First look at the 2011 Orbea Orca

23rd Jun, 10.  Orbea this week unveiled the 2011 Orca in a bike show in Europe and, while they are not releasing all the details until later this year, have announced some of the new advancements.

The Orbea Orca is the race machine used by Pro-Tour team Euskaltel-Euskadi, US based Rubicon Orbea, and Kiwi team BiciVida.

The 2011 model introduces a number of new features, most notably frame designs for each specific size and new aerodynamic designs which offer a significant improvement over the 2010 model.

Orbea have also gone custom to allow riders to chose between twelve colours and numerous assembly options.

Orbea New Zealand General Manager Glenn TeRaki told RoadCycling.co.nz the 2011 Orbea Orca is expected to be available in late September. Prices are not yet known.

The full technical specifications are not being released until Eurobike in September, but some details have already been released by Orbea.

Technical details - as released by Orbea

SSN Size Specific Nerve

Initially Orbea engineers created the Size Specific Nerve technology to optimize the structure of the frame according to the different sizes offered. After four years in the market, the SSN technology applied to the 2011 Orca represents a qualitative leap in the design and creation of frames.

SSN enables Orbea to create six sizes for men and four for women. On the basis of structures with variable and optimised tube diameters, taking into account the stiffness ratios and the critical points of the frame, 10 sizes are individually conceived, 100% exclusive, and balanced with a laminate of carbon fiber-specific for each size.

10 completely unique frames, not one frame in 10 sizes. The SSN has a clear goal: maximum performance and rider satisfaction.

Direct cable routing

Droplet seattube

Aerodynamic designs

DCR Direct Cable Routing

The new Orca has a unique cable-routing system that very efficiently routes the cable paths to the brakes and deraileurs.

Created by Orbea in 2010 as a key design element of the second generation Alma, this innovation has been introduced to the Orca because of its efficient response at all levels, its smoothness of operation and the ultra clean lines it gives the design. Cables are protected from the elements, minimizing friction and multiplying durability.

AIZonE by Orbea

The Aizone Project (Aerodynamic Investigation Zone), developed in the San Diego Low Speed Wind Tunnel, has enabled Orbea to gain extensive knowledge on aerodynamics.

Thus, on the new Orca they have optimized the aerodynamics by 14%, reducing the drag or frictional surface, achieving a faster and more stable bike.

Orbea have brought both the fork and rear triangle as near to the rim as possible, minimising the turbulence as much as possible and thus achieving one of the most stable competitive bikes with the greatest control on the market.

Orbea has identified two key points in developing an even faster bike, stiffness and aerodynamics.

Both questions should be taken into account to achieve a bicycle which is not only fast but with optimum power transmission.

The identification of the droplet as the most aerodynamic element in the world, led Orbea to give this shape to the head tube and the seatpost of the Ordu. This innovation has now been applied to the new seatpost and seat tube of the Orca, with which they now believe they have used to create the fastest bike in the peleton.

New sizes, better adaptation

Orbea have conducted numerous morphological studies on riders, which have led to the development of new sizes that allow for greater union and better performance on the bike.

The working group was led by UCI Pro-Tour team, Euskaltel-Euskadi, the Debabarrena cyclist group, top Spanish female cyclist Anna Sanchís, as well as numerous fans from the Orbea environment.

The full sizes range:

• Men: 48-51-53 (New) -55 (New) -57 - 60

• Women: 47 (New) -49-51 (New) -53.

The monocoque high modulus carbon Orbea comes with a 1 1/8 and 1 ½ headset tubes which lightens the fork and increases the front end stiffness and agility. Combined with a BB30 bottom bracket the Orca provides a stiff and competitive platform.

The new Orbea Orca is tested to international standards and comes with a global lifetime warranty on the frame.