First Look: Orbea's New XC Race Hardtail - the Alma
Orbea's Alma is a bike that's been in their line for well over a decade. Having last been updated in 2017, the Alma was due for a bit of a revamp, especially coming into what would have been an Olympic year. The Alma gets a major overhaul this go-round, with a number of new features aimed at making the bike more comfortable, quiet, and faster.
Orbea now have three different frame constructions in the Alma line. The top-of-the-line OMX, the OMR, and a hydroformed aluminum option. The new OMX frame uses a blend of high modulus fibers in a unique layup that allow Orbea to tune the weight and stiffness for each size. That weight comes in at 830g for a size medium. The OMR frame is also carbon and uses a more standard layup and weighs 1,100g. The hydroformed aluminum frame utilizes tubes of varying thickness and shape to net a weight of 1,650g in size medium.
Frame Details
The Alma utilizes a 27.2 seatpost because Orbea feel that it gives the appropriate stiffness to weight ratio for that bike. The bike's carbon layup is tuned for what they think is the optimal stiffness to weight ratio for a bike in this category. There is a new internal cable routing system designed for both cable and electronic shifting systems. The cable guides use a dual compound expanding wedge system that locks the cables into place to reduce wear or rattle.
On the OMX and OMR frames, there is a Blocklock headset feature that prevents the handlebars from turning too far where they or a fork could impact and damage the frame. The Acros Blocklock allows 164-degrees of steering and has been designed to reduce stack height and improve the cockpit integration on the monocoque carbon models of the Alma.
Chain retention is available through a chain security system designed specifically for the Alma. The guide cinches around the BB shell and provides a top roller for added security and can be easily removed for those who don't want to take the small weight penalty.
The Alma also utilizes flat-mount brakes and carries over the same OC headset/spacer/stem design that's found on the Oiz. The stem system also has an optional computer mount that is compatible with most major computer brands.
The bike uses a Universal Derailleur Hanger, PF92 bottom bracket (carbon models), can accommodate 2.4" tires, and comes with a lifetime warranty. Certain models feature a 27.2mm OC 2 dropper post and all frames accommodate two water bottles.
Spirit Fork
Orbea's Spirit fork is designed for those looking for the lightest weight and most simplicity possible. The fork is tuned to work as a system with the Alma but it's compatible with most any bike with a tapered headtube. It's also available in Orbea's "MyO" program for riders who also want to tune up their color selection.
The fork weighs 500g including parts and features full internal or external brake housing to allow for a clean look or easy fork swaps. It utilizes a post-mount 160 for the brake and has a unique rubber fork end protection to keep the fork safe. Axle to crown height is 501mm to replicate a fork at 20% sag.
Geometry and Kinematics
The Alma has a head angle of 68-degrees, seat angle of 74.5-degrees, and a 426mm reach for a size medium. The chainstays are 430mm across all sizes.
Geometry for the OMX/OMR Alma frame.
Geometry for the Hydroformed Aluminum frame.
New Graphic Personalization and Build Options
The new Alma OMX has several new graphic options along with a fourth finish option of Matte/Gloss. There are additionally scores of color combinations available utilizing their 'MyO' program.
Paint schemes and options are abundant with the Alma.
There are a total of ten different build options between the three frame levels. Additionally, each frame level, the OMX, OMR, and Hydroformed Alloy have different builds to choose from.
Sizes available are S-XL. Prices start at $1,099 USD for the Alma H30 and go all the way up to $7,999 USD for the Alma M-LTD.
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@lehott Throw a higher angle upright stem with a riser drop bar on your CX bike. It will make a massive difference.
I've had this conversion a few times. After I give the "you'll spin out everywhere" guys some numbers, we usually agree that a 1x11 setup that comes on most gravel bikes would give them a high gear that's more than enough.
You also see a lot of "how to get lower gearing on my gravel bike" forum posts after people start to ride their gravel bikes off road.
Also, personally I don't care if I can pedal on a downhill at 35-40mph, I just don't see the point. I care about low gears more. But we are all different.
What about a good old gravity dropper and some Spd sandals
Droppers make even more sense on a hardtail
I ride in an area of wet, sandy grit. I road ride in an area where highway maintenance is inspired by rock gardens.
My 2016 full sus ridden twice a week at least has just crapped its first pressfit BB. A plastic shimano one I locktite’d in.
My 2016/17? road bike went the same way recently as well.
My hardtail has gone through 2 external XT ones in the last 12 months.
I put it down to them going in perfectly versus potentially inaccurate threading of shells.
I have always had to replace them regularly.
The only issues I have had is BBs that the shell was out of spec on my scott, and RaceFace's shit single row PF92 bearings for their cinch cranksets. Thats not really a pressfit issue though.
I know from a big distributer the fact that no new Oiz or Rallon will be relased next spring; beyond that, we will see.
Did you ever ride the current Rallon?, on par with current enduro bikes?, that's a joke. It didn't even is on par with my Reactor 290 RS; even the occam offers a better overall geometry.
Testing back to back my reactor(size M with 5mm reach enlargement head-set), the occam size L M10(with the 150mm fox 36 in front and 40mm stem) and the rallon size L also M10..., well, the rallon felt most trail-bike-ish from the 3.
Shorter wb and reach than the occam, less heavy-footed/planted/stable at mach speed than my reactor...it had/has a very poor performance IMO; and the reactor and the occam are trail-bikes. If you start comparing it with real enduro bikes, it will fail miserably; also, the suspension never feels competent enough for fast AF through rock gardens or really hard section of a trail; it feels out of depth very soon...trail bike soon.
So.., I am sorry if you think the bike is good or it is still contemporary from a performance pov. In fact of the matter is, it isn't. The new one can't come fast enough. They are already missing out a whole lot of sales.