400km Long Ride on an MTB | Why the ORBEA OIZ is So Fast [Staff Bike Feature #01]

Long Rides & Mountain Adventures with the ORBEA OIZ

Today, I'd like to introduce the ORBEA OIZ, which I acquired under the guise of "testing" for long rides and mountain adventures.

With over a dozen bikes, I'm practically in a "harem state," so choosing which one to feature was tough, but the OIZ is definitely the one I'm most excited about right now.

This OIZ is what you might call an "all-rounder" among MTBs. Its appeal lies in its balanced performance, capable of handling various terrains with ease.

In fact, I used it for a long ride of about 400km at the end of last year, and I got the feeling that I could easily enjoy a day trip to mountains within a 100-130km radius!

From Hiroshima City, a 100km radius can cover areas towards Shimane. And if you use a ferry, part of Shikoku also comes within range.

By the way, for me personally, "day trip" means returning within 24 hours.

Performance Beyond an MTB

What I really like about this bike is its "speed."

As someone who also enjoys road racing, "reasonably fast" on the road is a crucial factor for me.

The OIZ can cruise at over 30km/h on flat ground if you hold the center of the handlebars and maintain an aero position. Frankly, its performance level is unbelievable for an MTB.

I've slightly narrowed the handlebar width and adjusted the saddle position to be more road-bike-like for high-speed cruising, but other than that, it's mostly stock. The fact that it's still so fast shows its high potential.

The Completeness of the OIZ M10 Grade - Lightweight Wheels and New XT

When talking about speed, wheels are an undeniable factor. For long rides with thick, heavy MTB tires, lightness is truly king. Especially on climbs and in the mountains with frequent acceleration and deceleration, the difference is clear.

That said, getting separate wheels is honestly a hassle. I want to start riding immediately, and as someone who wants to ride bikes as naturally as breathing, a highly complete stock setup is ideal.

In that regard, while the OIZ M10 grade is certainly not cheap, it comes standard with ORBEA's original brand "OQUO" carbon wheels.

It's equipped with the new SHIMANO XT groupset, and the suspension is the FOX FACTORY series (Kashima Coat specification), providing top-class shifting, braking power, and damping performance.

Additionally, a 120mm travel dropper seatpost from the OQUO brand is standard. From mountain descents to adjusting position during long rides, it handles everything seamlessly.

Looking at these components, it almost feels like a bargain. It's highly complete from the start, with almost no complaints. And delivery is fast too.

For me, who believes in "customizing only when dissatisfaction arises," the lack of room for customization might be my only complaint.

ORBEA's Original Control Lever

Though a small detail, ORBEA's original control lever is also a highlight.

The dropper and suspension operations are integrated, making for smart control. Furthermore, the suspension can be adjusted in three stages.

This actually gets used on the road too, so my left hand can get surprisingly busy.

OIZ M10 Grade Specifications Overview

Item Description
Frame OMR Carbon Full Suspension
Wheels OQUO Carbon (Standard Equipment)
Groupset New SHIMANO XT
Suspension FOX FACTORY Series (Kashima Coat Specification)
Controls ORBEA Original Integrated Lever (3-stage Suspension Adjustment)
Intended Use XC / Long Ride / Mountain Day Trips


Future Customization Plan

So, the ORBEA OIZ has become one of my absolute favorite bikes.

While it's a highly complete bike with little room for customization, the "long ride x mountain" theme is still evolving. Therefore, this time, I'll be focusing on customizations that further enhance on-road comfort, specifically position adjustment and aero performance.

Specifically, I plan to install a stem to lower the handlebar position even further than it already is. Additionally, I want to add aerobars to make it easier to adopt an aero position by gripping the center of the handlebars.

I'll also be reconsidering the tires, replacing them with narrower ones with lower tread blocks. While this goes against recent MTB tire trends, full suspension can somewhat compensate for reduced grip and comfort off-road. So, this time, the priority will be on reducing rolling resistance on the road.

This bike, capable of both long rides and mountain adventures, makes me want to explore many more places. It's a highly recommended bike that fills me with such excitement.

Next Preview

The next Staff Bike Introduction will feature Staff Ikeda's beloved Sig. Rando. We'll be showcasing the specifications of a bike designed for permanent brevet rides, so please look forward to it.

For those interested in a bike like the ORBEA OIZ

At Grumpy, we offer complete mountain bikes and gravel bikes for enjoying the mountains, like the ORBEA OIZ, as well as the parts introduced in this article. We also regularly receive used bikes and special parts, so please feel free to contact us if you're interested.

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