TEST CENTRE

220 BIKE TEST SERIES ORBEA ORDU M30 The Ordu M30 is an entry level TT bike at an affordable price point. We take one for a spin to see if it delivers the right option for your first -specific machine WORDS: SUSANNAH OSBORNE IMAGES: TRENT VAN DER JAGT

hen a bike shares some of its into time trialling, yet it shares many of the But parting with the cash for your first DNA with a world-record- aero features of its more expensive siblings. tri-specific bike is a big deal, so it’s worth setting steed, there’s an And while this is clearly a bike with a spending time testing both fit and function if W expectation it will have modest spec and value-for-money price point, you’re considering the Ordu M30. This is an inherited some of its relative’s characteristics. the Ordu M30 still boasts many of the aggressive bike with a compact fit, which The Ordu M30 is the baby brother in Orbea’s features of the Ordu ridden by Andrew paper jars with its entry-level label. Like all family of 10 Ordu triathlon bikes and is aimed Starykowicz in setting a world-best Ironman bikes it won’t suit every rider, but if you and at athletes who are just starting out in the bike split. (Although it doesn’t come with a this bike are a good fit, you’re likely to spend sport, or roadies who are dipping their toes guarantee that you’ll do the same.) many happy hours in each other’s company.

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220-30_098-101_BikeTest.indd 98 5/03/2015 5:23 pm TEST Vision’s cockpit provides CENTRE plenty of adjustment to dial in your position

The frameset offers ample space for multiple water-carrying solutions

A pair of race wheels, spares and water and The Ordu is streamlined you’re ready to race from end to end

THE FRAME THE FIT THE SPEC The carbon monocoque OME frameset shares the On the whole, triathlon bikes have evolved to For a bike that retails at $2,999 the Ordu M30’s same aero profiling as the rest of the Ordu family, accommodate a greater range of riders, and spec is fair and in line with most bikes at this although the grade of carbon fibre is less many now feature a more moderate riding price point. The 105 11-speed cassette expensive than the bikes further up the range. position than before. However, the Ordu doesn’t offers a range of sprockets from 11-28, which Internal cabling makes for a clean silhouette and necessarily follow this trend. The riding position is when combined with the 52x36 FSA Gossamer is one of many an aero element – exposed cables demanding, and inexperienced or new-to-the- crankset means you should never be short of are kept to a minimum to reduce potential drag. sport riders may find it takes some getting used gears out on the road. Ordu’s wedge-shaped -tube junction is a to (signing up to a yoga course alongside your Shimano Bar End SL-BSR1 shifters form part boxy, architectural feature that creates a striking training could be a wise investment – flexibility is of Shimano’s Dura Ace range of components. profile. “It was the best way we found to maximise the key here). A step up from Shimano 105, these mid range appropriate air flow once you combined the With four sizes from XS to L Orbea aims to shifters deliver precise gear changing both in frame with a rider,” says Orbea operations accommodate a big range of riders, but riders will the time trial position on the aero bar ends, manager Paul Alexander. either love or hate this set-up; the stack and reach and on the base bars. Other aero features, refined during extensive are 551mm and 419mm (size M), which is fairly The finishing kit – the contact points on the bike testing in a San Diego wind tunnel, are the extreme. (Compare this to a Cervelo P3 at and generally anything except the frame, forks, teardrop-shaped down and tubes, both of 522mm, 411mm (54cm) and a medium Trek Speed wheels or drivetrain – includes Vision Trimax Alloy which also feature on Orbea’s redesigned Concept 7.5 (517mm, 408mm). bars and Vision Team 25 Clincher. American brand road bike, and the mounting locations for bottles and nutrition, which, it’s claimed, can reduce drag and increase your efficiency. There’s a top tube mount behind the stem for a tool or nutrition bag and three mounts on the downtube are placed to “SAY JUMP TO THE ORDU 30 AND THE accommodate a single aerodynamic bottle low down, or two standard bidons. BIKE MAY WELL SAY ‘HOW HIGH?”

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Vision is known for creating slippery-fast aero opt for the TriMax T30 and you’ll get a hand-built like a teenage boy – full of potential energy but components that adorn the bikes of pro wheelset with 30mm alloy aero section rims that in need of guidance and direction.) triathletes, like three-time Ironman will cost around a quarter of the price of the bike Descending is fun, cornering is slick and fast Jessica Jacobs. Vision also sponsors three teams in again – but should help you reach that PB. and will keep you on your toes, but the stiffness in the pro peloton including Cannondale Pro Cycling. the frame produces a bumpy ride on rough and Vision’s TriMax Aero Alloy is a light, aero wing THE RIDE potholed roads, so if you prefer a more shaped bar with bar extensions, which is pretty This is a mass-market triathlon bike, yet the comfortable and relaxed, cruisy ride this bike may standard stuff for an entry-level TT bike. The Ordu M30 offers a stiff, responsive ride. not be for you. Team 25 Clincher is a 25mm deep, everyday The inclination of this bike is to go forwards at For an entry level ‘mass market’ triathlon bike wheelset, which should be the first thing you speed – pedal down into the stiff, bottom bracket the Ordu M30 shares many of the aero attributes upgrade – increasing the profile of the wheelset area and the bike leaps forward immediately. In of more expensive bikes, which make it a good and reducing the weight of the wheels is a sure fact, say, “jump” to the Ordu30 and the bike choice for your first TT ride. But do bear in mind, fire way to get the most out of this bike and to might as well say “how high?” the set-up points more to that of an experienced improve the Ordu M30s aerodynamics. But rather than just ride this bike you need to rider, and while it gives a responsive ride, it’s a There are two upgrades offered by Orbea – own it and hold it in a straight line, which in all bike that requires confident handling to get the take the option to upgrade to the T30 clincher and honesty isn’t always easy and at times it can feel best out of it. If you’re game, there’s speed to be you instantly save 300g. Go the whole hog and like you’re fighting the bike. (Perhaps think of it had from this machine. ■ 220

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1 The Vision TriMax set-up provides a great entry into the fully adjustable world of aerobars. You could however, save quite a bit of weight with a carbon-fibre alternative 2 The ‘Pro’ compact crankset is the perfect spec for a bike at this price point 3 Internal routing keeps the front end clean and turbulence free.

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BIKE SPEC

SIZE TESTED 54 OVERALL WEIGHT 9,400G FRAME AND FORK Cassette Shimano 105 5800 11-28 11-Speed Tyres Challenge Forte Race 700x23 DIMENSIONS (SIZE M) Sizes XS, S, M, L Chain Shimano HG600 1 Head angle 73° Frame Ordu carbon OME, monocoque Derailleurs Shimano 105 5800 COMPONENTS 2 Seat angle 78° Fork Ordu OME carbon fork, Shifters Shimano Bar End SL-BSR1 Stem Orbea OC-II 3 Effective top tube length 539mm aluminium steerer Bars Vision TriMax Alloy 4 Seat tube length 575mm WHEELS Saddle Prologo Zero Tri T2,0 (centre of crank to top tube) TRANSMISSION Front Vision Team 25 Clincher Seatpost Orbea Ordu OME 5 Standover height 802mm Crankset FSA Gossamer 36x52 Rear Vision Team 25 Clincher Brakes Orbea OC-II 6 Chainstay length 405mm

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