Orbea Terra H30

Orbea Terra H30 – The new Terra series with aluminium frames

In the gravel sector, the Orbea Terra offers the perfect balance of speed, comfort and durability. Thanks to numerous hidden mounting points for bikepacking accessories, the Terra can also be configured as a lightweight touring bike. For maximum comfort and traction, you can fit tyres up to 50 millimetres wide. At the other end of the spectrum, fitted with narrow road tyres, the Terra even cuts a fine figure as a road bike. What does the ‘1X’ suffix on some Terra models mean? In the ‘standard version’, the drivetrain is fitted with a double chainring, offering 2 x 12 gears. The 1X models, on the other hand, come with a single chainring on the crankset at the same price point. This makes these models slightly more robust off-road and easier to shift, as there’s no need for the delicate front derailleur. On the other hand, you have to compromise on the range of gear ratios.

The H30 version of the Terra comes with a clever mix of Shimano GRX RX610 and RX820 components. Shimano’s GRX groupsets have been specially developed for gravel bikes and handle bumpy off-road rides with ease. The 2 x 12-speed drivetrain offers a wide range of gear ratios and shifts the bike’s focus slightly towards road/racing. Shimano’s hydraulic disc brakes have always been among the best in terms of performance and ease of maintenance. Another Orbea hallmark is the OC components developed in the company’s own laboratories. On the H30, these include the handlebars and stem.

New aluminium frame using hydroforming technology

The hydroforming process makes it possible, to a certain extent, to achieve with aluminium what is normally the preserve of carbon: organically shaped frames with an optimal stiffness-to-weight ratio. This involves using extremely high internal pressure to shape tubes into complex, three-dimensional forms. The advantages: targeted wall thickness profiles, complex cross-sections (e.g. aero teardrop shapes), fewer welds, weight savings and improved power transfer. Characteristic features of the Terra are the top tube, which slopes sharply towards the rear, a rear triangle that joins the seat tube low down, and a long seatpost. This allows the frame to dampen vibrations. The comfortable gravel geometry is characterised by a long reach combined with a short stem. Further highlights include smoothly ground welds, a forged bottom bracket shell and a carbon fork.