Orbea Occam LT Review

Orbea significantly developed the Occam last year. More stiffness, clear model differentiation (SL vs. LT), and a well-thought-out geometry aim to make the bike more mature. We tested both the SL and LT versions to see if the Spanish enduro is truly a good option for trail shredders.

Orbea isn’t following the run-of-the-mill development program. This becomes especially clear when you look at the details. The asymmetrical main frame not only features a storage compartment for a spare tube. A mini-tool or tool is also hidden in the rear rocker axle and the rear wheel axle. This way, you can head out for a quick evening ride without a backpack. That’s a win.

Additionally, the frame comes out of the box covered with a stylish frame protection film to guard the paint. Form-fitting rubber parts and fenders on the chainstay and rear suspension bearings keep the ride quiet and dirt out of nooks and crannies where you don’t want it. The rear axle is equipped with additional clamps on the threads to prevent loosening.

On our test bike, the cables are still routed through the headset. However, Orbea offers the choice for future models to either run them through the headset or directly into the main frame via the down tube. If you’re currently ordering a test bike from Orbea, you can choose. All these details show that Orbea really puts a lot of thought into the small details that make life easier for bikers.

For a bike with 160 mm of travel, the Orbea Occam SL climbs excellently. Weighing in at under 15 kilos (14.6 kg in size L, without pedals, to be precise), is quite remarkable for a bike that we classify as an enduro due to its travel. The Orbea Occam LT is light, the shock can be calmed with a flick of the “Firm” lever, and the seating position is less upright than other enduros. Thanks to an anti-squat value of over 100% in the sag zone, the rear suspension remains relatively calm even without a lockout lever.

The Orbea Occam LT can easily handle tours with 1500 meters of elevation gain without completely killing your thighs. However, if your focus is not on having fun on singletrack but on long tours in the Alps, the Occam SL is a much better choice. With the SL version, the entire suspension can be locked from the handlebars, and the bike is another kilo lighter. The priorities of the Occam LT are clear: it wants to provide fun on the descents.

The new Occam LT feels stiffer and more confident than the SL version. Even though both bikes share the same main frame, the 36 fork and more robust tires make a crucial difference on the trail. Whether when braking hard, on rocky terrain, or during landings, you always have the sense that the bike perfectly translates the rider’s input.

Thanks to its lightweight construction, the Occam LT is one of the few 160mm bikes that also delivers fun on flat, flowy sections. It doesn’t require the neck muscles of a bodybuilder to persuade the bike into spontaneous airtime or quick directional changes.

Unlike many enduros, the rear triangle has a relatively high anti-rise value. In the sag zone, this is around 100%. This means that in this area, the rear brake has no influence on the suspension. In the first 40mm of travel, however, it exceeds 100%, which stabilizes the rear triangle during braking and pushes it downward. This results in a very defined feel for the rear suspension on descents.

With the bottom bracket setting on “Low,” the bottom bracket drops to a deep 36 mm below the axle. Awesome in corners and when it gets steep. On flowy trails, however, the balance was better in the “High” setting. Depending on the terrain on your home trail, the High setting is definitely worth a try here. The difference between the settings is noticeable.

The new Occam “disappears under the rider” – it doesn’t distract from the trail but supports, whether in flowy sections or rough terrain. Compared to bikes like the Ibis Ripmo, Yeti SB140, or Stumpjumper Evo, it clearly falls into the league of versatile all-rounders, with a slightly more playful touch.