Orbea enter our big “Best enduro bike of 2022” group test with the Rallon M-Team 2022 – Custom look and custom spec
Custom look and custom spec? Unless you’re hopelessly fussy, the MyO configurator allows you to customise your new Rallon down to the smallest detail. Smart frame details and clever storage solutions, like the integrated mini-tool and storage compartment, are just the icing on the cake. Was the new Orbea Rallon able to assert itself as the most versatile and best enduro bike of the year in our “Best Enduro Bike of 2022” group test?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike of 2022 – 11 models in review
15.6 kg in size L | € 6,638 | Manufacturer’s website
When reviewing a bike, we usually refrain from discussing the available colour options, because everyone’s tastes are different. On the other hand, with the new Rallon we’re sure that everyone will get what they’re looking for and come home with a great-looking bike. Here’s why: when buying your new Rallon, you can customise the finish using Orbea’s MyO online configurator, completely free of charge! Moreover, using Orbea’s pre-configured builds as a base, you can upgrade individual components such as the brakes, suspension, wheelset and more. Our test bike is based on the Rallon M-Team 2022 and retails at a very reasonable € 6,638. For 2022, the Basque bike manufacturer is fully committed to integration, providing the brand-new Rallon with a LockR storage compartment and mini-tool integrated into the main pivot, albeit without a Torx 25 key. While there’s a bottle cage mount in the front triangle, Orbea haven’t added a tool-strap mount on the top tube. The new Rallon comes with two different shock yokes as standard, which allows you to convert from a 29” wheel to a mixed-wheel setup with a smaller 27.5″ rear wheel. All cables are neatly routed through the frame, ensuring a neat look and quiet ride on rough descents while generously-dimensioned seat and chainstay protectors and a TPU plate on the down tube prevent chainslap and protect the frame against stray rocks and flying debris. Heavy and aggressive riders will notice a fair amount of flex in the rear end of the Rallon, which was designed with compliance in mind. That being said, the flex is something you’ll get used to after a short while.
Just the way you want it – The spec of the new Orbea Rallon 2021
Like most bikes in our ‘Best Enduro Bike of 2022’ group test, the Rallon M-Team features a high end FOX Factory suspension. Unlike other manufacturers, Orbea let you choose between a FLOAT X2 air or DHX2 coil shock to go with the 38 GRIP2 fork. The bike has 170 mm travel at the front and 160 mm at the rear, for which we highly recommend using the air shock for better progression and increased reserves. This gives the Rallon more pop while allowing the suspension to absorb bigger hits more efficiently. The Rallon M-Team comes equipped with a Shimano XT 12-speed drivetrain and matching XT four-piston brakes. Brake experts GALFER supply the 200 mm front rotor and 180 mm rear disc. Unfortunately, the latter is too small for the intended use of the Orbea, overheating quickly and resulting in an undefined bite point and leading to arm pump and fatigue on long descents.
After one too many close encounters with our shoes, the chainstay protector of our test bike just fell off. Zip ties are always the answer ;)
The mini-tool is securely held in place with magnets and comes with the Rallon as standard. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include a Torx 25 key, which would come in handy when for tightening a brake rotor bolt or a SRAM component.
… the storage compartment in the down tube of the Rallon is big enough to stow all your trail essentials.
Orbea Rallon M-Team
€ 6,638
Specifications
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 Factory 160 mm
Seatpost FOX Transfer Factory 175 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 4-Kolben 200/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1x12
Stem Race Face Turbine 50 mm
Handlebar Race Face Next R 800 mm
Wheelset RaceFace Turbine R30 29
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI/Minion 2.5/2.4
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 15.6 kg
Specific Features
flip chip
storage compartment
configurator
integrated mini tool
The Spaniards don’t seem to be keen on having a “High” setting and refer to the two positions on the flip chip as “Low” and “Lower” instead!
The small 180 mm GALFER rear rotor tends to overheat quickly, resulting in an inconsistent bite point and leading to painful arm pump on long descents. We recommend using a bigger rotor.
All cables are neatly routed through the carbon frame. However, the cable ports are positioned far down the down tube, resulting in a large cable loop and a somewhat messy cockpit.
While the Rallon comes with a chain guide as standard, there isn’t a single bash guard option in the MyO configurator. That being said, the standard ISCG mount on the Rallon allows you to fit any compatible option. The M-Team model comes stock with a RaceFace Turbine R alloy wheelset, which is paired with robust MAXXIS tires on our test bike: we combined an ASSEGAI at the front with a Minion DHR II at the rear, both with the robust and puncture proof DH casing and soft MaxxGrip rubber. If you love getting rowdy, this is the perfect tire choice, as the robust casing provides additional sidewall support, allowing you to run lower air pressures and thus generate more traction. If you aren’t as wild but still want peace of mind on the trail, we recommend running MAXXIS’ DoubleDown casing, which is a far better option than the puncture-prone EXO+ casing, regardless of your riding style and the type of terrain you ride on. With its 175 mm travel, our FOX Transfer Factory dropper ensures sufficient freedom of movement. That being said, you can also choose 150 or 200 mm travel from Orbea’s configurator at no extra charge – awesome! Regardless of the amount of travel, all droppers come with the same FOX remote, which offers silky-smooth action and is attached to 800 mm wide Race Face Next R carbon handlebars.
