[Closed] Orbea Rallon or YT capra?

Orbea Rallon looks the best and has a lifetime frame warranty too.

Theres a chap in foreign land who rents rallons out who raves about them. The search function is up and to the >

It's not me is it? I don't rent them out though, I just have one and love it. There's a couple of things that sold me on the Orbea. One thing is that the factory is just along the road from me so it's nice to be riding Basque bikes in the area they are from. More importantly it's long, low and slack whereas in comparison the Capra is quite short, pretty high and really slack. I've had a go on the Capra and to be honest it rides way better than I thought it's figures would have meant but I found that the Rallon is easily as good if not better downhill and destroys it on the climbs, partly due to the longer TT and partly because it pedals really well.
The Rallon is aluminum only so it's a little bit heavier, not much though. I measured my medium Rallon as 29.9lbs as it came and bike testers are reporting 29.5lbs out the box for a similar medium Capra.
I also love the fact that the Rallon has a proper threaded BB and front mech mount.
I nearly bought a Capra. I'd probably have been happy with it too but I have been delighted with the Rallon this year. It's had a lot of use and it needs a service now, mainly the shifting and wheels need looking at, but it's been faultless for me. I don't know how much riding I've done but in October I reckon I climbed 20,000m and descended about 50,000m on it.

A couple of links that might be useful.
I've written a review. It's not perfect but if anythings not clear then drop me a mail or post here and I'm happy to answer what I can. [url= http://www.basquemtb.com/orbea-rallon-v4-review/ ]Orbea Rallon V4 Review[/url]
And Orbea just launched their online shop in the UK. It's just [url=www.orbea.com]orbea.com[/url] I think and then choose your country.
There's a few shops doing demos, I don't know them all but [url= http://ddcycles.co.uk/ ]DD Cycles[/url] helped me with some stuff recently and seem like good guys.

Both excellent by the sound of it, sizing is the key issue. The Rallon comes up longer in all sizes with shorter seat tubes.

Bike sizing is a bit arbitrary it seems, if I bought a rallon id probably go for the medium, but for the Capra the large looks like the size for me.

I thought the large Capra and the medium rallon were pretty comparable in terms of length and height, have I got that wrong?

Doug ,I'm interested to hear that you think the rallon is better in every way than the Capra, especially being better at climbing.

I want a bike that is as close to a downhill bike as possible going down, but that climbs and pedals well enough to do long days of 5000-6000 feet of climbingand 30-40miles in distance.

I currently ride an ibis mojo hd,which fulfils that role well, but wondering if the new breed of enduro bike would do it even better.

Julians where abouts are you ? ( iam in the Midlands)
If it helps I have a large on its way to me this week .
Got it though sherwood pines bikes just out Side Mansfield

Oh and I had a demo for 4 days ( boss front and rear ) it was as Doug described ( Fun and fast )

If it's clear-cut then no problem. For me the Capra is too short as a medium and has too much seat tube on the large so I can't up-size.

Hey Julians, I don't think I could say hand on heart that the rallon goes down better than the Capra. Too short a time on the Capra and a long time on the rallon. Definitely in the same ballpark though. Climbing is noticeable, medium in both and the Capra felt cramped. Orbea bobbed less and the long top tube gives real stability in the techy climbs. Upsizing gives you the same top tube length, but the seat tube is then pretty long in the Capra if you are of a size for the medium. Orbea is lower in its lowest setting. High setting is about the same as the Capra.

What you are looking for the Orbea does easily, based on experience. Fun and fast after four days... Hilarious and insanely quick after four weeks 🙂

Cheers for the views, the rallon is definitely sized better for me just because of the shorter seat tube, but I could probably get away with the Capra in a size large.

Yt looking tempting on price though, about 1k cheaper for similar spec.

I'm considering a Capra as my next bike and hopefully trying to find out a bit more through the forums. Sorry to hijack your post julians but I wondered what peoples thoughts were on the sizing of the Capra?

