Orbea GAIN M20 Carbon Electric e-Road Bike with Ultegra
Arguably one of the finest looking e Road bikes currently available. The Orbea Gain is not only one of the most visually appealing electric road bikes, it also represents excellent value for money too. At first glance you would be forgiven for thinking you were looking at a normal Orca. Indeed, save for the motor and battery, effectively that is exactly what you're getting. The only minor differences being in geometry - the Gain having a slightly taller stack relative to comparably sized Orca and more endurance focused rider position.
Orbea designed the Gain to improve road rides rather than to overpower them (if you'll pardon the pun). This 'Enough Power' concept results in an exceptionally lightweight, sporty and rideable bike one that delivers traditional ride characteristics and performance, with the benefit of extra power when the terrain - or your legs - demand it, and nothing more. The idea is that your input is never overshadowed, it simply ignites the Gain so you can add more distance or elevation. Its seamless and integrated interfaces are modern and intuitive and the Gain is designed to enhance your experience by minimising distractions so it's just you, Gain and hours of road ahead.
The Gain M-Series is built on a Carbon Frame and Fork that utilises the same OMR fibres found in the Orca M and M Team ranges, rather than the OMX of the LTD bikes. OMR frames add high modulus and high strength fibers to a standard layup to improve stiffness-to-weight ratios.Sensible really, since the bike is aimed not at those looking for the stiffest platform available, but rather a pleasing balance of comfort and stiffness that delivers the best of both, for riders looking at sustainable performnce without the punishment!
The Gain range use the popular, discreet and super easy to use eBikeMotion system - in this case the X35 Plus. This is partnered with a 36V 250WH Panasonic Battery. This sophisticated transmission system provides smooth, balanced and reliable pedaling assistance in levels that allow you to improve your rides without making it too easy. Unlike crank mounted motors, since the motor is located on the wheel axle, you can enjoy pedaling without resistance when the power assist is off - not to mention an extremely 'roadie' aesthetic. The Gain’s torque simulation algorithm allows the bike to match power input per pedal stroke in order to generate more power when it’s needed and conserve it when it’s not.
The minimalist aesthetic of the Gain is key to its appeal and as you would expect from Orbea, they have integrated everything in their quest to make a clean looking and desirable bike.
One of the most obvious elements of e Bikes is the oversized downtube required to house high-output batteries. Orbea have overcome this by using a the lightest, smallest and most discreet unit. Gain’s Enough Range battery provides you with enough battery power and eliminates the need for a bulky, high-output battery that needs to be removed from the bike. Ultimately this results in a bike that hides its potential in a tubeset that is not out of place among non-powered road bikes.
As well as the battery integration, the Gain utilises ICR plus internal cable routing.
ICR carefully guides lines and cable along the best path under the stem and through the head tube, with no rub or rattle, and is optimised for both traditional and electronic shifting systems. Proprietary headset spacers smooth airflow and offer easy adjustment.
A useful touch - given the presence of a built in battery - is the integration of lights into the frame, something that the Gain does incredibly well and extremely cleanly. The Gain is safer and more functional with head and tail lights that announce your presence day and night. With full-time running lights and an optional high beam light too.
In addition, the seatpost clamp of each Gain Carbon is integrated smoothly into the frame, decreasing the likelihood of contamination and increasing aerodynamics.
As well as the - by now -ubiquitous internal cable routing, the Orbea Gain range has just one external wire connection for the electronics, allowing the rear wheel to be removed from the bike. This cable is tucked neatly under the chainstay and hidden with a smoothly-integrated cover. The battery access port under the BB is similarly invisible, and the headset cover blends neatly into the top tube. The result is a seamlessy integrated and sleek looking lightweight e-road bike that you would be forgiven for mistaking as a 'normal' road bike.
The Gain M20 is equipped with Shimano's Ultegra R8000 11 speed mechanical groupset and fulcrum e900 wheels as well as the comapny's own ICR integrated bar and stem. Full specs are available below.
The M series or Carbon Gain models are available in 3 colourways but also benefit from the company's impressive
MyO custom programme. The MyO program is straightforward and offers a huge number of frame colour customisations, and is a joy to use. The app will also give you an indication of lead times (which will likely be a few weeks longer than for standard colours) and once your order is placed and enters Orbea’s painting schedule, we will be able to provide you with more accurate production timings. In most cases we keep a MyO model in store with a unique colourway and 700 coded serialisation - so if you can't wait but want something different, you still have an option - we like to think we have good taste!