THERE’S A RIDE QUALITY TO THE CARBON RALLON FRAME THAT’S VERY FORGIVING
stows neatly into the swing-link pivot. Both additions feel like an exercise in box-ticking though. The cutaway in the down tube measures a mere 120x30mm, making it the stingiest I’ve come across, and over 50% smaller than Specialized’s SWAT offering. As such, you’ll struggle to get anything more than an inner tube through the hatch. As for the multi-tool that’s tucked into the frame, it comes with 2, 3, 4 and 5mm hex keys. I used it to straighten the stem, and was then perplexed as to why the tool wouldn’t fold up again to go back into the frame. Yes, you guessed it, it was bent beyond repair. So while Orbea’s integrated storage and tools are a nice idea, you’d be much better off with a Oneup EDC Lite tool in your fork steerer and a Backcountry Research strap or similar wrapped around the down tube.
HOW IT RIDES
Recently I’ve ridden a lot of enduro bikes that have 480mm, or thereabouts, reach measurements. The size Large Rallon is no different. At least not on paper. Sling a leg over the low-slung top tube, though, and the Rallon feels smaller than the numbers suggest. The reason? I think it’s down to the relatively low BB height. Let me try to explain. Reach is closely related to stack height. All else being equal, if you increase the stack height you reduce the reach measurement because the top of the head tube comes back towards the rider. Much in the same way that raising your stem height makes a bike feel shorter. Now, let’s switch perspective. Lowering the BB height does not change the reach but it does increase the stack, which in turn alters the relationship between the position of the rider’s feet and hands. So if you run your regular bar height on the Rallon, the bike will feel smaller. In fact, lowering the stem height made a marked change to the feel of the bike. All of which is purely academic as the size Large Rallon feels very well balanced, if not massive.
And while the overall suspension layout hasn’t changed dramatically from the previous version, subtle changes to the pivot locations give the latest Rallon a more rearward initial axle path. Orbea has also increased the leverage rate/ progression and added slightly more anti-squat. And thanks to the increased progression and extra travel, the Rallon feels more capable than before, even if it doesn’t pedal as well. That’s pretty much always the trade-off however, and it’s one that’s made the Rallon a better enduro race bike. There’s a ride quality to the carbon Rallon frame that’s very forgiving. It’s reassuringly solid without being overly stiff. And while it’s not the slackest enduro bike I’ve ridden, the 64° head angle makes it really easy to keep the front end weighted on flatter trails. Which makes it ideal for the UK.
If I were going to race the Rallon tomorrow, is there anything I’d change? Yes, I’d probably fit a set of alloy wheels, or at the very least wheels with thicker-gauge spokes. I’d also upgrade the Maxxis EXO+ casing rear tyre to a Double Down casing. Why? Well, I’ve just remembered why I was walking around Finale in a daze. Two days of practice and two days of ‘racing’ at the EWS, with five flats in total, taught me a valuable lesson about trying to save weight on a 29er enduro bike. To my credit though, I’m pretty sure you couldn’t even get Double Down casing 29er tyres back in 2013. So it’s one option I’d like to see Orbea add to its MYO customisation program.