I'm 6ft and usually prefer a smaller bike — I currently have a Medium 2008 Commencal Meta 5.5, on paper it looks as though I should go up to a large but real experience of the bike would be really useful.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I rode a large & would consider it on the smaller side of the current movement towards bikes with a longer front centre.

Being only an inch taller than you, I would suggest a medium is far too small.

I'm 6'1", sat on a large last night - wouldn't want it any smaller

Anyone know if the Rallon is available as a frame only?

Don't thinmk Orbea do Frame only - but pay 2588EUR for the basic model the sell the bits could make it a cheapish frame

Just had a look on their site George, your correct, no frame omly option.

Anyone know if the Rallon is available as a frame only?

They do but you will have to order it from Spain through a UK dealer.

Don't think there is a frame only option in Spain either. Worth asking but don't see it on their site.

They said they do when I emailed them (that was about 3 months ago)

Thanks for your help, I'm struggling between the Capra and a (budget busting) Santa Cruz Bronson - I've rode the Bronson and loved it but it's difficult not being able to try out the Capra.

dirtydog, I'd been looking at Ubyk recently, they've been really flexible with a mates Bronson build, they may do a frame only option on the Orbea: http://www.ubyk.co.uk/orbea-rallon-x10-650b-2015/15508

Worth asking anyway?

Orbea (via Ubyk) will do the Rallon as frame only, I am just waiting for them to confirm the price, this makes it quite an interesting option compared to the Capra, as I can carry across a lot of my existing components from my Mojo HD, and makes it a much cheaper proposition than the Capra.

The shock size is the same as the Mojo HD, which means I can just reuse my CCDB air, and I think I can re-use my 26 inch marzocchi 55rc 3 ti forks as they appear to be able to take a 650b wheel ok.

All I would need to buy is the Rallon frame , suitable headset, and a 650b wheelset - I might have found my next bike.

Can anyone confirm what bottom bracket and headset the Rallon takes?

and I think I can re-use my 26 inch marzocchi 55rc 3 ti forks as they appear to be able to take a 650b wheel ok.

Rob Cooksley did a video on this subject, there may have been a Dremel involved IIRC.

The wheel might fit but wouldn't the brake caliper mounts be in the wrong place?

Rallon is threaded bb and tapered headset. Didn't realize you could get frame only, that's cool!

The wheel might fit but wouldn't the brake caliper mounts be in the wrong place?

no ,why would they? the hub that the brake disc mounts to is the same regardless of rim size.

Rallon is threaded bb and tapered headset

result - I can re-use my angleset as well then most likely. However I have read on another forums that the CCDB air doesnt fit, it would appear that the air cylinder is too large diameter and fouls the top tube

Would the shock internals need sorting for the different frame? Can't imagine it would work perfectly straight off?

Would the shock internals need sorting for the different frame? Can't imagine it would work perfectly straight off?

Aside from the fact that the ccdb air appears too large diameter to fit in the frame, I dont see why it wouldnt work fine. The ccdb air has a massive range of end user adjustment of all parameters (high & low speed compression and rebound, plus tuneable spring rate) just because it is designed to be fitted to any bike that has the space for it. The hard bit would be homing in on the settings that suit the frame best, but that shouldnt be that hard to achieve if you know what you're doing.

But it does look like a bit of a moot point because while the shock I have is the right eye to eye and stroke length, it looks like the air can is too large diameter for the frame. So I guess I'd be best off just going for the BOS kirk shock that comes with the bike .

Kirk shock = incredible. I have a ccdb too, the bike gets an end of season service next week and I'll see if it fits. Guess it might depend on which frame size as with the small tere is very little space around the shock.

I have a ccdb too, the bike gets an end of season service next week and I'll see if it fits

That would be great if you could do that and report back. I'd be going for the medium frame.

Thought I'd update this thread with my findings, The frameset option for the rallon would cost £1349 for the fox shock version or £1649 for the bos shock option.

Need to have a think now, about whether I go for frameset only and reuse old parts where possible, or go for whole bike, and sell parts I dont need.

