Conquer Mountains, Climb Podiums #NewOrca
2014-07-03
An Orca born from competition and love of cycling, ready to write history on pavement everywhere.
Luz Ardiden. Alpe d’Huez. Empire. Mortirolo. Flagstaff. Marmolada. Hautacam. La Pandera. Galibier. Angliru. La Linea. Navacerrada. The emotion is inescapable – these names incite passion and memories of heroic struggles between the giants of cycling, impossible feats made painfully real by competitors who refused to surrender. It’s these storied climbs and the riders who made them sacred that inspired the newest Orca. An Orca born from competition and love of cycling, ready to write history on pavement everywhere.
The New Orca
A machine born to Conquer Mountains and Climb Podiums. Road racing bicycles have become amazing minimalist machines – but the more that is taken away, the greater the importance of the remaining elements. Shaping becomes functionally deliberate and calculated. The lower spine of the frame supports the upper members like a suspension bridge, uniting elements in a perfect balance of lightweight rigidity.
What makes the new Orca unique?
1. LIGHTER
Reducing frame weight is an elusive goal. It’s fairly simple to cut weight from a heavy frame – quite difficult to trim even a hundred grams from a structure that is already very lean. It became our mantra when creating the new Orca: if a design feature was not vital to stiffness and ride quality, that element must be reshaped or eliminated to reduce frame weight.
2. STIFFER
Oversized spine. The large majority of torsional and lateral loads are handled by the lower half of any frame. The headtube, downtube and chainstays must resist twisting and transmit the power generated by your legs to the rear wheel. There is no doubt about it, this resistance to flex translates directly to more watts on the road.
3. RIDE QUALITY
Studying the way the frame behaves under a rider’s weight is beneficial to tuning the way bumps or vibrations are transmitted through the frame. The efficiency of the bottom bracket area contributes the feel that the bike is responsive, that power transfer is instantaneous. The natural flex patterns created by the carbon layup and structure in the top tube and seat stays deliver an efficient, smooth ride that feels like floating over rough roads. The sensation is subtle - but it is noticeable and can be tested. And at the end of a grueling climb it could make the difference between the podium and the consolation prize.'
4. RACING GEOMETRY
Racing geometry gets the most of every pedal stroke, efficiently converting every watt into speed. The distances between axles drop, allowing for a more responsive bike that take curves with ease and has great traction when you start pedaling and when you accelerate as well, which saves time and power at the same time. Additionally, a low stack and longer reach allow for a more aerodynamic position on the bike, and a more efficient use of energy.