Any short Orbea riders out there?

[Bluetree]

I'll be getting a new bike at the end of the year and plan on doing a lot of test-riding this summer. I'm leaning toward the Ruby, but I'd like to test all my options before plunking down my 4Gs. (Yeah, I'm a Shopper!)

I have a long torso, which makes me a candidate for non-WSD bikes, but at 5-1 my standover height becomes an issue. I've been hit-or-miss with 48cm bikes. My current 48cm Specialized has a sloping top tube, and the bike fits perfectly. However, some 48cm makes (Cervelo for example) give me a bike-wedgie.

I really like the Orbeas but have to drive quite a ways to find a 48cm Orca/Diva to test. So far, I haven't come across any shorties like me who ride one. Anyone around my height have experience with one?

[Surlygirl]

Define short. Okay, I'm 5 feet and a little tiny bit. 27 inch inseam I think. I love my Orbea. Take it for a spin. Its the first bike I've ever had that has actually fit me and I don't have to worry about landing on the top bar. I'm not stretched out. I do have some toe overlap with the wheels but I never would take a turn sharp enough to have a problem with that. It's a sweet bike :D I have the Orbea Dama Race.

[Dianyla]

Another "define short" reply. :p

I'm 5'3" with a 30" inseam (read: short torso, longer legs) and the 53 cm Dama Race fits me very well. I sat on a 48cm and was all crunched over on it.

[stacie]

we may be similar. I can't help you. I never road the Orbea but it sure is a sexy bike. I"m 5'1 and pretty proportionate. The specialized fit me best for the bikes I tested. I decided to go custom. I believe the Orbea was made with smaller climbers in mind. It's not a bike for bigger riders.
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[smilingcat]

Hi,

just joined the group. So hi to everyone here. Wonderful bb. Anyway, I'm 5' 4" with 30" inseam.

I have a slightly used Orbea Dama Race, which I picked up on e-bay.

The bike is really forgiving in that you don't get jarred around over rough bumps. It's very stable yet responsive. I've taken sharp turns at high speed and it never felt "squirrly" like some bikes do. And, the frame was sitff enough for a quick acceleration and hill climbing.

If you are interested in touring, this bike would be great.
and if you are interested in entry level road race, it would be great.
and if you want to do serious crits or TT, this is not the bike.

Needless to say its very comfortable unlike
Bianchi-- harsh ride, "squirrly" (good for crits) atleast the model I rode.
Litespeed bikes -- harsh ride (noticeable exception was the Tachyon)

I rode on Tachyon for several years and loved it.

But the most important thing, is see how the bike feels to you. If all possible take it for a trial ride of about 20 miles. And ride fast, ride slow, ride over rough terrain etc.

Enjoy your search,
Shawn

[ehirsch83]

hey! i'm not as short (5'5ish) but I am looking at the same two bikes. RIght now I have a giant (womens 05 t-mobile team frame) and I am to stretched out. I now have an impinged bursa in my shoulder and have been in physical therapy for a month now. I took the diva and the specialized ruby out for a little spin in the parking lot of the LBS on my trip to albuquerque last week. I really liked the diva! the specialized frame felt just like my giant(only difference with the ride was the dura-ace over the ultegra and the wheels) The diva just put me in a much better position, and I am now saving up the difference between my bike and the diva so I can sell mine and buy it:-)

[Cari]

I have a long torso, which makes me a candidate for non-WSD bikes, but at 5-1 my standover height becomes an issue. I've been hit-or-miss with 48cm bikes. My current 48cm Specialized has a sloping top tube, and the bike fits perfectly. However, some 48cm makes (Cervelo for example) give me a bike-wedgie.

I really like the Orbeas but have to drive quite a ways to find a 48cm Orca/Diva to test. So far, I haven't come across any shorties like me who ride one. Anyone around my height have experience with one?

The Diva comes in a 49cm. But it has a sloping top tube and the seat tube measures only 43cm so I think you would be ok with the standover. The 51cm virtual top tube length would probably work well for you as well. And it's a very hot bike. :D The seat tube and top tube on the men's 48 are the same length as on the women's 49, but with different seat and head angles. So you should definitely try them before you decide.