Just saw one of these in Cycle Surgery Manchester (Didsbury). Looked a lot nicer in the flesh than it does in the photos.
It was the £2100 version with Fox 34s - quite impressed.

honourablegeorge - Member
I'm 6'1", sat on a large last night - wouldn't want it any smaller

Oye diggs! I never saw that 🙂 Mine is a medium, although I rode a large for a few weeks. Also rode a small a bit too. When I got the medium my first thoughts were that it was too big but it is so much better for me than the small. The small felt perfect riding it, it was only when I had a few runs on the M that I realised how much faster it was. At 6' ish your on a L I think.

Sorry Julian's, I haven't had a chance to get to the garage, the daughter brought some form of chicken pox home and I've been floored.

So I've just ordered the frame only in flouro yellow size medium with The bos Kirk shock.

Will be fitting a 160mm pike rct3 fork, some Dt Swiss rims, and carrying the rest of the kit over from my mojo, so final spec will be

XT brakes
1 x 10 Shimano Drivetrain with one up range expander
Reverb dropper
renthal carbon bars

If anyone wants any of the following I'll be putting them up on eBay once I get this built up.

Ibis mojo hd frame ,black, size large with ccdb air
2013 marzocchi 55rc 3ti 170mm fork
26" Light bike 33mm carbon rim wheel set, hope pro 2 on front,novatec on back

Good luck with delivery on that !

I am still waiting for mine ( will of been 2 weeks on Monday to get it over here ) :|. I ordered wheels from hope Thursday and they were in the next day so why does it take so long from Spain !!!!

But should be worth it .

I am still waiting for mine ( will of been 2 weeks on Monday to get it over here ) :|. I ordered wheels from hope Thursday and they were in the next day so why does it take so long from Spain !!!!

Did you order the full bike? it does say on the website that full bikes take about 4 weeks.

Ordered on 23 October but 3 weeks after was told they were waiting for boss as some parts were not available for the build of the kirk .
It was ready to ship on the 1st on dec and still waiting like a inpatient child

It was ready to ship on the 1st on dec and still waiting like a inpatient child

Did yours arrive in the end? if so , how is it?

Just had notification that my frame will be delivered to me tomorrow, pretty good service so far from Ubyk.

Still waiting for my wheels to arrive , but will be able to build most of it up over the xmas break.

The Orbea Rallon frame arrived yesterday, I went for size medium, with the bos kirk shock.

Built up today with the following parts:-

Rockshox pike RCT 3 160mm
Rockshox reverb seatpost
50mm stem
renthal carbon fatbar lite
Shimano Xt brakes (203mm up front, 180mm rear)
Shimano SLX cranks
Shimano slx shadow+ rear mech
Shimano Xt shift lever
Dt swiss M442 rims on superstar tesla hubs
Hans dampf 2.35 tubeless tyres
superstar mag pedals

It looks the part - the yellow is very bright, size wise feels about right for me (5 foot 10).

Not ridden it yet, but have bounced around the garage, but cant really tell much from that.

Weight wise it comes in at 13.6kg (29.9lb), thats with pedals and a crud catcher front mudguard and neoprene thing on the forks.

That was quick!
Got mine Tuesday and had a invisiframe kit put on it by lee before it got used ( very good service from him )
Swooped round most bits today as so far spec is
L in flo with Boss
Pike same as yours
Flow ex
Sram gears
Mavic charge front not sure if to put HR on rear or Ardent that came with it ?
Bergtec carbon bars 760mm
Atlas 50mm stem
Stealth reverb
Not sure on brakes got black deore as they only had XT in silver and that would look pants . (Might swop them for xt and wait )

Are you running it 1/10 and if so what front ring did you go with ? My plan when I find some short cranks is 1/10

Get back to me on your thoughts after 1st ride

Enjoy

Are you running it 1/10 and if so what front ring did you go with

yes , running 1 x 10, have got an e thirteen 32 tooth front ring.

Will update with an opinion after a ride, although I find it always takes ages to get the suspension on a new bike tuned in to how you like it, so the first few rides tend not to be representative.

quick photo below

[url=

yellow rallon[/url]

Just been for a very short shakedown ride, just to iron out any niggles .

