First Look | Orbea Rise gets lighter for 2023 with updated motor, battery & frame

The Orbea Rise debuted in late 2020 as one of the lightest full suspension electric mountain bikes on the market. Arriving a few months after the genre-defining Specialized Levo SL, the Rise took a slightly different route thanks its unique, RS-tuned version of the Shimano EP8 motor. Along with the sleek carbon frame and impressively low weight, it proved to be a winner on the trail, as we discovered in our Orbea Rise review. Orbea kept the momentum rolling with the introduction of the alloy Rise in late 2021, which helped to lower the entry price and make this lightweight e-MTB accessible for more riders.

Two years on from its debut, the Rise has received its most significant update yet. For 2023 the Rise features a new frame, motor and battery. According to the Basque brand, the Rise now weighs a staggering 15.9kg in its lightest configuration. With our interest very much piqued, let’s dive in to see what’s changed.

orbea rise
We tested the Orbea Rise last year, and came away impressed with its sprightly handling, natural motor feel and supportive suspension.
2023 orbea rise
The 2023 Orbea Rise has received a notable update with a new carbon frame, motor and battery.

2023 Orbea Rise overview

The Orbea Rise is a lightweight e-MTB that’s designed for all-round trail riding. It sits in a similar space to the Specialized Levo SL, Trek Fuel EXe and Pivot Shuttle SL.

The Rise is manufactured in alloy and carbon variants, with both frames utilising identical geometry, 29in wheels and 140mm of rear wheel travel via a four-bar suspension platform. Up front is a 140-150mm travel fork, depending on the model.

2023 orbea rise
The Rise is equipped with 140mm of rear travel and a 140-150mm travel fork.

New motor & battery

The original Orbea Rise was built around the Shimano EP8-RS motor. The ‘RS’ part refers to Orbea’s own firmware, which alters the power and support characteristic of the EP8 drive unit. As well as de-tuning peak torque from 85Nm to 60Nm, the RS system is configured to deliver a softer feel to acceleration. The goal here is to improve efficiency so that you can get away with a smaller and lighter battery, while providing a more natural-feeling experience.

That same concept carries over to the 2023 Orbea Rise, which is now equipped with the new generation Shimano EP801 motor. This drive unit shares a lot of structural similarities with the existing EP8 drive unit, but the software has been updated to work with the new Di2 drivetrain and its Autoshift and Freeshift functions.

2023 orbea rise shimano ep8-rs ep801
The EP8-RS motor has been updated for 2023, incorporating new software that allows for Di2 compatibility.

You’ll still find a 360Wh battery inside the Rise’ carbon downtube, but the design is totally new.

With integrated anchor points and a change to 21,700 cells, the new battery is 300g lighter than the old version, coming in at a claimed 1,898g. It’s also purported to offer better heat management.

2023 orbea rise 360wh battery
The new battery is lighter and more compact.

Refined electrics

Along with the new motor and battery, the 2023 Orbea Rise incorporates the brand new Shimano EN600-L remote.

As well as housing the on/off button, the remote allows you to toggle between the support modes and engage walk assist. Coloured LEDs indicate the current mode and battery status, while Bluetooth connectivity allows it to pair with the Shimano E-TUBE app for accessing further metrics and motor tuning. See our Shimano EP8 review for more info on that.

2023 orbea rise
Shimano’s new EN600-L controller provides a minimalist interface that offers several benefits to the Rise.

Because of the EN600-L remote’s all-in-one functionality, the Rise no longer needs the LED junction box found on the old bike, which is a good move as we found it to be too minimalistic.

It also eliminates the need for a power button built into the frame’s seat tube, which has actually improved dropper post insertion. Along with the reduction in electric cables, Orbea has also created a new integrated connector for the battery. This allows the battery to sit closer to the motor, which helps to lower the overall centre of mass.

2023 orbea rise
As well as being 300g lighter, the new battery sits lower down in the frame.

Frame updates

While the carbon frame carries over the same shape and geometry of the existing Orbea Rise, there have been several updates.

