Exclusive test of the new Orbea Denna, gravel without limits

With the Denna, Orbea continues its exploration of the category eRoad, offering a bike designed for gravel enthusiasts and adventure lovers in general. This bike with Shimano EP8 electric assistance stands out for the capabilities of its motor and exceptional autonomy, designed for demanding terrain and tackling a lot of elevation. We could testis exclusively this new electrified Orbea Denna, a few days before its official release.

By Guillaume Peephole – Photos: Orbea / NVCR

Long seen as an aid for keeping up with the peloton or getting back on the bike smoothly, electric-assisted bikes from route/gravel (or eRoad) today appeal to a much wider audience: those who want to redefine the way they ride and have fun.

Different philosophies clash among market players, but Orbea is one of the pioneering brands in the field. With the Denna, the fruit of the experience acquired with both the Terra (the traditional gravel) and the Gain (the lightweight eRoad), the Spanish brand offers a bike that combines power, versatility and pleasure.

Tailor-made assistance

If theOrbea Gain presented two years ago, available both as a bicycle route and with specific equipment for use off the beaten track, uses a motor placed in the rear hub, the Denna benefits from a Shimano EP8 central motorA very powerful motor, with a maximum torque of 85 Nm, ideal for taming steep climbs and unstable surfaces, but with settings personalized by Orbea.

The Orbea Rider Synergy concept is designed to offer excellent synergy between the rider and the bike, thanks to specific software settingsThe goal is to provide smooth, natural assistance and a very long range. With plenty of power in reserve if needed.

By default, the Denna offers two types of assistance settings, which can be easily selected via the switch on the driver's seat.tagand:

• Gravel : designed for rolling terrain, this setting favors a natural pedaling cadence for a trained cyclist and authentic sensations, a bit like simply riding on a super-fit day.
• Gravel+ : This setting maximizes traction with more torque at low pedaling cadence.

Each of the two types of assistance offers three modes, Eco, Trail and Boost, whose torque values ​​are defined by Orbea, to offer the behavior desired by the brand. Note also that in association with the Shimano motor, the Denna uses an internal Orbea battery of 420 Wh (with latest generation cells), announced to offer up to 3500 m of altitude difference autonomy and a range Extender placed in the bottle holder even allows this autonomy to be increased by almost 50% as an option.

One of the big strengths of this Shimano motorization is the possibility of customization. Via the Shimano e-Tube app it is possible to adjust the assistance values, for example using the motor at its maximum capacity up to 85 Nm of torque to tackle any difficulty that presents itself under the wheels.

Stability and traction

The Denna is made from an OMR carbon frame, in order to take advantage of what Orbea calls a controlled flexionThe shape of the tubes allows a kind of vertical flexion to reduce vibrations and improve the bike's traction on bumpy surfaces, while resisting lateral flexion to optimize energy transfer.

The Denna's geometry makes pedaling easier on rough surfaces. Four main features ensure maneuverability, comfort and stability:

• A longer top tube than usual combined with a shorter stem for better control on rough terrain.
• Optimized rear bases, long enough for good weight distribution, but short enough to maintain good bike responsiveness.
• A fork offset adapted to each size, for a tailor-made experience, whatever the cyclist's dimensions.
• A lower bottom bracket and a longer wheelbase than a classic bike to increase stability on rougher surfaces.

The Orbea Denna adapts to many riding styles. It can accommodate both relatively thin tires and tires widened up to 50 mm in section for wild or very stony trails.. Mudguard mounts, dual bottle cages, and a frame ready to take on all conditions allow the Denna to present itself not only as a e Gravel sporty, but also as a bike ready for adventure.

Finally, its weight of approximately 14 kg for our version of test obviously promotes stability and traction in certain conditions. Even if the bike is not as airy as a light gravel bike without a motor, The assistance allows you to largely erase the excess weight by making any slope that may present itself under the wheels accessible.

Intuitive handling

The Shimano EP8 central motor imposes a single chainring crankset, with a 12-speed transmission identical to those found on modern mountain bikes or gravel bikes. Combined with the Di2 electronic derailleur with dedicated gear shift levers, the system allows you to switch from one assistance mode to another using the left lever (usually used for chainring changes, not relevant here).

Assistance data can be tracked in real time with the Shimano EN600 display or with a connected Garmin computer to have everything at a glance: battery level, mode, etc. The ultra-precise sensors of the Shimano EP8 and the RS Gen2 firmware ensure amazing responsiveness.

Among the major strengths of the Shimano electric assistance system associated with a Di2 derailleur, we note the functions Free Shift (freewheeling gear changes) and Auto Shift (automatic gear changes).