First impressions are that the rear suspension action is very plush, really smooths out the square edge bumps in a way that my previous mojo hd didn't. The hd was pretty smooth especially with the ccdb air shock, but this is noticeably better at smoothing the bumps

The climbing switch on the bos Kirk shock does a pretty good job of removing a lot of pedal bob, with it in the open position there is a fair amount of bob, which I guess is to be expected with such an active suspension design.

Pike forks are surprisingly good, wasn't expecting much from these to be honest as thought they'd not get anywhere near to my marz 55 rc3 coil forks, but they're pretty decent at first ride, need to get some more rides on some decent terrain to form a proper view, but first impressions are that they seem to have good performance at alight weight.

Downsides ? Not many yet, but the derail hanger is not replaceable at the side of the trail unless you carry a 22mm spanner in yourpack, but it looks sturdy so maybe not a massive problem. Will be very annoying to bend it on a ride and then not be able to replace it until you get back home.

I found it hard to set up the suspension a bit. I ended up with a little low speed on, not much and a lot of high speed. Feels great now and really doesn't bob much for seated climbing.
The mech hanger is actually really protected and I still haven't broken one. I have a wee adjuster spanner and it just fits that bolt. I always carried it anyway, it's just luck it fits.

Glad you're enjoying the bike.

Been out for my first proper ride on the rallon today, a few of my thoughts below.

Climbing - Probably not quite as good a climber as my mojo hd, feels like a bit more effort even though the rallon is a pound and a half ligher than the mojo, this might be because I've kept exactly the same gearing as on the mojo which had 26" wheels, and the rallon is 650b, so I think the overall gearing is a little taller, going to have a look on a gear inch calculator and see how much taller the gearing really is, but might try a 30 tooth chainring.

Downhill - On a rough fast downhill this bike feels ultra smooth, very composed, it just smooths everything right out, there was no 'spiking' through the rear end, just very smooth. The mojo was nowhere near as composed as this on rough stuff. You can just pick the roughest line , and the bike just smooth it all out, encouraging you to go faster. Overall exceptionally good, feels like the downhill bike I rented in the alps last year in the way it smooths the rough stuff out.

Pedal strikes - I had it in the lowest setting today, and I have 175mm cranks fitted, had a quite about 5 or 6 strikes over a 13 miles ride, nothing major, just fairly light scrapes, all of them were when pedalling hard downhill coming out of a corner. Will probably switch to 170mm cranks. Havent tried the higher setting, but the lowest setting does feel good, so dont really want to go higher, hopefully shorter cranks will reduce the strikes.

Dont post on here much, but must point out. I got 3 mates with YT Capra. No question the bike is awesome , but the E13 wheels on the comp are shocking. Major free hub problems. And after just 3 weeks riding. All 3 bikes have been out of action for weeks on end waiting for replacements. Problematic wheels on a 3 grand bike is not acceptable. No doubt my mates are wishing they had bought something else, quite possibly a rallon.

Question to those who ordered the Rallon as a frame, did it come with the bolt thru 12x142 rear or did it come with the quick release?

the E13 wheels on the comp are shocking

I know the base model comes with qr rear and the 142/12 dropouts are extra ( Qr is the one poor part of the frame as it feels cheap and crap . Upgrade it or go for next model up .

Question to those who ordered the Rallon as a frame, did it come with the bolt thru 12x142 rear or did it come with the quick release?

My frame only rallon with bos shock came with both QR and 12 x 142 drop outs.

Julians

What size/type headset does the frame take. Now you have had it a couple of weeks how are you liking it? I am seriously considering getting this frame.

headset as follows:-

top cup : 1 1/8 Integrated - 41.1mm
bottom cup : 1.5 Integral - 55.9mm

I'm generally loving this bike, it flies downhill, the most composed bike in the downhill rough stuff that I've ridden this side of a dedicated downhill bike. Absolutely destroys my previous Mojo HD (with CCDB air shock and marz 55 rc3 coil forks, so a well specced bike)in terms of downhill ability.

