I think I'm an sl type guy. Fits my style perfectly. Not opposed to a black diamond but rarely do them. I swear nearly every review you post I add another bike to my wish list 😅
I have the previous generation Occam that came standard with 140mm rear travel and the option of a 140 or 150mm fork. I chose the 150. It’s a Fox 36. While I understand the SL and LT gives you more options I still think the 140 rear paired with a 150 front is the perfect all-round trail bike. For me the SL seems a little under-gunned and is too focussed on light weight and the LT is comprised by weight and it’s very close to the Rallon.
Great comparison. Can’t wait to get my LT from said bike shop. For those who are skeptical of headset cable routing, I’ve had it for a year and it’s not that bad. Not ideal but not a deal breaker. Don’t let it stop you from buying a bike you want. It is quiet and it’s cool how isolated the rear brake line is.
Hello, is the LT suitable for everyday use on flat terrain (commuting to work, recreational /family short [up to 35km] trips without performance goals), I'm asking because I love weekends downhill rides and in this respect, the LT seems to be perfect. I can't decide between SL or LT ;)
Great review! Thank you! I'm leaning towards the SL, but I have a question regarding sizes. I'm aware that Orbea sizes tend to run smaller than other brands, especially American ones. For someone tall like me, 1.90cm (6.2 ft), who prioritizes speed and responsiveness over stability, would it be better to opt for the "L" size and adjust the seat to the far back, and also get a 30mm raised bar, or should I go for the "XL"?
I avoid giving out specific size advice over the internet. It’s a crapshoot. You should go check out our what size bike should you ride video. I’d always recommend a demo or at least a test ride.
@bikersedge I understand, and that's what I wish I could do. The issue is that shops where I live don't stock XL sizes because they're harder to sell. Therefore, I can't compare and need to make a decision based on feedback from experts or others with similar height. Thanks anyway for your response!
I still have the Rallon, and can't believe how well it climbs! It descends incredible too, making the Farm Bike park far more enjoyable. But it's supposed to do that. Sounds like Orbea drips their magic climbing sauce on all their bikes.
I honestly feel like it’s getting really close. I might be crazy but I thought the suspension on the LT felt more supple and forgiving. The bike felt more poopy and fun too. I think the Rallon is pretty purpose driven. It’s designed to race enduro and might have the edge there. If you want a good capable all arounder I’d go with the LT.
We don’t carry specialized so I’m not too familiar with the Stumpy. The Ripmo is quite a bit more “trail” than the LT. it will climb better buts it’s not even close on the DH. The LT descends like a bigger, burlier, more capable bike.
Orbea Occam SL or RM Element? I have an SB130 and NS Synonym(think Spur) Need a bike that fits in between for traveling. I ride pretty hard, not as fast as I once did, but ride pretty chunky stuff. I love pushing little bikes hard on xc style bikes and gravel bikes. Your reviews are the best and your feedback is kind of gospel. Thanks
I think both of those will be much closer to a Spur than an SB130. Not sure there's a ton of middle ground between those two bikes though. If you're wanting something that still pedals like a Spur, those would both be great options. You're not going to get too much more capability out of them though.
Thanks for the feedback. I have my sb130 LRd in the back with an X2 but still 150 upfront. I might need to drop it back down to a float x and put some less aggressive tires on it to bring it back to light trail bike status. The search for that perfect bike will always continue
I have a 2020 occam I got from you guys and have loved it. I have wanted to drop some weight though since I do like the climbs. I also really love descending and don't shy away from rougher sections (I love Jacobs, zen, American fork canyon type trails.) Which way would you go? What is more similar to the 2020 h2o model. Literally love my bike just want lighter. Would the SL fit that or is it more nervous then the 2020 was through the rough stuff ( I remember people saying that but I have never really noticed.)
I think the new SL is closer to the old version than the LT is. I think with the Sl could ride quite a bit like the old one with a couple of tweaks. A different cockpit setup could help. Burlier tires could also help, but then you aren't saving as much weight. There's also a lot more to the climbs than just weight. Geo and suspension probably factor in more than sheer weight.
