the Gravity Link, adding nearly 600g around the bottom bracket. This innovation, successfully tested by Orbea team riders (Tahnee Seagrave is suspected to run over half a kilo of ballast in her race-winning Rallon), improves stability by lowering the center of gravity and increasing the ratio of sprung to unsprung mass, optimizing suspension performance over bumps and obstacles.
Martin Maes also found his fastest times when testing a heavily modified Wild eMTB mule with 1kg of weights bolted above the BB.
Sizing and Customization: Your Rallon, Tailored to You
Rallon frames are available in four sizes (Small, Medium, Large, XL), with 25mm increments in reach. The Large size offers a 474mm reach in the DH setting.
Additionally, you can choose between two chainstay lengths:
442mm: More "playful"
450mm: The "racer option"
Interestingly, these lengths are not specified according to the bike size, but rather by intended use: DH bikes will come with 450mm chainstays, while enduro bikes will ship with 442mm chainstays (unless requested otherwise).
Smart Technology: Fox Neo Suspension
Orbea emphasizes the effectiveness of the Fox Neo when paired with the Rallon on the top-spec E-LTD model. This electronic and automatic suspension system, via sensors in the brake calipers, unlocks and opens the suspension's damping in the blink of an eye. This allows the Rallon to ride efficiently on flatter or ascending trail sections, while also shining on rough terrain.
Bonus Features: Practicality and Protection
LOCKR (Storage Box): Integrated into the Rallon's carbon downtube, useful for enduro riding.
Integrated Multi-tool: In enduro guise, a multi-tool with 2, 3, 4, and 5mm Allen keys magnetically attaches to the Gravity Link, and a 6mm Allen key is integrated into the rear axle.
Weights Included: The three weights for adjusting the center of gravity are included with all builds (both enduro and DH).
Robust Protection: Sealed bearings, tough-looking external rubber seals, and smart protective covers over the chainstays and Gravity Link ensure durability and protection from dirt and water.
Orbea Rallon Spec and Pricing Details
The new Orbea Rallon range is available in four models: three enduro builds and one downhill specific spec.
Enduro:
Orbea Rallon E-10: $5,699 / £5,399 / €5,399
Orbea Rallon E-Team: $7,199 / £6,899 / €6,999
Orbea Rallon E-LTD: $9,999 / £9,999 / €9,999 (includes Fox Neo electronic suspension)
Downhill:
Orbea Rallon DH-LTDL: $8,299 / £7,899 / €7,999
The new Orbea Rallon is set to revolutionize the world of mountain bikes, offering unparalleled performance both downhill and uphill. A bike that embodies versatility, technology, and innovation. Get ready to dominate every trail with the Rallon!