The Orbea Rise M-Team – In our huge “Best e-mountainbike of 2023” group test

The Orbea Rise M-Team has already secured several awards both here at E-MOUNTAINBIKE and at our sister magazine ENDURO. The Light-eMTB of the Basque manufacturer retails at € 9,497 and drifts into the new season with a Shimano EP801 RS motor and several updates. With its 540 Wh battery, it’s the Light-eMTB candidate with the biggest capacity in this group test. Can it hold its own against the other Light-eMTBs and powerful all rounders in this test?

**Orbea** Rise M-Team | Shimano EP801 RS/540 Wh | 150/140 mm (f/r)
18.8 kg in size L | € 9,497 | Manufacturer’s website

In its first iteration, the Orbea Rise was a massive success, appealing to many riders with its innovative concept. Above all, it’s supposed to impress with its natural riding feel. In Orbea’s portfolio, the Rise sits right below its full-fat counterpart, the WILD, which has a more powerful motor, a bigger battery and more suspension travel – and also takes part in this test. In our big 2022 group test, the Rise secured our coveted Best Buy Tip. This year, the Basque bruiser takes on the competition with a new Shimano EP801 RS motor, two battery options, a fancy new paint finish and a fully revised, even slimmer frame platform, which makes it lighter than its predecessor. Without the range extender, the new Rise tips the scales at 18.8 kg. As part of the overhaul, Orbea’s engineering team improved the frame stiffness and redesigned the shock link for a cleaner overall look. To top it all off, they also hid a multi tool in the main pivot of the rocker link, allowing you to perform most basic trailside repairs. As usual, the Rise is available with both carbon and alloy frame options.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2023 – 30 models in review

How would you like yours? – How does the Orbea Rise M team compare to the competition?

Like its predecessor, the new Rise M-Team is distinctly recognisable as an Orbea, with the typical kink in the top tube and the shock merging seamlessly into the seat stays. Using Orbea’s MyO online configurator, you can customise both finish and spec of your bike, choosing from a wide range of colour combinations and components. Whichever build you opt for, the Rise employs a Shimano EP801 RS motor, which is tuned to reduce the maximum torque provided from 85 to 60 Nm. Unfortunately, it also comes with the typical EP8 rattling. However, the motor is still more powerful than the other Light-eMTB drives in this test. Moreover, Orbea let you choose from two battery options: the original 360 Wh model, which was redesigned from the ground up and is claimed to be 200 g lighter than its predecessor, and the bigger 540 Wh model, which enables a bigger range but wasn’t specced on the previous carbon Rise. If you decide to embark on some epic backcountry expeditions, you can buy the optional 252 Wh range extender for an additional € 499. A wireless, minimalist Shimano EN-600L handlebar remote shows the battery charge status and current support mode via coloured LEDs. If you prefer to have all the relevant data at hand while riding, you can either connect the remote to an external GPS device or regularly check the Shimano app on your mobile phone. Alternatively, you can just select a display from the MyO configurator when buying your Rise.

**Full-fat or semi-skimmed?**
Under the RS sticker hides a Shimano EP801 motor with a tuned software that reduces the maximum torque from 85 Nm to 60 Nm.

**Power plug**
The 540 Wh battery is permanently integrated into the frame and can be charged via the charging port on the seat tube, which is quick and easy to access.

**On the shoulders**
With the optional Range Extender, which is attached to the bottle cage, the battery can be extended by 252 Wh and can compete with the full-power e-MTBs in terms of battery capacity.

Using Orbea’s MyO configurator, we specced our Rise M team to suit our very own idea of a dream bike. For the suspension, we opted for a fancy 150 mm FOX 36 Factory fork with superior GRIP2 damper and matching FOX FLOAT X Factory air shock, which controls 140 mm of travel at the rear. While our test bike comes with a 175 mm FOX Transfer Factory dropper post, you can select the long-travel, 200 mm version at no extra charge. Shimano’s top-tier XTR four-piston stoppers do stopping duties and are paired with a big 200 mm rotor at the front and a tiny 180 mm disc at the rear. Orbea’s in-house component brand OQUO supplies the carbon handlebars and alloy wheelset. For the tires, the Spanish manufacturer relies on MAXXIS, combining a Minion DHF EXO MaxxTerra at the front and Minion DHR II EXO+ MaxxTerra at the rear. While this combo might be a good option for light riders with a clean riding style, merciless shredders should upgrade the front tire to the more robust EXO+ casing and softer MaxxGrip rubber compound. Heavy riders should change to the tough Doubledown casing at the rear.

**Undersized and overwhelmed**
On long descents, the small 180 mm rear brake rotor prevents the Shimano XTR four-piston brakes from developing their full braking power.

**Less is more**
The wireless Shimano EN-600L remote shows all important riding data, including the battery charge level and current support mode. If you want to have more info at hand while riding, you can connect the Rise to a bike computer.

