Gear Review: Orbea Ordu
Almost immediately after finishing Rocketman, I decided that I need a new bike. If I intended to do an Ironman distance race in the near future, there was no way possible I could do it on my entry-level Fuji road bike. But my wife and I had agreed that I wouldn't buy any new gear that wasn't essential (wetsuit was essential for this race) until after I did the tri in case I really didn't like it.
For one week, I went to nearly every bike shop in Annapolis, Baltimore and Columbia, Maryland. I looked at every brand possible and did some intense internet homework, reading reviews, specs, and forums like it was my job. After much research, I went with the Orbea Ordu from Parvilla Cycle and Multisport in Annapolis. (Side note: I HIGHLY recommend this shop. Great service and they carry the specialty brands that you won't find in "box stores." Or as I call them the "me too's. They are also fitting champions with the ability to do 3D motion capture dynamic fitting and even create custom bikes). The Ordu (ridden by Andrew Starykowicz at the 2012 Ironman Florida) set the Ironman bike segment record at 4:04:39.
First and foremost, the Ordu is a pretty bike. The model I bought boasts an aero "silver-level" carbon frame with internal cable routing. Other models can come with the Gold level carbon fiber but that was out of my price range. It also has very interesting geometry and shapes near the seat post and in the front. The black and red coloring also doesn't hurt. But bikes need to be about performance also, or I might as well buy a statue. Ordu means "time" in Basque (the company is located in the Basque region of Spain) so I'm hoping it takes some of that off of my bike portion.
I picked up the bike last Saturday from the LBS after a basic fitting. Sunday was the first ride on it and it was eye-opening. This is my first tri-specific bike and the geometry/aero position is awkward at first. This is something I will need to practice in order to become comfortable. I rode on a pretty familiar course so I could adequately judge the feel. The difference was felt almost immediately.
The Ordu has stellar acceleration and power transfer. The specs (below) list an FSA Gossamer crank with a full Shimano 105 drive train. I could have upgraded to an Ultegra drivetrain but this being my first tri bike (and a major purchase for me), I decided the 105 was good enough at the cheaper price point. I could feel much more power being transferred to the drivetrain with equal or less effort than on my road bike. Shifting was smooth and the carbon frame provided ample vibration dampening. The seat post is also a unique shape and full carbon, which contributes to the smoothness.
I was very surprised as to how comfortable the bike is to ride. I've heard many people state how uncomfortable triathlon bikes are because they are built for aerodynamics and speed, not comfort. The Ordu is very comfortable to ride both in aero and riding on the base bar. Not being seasoned with the aero position, I was able to hold it comfortably for a very long time on all of my rides this week. The Stelle Italia saddle is comfortable (well, as comfortable as a flat piece of plastic jammed at your rear end can be). It is better than my other saddle. Orbea gives your two seat posts (80/78 and 76/74) so you have a wide range of options for seat angle. I'm set up currently at 76.
Climbing was a bit more challenging since the Ordu (and most tri bikes) only have two rings up front. I got used to having the "bail out" gearing on my road bike for steeper climbs. I did both hills and a flat course this week to check it out. On the flat, the Ordu glides effortlessly and you can basically find the gear that works and cruise in it for the whole time. On downhills, this bike can soar, especially in the aero position. On the uphill, the gearing is adequate to get you to the top although the shifting is still a bit more sluggish than I would like.
Overall this bike is a great bike for those wishing to get into triathlon bikes but can't yet afford a $3,000+ tricked-out bike. The next level up in the Ordu family started at $4,499 which is a little out of my price range. Orbea has a good warranty program on the frame set, which is nice. I'll be certainly riding this one all the way to Ironman.
Summary:
Look: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Shifting: 4/5
Climbing: 3/5
Weight: 4/5
For one week, I went to nearly every bike shop in Annapolis, Baltimore and Columbia, Maryland. I looked at every brand possible and did some intense internet homework, reading reviews, specs, and forums like it was my job. After much research, I went with the Orbea Ordu from Parvilla Cycle and Multisport in Annapolis. (Side note: I HIGHLY recommend this shop. Great service and they carry the specialty brands that you won't find in "box stores." Or as I call them the "me too's. They are also fitting champions with the ability to do 3D motion capture dynamic fitting and even create custom bikes). The Ordu (ridden by Andrew Starykowicz at the 2012 Ironman Florida) set the Ironman bike segment record at 4:04:39.