The Rallon encourages you to play with the terrain and takes off easily.
The geometry of the Orbea Rallon 2021
The Orbea Rallon is available in four sizes from S to XL. The short seat tube (435 mm in size L) and its long insertion depth allow you to choose the frame size based on your desired reach and riding style. At 485 mm in size L, the reach is relatively long and paired with a moderate 637 mm stack height. Chainstay length is 440 mm across all sizes (438 mm in the mullet configuration) and doesn’t increase with the frame size. A flip chip on the shock yoke lets you adjust the head and seat tube angles as well as the bottom bracket height.
Pink, green and gold? Whatever you fancy, Orbea’s MyO configurator offers countless customisation options to adapt the look and spec to your taste and preferences.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 415 mm | 415 mm | 435 mm | 460 mm |
| Top tube | 572 mm | 599 mm | 626 mm | 653 mm |
| Head tube | 90 mm | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm |
| Head angle | 64.5/64.0° | 64.5/64.0° | 64.5/64.0° | 64.5/64.0° |
| Seat angle | 77.5/77.0° | 77.5/77.0° | 77.5/77.0° | 77.5/77.0° |
| Chainstays | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm |
| BB Drop | 28/35 mm | 28/35 mm | 28/35 mm | 28/35 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,202 mm | 1,231 mm | 1,260 mm | 1,290 mm |
| Reach | 435 mm | 460 mm | 485 mm | 510 mm |
| Stack | 619 mm | 628 mm | 637 mm | 646 mm |
Jersey Troy Lee Designs Sprint Ultra Grime | Shorts Sweet Protection Hunter Shorts
Kneepad Troy Lee Designs Stage | Shoes ION Rascal
Riding impressions
The steep seat tube ensures an upright pedalling position, making the Rallon a great companion for long rides and epic backcountry adventures. Uphill, the suspension of the Rallon feels relatively stiff but there are still more efficient climbers in our group test. Needless to say, the heavy tire casing affects the agility and acceleration of the bik, though once you get it rolling, the Rallon winds its way up the mountain with great eagerness. However, its direct rival, the SIMPLON Rapcon pulls past it on any sort of climb.
The Orbea Rallon provides extremely accurate feedback from the ground and only uses the necessary amount of travel, allowing you to fly over the trail at full speed.
Even in open corners, the Rallon generates plenty of traction. Here the robust casing offers a huge advantage, allowing you to run extremely low air pressures for more traction.
Downhill, the Rallon impresses with a very balanced riding position. The ergonomics of the cockpit push you forward into an active stance. With its stiff suspension, the Rallon provides accurate feedback from the ground and only uses its travel when necessary. As a result, the Orbea is extremely fast but at the same time smooth and composed, inspiring huge amounts of confidence on all sorts of terrain. Particularly with the air shock, the suspension of the Orbea offers lots of support and bags of pop but still generates excellent traction. On top of that, the robust DH casing of the tires allows you to run very low air pressures which offers all sorts of advantages. Only the suspension of the SIMPLON Rapcon generates more traction in open corners while also providing great support and reserves. With its stiff rear suspension, the Rallon encourages you to gap nasty trail sections and jump from one berm into the next, almost begging you to play with the trail features. Active riders will benefit enormously from the lively yet predictable character of the Rallon, which allows you to land ever bigger jumps with surgical precision. However, the Orbea doesn’t let you lean back and relax as much as the SIMPLON, always requiring concentration to keep on track. Overall, the Rallon is an excellent all-rounder that shines on all kinds of trails and is great fun to ride. Speaking of fun: even when you get a little too excited, the Orbea provides enough reserves and prevents you from eating dirt.
Tuning tips: bigger rear brake rotor | choose DH casing tires, alloy wheels and air shock from the configurator
Conclusion
When it comes to the look of the Rallon, the MyO configurator lets you customise the paint job to suit your vision – perfect! Just as perfect are the spec options, except for the size of the rear brake rotor. The integrated mini-tool and clever storage compartment are just the icing on the cake! Together with the excellent suspension and high fun factor, the Orbea is a top-class all-rounder. Retailing at a very reasonable € 6,638, the Orbea Rallon secures our coveted Best Buy in the “Best enduro bike of 2022” group test.
Tops
- customisable spec and look
- well thought-out mini-tool and storage compartment
- very cool, stiff suspension
Flops
- small rear brake rotor
- mini-tool doesn't include a Torx 25 key
You can find out more about at orbea.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike of 2022 – 11 models in review
All bikes in test: Cannondale Jekyll 1 (Click for review) | Canyon Torque CF 8 (Click for review) | GT Force Carbon PRO LE (Click for review) | Nukeproof Giga 290 Carbon Factory (Click for review) | Orbea Rallon M-Team | Pivot Firebird Pro XT/XTR – Air (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude C90 Rally Edition (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Bronson CC X01 AXS (Click for review) | SIMPLON Rapcon 170/165 (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL (Click for review) | YT CAPRA UNCAGED 6 (Click for review)
