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Orbea Adds Hydroformed Alloy to Alma 29er Hardtail Mountain Bike Lineup

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2011 orbea alma hydroformed aluminum 29er hardtail mountain bikes

Redesigned and re-introduced last Summer and available only recently, Orbea’s Alma 29er carbon hardtail is already their best selling mountain bike ever in the U.S.

Thanks to that success, they’ve just brought in a hydroformed alloy version in three trim levels. Compared to the their prior Lonza 29er, the new Alma Hydro drops 50g to 75g off the frame.

From a distance, you can’t tell the carbon and alloy Almas apart. Geometry is exactly the same. Both the models share Orbea’s “4×4 Triangle” design, bent seat tube and shapely tubes throughout. Both versions have their Gore-developed DCR (Direct Cable Routing), which is very sharp and keeps cable bends and housing to a minimum. In fact, the only obvious differences at first glance is the lack of an interrupted downtube  or tapered headtube like on the carbon models.

The top of the line alloy model, the H10 (above) comes competitively spec’d and retails for a full $500 less than the lowest spec carbon model, making it look pretty good for budget racers.

Jump in for more pics and info…

UPDATED: Frame weight photo’d and posted below.

2011-orbea-Alma-Hydro-29er-mountain-bike-frame-weight

A size Medium frame weighs in at 1565g (3.45 lbs).

The Alma H10 retails for $2,699 USD and comes with Shimano XT 3×10 drive bits and wheels, Rockshox Recon Gold 100 fork, Orbea cockpit parts, Hutchinson Python Tubeless Ready tires and Selle Italia saddle.

2011 orbea alma hydroformed aluminum 29er hardtail mountain bikes

The 4×4 frame design is essentially a four point “triangle” that’s designed to improve comfort and traction. It does this by starting the seatstay slope well in front of the seat tube and ending them above the rear axle, giving the seat stays a flatter angle. This gives them more vertical compliance than a steeper angle would.

The H30, above, is the mid-tier offering and retails for $2,099. It has the same fork but goes with a SRAM X9 2×10 / Avid / Mavic build. Same tires, an Orbea cockpit and Selle Royal Seta saddle.

2011 orbea alma hydroformed aluminum 29er hardtail mountain bikes

The Alma H50 is the base model. All use the same frame, so you’re only getting down-spec’d parts on the various models. At $1,699, it’s still a bit above entry level 29ers from a few other major brands, but the frame should be plenty upgradeable over time and the spec is pretty decent: Shimano SLX 3×10 drivetrain and brakes, Mavic wheels, Hutchinson tires and Orbea Cockpit.

While the alloy models don’t have the elegant machined cable runs and fully Gore’d out system, they’re still pretty smooth looking. We’re waiting on close up photos on these and will update the post as we get them.

NOTE: We have both a carbon and alloy Alma going on test this month, culminating in Evan and Rob racing them at the 6 Hours of Warrior Creek in April, so look for a full review later that month.

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balayeur
13 years ago

i was told by an orbea dealer that we may not see this till the end of spring! 🙁 apparently they’re really behind? have you heard anything contrary to this?

balayeur
13 years ago

Hmm that’s interesting. sounds like my local dealer was trying to move his CF Alma inventory by telling me the H series wont ship till end of spring. Thanks for the heads up.

Orbea
13 years ago

We have received some early shipments and will be getting more every couple of weeks. Some sizes in some colors may be out at times but we plan to have good stock during the 2011 season. We are filling orders as they are received so the sooner one can book a hydro with an Orbea dealer the better.

duan
duan
13 years ago

Thanks very much for posting Orbea…funny that after i posted this the LBS called me and said looks like we can get an H50 afterall

Bobby
Bobby
13 years ago

Mine Just got in and is great. Love it. Got the H50 . went head and upgraded crank to SLX. For the money it is hard to beat this bike. Like the site says. frame the same . upgrade and do it your way.

John
John
11 years ago

I would have designed this bike with an 80 or 90 mm fork to get the front down for riders under 5-9, like myself. Otherwise, it’s a great handling bike for ripping single track.

George
George
9 years ago

I know this is old but I wanted to know how much did the small 2014 Orbea Alma hydro alum frame weighted?
Let me know please and thank you.

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