Orbea’s Cape Epic winning Oiz transformed for 2023

Orbea has launched its 2023 XC racing weapon, and the headline grabber, amongst a raft of changes: The new bike is now exclusively a 120mm platform.

With XCO, XC and XCM racers being increasingly challenged by the technical nature of courses, that travel, combined with a frame weight of 1,750g makes a clear statement about the intent of a bike with big shoes to fill (2022 Cape Epic winning Oiz he’s looking at you).

Speaking of Cape Epic winners, most will know that the 2022 edition was won on a 120mm Oiz TR. A signal that future development would focus exclusively on this concept? Maybe. In the past 12 months at least one other Swiss piloted XC race bike has gone down the 120mm route. Hard to argue against that kind of success.

In terms of suspension, the Oiz maintains its characteristic single-pivot with engineered flex pivot in the seat stays (UFO), an approach that has proved highly successful since its introduction 20 years ago.
And what better accessory for this system than Orbea’s 3-position suspension lockout (Squidlock) to ensure maximum performance.

Keeping weight weenies happy everywhere the new Oiz weighs in at an impressive 9.98g (size M, with pedals, water bottle and computer mount).

Of those bottle cages – note the ‘s’; that’s right, plural – here’s an XC bike which can fit 2 ‘in frame’ bottles, on any frame size. No XCM feed zone faff with rear facing seat post mounted bottles, or topping up a hydration vest bladder here. 2 x half Coca Cola, half water, to go please!

This also means a dropper post is no longer a ‘weighing up the options’ choice for riders spending long, hot, days in the saddle.

Thanks to pro racer feedback, combined with information from Orbea’s test and engineering team, the Oiz has a modern geometry to maximise the Oiz’s downhill handling.

A slacker head angle (67º), a lower bottom bracket (333mm), and a longer reach (450mm for size M) are just some of the features that, when combined with 120mm travel, have been engineered to offer the control and confidence of a superb, technically adept cross-country bike.

Critically, Orbea points out that the greater downhill control of the new platform doesn’t compromise on efficiency or responsiveness. The pedalling position is more centred, which gives the rider more control on technical and steep sections, thanks to its modern geometry.

The short rear centre (432mm) maintains Oiz’s characteristic agility and responsiveness. As well as the low stack height (596mm for size M), the seat angle is steeper (72.5º) to give you a better position on the climbs.

The 2023 Orbea Oiz also packs in a new SIC System, designed for optimal cockpit cable integration, which shortens the cables, and ensures they don’t rattle, with the added benefit of a very clean look. The system is also optimised to make changing the stem and handlebars just as easy as on a non-integrated cockpit. In addition to this, the 2023 Oiz also comes with a steering limiter to protect your frame. They call this Spin Block technology, and it is available partly thanks to the new OC Components stem and handlebar design.

Depending on model, 2023 bikes will also come equipped with the recently launched Oquo wheelsets, coming in 2 carbon and 1 alloy XC and short travel trail focused options.

The new Oiz models will be on sale from the end of the year, with riders able to reserve their new bike using Orbea’s Rider Connect service.