20 June, 2024

Seeking Excellence: Climbs

Climbing is the ultimate test of a rider’s endurance, strength and mental fortitude. Ascents are characterised by steep gradients and dizzying altitudes and can be where many legends of cycling are made.

Gradients over 10% push riders through lactic acid buildup and muscle fatigue, testing both physical endurance and psychological resilience, often in isolation. Multiple bends and thin air add difficulty, requiring precise control and unwavering focus. As a result, choosing the right bicycle is crucial as each pedal stroke becomes more laborious.

“Consider last year’s Giro d’Italia – after more than 3000km the difference between 1st place and 2nd was just 14 seconds,” said Joseba Arizaga, Road Product Manager at Orbea.

“In an era where we are looking for marginal gains on the climbs, we needed a specific solution.”

“To get a fast climbing bike, the most important aspect is lightness. Weight is undeniably critical,” added Kepa Otxoa, R&D Engineer at Orbea.

Lightweight frames are essential for reducing the effort needed to ascend steep gradients, while stiffness ensures that power transfer from the rider is efficient.

“When you are trying to merge aerodynamics, stiffness, compliance and weight, you cannot make everything work perfectly. If you compromise on weight, yes you may be more aerodynamic, but on the steepest climbs this is not efficient,” continued Arizaga.

“With the OMX, we had to reduce aerodynamics to get the best bike in terms of weight, stiffness and compliance.”

Joseba Arizaga – Road Product Manager at Orbea.

Carbon fiber bikes are known for their optimal balance of lightness and rigidity, and are often favoured by professional climbers.

“To have a good bike can make the difference between winning or losing. The Orbea OMX has really impressed me. From the moment I started testing it, it’s felt really stiff and aggressive. That’s what I like.”

Florian Vermeersch – LOTTO Dstny Pro.

In these mountainous settings, the spirit of road cycling shines brightest. The mountains strip away any pretenses, revealing the true determination of athletes. Triumphs on climbs are not just about the physical victory, but also about conquering the inner struggle, making every successful ascent a testament to resilience and tenacity.

Ultimately, the right equipment paired with determination makes these daunting climbs possible.

“Of course you still need a good rider, but if you don’t have a bike that’s fairly stiff or light, you will suffer more,” said Thomas De Gent of Lotto Dstny Pro Team.

“When you are trying to climb, it’s challenging. You need the best setup for that moment. You feel how steep the climb is, how gravity is affecting your performance. It’s super hard to overcome and translate that into speed. But for Orbea, climbing is part of our DNA” said Arizaga.

Orca

For all the climbers. At just 6.7kg, it is destined to be one of the lightest bikes in the international peloton and hopes to conquest the toughest mountain passes.