Orbea present a new city bike Kemen and a light off-roader Kemen SUV 2022 in a high- and low-entry model

The new Orbea Kemen – Basque for courage – is intended to perform as a high- and low-entry bike in the city, and with the available SUV equipment also in light off-road use. We have taken a closer look at the various available configurations and present the ebike with Shimano EP8 motor and 540 Wh battery.

With the 2022 Kemen, Orbea launch a unique bike, which they say is precisely adapted to the needs of their target group based on an extensive market analysis. Thus, according to Orbea’s analysis, 82% do not ride further than 60 km on tours and a maximum of 5% predominantly use the Boost mode – Shimano’s highest support level. With these data as the cornerstone for the development, Orbea have equipped the Kemen with a small and permanently installed 540 Wh battery, which was already used in the Orbea Rise H. The Kemen also relies on the same processes for frame material and design as the Rise H – an aluminum frame with sanded welds for a super clean look. The Kemen is said to be lightweight and easy to handle, however, Orbea haven’t disclosed the exact weight (yet).

2022 Orbea Kemen – to SUV or not to SUV?

Don’t worry, the Orbea Kemen SUV is not as conspicuous as the mom who fetches her children from kindergarten in a Porsche Cayenne. The Kemen SUV is a slightly more off-road version of the new Kemen ebike.

Compared to the regular Kemen, it has wider Schwalbe Johnny Watt tires, adapted mudguards and a more sturdy luggage rack. The regular Orbea Kemen, on the other hand, rolls on Schwalbe G-One Allround and matching narrower mudguards and comes with a rear rack that can only hold up to 18 kg of payload.

Considering these facts, the Orbea Kemen SUV should offer a higher comfort, due to the increased damping of the tires and a better traction compared to the city bike variant. In addition, the large mudguards do not clog as quickly with mud and dirt. In terms of motor, battery and integration, the bikes are identical and even the price for both models is the same. Therefore, our recommendation clearly goes to the SUV variant, which is much more flexible and except for the slightly increased rolling resistance of the tires, has no obvious disadvantages.

Orbea Kemen 2022 – two different specifications

In addition to the different frame shapes and the SUV version, there are also 2 different spec options: 10 and 30. Models 10 and 30 are available for both the standard version and SUV version of the bike and each of them is available as a high- and low-entry frame. The 10 version features a higher quality spec for € 4,799 with FOX 34 FLOAT AWL suspension fork, chain-friendly Shimano XT LINKGLIDE drive and MAGURA MT 5 eStop brakes for deceleration. On top of that, all version 10 models get a useful dropper seatpost – so you get both feet safely on the ground when stopping and gain more freedom to move, even if things get rough.

In the 30 version, however, you have to do without the dropper seatpost, as well as the brighter Lezyne Super HB headlight with a high beam function. The rest of the equipment also differs slightly from the expensive model. MAGURA MT 3 two-piston brakes and Shimano Deore rear derailleur – also with the LINKGLIDE technology for increased durability of the drivetrain. If you want more range, you can also order Orbea’s range extender with an extra 252 Wh for € 499. This gives you a decent 780 Wh capacity, so you can easily go on a day trip.

MyO(rbea) Kemen 2022 – customise your dream bike

The Kemen can be customized, like most Orbea bikes, with the MyO configurator to your personal needs. So you can equip the cheaper Orbea Kemen 30 version with a dropper seatpost as well as the headlight with a high beam function. Then add the Shimano SC-EM800 colour display and your bike is, except for the brakes, specced identically as the high-end model. The Kemen models are available in green, black and red or mango yellow instead of red reserved for the SUV model.

Orbea Kemen 2022 – equality thanks to a low-entry bike and diamond frame

The Orbea Kemen is available in all versions as both a low-entry bike and a classic diamond frame. Both are very slim for ebikes: thanks to the small integrated battery, the down tube is very thin and inconspicuous. And apart from a second bottle cage on the frame, you don’t have to sacrifice anything on the low-entry bike. The geometry of the two bikes is also the same, however, the low-entry bike is only available in sizes S–L. If you fall into the size recommendation of 155–190 cm it’s up to you to decide. For all giants, there is the Kemen in the diamond frame available up to size XL, which should cater for everyone up to 200 cm tall. The prices of the two different frame models are identical, so it remains a matter of taste and personal preference how high you want to lift your leg to get on your bike.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	400 mm	453 mm	483 mm	533 mm
Top tube	563 mm	576 mm	606 mm	642 mm
Head tube	110 mm	115 mm	132 mm	153 mm
Head angle	66,5°	67°	67°	67°
Seat angle	75°	75°	75°	75°
Chainstay	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
BB Drop	63 mm	63 mm	63 mm	63 mm
Wheelbase	1134 mm	1142 mm	1173 mm	1211 mm
Reach	405 mm	415 mm	440 mm	470 mm
Stack	617 mm	624 mm	640 mm	659 mm

Our conclusion on the 2022 Orbea Kemen

Orbea show a fully equipped urban influenced ebike with the option of a slightly more off-road SUV configuration with the Kemen. The concept with a rather small battery compared to what seems to be the status quo on the market appeals more to fit riders who mainly ride in eco mode. Those looking for full support over long distances will not be happy here, but for commuters with good fitness, and unpaved roads, the Kemen SUV could be a good choice.

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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Orbea