The Orbea Occam SL | Everything You Need to Know.

Orbea’s new Occam range is divided into two distinct models and the lighter weight component of this is the new Orbea Occam SL.

If Orbea’s Occam LT is a blend between the old Occam and the Rallon, then the new Occam SL is a blend between the Occam and its cross country counterpart, the Oiz.

Very much the next evolution of the Oiz concept, the Occam SL is designed as a top tier downcountry machine, endurance cross country and light trail weapon.

The shorter travel, racier end of the new Orbea Occam range is the SL. Sporting 29″ wheels only and a balanced 140mm travel front and rear, the aim here is to cover the ground and cover it fast. With the Oiz pushing 120mm travel, Orbea felt like this development had squeezed the most out of that platform, so a longer travel version was needed. In comes the Occam SL.

The Occam silhouette remains, although this Occam is far racier in its intentions. It retains the 65.5 degree head angle of the outgoing Occam with reach growing by 25mm over its predecessor across the sizes. You get the same shock extender with the eccentric flip chip too for easy geometry adjustment. Shock tune is aimed to feel like a Float X but without the piggyback, you get 2% more progression, 2% more anti-squat and slightly less anti-rise too.

The remote Squidlock lockout shows the bike’s ground-covering chops, with the Inside Line giving a smooth and direct lockout action. Dropper insertion is hefty with the new Steep n Deep, offering 230mm drop insertion if required. This also allows you to pick a bike size either side of your suggested size for more play or stability. LockR downtube storage, the FLP multitool and 6mm mounted in the rear axle also means you’ve always got what you need without having to carry any extras.

Six models make up the Orbea Occam SL range, three carbon fibre and three alloy. The range starts with the alloy H30 at £2,999.00, and rising to the full carbon fibre Orbea SL M-Ltd at a princely £10,999.

Geometry

The Occam SL is available in S, M, L and XL sizes.

Reach on the M is 465mm with a seat tube of 415mm. Head angle is 65.5 degrees with a seat tube angle of 78 degrees. Chainstays are 440mm across the sizes with a wheelbase of 1218mm.