First Rides! New Orbea Oiz Favors Bold Lines, Strong Legs

Orbea’s eighth-generation Oiz marks a significant step forward in the brand’s cross-country (XC) mountain bike lineage, combining refined aesthetics with a focus on ride quality and rider experience. The new model departs from previous experimental approaches, instead honing in on a design and build that prioritises performance and rider preference. Visually, the Oiz impresses with a sleek, low-slung frame and clean integration, enhanced by customisable paint options that reveal the carbon fibre beneath, offering riders a personalised and premium finish at no extra cost on OMX models. A key feature of the new Oiz is the choice of suspension systems, with Orbea offering both Rockshox’s Flight Attendant and Fox’s suspension packages. The Flight Attendant system, designed for racers, provides an intuitive, semi-automatic lockout that adapts to riding conditions, making it ideal for competitive scenarios. However, the reviewer found the Fox suspension, paired with Orbea’s custom-tuned I-Line shock, offered a livelier and more engaging ride for all-day trail riding, despite the less user-friendly Squidlock remote. This dual option reflects Orbea’s responsiveness to customer preferences, as around 10% of buyers opt for the Flight Attendant on standard builds. In terms of performance, the Oiz excels as a race-ready machine, delivering strong pedalling efficiency and excellent climbing ability thanks to its well-balanced geometry. The suspension settings allow for a comfortable yet responsive ride, with the “Trail” mode providing a good compromise between comfort and traction, especially on technical ascents. The bike maintains front-end stability on steep climbs and avoids excessive movement, which helps conserve energy during long rides. While a full lockout can cause some skipping over rough terrain, the adjustable suspension modes ensure versatility across varied conditions. The reviewer’s experience highlights the Oiz’s strength in rough terrain, where its robust design avoids the fragility sometimes felt in ultralight XC bikes. The combination of thoughtful geometry, suspension tuning, and customisation options makes the new Oiz a compelling choice for riders seeking a high-performance XC bike that balances race-day efficiency with trail-day enjoyment. Looking ahead, the possibility of Fox introducing its Live Valve Neo system to XC bikes could further enhance the Oiz’s appeal, offering riders even more advanced suspension technology.