The Extra Travel Makes a Difference
With 120mm of travel both front and back, the Oiz has significantly improved my performance compared to my previous 100/100mm cross-country bike. I took the Oiz down a fast and chunky trail, typically reserved for a trail bike, and actually set a personal record on a few segments. The extra travel allows you to be a bit less picky about your lines, making the ride smoother and more enjoyable.
The Slack Geometry (for an XC Bike) is Noticeable
Far too often, when going fast on steep or rough terrain, an XC bike just doesn't feel comfortable. I often felt like I had to work hard to keep the bike rolling and fight against it trying to shoot me off the front. The Oiz, with its slightly slacker geometry, gives just enough slack to descend with confidence, making those tricky sections much more manageable.
Oh Yeah, the Climbing
Not to be forgotten, the pedaling platform is firm, and the Oiz rockets up climbs. With the suspension in the middle setting, the bike is very responsive and nimble. It was made for climbing, and it doesn't disappoint.
It's a Good-Looking Rig
The endless color customizations offered by Orbea are fantastic. There are so many options that you may find it hard to choose. I got mine on sale, so the lavender and black was my only option, I've grown to love it! No matter what you pick, the Oiz is a head-turner.
Nits!
Dropper Lever Is Very Slick
Ok, you should know, the dropper lever is polished smooth, and also very narrow. Early on I noticed that my thumb would just slide right off when I was trying to actuate the dropper.
There is an easy fix though! Hop onto Amazon and get some skateboard grip tap, and place a piece on the lever, problem solved. Not only will you be able to actuate your dropper now, but unless you have a skateboarder in the family, you know have a lifetime supply of grip tape.
Cable Routing Goes Through the Headset!
I took my Obea to the shop for a suspension service and during the bike shop upsell pitch they noted my headset bearings may need to be replaced. Oh, and because the rear brake, dropper and rear derailleur cables all run through the headset and the bearings, it'll cost about $300 bucks to just replace the bearings. So be forewarned the cable routing makes certain maintenance jobs much more time consuming and costly!
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, this is a fantastic bike. I'd highly recommend it for racing cross-country and as a versatile everyday rider for the cross-country enthusiast.