The Orbea Orca 2009
The frame Orca was deeply revised for season 2009, so you can consider an entirely new frame, while maintaining the aesthetic that has always been the model Orca. So after 5 years since its appearance the new Orca frame is made with new carbon fiber, fiber and cross-arranged otherwise. This permits to create a monocoque with a weight reduced by 10% and a stiffness increased by 20% compared to the "old" Orca. The fork has been completely overhauled and is an integral part of the design of the frame. His straight profile has been designed to improve the frontal and lateral stiffness. He weighs about 345 grams. Sizes available (48, 51, 54, 57 and 60) are performed individually, each size has a specific project and is not achieved simply by shortening and lengthening the various tubes of the same frame, so even frame, with different extent, has the same ratio stiffness / weight ratio, which is not the traditional system implementation. The new frame, thanks to the new dropouts and screws in magnesium has a weight of 875 grams in size 54, while the frame with fork and set the steering has a weight of 1290 grams. The frame, then, is characterized by the particular shape of the tubes to different section and all well designed, with special reference to the box bottom bracket, the tube vertical, horizontal and oblique. Orbea has clearly decided to exploit the full potential offered by carbon fiber tube realizing that at any point of their length were sized in their work load, so have specific and different sections throughout the length of the tubes, which also leads with a strong appearance of the chassis, which is incomparable with other products. Abundantly reinforced corners are the main frame, as are the generous size of the rear tubes, especially near the junction with the main triangle of the frame. The fork is straight, and with stems of generous size.
The Orbea Orca of Filippo Simeoni
Team Ceramica Flaminia Bossini Docce, will also be a small team, but we can not say that it lacks seriousness and competence. All athletes have the same equipment and the differences lie only in the preferences and demands that they do. The coach of the Team is the bravissiomo Sergiy Dekhtyar, Ukrainian by the vast technical expertise, it is he who assembles the bike and the attention to detail. Orca frame is then completed with stem, handlebar and seatpost, all aluminium FSA; Sergiy believes this is because the best material for these components, in which the use of carbon fiber can save only a few gram compared with a more fragility in the event of accidental fall or a collision. For saddles Fisik used in the different models selected by the athletes, who have judged excellent. The same Sergiy was amazed that despite being without decompression of the perineum no athlete has suffered from prostatitis, unlike in the past with other models, on paper, much more comfortable. The group has adopted a Campagnolo Record 10 speed, taken to complete (controls, brakes, rear and front derailleur, crank, chain and sprockets pack), a choice that might seem a fallback to the new group compared to 11 speed, but it is not so state. Sergiy start to the season, that philosophy is working in great safety and reliability of the medium, has preferred to continue to take the reliable group Record 10v, 11v with respect to new, and still knew little choice given that many have complained about excessive wear of the chain, and especially a difficult timing of the change. The pedals can be Campagnolo or Look. The wheels may be at high or medium low profile rims with aluminium or carbon, according to the preferences of athletes and paths. The tubes are Wredestein Forteza.
Road test
There no need much to understand the character of this bike, which apparently, with his band Record 10v and aluminium components appear "old and outdated." The good Sergiy knows how long to be a racing bike at home and really needed to set half at the most competitive. It is not without being noticed that Philip takes the strength of coupling to the pedal Look at most of the tension, we need a little power to attach the cleats and this suggests that Philip has a nice ride round with a time of tension pretty powerful. Already at the first stroke of the pedal is hard to see this frame is rigid, it can transfer all the power of the pedal on the rear wheel. The bottom bracket is really granite, as well as the rear and the boat steering. A rigid frame and responsive, in short, perfect for those seeking maximum performance and able to be competitive, but often better, with the most noble of the sector. Excellent smoothness and rigidity of the crank Record that thanks to the rigidity of the bottom bracket is able to deliver the best all its perfect features and the development of exchange and derailleur, with passages of fast and accurate report, appear characterized by a fine "clonck "which will not please many, but always understand when the march was inserted. Even the controls on the handlebar must be operated with the decision, another aspect that may not please the "tourist", but steps that avoid the unwanted and accidental. Excellent braking with an accurate and progressive, even in this case you must apply a certain force on the brake levers to get a very powerful brake. The wheels are perfect for rolling and stiffness, with tubes that offer a good grip and good rolling. Despite the lightness of the medium, under 7kg and 6.6kg of the limit in the sizes smaller on the speed stability is excellent, a testimony to share geometric guessed. The placement, which allow fast cornering, but never nervous, even on uneven, with a dynamic behaviour that combines truly enviable speed stability and security. With this background it is easy to be fast in straight, get change of pace and be very fast uphill. In each condition, the stiffness and responsiveness of the chassis acts as the master well supported by the rest of the components that best meet, enhancing skills. So it was downhill fast, perfect for the stability, the conduct safe cornering and powerful braking. Outside the narrow curves are unable to revive the action with speed and safety, because the rigidity of the frame allows you to download a land all their power, while the steering allows a "surgical" of course. Perfect, then, the ergonomics of the fold FSA which allows a low ergonomic handle, not the least tired after a long time. A bike, so assembled, which allows absolute performance to the top with a total reliability. The only flaw may be detected in less than optimal comfort, with the blows of the road clearly felt that coming to fold and saddle, on a secondary aspect of a bike designed for racing and certainly also due to the willingness to take the team lead in aluminium. The seat comfort is good, but above all allows rapid movement in the saddle and would not minimally pedalling.
Conclusions
The bike of Team Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce Filippo Simeoni stat is a beautiful surprise. Apart from the aesthetics with the custom "Tricole", because of Italian Champion title won by Filippo Simeoni in 2008, has shown exceptional performance due to the great quality of the frame and the wise choice and put right of mechanical components made by the Team. Lightweight, reliable, stiff and responsive bike is an excellent performance that is apropriate ease and is competitive in every way, from fast, to climb, the final sprint to the great escape from a distance. What a surprise, in addition to the perfect development of the Group Record 10v, which has demonstrated its relevance, is the stiffness and responsiveness of the frame combined with its dynamic talents of insertion speed cornering and precision driving. The union of all allowed the team has an excellent bike, level, if not better, of many rivals. Single defect comfort not high on the disjointed, a secondary issue for a bike designed to competitions.
Positive aspects
Aesthetic only
Rigidity and responsiveness of the chassis
Driving Accuracy
Performance
Weight
Braking
Speed and precision in steps of relationship
Negative aspects
Reduced comfort on uneven
For further informations:
Website: http://www.orbea.com