As for the standover... why don't you call the shop (or Orbea) and ask them to measure the standover height (preferably measured at the center of the top tube) on both bikes?

Cari



The seat tube on the 49 measures 43cm seems to have a rather short top tube, so you'd probably feel more comfortable on an Orcaseems pretty short in the top tube, in my opinion. I'm

[Ogresse]

I second that sentiment! The discussions have been so informative and helpful. What a great community.

So here's another Orbea question, or maybe will read like a rambling nonsensical rant, but I really am looking for your $.02: I'm 5'2" with 28.5" inseam (yes, short!), and have been riding a 2001 aluminum Giant TCR for the past 3 years. I loved it - what a spunky upgrade from my old Trek hybrid (I thought at the time)! I wanted to see if I'd get the road biking bug and I absolutely have. So now...time for an upgrade (plus, I broke my hip while biking last August and after 8 months of rehab and recovery want to treat myself to a new(er) bike!). My LBS has Specialized and Cannondales, primarily. They suggested I try a Cannondale WSD e.g. Optimo or low-end Synapse (my budget maxes at $2000, I'm afraid). I was/am seriously considering these bikes.....but keep hearing comments (primarily from short ladies!) about how great the Orbeas are. Spunky, quick, nimble, light, great fit (espec. for the non-tall), more bang for the buck, etc. So I drove 100 miles to try a couple out. The 2006 49cm Aqua fit like a glove but only had Shimano 105 and 53/39, not compact cranks (a must for our hilly region!). The 2006 Lobular / Dama Race (not sure which it was but it was the creamsicle orange color!) had full Ultegra but also a 53/39 (i.e., $200-$400 to replace with compact). So...I'm still mulling that over. Wish I could afford the "made to order" option on the Orbea website (drool). Mainly I would like to upgrade from the 105 on my Giant that is now mixed up with an FSA compact and a SRAM 11-26 cassette to at least Ultegra w/compact crankset, and also would like a very light aluminum frame with carbon fork and/or stays -- or even full carbon if I can afford it (not). I'm eager to buy now that spring is sort of here, but am holding out for the right combo of components and frame. Not surprising, I'm sure. I don't care to swap crank and cassettes around like I did with the Giant, resulting in parts not quite working well together, shifting probs, etc. As far as Orbea, I'm a bit confused by the Diva/Dama Race/Aqua/Mitis Dama (older version of Dama Race?) delineations. Is the Diva that much better than the D.R.? Would buying a 2005 Mitis Dama be fairly close in quality to buying a used 2006 D.R.? is the D.R. from one year significantly better than earlier years (am finding 2006 and 2005 new and used models at reduced prices). Are the aluminum Orbeas with carbon fork and cranks a significant improvement and different riding feel over plain alumnim models? Oh, so full of questions. The more models there are per brand, the more confusing it gets. Basically, buying a bike requires endless hours of mind-boggling research and simultaneous testing of different bikes...........as you all know.

Anway, I thought I'd add those comments to this thread and see if you Orbea riders have any advice re: purchase (even used!) of one of the Orbea 49cm models, with my parameters/goals in mind.

Last note: "unfortunately", I got to ride the LBS' fully carbon Cannondale unisex Synapse SL full Dura Ace w/compact cranks demo bike (~$4500!!) today for a couple of hours. O.M.G. I rode like the wind, with 50% of the effort required on my Giant -- or same effort but double+ results - whatever, it was mind-blowing! I could have kept the bike for a few more days but any more exposure to that bike and I will only ever be able to consider carbon, which I won't be able to afford for quite a while, so back to the shop it went...:(

Those are a few of my thoughts for now, from deep in the bike-buyers jungle... :eek: Thanks for listening!


Hi,

just joined the group. So hi to everyone here. Wonderful bb. Anyway, I'm 5' 4" with 30" inseam.

I have a slightly used Orbea Dama Race, which I picked up on e-bay.

The bike is really forgiving in that you don't get jarred around over rough bumps. It's very stable yet responsive. I've taken sharp turns at high speed and it never felt "squirrly" like some bikes do. And, the frame was sitff enough for a quick acceleration and hill climbing.

If you are interested in touring, this bike would be great.
and if you are interested in entry level road race, it would be great.
and if you want to do serious crits or TT, this is not the bike.

