Nat Bromhead
| Late in 2021 Orbea debuted a new platform to their range, the Terra, a fast and comfortable gravel bike also suitable for road riding and light bikepacking. The Spanish bike company have now added three aluminum models to the previously carbon-only range, each featuring hydroformed aluminum tubes and a selection of tube sizing. |
| Ground Up Gravel |
| With gravel the fastest growing sector of the sport, Orbea say the carbon and alloy Terras are built to satisfy the needs of three types of riders: the pure graveler, the explorer and the adventurer. “Terra is the ideal choice for the “pure” graveler in pursuit of long rides and with a preference for speed, comfort and efficiency across all surfaces,” they say. ”The explorer that enjoys getting lost on new trails and fire roads will see Terra as the perfect tool for the job. And the adventurer will appreciate Terra for its ability to handle long, light bikepacking-style adventures.While both the carbon and aluminum versions come equipped with mounting points for fenders and three water bottles, the aluminum Terra models feature specific mounting points for a rear rack, ideal for long adventures.” |
| Same Carbon Fork |
| The new aluminum Terra models are constructed from hydroformed aluminum. During the design process, engineers determine the shape and thickness of the aluminum tubes to increase their strength and resistance to unwanted torsional flex. To save weight, many of the tubes are butted, making them lighter in the mid-section, away from the stress of joints and welds. Terra carbon and aluminum share several specific technologies, such as the OMR monocoque carbon fork. As with the carbon versions, this fork offers the best combination of comfort, tire clearance and torsional stiffness. |
| 700c Or 650b Compatible |
| The Terra platform can be set up with 700c wheels and up to 45mm tires for those seeking speed and efficiency on rough roads. Others may want to swap to 650b wheels and 50mm tires for durability, traction and extreme comfort, especially for light bikepacking. Both carbon & alloy frames allow for a wide range of gears and tires without sacrificing tire clearance. Its asymmetric chainstay design means cyclists can choose any gear for a 1x drivetrain or a 2x drivetrain with a small chainring up to 34T. |
| Gravel-Specific Geometry |
| Like the carbon Terra, the aluminum version also comes in six sizes, ranging from XS to XXL and both versions are also nearly identical in geometry. Short chainstays are designed to assist with acceleration and speed, and the low bottom bracket is in place for stability and control over rougher terrain. Finally, the Terra’s reach is designed to be combined with a short stem, and just like the carbon versions, the trail is specific to each of the sizes. Pricing and Australian availability is yet to be announced, we will have more news as it comes to hand. |