Orbea Rise M-Team

€ 9,497

Specifications

Motor Shimano EP801 RS 60 Nm
Battery Orbea Internal 540 Wh
Display Shimano EN-600L Remote
Fork FOX 36 Factory FLOAT GRIP2 Kashima 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Factory 140 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 180 mm
Brakes Shimano XTR 200/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XTR 1x12
Stem OC Mountain Control 45 mm
Handlebar OC Mountain Control Carbon 800 mm
Wheelset OQUO Mountain Control 32 Team 29"
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF 3C MaxxTerra EXO/MAXXIS Minion DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ 2.4/2.4

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 18.8 kg
Perm. total weight 138 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 119 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no

Specific Features

Range-Extender
choosable battery capacity
Tool in rocker link

Tuning tips: Bigger 200 mm brake rotor at the rear | More robust Doubledown casing for heavy riders

We want to have fun – What is the Orbea Rise M-Team capable of?

There’s one thing the Rise M-Team delivers aplenty: fun! Handling is intuitive and predictable, making you feel at ease from the get-go. The weight is evenly distributed between the front and rear, allowing you to carve through wide, open corners without having to shift your weight too much, regardless of your riding skills. On flowing trails, the well-defined suspension rewards an active riding style, encouraging you to pop off ledges and generate plenty of speed by pumping through rollers. At the same time, the Orbea offers enough reserves to negotiate nasty rock gardens, and feels more composed than the Trek Fuel Exe in rough trail sections – albeit not quite as agile in tight turns. Regardless of the nature of the trail, the Orbea provides excellent feedback, letting you know exactly what’s going on underneath you and allowing you to act accordingly.

**All day long**
The relaxed, comfortable pedalling position combined with the big battery and optional range extender enables epic backcountry expeditions.

**With stoic composure**
The Orbea Rise M-Team is composed and provides enough support to deal with bigger hits.

When cruising from one trail to another on level ground, the Orbea puts you in a relaxed, upright pedalling position. As the gradient increases, the front wheel remains planted on the ground while the rear suspension generates a decent amount of traction. The motor isn’t the quietest out there, making it hard to sneak up on your buddies riding a quieter TQ or FAZUA bike – only the BAFANG motor of the Forestal Syrion is even louder. The Shimano EP801 RS motor is slightly more powerful than the FAZUA without feeling unnatural. At the same time, it delivers its power more evenly across the cadence range and delivers the maximum torque for longer. Only when negotiating steps do you miss the crisp response of the Forestal’s BAFANG motor.

There’s one thing the Orbea sure delivers: riding fun!

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	565 mm	592 mm	619 mm	649 mm
Seat tube	381 mm	419 mm	457 mm	508 mm
Head tube	95 mm	105 mm	120 mm	140 mm
Head angle	66.0/65.5°	66.0/65.5°	66.0/65.5°	66.0/65.5°
Seat angle	77.0/76.5°	77.0/76.5°	77.0/76.5°	77.0/76.5°
Chainstays	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
BB Drop	35/32 mm	35/32 mm	35/32 mm	35/32 mm
Wheelbase	1,180 mm	1,205 mm	1,229 mm	1,255 mm
Reach	425 mm	450 mm	474 mm	500 mm
Stack	604 mm	613 mm	627 mm	646 mm

**Helmet** Giro Switchblade | **Glasses** Melon Optics Kingpin | **Hip Pack** CAMELBAK Flow 4
**Jacket** Specialized Specialized/Fjällräven Adventure Vest | **Jersey** Rapha Trail Long Sleeve
**Pants** Mons Royale Virage | **Shoes** Crankbrothers Mallet BOA | **Socks** Adidas Crew Socks

Who should take a closer look at the Orbea Rise M-Team and who should look elsewhere?

The Orbea Rise M-Team is a Light-eMTB for all skill levels. Even on gnarly tech, the predictable, intuitive handling inspires huge amounts of confidence, especially for beginners. That said, the Rise M-Team really comes to life in experienced hands, allowing you to generate plenty of speed and air miles on flowing trails. As the Light-eMTB with the biggest battery in this test, the Orbea doesn’t shy away from epic backcountry expeditions either, which are made even more attractive by the optional range extender and comfortable, relaxed pedalling position. Eccentric individualists will get their money worth using Orbea’s MyO configurator to personalise their spec and finish.

The good-natured handling makes the Orbea Rise M-Team suitable for beginners and seasoned trail veterans alike.

Riding Characteristics

DESIGN

unbalanced
coherent

USER FRIENDLINESS

cumbersome
clever

VALUE FOR MONEY

flop
top

TREKKING & COMMUTING SUITABILITY

low
high

HANDLING

demanding
intuitive

FUN FACTOR

boring
lively

Intended Use

Gravel roads

Technical climbs

Flowtrail descents

Technical descents

Conclusion about the Orbea Rise M-Team

The Orbea Rise M-Team bridges the gap between Light-eMTBs and powerful eMTB allrounders. The big battery and comfortable pedalling position make it an attractive option for backcountry expeditions while the good-natured handling makes it suitable for beginners and seasoned trail veterans alike. The MyO configuration allows you to customise the spec down to the smallest detail – and at a very fair price! The Rise is suitable for a wide range of applications and secures our Light-eMTB Best Buy Tip!

Tops

MyO configurator allows for countless customisation options
Modular battery concept
Strong allrounder for all skill levels

Flops

Some spec inconsistencies
Battery not removable

You can find out more about at www.orbea.com

The test field