Not quite as good at climbing as the mojo, but not far off. Without the climbing switch set to off on the shock it bobs a bit, but switch it on and the back end becomes very very firm, which aids pedalling, but loses traction if the climb is bumpy. Climb switch is best used on smooth fireroad or road climbs, if its a tech climb then leave it off.

Other points? Its light, mine is just under 30lb with pedals, and not an especially blingy build (pike forks, reverb, dtswiss alu rims, hans dampf 2.35 tyres, mix of slx and xt drivetraim)

Downsides? the bolt thru rear needs an allen key to remove/fit the wheel, which is a minor incovenience. Doesnt feel quite as quick to accelerate as the mojo, not sure if this is the larger wheels, or inefficiency due to the very supple suspension, maybe a bit of both? Everyone looks at it due to the bright (and I mean bright) yellow paintwork, starting to feel a bit self conscious, and that I'm not as skilled as the shouty paintwork implies.

Can anyone give a brief review of their experience with the mavic cross one wheels that come as stock.

Any good?

I am looking at sourcing one from Europe with the exchange rate as it is.

Julians, can you shed any light on which headsets to buy for the Rallon? I've one on order and want to get spares so there's minimum delays in future when things need replaced!

Just been to have a look at mine ,but there's no marking or measurements printed on them so I can't be certain of the measurements,but it's some form of semi integrated for the top cup and semi integrated for the bottom cup, and it's a tapered headtube.

Sorry not much help I know

Are you sure it's a 41mm upper head tube and not 44?

I've been out a couple of times on the Rallon now... feedback time!

Ordering - I got the 2015 X30, which comes with the 135qr axle. I asked if the bike could be provided with the 142x12 fitted, bike shop spoke with the UK rep who confirmed yes. It arrived 4 weeks later with the qr! Anyway, looks like the shop are sorting it, they have received the 142 axle parts and a 142x12mm hub and are rebuilding my wheel...huge kudos to Cycle Lane in Glasgow for taking the hit on doing this.

I'd also requested the forks are not cut right down to fit the headset and that they leave 20-30mm spacers on, which they have done. This is because I was selling the Fox forks that came with it right away and putting my Pikes on.

It's bang on 31lbs with my full custom lot of stuff on it. I didn't weigh it before I stripped it so not sure how that varies.

I set it to the lowest setting. It's a large and comes with 170mm cranks. BOS Kirk upgrade on the back. I did footer with the shock settings but then decided to put them all back to the middle and just ride and see how it went.

Meanwhile I've had 3 rides with it as it stands using another wheel. Climbing - very little bob. I have flicked on the climb switch when on long fireroads. The body position is the best change between this and my old bike for climbing. I've fitted 780mm answer sl bars, a 35mm renthal apex stem, and my usual breaks a good inch inboard of the inside of the grips. Rest of the bike is pretty standard, 1x10, reverb, Shorty front/ardent rear tubeless.

It's my first proper bit of time spent on a 650 wheeled bike and I have only noticed a tiny difference, if any at all. It may just be psychological! I do notice it rolling faster down smooth slopes, where I'm now going at the same pace or faster than people who used to roll away from me. But it was on the latter part of the weekend's ride where I started getting comfortable with the bike and working it harder and suddenly it clicked... the bike felt normal when pottering around and taking it easy, but when I hammered it into stuff it became a DH bike! Really, it genuinely rode like a DH bike when I started taking risks and hitting straighter rougher lines.

Obviously I've a lot of riding to do to become more attuned to it, but I'm glad I chose it. And glad it's not got the 2016 bike 'upgrades' of a boost rear end and 0.5 degree slacker head.

Orbea have got in touch to confirm the headset is a 44mm top cup and not 41.1mm, but I've not tapped out mine to check with the calipers yet.

I did a bit more digging about the headset on the rallon,and came to the following conclusion.

Top cup 44mm
Bottom cup 56mm

I havent actually measured the ones fitted to my bike,but hopefully the above ia correct