Needless to say its very comfortable unlike
Bianchi-- harsh ride, "squirrly" (good for crits) atleast the model I rode.
Litespeed bikes -- harsh ride (noticeable exception was the Tachyon)

I rode on Tachyon for several years and loved it.

But the most important thing, is see how the bike feels to you. If all possible take it for a trial ride of about 20 miles. And ride fast, ride slow, ride over rough terrain etc.

Enjoy your search,
Shawn

[Cari]

Not to confound things further, but... if you want full carbon and you're on a budget, why don't you check out the Trek 5000? I think it's about $1800.

Just an idea. :)

[Dol Fin]

I am 5'-2" (inseam about 27"-28") and have a 2005 Orbea Dama Race 49cm. It is the best bike I have ever had. I want to get a secondary bike that is full carbon (Dama Race is aluminum frame with carbon front & rear forks) and I think the Diva might be my answer. I bought a Scott Contessa Pro in May and am in the process of selling it already because it just didn't fit/feel as good as the Orbea. I feel I can conquer anything on that bike.;)

[rij73]

I requested standover heights from Orbea earlier this season when I was trying to determine whether to test ride one. This was their response:

"The 53cm dama series in any bike is going to be the same as the regular
bike in the next size down. So Onix Dama 53 and Onix 51 both have a
29.3 stand over. The next size down is Dama 51 or 48 reg is 28.4."

[amelia05]

I requested standover heights from Orbea earlier this season when I was trying to determine whether to test ride one. This was their response:

"The 53cm dama series in any bike is going to be the same as the regular
bike in the next size down. So Onix Dama 53 and Onix 51 both have a
29.3 stand over. The next size down is Dama 51 or 48 reg is 28.4."

thanks so much for posting this, rij! I'm having a 51cm Orca built for me right now, and have been trying to confirm the standover measurement for a while. I knew it felt taller than my Pilot, but could never confirm exactly how much taller. The only thing I could find online said that the 54 had an 31.5" standover--if the 51 wasn't at least an inch less than that, I (and my 31" inseam) would be in trouble. :eek: Assuming the Orca geometry is the same as the Onix, you just set my mind at ease. :)

[MauiRockHopper]

Smiling Cat, what size frame was it and did you have to modify anything to make it fit? I'm about your size and can't find an Orbea dealer who has bikes in stock to try. So I may have to buy on-line.

[QUOTE=smilingcat;178120]Hi,

just joined the group. So hi to everyone here. Wonderful bb. Anyway, I'm 5' 4" with 30" inseam.

I have a slightly used Orbea Dama Race, which I picked up on e-bay.

[Ana]

If you are considering spending $4,000 on a bike, why not consider custom? :) :D

[celerystalksme]

Worry not about standover height...it matters not for roadbikes. Just worry about toptube length.

[emily_in_nc]

Worry not about standover height...it matters not for roadbikes. Just worry about toptube length.

I must disagree here. Too high a top tube can indeed be an issue. I recently sold a lovely bike whose top tube actually grazed my crotch when standing over it (turns out the frame I bought on ebay was one size larger than I thought), and I did have occasion to come down HARD on that top tube at least once. It was NOT pleasant! :eek:

And a top tube that I can't stand over at all (requiring tilting the bike to mount) would just be downright unsafe to me when mounting or dismounting the bike, and especially quick stops with cars nearby. YMMV, but there are too many bikes out there with appropriate standover to settle for one that is too high for you (too low may not exist, and if that is what celerystalksme is referring to, then ignore all of the above!! :o)

[Bluetree]

And a top tube that I can't stand over at all (requiring tilting the bike to mount) would just be downright unsafe to me when mounting or dismounting the bike, and especially quick stops with cars nearby.

^^^ Exactly how I feel.

BTW, that post is pretty old. I actually did find a Diva to test ride, felt "meh" about it and I didn't want to spend a lot for a bike I wasn't completely in love with.

I looked into custom CF bikes by Serotta and Calfee but couldn't justify spending $6500+ for a bike I couldn't test ride first. I ended up going with two stock CF bikes – one for climbing/long rides and one for crits – and both are small enough for me to have adequate standover and top tube length. There's not a lot of sub-48 frames out there, but they can be found. ;)