@@bikersedge I am really torn between this one or going more toward an xc style like the oiz. I have heard really good things about that bike but just so unsure if I want to fully shift that way or not.
Brilliant content as usual, kudos to you for the reviews (you are my preferred source when searching for clarification / bike reviews). How does the SL compare to the former occam with the 140/140 configuration? As per your comment about the feeling of the SL, would you place the Spur between the two of them? I have a 2020 Occam but think I am a bit overbiked for the stuff I ride and thinking of ways of "marathonizing" it... or just get myself a Spur frameset+fork. Any thoughts I can use? Many thanks in advance! Cheers!
Great review, thank you. I'm about to pull the trigger on an LT but cant decide on size. At 183 cm im at the top end of large and the low end of XL, what size did you have?
Similar but different. The LT feels a bit more capable, plush and descent focused to me than the HT3. The HT3 offers a bit more balance between uphill and downhill. It's been a minute since I've ridden the HT3, though.
Just watched this review again, your reviews are honestly the BEST in the business! Love the edits and style. Such a great shop! QQ- How would you compare the Element to the Occam SL?
Hey thanks! That's an interesting comparison I hadn't really thought of before. I think of the Element as an XC bike that's been "trail-ified" while the Occam SL is a trail bike that's been "XC-ified." The Occam SL is going to ride bigger even though their geometries are similar. It's going to come down to the suspension feel.
I don't think that 125 to 145mm rear travel Trail bikes make sense. Either get a 120mm rear travel bike or get a 150mm rear travel bike. Ibis has got this figured out with the 120mm Ripley and 150mm Ripmo. Either go for the Downcountry or for the All-mountain. The middle or the road Trail bike gives you the worst of both worlds. In addition, the front fork should always have 10-20mm more travel than the rear. Also, the front tire should always be more grippy than the rear tire. What happens on the front of a bike is always more important than what happens at the rear. The 140/140 Occam SL sounds like an afterthought. They just dumbed down the LT. The geo, tires, and travel just don't seem right. If Orbea had a 120/140 travel Downcountry bike, 77* STA , 65* HTA, Forekaster front, and Rekon rear, that would be the short-travel Trail (Downcountry) bike I would want. Something that is light, pedals efficiently, and rolls fast, but has the geometry and enough fork travel that it doesn't go lame on the descents.
Going from 120 to 150 is a huge jump in travel and obviously weight. The LT is way too heavy at 34lbs for anyone interested in longer rides that involve descending and climbing. I have a 130/130 travel YT Izzo at 27.5 lbs and it middle of the road purpose is right on point. I see the SL being exactly such a bike.
you sad the SL with 140mm is comparable to a 120mm bike. i came from a OIZ 120mm and i can say that i feel the different travel and the different steering angle....
Of course. But really the Oiz rides a bit more like a 100mm bike. At the end of the day the Occam is still a 140mm trail bike but it rides more like most of the other 120mm bikes than it does the 140mm bikes.
@@FiloZack86 most other 140mm bikes (thinking of the SB140, Hightower, Sensor) ride quite a bit bigger. Meaning they descend more capably, offer more traction, suspension feels deeper, handling feels more stable, etc. on the flip side, the Occam SL climbs a heck of a lot better than all of those bikes too. It climbs closer to bikes like the Ripley, Spur, Tallboy.
Not sure. We don't carry Evil so I'm not too familiar. The offering is quite a bit steeper, shorter and has less travel so I'd imagine it falls closer to somewhere between the SL and LT.
Great review. How would you compare the old LT to the new one? I have the 2022 LT. Great bike, i always wish it was a little bit rowdier. Is the new one worth a change?
I never rode the old LT. I only got to ride the standard version. If it’s any help the previous standard version sits in the middle of the new LT and SL.
@@bikersedge that is huge weight difference. No wonder these two bikes are completely different. And unless one is focused on descending, the SL is the obvious choice.
@@bikersedge I understand, and perhaps my attitude comes from years of XC racing, where I value weight and pedaling efficiency more. I stand corrected, there is no obvious choice. Only personal choice. 😀
@@tombeck129 totally get it. I have worn Lycra once an I don’t need to do it again. It’s nice to have lots of good options for all the types of riders.
