At Orbea, “RS” stands for “Rider Synergy” – the seamless interaction between bike and rider. You’ll spot the acronym not just on Orbea’s website, but also on the Shimano EP801 motor fitted to the Orbea Rise. The motor’s software has been tuned specifically to suit the characteristics of their light e-MTB, running custom firmware ever since the Rise first launched back in 2020. To maximise range, peak power is capped at 400 watts instead of 600, while still delivering the full 85 Nm of torque.
With the new RS Control System, Orbea take things a step further by shifting their focus to the motor system’s hardware. The new Human Machine Interface – or HMI for short – it centers on the key interface between rider and bike, integrating several functions into one compact, efficient unit.The updated handlebar remote not only controls the motor system but also operates the new electronic dropper post. All electronic components – including the drivetrain if you’re running a Shimano Di2 – communicate through and draw power from the main battery. The goal? Less weight, a cleaner cockpit and improved reliability.
The idea behind the RS Control System
The core idea behind the HMI RS System is simple – and it addresses a problem many of you will know all too well. Too many batteries, too many chargers, too many remotes. If you’re riding a modern e-mountainbike with an electronic drivetrain and dropper post, you probably know the story all too well.. On top of the main battery, you might have to charge up to five separate power sources, once you count in the batteries for all the remotes. And let’s be honest – who hasn’t forgotten to charge the dropper or the drivetrain battery at least once?
At the same time, all those additional remotes are making modern cockpits feel increasingly crowded – motor remote on the left, shifter on the right, and the dropper controls crammed in somewhere in between. That’s exactly where Orbea aim to intervene with the RS Control System. The goal is simple: centralise control and power supply for all electronic components, cut down on complex charging routines and create a cleaner, more streamlined cockpit. Less charging stress, more clarity, and a much tidier setup. That’s the idea, at least.
The new RS HMI handlebar remote
With the new RS HMI remote, Orbea promise intuitive control, excellent ergonomics and a clean, minimalist look. It draws power directly from the main battery, with the cable routed internally through the grip into the handlebar and then along the downtube. The remote features a modular design with multiple mounting options, allowing you to adjust its position to suit both your hand size and cockpit layout
A big LED indicates the current support mode, while two generously-sized buttons are used to control the motor system. There’s also a third lever integrated directly into the remote, which operates the new electronic dropper post – but more on that later.
Five small LEDs on top of the unit show battery levels in 10% increments from 100 to 20%, and then in 4% steps all the way down to 0%. Compared to the old Shimano EN600L remote, which relied on a single colour-changing LED, it’s definitely a step forward – but it’s still not quite as clear and intuitive as it could be.
The five LEDs on the RS HMI remote change colour depending on the battery level, cycling from white to blue, and turning red once the charge drops below 20%. Sounds logical enough, right? But in practice, the system is surprisingly fiddly. The colour logic draws inspiration from familiar setups like Bosch, but the sequence and meaning of the LEDs aren’t instantly self-explanatory. Unless you’ve read the manual, the cockpit is likely to leave you puzzled.
The button layout for switching support modes also takes some getting used to: the “+” for more power is placed underneath, while the “–” for less support sits above—reversing the convention used by most systems.
The remote also introduces a new Super Boost mode, activated by holding down the plus button.This delivers maximum output from the Shimano EP801 RS for up to 15 seconds, ideal for steep ramps or short sprints. You can trigger it as often as you like, as long as the battery holds out. There’s also a new long-press function on the light button that lets you switch between the familiar RS and RS+ motor profiles. Each has its own distinct ride feel, giving you more flexibility depending on the terrain or riding style.
The new MC10-RS Smart Dropper
Alongside the HMI remote, the RS Control System also includes the new MC10-RS Smart Dropper – an electronic seatpost available in three travel options: 180, 210 and 240 mm. A clever touch: the travel can be reduced in 5 mm steps by up to 25 mm, so you can fine-tune the travel to suit your height and personal preferences. Like the rest of the RS system, the dropper is fully wired, communicating via the CAN-Bus system and drawing its power directly from the main battery.
On paper, the Smart Dropper sets a new benchmark. At just 548 g for the 240 mm version, it’s significantly lighter than most other electronic posts. A RockShox Reverb AXS with 250 mm of travel weighs 780 g, while the FOX Transfer Neo (200 mm) tips the scales at a hefty 786 g. Even many mechanical posts can’t keep up – the FOX Transfer (240 mm) comes in at 862 g, and the OneUp V3 (240 mm) at 733 g. Orbea also promise a particularly low stack height and fast return speed.
Operation is as simple as it gets. The MC10-RS works just like a conventional dropper when you hold down the integrated trigger – you can adjust it to any height and it locks in place. But it also comes with some smart extra features. A short press of the remote unlocks the post, so you can drop it at any moment without needing to hold the lever. Double-tapping activates a preset intermediate position, dropping the post to 20% of its travel – perfect for technical climbs. And the clever bit? You can customise how deep it drops in this mode – whether it’s 20, 30 or 40% of the total travel – using the new RS app. This is also where you’ll manage firmware updates for all RS components.
The RS Toolbox app takes things one step further, integrating directly into Garmin IQ. You get all your key ride data – cadence, torque, battery level and remaining range – displayed on your cycling computer or smartwatch, no extra sensors required.
Important note for existing Rise owners: The full RS Control System cannot be retrofitted – not through your local dealer and not directly from Orbea. It’s exclusively available on the new Rise LT (M10 and M-Team) and Rise SL (M10 and M-LTD) models, which are available now. Unfortunately, owners of older Rise models walk away empty-handed.
Conclusions about the new Orbea Rise RS Control System
With the RS Control System, Orbea aren’t just tidying up the cockpit – they’re also putting an end to the charging chaos that plagues many modern e-mountainbikes. The new remote makes a strong first impression, though the LED logic still leaves room for improvement. The new dropper looks well thought-out, with smart features, a serious weight advantage and seamless app integration. All in all, it’s a clever, all-in-one solution that means less faff in the garage and more time on the trail. We’re looking forward to seeing how it performs in real-world testing!
Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Orbea, Peter Walker
