2014 Orbea Orca B M10 Road Bike

For 2014, Orbea has divided it’s Orca range, which now consists of no fewer than 15 bikes, into two distinct groups. The top-end M-range uses what Orbea calls it’s "Performance" carbon, while their second group, the Bronze, use an "Evolution" carbon. The difference between the two, is a high modulus carbon fiber, versus an intermediate blend of modulus fibers.

The Bronze range starts at around $1,800 with the top of the line Ultegra Di2 11-speed equipped B M10 at $4,100. There are an additional 7 models above this, topping out with the full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9000 11-speed equipped Orca M-LTD at $10,000. 

While all of the bikes may share some similarities, differences become apparent in terms of an integrated seat clamp, carbon dropouts, cable routing and different tube profiles to improve aerodynamics as you go up the line. But, Orbea is by no means calling the Orca an "aero" bike. Instead, they refer to the shape of the tubeset as their AIZoneE (aerodynamics investigation zone) system.

Orbea claims, this technology reduces aerodynamic drag while at the same time – maintains a high level of stiffness. The head tube is narrow with a pinched mid section, while the down tube is aero shaped with a pointed trailing edge, to include a cut tail at the water bottle mount and a seat tube that is slightly ovalized with a cutaway section close to the rear wheel. Orbea also continues along with it’s signature "kinked" tube shapes, that they say dampens vibration and compression forces transmitted by feedback from the road.

Lastly, the frame is compatible with mechanical and electronic groupsets – with cabling  neatly routed inside the frame. The rear brake cable is also routed internally. Additionally, the frame has standard features like a tapered head tube and press-fit bottom bracket.

Overview 

ORCA B M10. PERFORMANCE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

The Orca Bronze M10 is our top-notch Orca Bronze bicycle. Part of its magic is Shimano’s Ultegra Di2 shifting components. However, the Bronze level carbon fiber frame shares more than good looks with the Orca OMR and OMP road bikes; the ride is superb and tames coarse roads for more comfort. And as we’ve said before, the feel and function of the Ultegra Di2 components are so closely matched to their Dura-Ace counterparts that they give away nothing in terms of performance. We finish the Orca Bronze M10 with a smart blend of components that balance affordability, performance, and durability.

GEOMETRY AND ERGONOMICS