Beautiful Bicycle: A Blue & Copper, Highly Tactile Orbea Oiz

Setting the Stage: XC Bikes & Mechanical Systems

With so many modern advancements in cross-country (XC) technology, it has become commonplace for high-end XC bikes to be shown with electronic shifting, dropper posts, and even suspension. Everything is built for the advancement of speed. While these advancements in technology are certainly exciting, many riders prefer the tactile feel and reliability of mechanical systems. 

Generally speaking, XC bikes are some of the most responsive bikes in the mountain bike domain. Each rider input is channeled back to the trail, which can be sketchy at times, but that is also why they are so much fun. In Contender's view, the Orbea Oiz is built with this dynamic and the full range of ride sensations in mind, a tactile “click” behind every bike's function and lever. 

Paint Job, Cassette & Chain, Grip Shifting 

As many Contender customers are familiar with, Orbea's beloved MyO program enables riders to choose the paint job before it leaves the factory. For this particular Oiz (pictured), the customer has taken full advantage of this ability to customize, mixing a two-tone paint job with a translucent deep blue, and metallic copper. The copper contrasts the blue beautifully, adding some visual pop to the frame. In addition, the customer followed this up with a SRAM XX1 copper cassette and chain, which matches perfectly. 

While the customer could have gone with the newer direct mount T-Type electronic drivetrain, such a system wouldn't have the aforementioned tactile feel--a feel that we know many of our customers love. In addition, the copper cassette and chain are only available in XX1, further validating the choice to forgo electronic shifting in favor of mechanical.  With SRAM's XX1 mechanical grip shifter, riders can feel every click through their palm. In addition to the tactile and responsive ride feel, mechanical shifting can also be set up to be super light at a lower cost if desired. 

 Suspension, Dropper Post, & Brakes

The suspension, lockouts, and dropper post? All mechanical as well. The all-new Orbea Squidlock incorporates the dropper, shock, and fork lockouts into two levers. With a highly responsive feel, a rider clicks once for half lockout, or twice for full lockout. To release the lockout, one simply pushes through the levers. The FOX Transfer SL is also a mechanically actuated post, with a distinctive "up and down" sound and feel. 

Following the theme of tactile rider feedback, XTR brakes prove adept at stopping on a dime, or scrubbing speed to help flow through hairpin turns and rock gardens alike. As far as mountain bike brakes go, Shimano brakes are known for being on the more responsive side. Specifically, this bike has been custom built with a four piston caliper on the front and two piston in the rear, for a little extra power. 

Wheels & Handlebars

Rounding out the custom build are carbon wheels and handlebars from ENVE, which nicely complement the bike's blue and copper paint job. These wheels are the perfect addition to the build, as the higher engagement and light weight of ENVE's rear Innerdrive hub help to deliver a snappy, responsive ride feel. 

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