Bike Check: Florencia Espineira's Orbea Rallon
The reigning E-EWS Champion and Pinkbike Academy Season 2 winner, Florencia Espineira, has been putting in one heck of an off-season training through the mixture of mud and snow in British Columbia. Last year, Flo played double duty on both types of bikes and landed on the podium at the Whistler EWS. This week, the first Enduro World Series rounds kick off the season in Tasmania with back-to-back stops in the Maydena and Blue Derby Bike Parks.
Flo is back with the Orbea Fox Enduro Team and was more than keen to share the details on a freshly built and shiny Rallon. Although the setup hasn't changed much, there are some notable details that you might not expect. First, would be the fork pressure that is about 10 PSI more than the guide suggests and there is also a modified 0.5 volume spacer in there. Next, would be the dual 29" wheel setup, even though we've seen a few enduro athletes move to a mixed wheel setup.
Flo is back with the Orbea Fox Enduro Team and was more than keen to share the details on a freshly built and shiny Rallon. Although the setup hasn't changed much, there are some notable details that you might not expect. First, would be the fork pressure that is about 10 PSI more than the guide suggests and there is also a modified 0.5 volume spacer in there. Next, would be the dual 29" wheel setup, even though we've seen a few enduro athletes move to a mixed wheel setup.
Florencia Espineira
Age: 30
Hometown: El Cerro, Chile,
Height: 163 cm / 5' 4″
Weight: 60 kg / 132 lb
Instagram:@floespineira
The tire pressures are also on the lower side with no inserts, but they're backed up by DH casings on both wheels. Shimano Saint brakes get the call over the XTR spec that covers the drivetrain components. There's also a mixture of Orbea's own rims and handlebars on there too.
 | I choose to have a softer (more sag) shock to get a better position on the bike on the downhills, but not too uneven. For compression settings/air/volume spacers, I'll choose the combination that would let me use the complete travel of the suspension but with the right support - the bike can't sit too deep in the travel. You don't want it to dive under hard compressions or under heavy braking. I also like the fastest rebound I can handle without losing control of the bike. |
Orbea Rallon Details
Frame: Rallon R6, size small, low geometry setting
Fork: Fox 38 Factory 170mm, 81 psi, 1.5 volume spacer
Shock: Fox DHX2 Coil #350 spring
Wheels: Oquo MC32 Team aluminum rims, DT Swiss 350 hubs
Tires: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 front / DHR2 2.4 - DH casing
Shifting: Shimano XTR shifter, derailleur, chain & 10-51T cassette
Crankset: Race Face Era 170mm w/ Cinch DM 32T chainring
Pedals: Crank Brothers Mallet E
Brakes: Shimano Saint, w/ Galfer Pro pads, Shark 200mm rotors F&R
Bar & stem: OC MC10 carbon 750x35mm bar w/ 35mm length stem & Race Face Love Handle grips
Post & saddle: Fox Transfer Factory 175mm w/ Fizik Alpaca saddle
More info: orbea.com
Frame: Rallon R6, size small, low geometry setting
Fork: Fox 38 Factory 170mm, 81 psi, 1.5 volume spacer
Shock: Fox DHX2 Coil #350 spring
Wheels: Oquo MC32 Team aluminum rims, DT Swiss 350 hubs
Tires: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 front / DHR2 2.4 - DH casing
Shifting: Shimano XTR shifter, derailleur, chain & 10-51T cassette
Crankset: Race Face Era 170mm w/ Cinch DM 32T chainring
Pedals: Crank Brothers Mallet E
Brakes: Shimano Saint, w/ Galfer Pro pads, Shark 200mm rotors F&R
Bar & stem: OC MC10 carbon 750x35mm bar w/ 35mm length stem & Race Face Love Handle grips
Post & saddle: Fox Transfer Factory 175mm w/ Fizik Alpaca saddle
More info: orbea.com
"I just love the feeling of soft, thin grips and the Saint brakes. I'm also the kind of person who likes the on/off power and believe that brakes are all about personal taste."
"I prefer the most forward position the seat allows to comfort my back issues."
The forward rocker link pivot is hollow and hides a small allen key set.
Full 29 mode and in the low geometry position for a head tube angle of 64-degrees.
Flo prefers the coil DHX2 shock option and runs a 350 lb spring with 7 clicks of preload (the shock body/collar have indents) which lands at 25.6% sag - that's accurate!
Fox DHX2 settings are counted from fully closed with a reference to the total number of clicks available - HSC: 5/9, LSC: 10/18, LSR:12/20, HSR: 4/8
A Fox 38 is set to 81 PSI with 1.5 volume spacers - HSC: 4/8, LSC: 10/17, HSR: 6/9, LSR: 11/16
Even in the current dry conditions down under, the shorter bolt-on Fox fender is a smart option and only weighs 58 grams.
The 170mm length Race Face Era crank arms use a steel kickplate to eliminate wearing through carbon layers.
Flo prefers the Crankbrothers Mallet E that use a shorter spindle and narrower body than the DH model.
A classic duo - Maxxis Assegai and DHRII tires are of the DH casing variety and run at 17 and 19 PSI. On occasion, Flo will switch to a DoubleDown front tire casing, if the tracks are less demanding.
Orbea's own Oquo MC aluminum rims run on DT Swiss 350 hubs.
These alloy rims look standard from afar but the widths vary. The rear is 30mm whereas the front is 2mm wider to produce a more square tire profile.
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48 Comments
The irony here is strong..
#ToriWasntRobbedAfterAll
I'm curious about back to back testing of a 38 vs. 36 fork for someone of your weight.
Has anyone here (of a similar weight {and incredible level of riding}) done that test?
I'm a medium skill 175lbs rider on a Fox 34, 140mm and having no issues for normal trail riding for reference, but it's hard to imagine such a light rider wouldn't be better served with a lighter bodied fork.
You could run the previous 36 in 170mm, though (170 air spring was available).
Personally, as a 186cm/78kg rider, having run a previous 36 in 170, a 38 in 170 and a current 36 in 160, the extra stiffness of the 38 chassis is very noticeable. This can be desired for racing and/or bike park riding. For general trail/enduroish riding I prefer the overall compliance of the 36. I also have a Pike (35mm chassis) and I wouldn't want to ride that for anything more than 130/140 travel.
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"Flo can bring the smash!".
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