Orbea Rise 2023: a rejuvenation for electric mountain biking

In addition to being well-designed, the 2023 edition of the Spanish electric mountain bike evolves significantly, with a new motor and an even lighter weight.

We don’t talk much about mountain bikes or other Mountain Bikes at Mobiwisy, but when a model stands out like this 2023 edition of the Orbea Rise, it’s worth taking a closer look at this new release.

Orbea hasn’t just recently entered the scene, as the Spanish bike manufacturer has been operating in this field since 1930 (the company used to make weapons in the previous century!).

Well known in the competition world, Orbea has diversified its range to include road bikes, mountain bikes, triathlon, and city bikes. Today, our focus is on the Rise model. First introduced in 2021 and known for its lightness and maneuverability, it undergoes quite a significant update for the 2023 model year.

Less powerful, but more suited

On the mechanical side, the Shimano EP8 RS electric motor is retained but its torque value is reduced to 60 Nm from 85 Nm. Some might see this as a regression, but the manufacturer specifies that this new setup provides a more progressive and less abrupt assistance. In fact, it is better suited for tough climbs. Additionally, this progressive power improves energy consumption and thus increases range.

Weighing less than three kilos, the motor also helps to lighten the e-Mountain bike and can be paired with a Shimano Hyperglide + XT Di2 12-speed transmission. It offers three shifting modes: manual, free, and automatic.

Regarding the battery, the Orbea Rise offers a choice between two types: a modified 360Wh unit (lighter and with new mounting points) compared to the previous generation, and an optional larger 540Wh battery (€159).

Long Range?

For long-distance riders, the Orbea Rise e-Mountain bike can optionally be equipped with a range extender, or a battery extender in plain French. It fits into a bottle cage and has a capacity of 252 Wh.

Finally, charging the battery is done with a 4A charger, and a full recharge takes three hours (for the 360 Wh battery) or four and a half hours (for the 540 Wh battery).

In terms of features, the Orbea Rise bike does not have a display but is equipped with a wireless control EN600 mounted on the left handlebar. An associated mini LED display allows checking the charge level and assistance mode.

The Orbea Rise range starts at €5,299 for the H 30, reaching up to €10,999 for the top-tier Rise M-LTD 2023.

Also read: Moustache Petit Weekend: the new mountain bike in city clothing