Spanish bike maker Orbea picked up their first ever gold medal in Beijing courtesy of Samuel Sánchez. Sánchez was handed Orbea’s 2009 Orca before its official unveiling for the event.  The carbon fibre masters at Orbea have taken an already insanely efficient bike and made it substantially more rigid, while at the same time shaving 10% off its previous model. Sánchez obviously has nothing but good things to say about the new Orca. “extraordinary for descents”, he says, as “it allows for risk, because it doesn’t perform badly. It is possibly the most rigid carbon bicycle on the market”.  More after the jump…

From the press release:

At Orbea we have created a product less heavy and with more resistance by using carbon fibres and the most advanced alloys. That is, we use a ratio of 70/30 of M40j and M30s fibres. The first component is particularly relevant as it is the highest grade of carbon fibre available on the market. In this way, the weight is reduced, keeping at the same time total rigidity. As far as the M30s fibre is concerned, it gives optimum durability to the structure throughout its lifespan. The new orientation of the lamination throughout the structure allows for a better absorption of the vibrations and optimises the transmission of strength.The curvy design of the Orca 2009 frame is one of the most innovative aspects as regards engineering. The oversize aerodynamic rear forks are integrated into the design of the front triangle. The 345 g fork has been designed for the Orca frame, as part of Orbea’s integral design philosophy. The competitors’ frames with generic forks cannot achieve the same results and feeling for each size. It is also built with the same type of Toray fibre used for the frames, the straight design of the fork improves the front and lateral rigidity, maintaining an excellent absorption of the vibrations.

At the same time, we must pay attention to all the details: 10% of lightness gained with regards to the previous Orca model means between 80 and 100 grams less. Orbea has achieved this thanks to the reliability of key design pieces such as nuts and bolts, but particularly regarding three aspects: redesign of the toecaps, based on a new aluminium alloy; use of magnesium for the forged manufacture of the saddle shaft’s clamp; and the use of carbon for the frame’s front cable guides. The use of magnesium means mastering advanced technologies, typical of sectors such as aeronautics. The resulting clamp is 30% lighter than its previous version in aluminium, keeping at the same time its strength and durability.

Thanks to all of this, the Orca 2009 frame has a net weight of only 875 grams in a size 54. If we add to this the accessories and the fork, we have hardly 1,290 grams.

No word on the 2009 pricing.  More information should be released in the next few weeks.

Read Orbea’s full press release here