Because the Orbea Rise is a Class 1 e-Bike, it is perfectly legal to ride anywhere that Class 1 electric bikes are allowed without a driver’s license or registration. Most states widely allow Class 1 e-Bikes anywhere that regular bikes can go.
Orbea Rise E-Bike Review
Written by: Nick Cowie | August 2, 2026 | Time to read: 5 min
Orbea is known for its natural-feeling e-Bikes. The Rise gives you a traditional trail bike feel, but includes an extra kick, making sure you are ready to conquer any trail with this full-suspension machine.
More about the Author: Nick Cowie
Nick is a writer with seven years of experience in the cycling industry. In his free time, he enjoys swimming, Jiu Jitsu, and spending time outdoors.
The Orbea Rise is a lightweight mountain bike designed to do it all. It comes in a mid-travel version for trail riders, as well as a long-travel option for those more inclined to test out gravity. Featuring different frame material options and battery options in addition to the suspension choice, there is a Rise model for everyone.
This electric mountain bike is designed to feel like a trail bike first and an e-Bike second. Your ride will feel like a normal day on the trail, but you know that you have a powerful motor in your back pocket any time you need a jump start or want to test your limits.
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Table of Contents
Orbea Rise specification highlights
The Orbea Rise is a family that encompasses a wide range of models. You can choose between long and short travel, carbon or aluminum frame, and light or heavy battery. Take your pick and balance performance with value to find the perfect Rise model for your budget and riding style.
Key Specifications:
- Frame: OMR Carbon (M-Series) or Hydroformed Alloy (H-Series)
- Fork: Fox 34 Float (140mm) on SL models, or Fox 36 Float (160mm) on LT models
- Rear Shock: Fox Float inline (140mm) on SL models, or Fox Float X air / Fox DHX coil (150mm) on LT models
- Motor: Shimano EP801 RS (Magnesium), EP600 RS (Aluminium), or legacy EP8 RS
- Motor Torque: 60 Nm (RS Mode) or 85 Nm (RS+ Mode)
- Maximum Assistance: 20 mph / 32 km/h (US) or 15.5 mph / 25 km/h (UK/EU)
- Peak Power: 500 W or 600 W (depending on motor model)
- Battery: 420 Wh or 630 Wh integrated internal options
- Optional Range Extender: 210 Wh external bottle-cage battery
- Estimated Range: 70 km to 150 km (depending on battery setup and mode)
- Tire Clearance:Up to 29 x 2.6 inches
- Drivetrain: Shimano 1x12-speed (Deore, SLX, XT, or XTR)
- Weight: 15.9 kg to 21.0 kg (depending on frame and build options)
What kind of trail bike is the Orbea Rise?
The Orbea Rise is a tried-and-true trail bike at its core. It does not lean on its motor to do all the work, but is a well-designed mountain bike that happens to feature a motor. The Rise includes an SL and LT version, featuring different suspension travels for different riding styles. This bike comes in a variety of configurations, so shop around for different models to see which one has the perfect spec for you.
- Frame: The Orbea Rise is available with a carbon frame or an aluminum alloy frame. They use Orbea’s OMR carbon fiber, which balances low weight and stiffness with the strength you need in a rowdy mountain bike. Both versions are lightweight with a focus on compliance, allowing the frame to flex for traction on corners.
- Suspension: The Rise is a full-suspension electric mountain bike, but the extent of the suspension depends on the model you choose. The SL version includes 140mm of both front fork travel and rear travel. The LT version comes with 160mm at the front and 150mm at the rear. Fox Float fork and shock models are available for each.
- Integration: The LT version includes an integrated flip-chip, so you can instantly adjust the head angle by 0.5 degrees to drop the bottom bracket. All cables are fed through the headset and into the frame. The frame also houses an integrated multitool, making simple on-the-go repairs easier than ever. A 6mm Allen key lever is even built into the rear axle for adjustments.
What electronic features does the Rise have?
While Orbea wants the focus of the Rise to be on its performance as a mountain bike, the drive unit is a huge part of any electric bike. Just like with the frame, the drive unit can be personalized based on your needs, budget, and style. Use the Orbea RS Gen2 Firmware to set power limits and control settings.
- Drive Unit: Choose between the Shimano EP801 RS Gen2 or the Shimano EP600 RS Gen2 as your motor based on how much power you need. It can reach a maximum of 85Nm of torque when climbing. The Rise is a Class 1 e-Bike, meaning you are capped at 20 mph with pedal assist, making it legal with no license in most places.
- Battery: The Orbea Rise comes with a fully integrated downtube battery design based around a 420Wh or 630Wh battery. The frame has a port that makes it extremely easy to plug in a 210Wh bottle battery range extender when you need it. The battery provides power to the motor, electronic shifting components, and dropper post if applicable.
- Controls: The Orbea RS HMI Controller is a super simple and compact handlebar remote that monitors assistance levels and dropper posts. There is a small status light for mode selection and battery life rather than a large screen, adding to the traditional MTB feel of the Rise. Choose easily between RS Mode and RS+ Mode power levels with remote buttons or in the Shimano App. You can even trigger short-term super boosts which will bump the motor to max capacity so you can fly up a climb.
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Who is the Orbea Rise For?
The Rise is an awesome e-Bike in an acoustic bike’s body. It is an expertly designed all-around full-suspension trail bike that Orbea figured out a way to put a motor in. The Rise is essentially the electrified version of the Orbea Occam, sharing similar ride and suspension characteristics. The distinction between an SL and LT version is also a huge plus, giving speed-focused riders and gravity lovers each their own platform. If you lean more toward all-trail riding, the SL is for you. If you love descents and technical endurance terrain, check out the LT.
The Orbea Rise is made for the mountain bike rider who wants an extra kick, but doesn’t always want to rely on it. If you want to forget you even have a motor until you hit a climb that forces you to turn it on, this is the perfect bike. Its Class 1 status hammers home the sentiment of “helpful but not overpowering.” The Orbea Rise helps you ride like the best version of yourself, making it so no trail is inaccessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is it legal to ride an Orbea Rise?
Where can I buy an Orbea Rise?
New Orbea Rise models are widely available since it is a popular bike. If you want a big discount, see if Upway has any refurbished options in stock.
What is the difference between SL and LT?
SL stands for Super Light, putting an emphasis on speed and climbing. It comes with 140mm of front and rear travel. LT stands for Long Travel, emphasizing descending and technical riding. This version includes 170mm of fork travel and 160mm of rear shock travel.
Key Takeaways
- Orbea is a bike-first company: Orbea designs its electric bikes as if they were traditional bikes first. The Rise is the electric brother of the Occam, taking a popular all-trail model and electrifying it.
- Customize it: With so many different spec options, you can create the perfect Rise. Choose between suspension sizes, frame materials, motor power, and more to balance your budget with performance and preference.
- Find one for a low price on Upway: Upway refurbishes electric bikes, meaning we can sell them for lower prices than MSRP retailers. Check the Upway website to see if we have a Rise in stock for a deal.