First and foremost, the Ordu is a pretty bike. The model I bought boasts an aero "silver-level" carbon frame with internal cable routing. Other models can come with the Gold level carbon fiber but that was out of my price range. It also has very interesting geometry and shapes near the seat post and in the front. The black and red coloring also doesn't hurt. But bikes need to be about performance also, or I might as well buy a statue. Ordu means "time" in Basque (the company is located in the Basque region of Spain) so I'm hoping it takes some of that off of my bike portion.
I picked up the bike last Saturday from the LBS after a basic fitting. Sunday was the first ride on it and it was eye-opening. This is my first tri-specific bike and the geometry/aero position is awkward at first. This is something I will need to practice in order to become comfortable. I rode on a pretty familiar course so I could adequately judge the feel. The difference was felt almost immediately.
The Ordu has stellar acceleration and power transfer. The specs (below) list an FSA Gossamer crank with a full Shimano 105 drive train. I could have upgraded to an Ultegra drivetrain but this being my first tri bike (and a major purchase for me), I decided the 105 was good enough at the cheaper price point. I could feel much more power being transferred to the drivetrain with equal or less effort than on my road bike. Shifting was smooth and the carbon frame provided ample vibration dampening. The seat post is also a unique shape and full carbon, which contributes to the smoothness.
I was very surprised as to how comfortable the bike is to ride. I've heard many people state how uncomfortable triathlon bikes are because they are built for aerodynamics and speed, not comfort. The Ordu is very comfortable to ride both in aero and riding on the base bar. Not being seasoned with the aero position, I was able to hold it comfortably for a very long time on all of my rides this week. The Stelle Italia saddle is comfortable (well, as comfortable as a flat piece of plastic jammed at your rear end can be). It is better than my other saddle. Orbea gives your two seat posts (80/78 and 76/74) so you have a wide range of options for seat angle. I'm set up currently at 76.
Climbing was a bit more challenging since the Ordu (and most tri bikes) only have two rings up front. I got used to having the "bail out" gearing on my road bike for steeper climbs. I did both hills and a flat course this week to check it out. On the flat, the Ordu glides effortlessly and you can basically find the gear that works and cruise in it for the whole time. On downhills, this bike can soar, especially in the aero position. On the uphill, the gearing is adequate to get you to the top although the shifting is still a bit more sluggish than I would like.
Overall this bike is a great bike for those wishing to get into triathlon bikes but can't yet afford a $3,000+ tricked-out bike. The next level up in the Ordu family started at $4,499 which is a little out of my price range. Orbea has a good warranty program on the frame set, which is nice. I'll be certainly riding this one all the way to Ironman.
Summary:
Look: 5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Shifting: 4/5
Climbing: 3/5
Weight: 4/5
COMPONENTS
- FRAME: ORBEA ORDU SILVER
- FORK: ORBEA ORDU SILVER
- CRANKSET: GOSSAMER 39X53
- HEADSET: INTEGRATED 1" 1/8
- HANDLEBAR: TT PRO DESIGN OZERO+ZBS S BEND
- STEM: ORBEA ALU PRO
- SHIFTERS: SHIMANO DURA ACE BAR END
- BRAKE LEVERS: QS2 TRIATLON
- BRAKES: ORBEA PRO
- REAR DERAILLEUR: SHIMANO 105
- FRONT DERAILLEUR: SHIMANO 105
- CHAIN: SHIMANO 105
- REAR COGS: SHIMANO 105 11-25 10S
- WHEELS: SHIMANO WH-R500
- TYRES: VITTORIA RUBINO PRO 700X23
- PEDALS: NO
- SEAT POST: ORBEA ORDU CARBON 74/76
- SEAT POST 2: ORBEA ORDU CARBON 78/80
- SADDLE: SELLE ITALIA SL T1
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