This past spring Orbea invited a handful of journalists to check out their latest trail bike on some of the best trails in the Spanish Pyrenees. We pedaled around on the 2020 Occam for two full days, and I was not the only one wanting to pack the bike in my suitcase when I departed. I appreciated the frame’s light and agile XC-like pedaling disposition, intertwined with a descending acumen similar to the brand’s longer-legged Rallon enduro bike. I am looking forward to giving this size medium Occam M10 build a longer go over the winter months.
Before sag, the frame has a 66° head tube angle, 77° seat tube angle, 450mm reach on a size medium, and 440mm chainstays. With 140mm of rear axle movement, and either a 140mm Fox 34 or 150mm Fox 36 fork under the bars, the Occam can supplant the majority of any bike quiver. Check out some of the finer details below.
The M10 build comes with a full Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain paired with the brand’s ever-dependable XT 4-pot brakes.
The second tier Occam build includes a 150mm Fox Factory 36 with the massively adjustable Grip2 damper, and an equally capable Fox Factory DPX2 shock bolted under the top tube. Impact forces pass through a pair of Maxxis 29 x 2.5″ Minions, DT Swiss XM1650 wheels, and a full carbon frame before reaching the Fox dampers.
Tool free hanger swap Mad mud clearance Sealed hose passage
A lot of big bikes with similar brake hose routing have issues with the hose slapping against the spokes or being severed by the rotor. It looks like Orbea has given some extra attention to this issue, adding a zip tie to the rubber hose grommet. I will keep a close eye on the hose, and report any issues in the coming review.
The Occam is adorned with several thoughtful details that display the Orbea engineers’ love for riding mountain bikes. The cockpit is kept tidy with Shimano’s integrated shifter and dropper remote that tie nicely into the brake lever clamps. The stock chain guide is a sweet touch and can be replaced as it eventually wears thin. The downtube bash guard is an expected standard on a shreddy bike of this pedigree, but the Occam’s chainstay protector steps up its game a bit with some silencing features. Finally, the bike includes Orbea’s new house brand dropper post with a respectful 150mm of travel to get the weight low, and a Race Face 35mm carbon handlebar to stiffen up the steering.
This pretty paint will find its war scars over the next several months, and I look forward to sharing the full story of how it rips.