The main rocker link is now made from carbon fibre, and it’s said to be lighter and stiffer than the previous alloy link. It also accommodates Orbea’s nifty FLP multi-tool.

First seen on the new Oiz, the Rise incorporates the SIC System that sees all the cables and rear brake hose routing through the upper headset. Though it will likely add some complication to servicing, the shorter lines are said to reduce vibration and noise from the front of the bike. The headset also incorporates the Spin Block, which is a hidden steering limiter that prevents the shifter and dropper post lever from hitting the frame.

With those changes, Orbea claims the OMR carbon frame weighs just 2.2kg on its own, making this one of the lightest full suspension e-MTB frames on the market.

2023 orbea rise
Orbea brings thru-headset cable routing to the Rise, which provides a very clean cockpit.
2023 orbea rise
Less than 16kg for a full suspension e-MTB? That makes the Orbea Rise one of the lightest options currently on the market.

The alloy Orbea Rise gets updated too

There have been changes to the alloy version of the Orbea Rise, which will feature the new Shimano EP6 motor for 2023. The EP6 motor gets the same RS tuning and power output as the EP801, albeit with a slightly heavier alloy casing instead of magnesium.

You’ll also find the new EN600-L remote, though the alloy Rise skips the headset cable routing and new linkage found on the carbon models.

The alloy Rise comes fitted with a larger 540Wh battery, though the frame is compatible with the new 360Wh battery. Likewise, the carbon Rise is compatible with the 540Wh battery. Furthermore, all Rise models can accommodate an optional range extender battery that increases capacity by 252Wh.

2023 orbea rise
The Rise isn’t just about weight though, with the EP8-RS motor delivering a more natural ride feel compared to a heavier full-powered e-MTB.

Orbea Rise price & specs

For 2023 there will be seven models in the Orbea Rise lineup. Prices will start at $10,999 AUD for the Rise H30, and will go up to $19,999 AUD for the Rise M-LTD.

Lighter builds will come with a 140mm travel Fox 34 fork and Float DPS shock, while the burlier builds feature a 150mm travel Fox 36 fork and Float X shock.

All models are equipped with fairly light-duty Maxxis tyres as standard, though there are options to upgrade to more capable rubber, including an Assegai/Minion DHR II combo with DH casings.

You can also get the Rise through the MyO configurator, which allows you to choose a unique paint job, along with a more personalised spec.

2023 orbea rise m-ltd
The Orbea Rise M-LTD dips below the 16kg barrier by utilising Maxxis Rekon tyres, a Fox 34 FIT4 fork, a Float DPS shock and a Transfer SL dropper post.

2023 Orbea Rise M-LTD

2023 orbea rise m-team
The Orbea Rise M-Team is the only model to feature the brand new Shimano Di2 drivetrain, which offers Autoshift and Freeshift functions.

2023 Orbea Rise M-Team

2023 orbea rise m-10
A Fox 36 GRIP2 fork and Float X shock is combined with a Shimano SLX drivetrain and alloy wheels on the Orbea Rise M10.

2023 Orbea Rise M10

2023 orbea rise m-20
The Orbea Rise M20 is the cheapest carbon model in the lineup.

2023 Orbea Rise M20

2023 orbea rise alloy h-10
After a premium spec on an alloy frame? That would be the Orbea Rise H10.

2023 Orbea Rise H10

2023 orbea rise alloy h20
As with all three alloy models, the Orbea Rise H20 is equipped with the new Shimano EP6 motor and a 540Wh battery.

2023 Orbea Rise H20

2023 orbea rise alloy h30
The cheapest model in the range, the Orbea Rise H30 gets a Shimano Deore drivetrain, a Marzocchi Z2 fork and Orbea-branded components.

2023 Orbea Rise H30

2023 orbea rise
All Rise models are compatible with the 540Wh internal battery and the 252Wh range extender, which provides a whole load of capacity for bigger rides in the mountains.
2023 orbea rise
Though the updates on the Rise aren’t exactly revolutionary, we’re excited to see how it performs on the trail with that new Shimano EP801 motor.

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