If I couldn't testI really didn't use this last option because I didn't take the time to configure it in E-Tube, I found the possibility of changing gear without pedaling on a descent or a technical section with the Free Shift very practical. This allows you to anticipate the resumption of pedaling, a real asset in off-road conditions.

Ready for adventure 

After discovering the Denna in all its technicality and versatility, It's time to get down to business: what it really feels like to be in the saddle.I was able to try it out on two 60 km outings of pure gravel, with many white paths and more stony areas, and quite a few small bumps in a row.

The Orbea Denna quickly proves reassuring on soft terrain. The lightweight and rigid carbon frame gives an immediate impression of stability, even on a slightly unpredictable gravel path.. Unlike my very first experiences a few years ago with a mid-engine electric bike, there is no feeling of softness in the pedals when the motor is not active. Proof that it is perfectly integrated and maintained in the Denna frame.

This is the Q-Factor more important than that of a regular gravel bike or that of a of Gain which reminds me that I ride a power-assisted bicycle with a central motor.

With the setting Gravel, the EP8 engine kicks in with an almost disconcerting smoothness : no blow foot in the buttocks brutal, just a natural push that accompanies each pedal stroke like an invisible teammate.

Eco mode is enough to erase the weight of the machine, which can then be ridden like a traditional gravel bike. Trail mode gives a definite boost, but always progressively : the more you give, the more the engine gives you in return. This is even more the case here with the software setting, which favors electric assistance with a pedaling cadence close to that which we naturally choose on the route.

In other words, the cyclist is still involved, but he does not necessarily feel limited by his muscular power.

Boost mode, finally, is a bit more like a spare wheel in case of major difficulty. The assistance settings chosen by Orbea do not use all the capabilities of the motor, far from it. But I was able to notice that on climbs with very high percentagestages, you just have to support the pedals to feel the machine climb almost by itself. Not very fast, certainly, since it stays around 10 or 11 km/h, but it is more than enough on a slope of more than 15% on rolling stones.

Changing assistance mode with the left brake lever? As simple as changing chainrings for experienced road cyclists.

Power in the service of escape

What also turns out to be very surprising is that the almost inaudible noise of the engine. Barely a whistle, covered by the small crunch of gravel under the tires. Combined with the Denna's formidable autonomy, you'd almost forget to recharge the battery. After a total of 120 km and 2400 m of elevation gain, where I didn't really spare the bike, I barely exceeded half of the charge reserve.

Know that the range Extender is also available as an option, it's like having security in your pocket: no more calculating, just drive.

Well, we have to admit that within our small group, we weren't idle either, with an average speed approaching 25 km/h, on each of the two outings and on trails. Which means concretely that each time we exceeded 25-26 km/h (often), the engine wasn't used.

When the assistance cuts out, it is really very gradual, and we don't feel suddenly caught up by the weight of the bike, nor by the slightest sensation of resistance. Proof that the dosage of the power delivered is really very good.

But this assistance obviously gives you wings when the small steep climbs and tight bends follow one after the other. The power boost makes any terrain difficulty more accessible. And it opens new horizons.

Gravel, the intense pleasure version

With its 14 kg (with pedals and counter, but without the Range Extender and a bottle) and its longer wheelbase, the Orbea Denna is not the most maneuverable beforehand, especially if we compare it to a Gain, much more nervous and reactive in changes of trajectory.

More on descents on loose surfaces or loose gravel under the wheels, it excels and offers total control. The geometry, the large 45 mm section tires of this version of test and the frame's filtration capabilities allow you to link turns with an ease that quickly becomes extremely reassuring.

Thanks to the MyO configurator, The Orbea Denna offers yet another form of pleasure. In addition to some specific accessories, it is possible to customize the colors. It's a detail, but one that makes each ride a little more personal. The bike can adapt to your desires, to your vision of gravel. A bike that looks like you, from €5499 to €9999.

Explosion of sensations

The Orbea Denna offers a cocktail of emotions. Power that galvanizes, comfort that reassures, freedom that exhilarates.Each outing becomes an adventure where we find ourselves going further, daring more, while remaining connected to the essential: the pleasure of pedaling.

Sure, it's a bit heavy. Its mid-mounted motor also changes your pedaling habits a bit. Its price is high, although when you compare it to a conventional high-end bike, you'll think the onboard technology isn't that expensive.

But it also demonstrates that even an experienced and trained cyclist can have a lot of fun riding their handlebars. It is ultimately an electric gravel bike that is aimed at a very wide range of users.

=> Our posts Tests