Spain’s number one bike brand is less well known in the UK but has a wide and interesting range, including models for commuters

Orbea is Spain’s largest bike manufacturer. Some of the company’s bikes are made in China and Portugal, while the rest roll off the production line at its factory in Mallabia in the Basque Country. This region of northern Spain is where Orbea began way back in 1840. 

Like Britain’s BSA (Birmingham Small Arms), Orbea originally made guns and rifles. That changed in 1930 with a switch from weapons to two-wheelers. Orbea’s first range of bikes was launched in 1931. There were three, all of them steel singlespeeds with mudguards: a drop-bar racer; a ‘tourist’ model with a back-swept handlebar; and a ladies’ model with a step-through frame and skirt guard.

Competition bikes were what Orbea soon became best known for. Spanish national champion Mariano Cañardo rode for Orbea in 1934 and 1935, in the Tour de France and the inaugural Vuelta a España respectively. Orbea used this in their advertising: customers could buy an Orbea Super Professional “just like the one ridden by Mariano Cañardo”. This bike had part-aluminium components and a technological innovation: two-speed derailleur gearing!

Further progress was limited by the Spanish Civil War and World War Two. But by the late 1940s, Orbea was producing 50,000 bikes a year. As the 1960s drew to a close another problem arose: Spain’s economy was tanking. Orbea came close to collapse. It was bought out by its employees and became a worker cooperative.

Leisure bikes were the new cooperative’s bread and butter. The 1980s brought a return to the racing limelight, with stage victories in the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and Giro d’Italia, and, thanks to Pedro Delgado, overall victory in the Vuelta in 1985. That same year, an Orbea women’s racing team was launched. And at the end of the decade, Orbea began building a new kind of bike altogether: the mountain bike boom had begun.

In recent years, Orbea has remained well known for its race bikes. The 2008 Beijing Olympics saw two gold medals for riders of Orbea bikes: Samuel Sanchéz in the men’s road race and Julian Absalon in the men’s cross-country mountain biking. Then in 2016 and 2017, the Cofidis pro road team used Orbea bikes. 

Yet race bikes are only the tip of the iceberg. On Orbea’s website, you’ll find urban bikes, leisure bikes, and more. Here are five good options for getting to work.

Vibe

In the spirit of urban function and easy use, we have developed a new transportation concept designed for your life. A machine that is also a sophisticated accessory that echos your sense of style without overshadowing it - a sleek, fun, reliable tool that can be easily manoeuvred into apartments or workplaces. Vibe is a bike that is light weight and enjoyable to ride - with a motor, battery and integrated electronics system designed for the fast-paced, grab-and-go lifestyle of the city. 

Side Vibe Mid

In the spirit of urban function and easy use, we have developed a new transportation concept designed for your life. A machine that is also a sophisticated accessory that echos your sense of style without overshadowing it - a sleek, fun, reliable tool that can be easily manoeuvred into apartments or workplaces. Vibe is a bike that is light weight and enjoyable to ride - with a motor, battery and integrated electronics system designed for the fast-paced, grab-and-go lifestyle of the city. 

Occam

Do your friends ask if you intend to ride the chairlift when you invite them out for a ‘few’ park laps? Do your top routes frequently involve pushing up and down trails that aren’t on any map? Do your favourite rides begin or end with headlamps, an ice chest and great friends? Does your bike have to do everything well to get you there and back again? If you think you might be this rider, then Occam should be your bike. 

Rise

A machine designed to expand your trail experience and bring you closer to the moment. Rise brings you nearer the sensation that less “e” delivers more “bike”. Whether you crave riding greater distances, reaching more epic locations, improving efficiency or increasing the frequency of your adventures, Rise beyond expectations and discover the new standard in MTB. 

 Ready to revolutionise your commute? 

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