One of the Best Bikes We've Ridden This Year: The Orbea Occam SL

Brand new for 2024, Orbea has released a new, trail-focused version of the Occam; the Occam SL. With 140 millimeters of travel front and rear, the choice between a lightweight carbon frame or slightly heavier alloy frame, asymmetric frame design to maintain lower weight, internal frame storage, optional frame protection, front and rear suspension lockout, headset cable routing, an integrated chain guide and many other unique features, this is one of the best bikes we've ridden this year and is one of the best all-around trail bikes on the market right now.

The Occam SL comes in a lightweight carbon OMR option with two colorways available. The alloy Hydro option comes in three different colorways to keep you looking good out on the trail. Don't see a color you like? Orbea's in-house MyO program allows you to design your own custom colorway that they will produce for you.

We were eager to get our hands on the new Occam SL M30 to see how it rode and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The suspension platform paired with 140mm of travel makes this bike incredibly versatile, allowing for efficient pedaling and a plush feel when the trail gets rowdy. The Squidlock remote lockout accentuates this, making it extremely easy to instantaneously firm up the suspension on the go when you want to mash on the pedals and rocket the bike forward.

If you're looking for a new trail bike that is capable of handling a wide variety of terrain without sacrificing in any category, this bike should be near the top of your list! Join our Bicycle Replenishment Specialist Thomas P. as he breaks down this new and innovative bike from Orbea!

Links to product:

Orbea Occam 

Orbea Bicycles

Some of the Occam SL's main highlights:

• Available in 4 sizes (S/M/L/XL)
• 29'' wheels 
• 140mm rear travel 
• 140mm front travel
• 65.5º head tube angle
• 78º seat tube angle
• 12x148 rear hub spacing (Boost)
• Squidlock front and rear suspension lockout via remote
• headset cable routing
• internal frame storage
• Asymmetrical frame design
• Frame protection
• Carbon shock extender
• Integrated chainguide
• threaded bottom bracket
• full internal cable routing
• SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH)