Orbea Vibe H10 Spec Review – 2024

In-Depth Review

Frame

On its surface, it seems the Orbea Vibe H10 is like many other eBikes. The frame is built with 6061 aluminum alloy but is hydroformed for added durability while cutting down on total weight. However, by integrating much of the wiring and other electrical components–along with a unique Orbea design–the Vibe H10 is one of the lightest eBikes on the market. While the total weight varies per model, the average weight of the Orbea Vibe H10 is just 35 lbs. Depending on how you configure it, the Vibe H10 is one of, if not the lightest eBike we’ve had the chance to review.

Many other companies rely on a single frame design to cut down on price and weight. Orbea further stands out from the competition due to their frame customizations. You can choose between five different frame colors or pay extra to have your custom paint job applied.

There are four different frame sizes to choose from, with additional height adjustments via the handlebar and saddle. Whether you’re tall or short, light or heavy, there is an Orbea Vibe H10 model that you can design to accommodate your frame and color preferences.

Motor & Battery

The EVELO Aurora Limited is a class 1 eBike, with pedal activated motor assistance up to 20 MPH.

The Orbea Vibe H10 is designed for commuting around the city, so it doesn’t need a powerful motor. That’s we’re mostly satisfied with the Ebikemotion X35 Plus 250 W / 40 Nm Motor. With 40 Nm of torque, you have enough push with the rear hub drive motor to keep up with stop and go traffic, especially at higher pedal assist levels.

The one area where the motor struggles is climbing hills. Some hills are just too steep for the motor to be used effectively. If you find your motor struggling, you’d be better off dismounting and using the included walk mode instead.

We’re a bit ambivalent on the battery and charger setup for the Orbea Vibe H10. The battery is integrated into the downtube beneath the handlebars, which decreases the total battery weight and also maximizes energy efficiency. On a single charge, you can go over 60 miles with the Vibe H10, which is quite impressive considering the small size.

However, you can’t charge the battery indoors unless you bring the whole bike inside. Furthermore, the charging port is only compatible with 2 amp chargers, so you’ll need three to four hours to recharge from 0% to 100%. Still, if you don’t mind these few negatives, this is a great commuter eBike given its range to weight ratio.

Display/Assist Modes

More than any other component, your opinion of the display on the Orbea Vibe H10 is going to come down to personal preference. The Vibe H10 features the IWOC Trio on the stock model and a discreet handlebar switch meant to minimize your display size without impacting control. The switch can be used to check your battery level, change your assist level, and control your eBike lighting system.

If that isn’t enough, you can pay extra to add a monochrome display, which features more traditional readouts like your speed, trip distance, odometer, and more. For our part, while we think it’s excellent that Oreba gives you options, we’re also surprised that the monochrome display doesn’t come with the eBike, given its premium price tag. That being said, if you’re a serious cyclist who doesn’t care for intrusive and unnecessary eBike displays, then the Orbea Vibe H10 is an eBike designed for you.

This is a class 1 electric bike, so you can activate the electric motor just by pedaling until you hit 20 MPH. While the 20 MPH motor assistance limit may seem small, it cuts off at that point so you can ride the Orbea Vibe H10 almost anywhere in the world without needing additional licensing. You have to pedal manually if you want to go even faster, with the motor turning back on if you drop below the 20 MPH threshold.

Like other eBikes, the Orbea Vibe H10 also has several pedal assist modes to choose from, with higher levels prioritizing power and acceleration while lower levels prioritize energy efficiency and range.

Handling

• On Streets- The Orbea Vibe H10 is a dedicated city commuter eBike, so as you expect, it’s meant for navigating the city and over paved streets. You’ll find it easy to explore the town with the motor and braking system working well for stop and go traffic. The tall 29’’ tires provide fantastic acceleration, while the 2’’ wide tires provide good stability while sufficient shock absorption should you ride over a bumpy road section.
• Turn Radius- Another benefit of having 2’’ wide tires is that the Oreba Vibe H10 has a very tight turn radius. Whether you need to bring the Vibe H10 through a doorway or just want to make it through a narrow alleyway, you won’t have any trouble navigating with the Orbea Vibe H10.
• Low-Speed Handling- Because the Orbea Vibe H10 weighs just 35 lbs, the eBike is much easier to handle at low speeds compared to many other eBikes we’ve reviewed. Even so, there are a couple of different settings you can make use of if you want your motor to assist your low-speed handling. The eBike does have a walk mode, so you can get some motor assistance even when you’re dismounted off the electric bike. Alternatively, if you just want some support while you’re still riding the bike, try out one of the low pedal assist mode levels. As long as you just slowly pedal, the motor will help push you along while you can focus on your handling, allowing you to navigate tricky situations more easily.

Gears/DriveTrain

Orbea has been in the manufacturing business since 1840, so it’s no surprise that a high-quality drivetrain is also incorporated into the Vibe H10 eBike. The Vibe H10 features a Sun Race CSMZ80 11-51t 12-Speed cassette with a 42 T chainring, connected via a KMC X12 chain built to handle the extra strain produced by the motor drive. It’s rare to find an eBike with more than 9-speed options, so that many gear options on the Vibe H10 is very noteworthy, especially since it is mainly for city commuting.

Even better, the Vibe H10 has extensive chain guard protection, along with mounts that are ready for additional fender coverage or mudflaps. As a result, your drivetrain will stay clean even while riding on wet and muddy days, with chain drops a rarity as the chain guard guides the KMC X12 chain. If you want a bike with precise control over your day to day riding, the Orbea Vibe H10 is an eBike worth considering.

Brakes

The Orbea Vibe H10 offers impressive overall performance, but an area where it excels is with its top of the line braking system. The Vibe H10 has Magura MT5 E-STOP hydraulic disc brakes with 220 mm rotors. These provide a high level of stopping power that’s unmatched by many other eBikes we’ve reviewed.

Stopping power is just one factor. But with these brakes, coming to a full stop (even when traveling downhill) will be a smooth and steady experience. The Magura MT5 brakes will last longer than traditional mechanical disc brake setups because of the hydraulic disc braking system. And will be more durable, offer greater customization and more subtle feedback response. Fantastic brakes make the Vibe H10 a truly premium eBike experience.

Suspension

Because it’s primarily a city commuter eBike, the Vibe H10 doesn’t have much in terms of suspension support. The manufacturer prioritized keeping the bike lightweight rather than having a hefty suspension.

There is a full carbon fork on the front of the eBike, with large clearance so you can easily swap out your tires, add fenders or mudflaps, or customize your bike with other accessories. Even so, the Vibe H10 can be a little shaky as you ride over gravel or cobblestone. So if you want a little bit more shock absorption, a suspension seat post would be helpful. Otherwise, as long as you stick to urban environments and paved roads, the Orbea Vibe H10 is comfortable enough to ride without extensive suspension support.

Pedals

As we hope to see with premium eBikes, the Vibe H10 does come with large aluminum platform pedals. Aluminum pedals are an upgrade over the plastic pedals that many entry-level and mid-tier eBikes rely on. These pedals are more durable and far less likely to break in a crash.
Aluminum pedals also have more significant traction support, making it easier to maintain your shoe grip when you ride the Orbea Vibe.

It’s worth noting the platform pedals have reflectors embedded into them, making it easier to be spotted while you’re riding. Safety is essential in every eBike, so having reflector pedals is vital to decrease the risk of a collision.

Grips and Saddle

The Orbea Vibe H10 is meant to be a bike equal parts comfortable to ride and pleasant to look at. The same can be said for the grips, saddle, and handlebars. Premium Brooks Comfort Cambium grips are mounted on the handlebars, with tight locking and a cushy hold so you can ride all day without developing blisters or irritating your hands.

The handlebars are built with the same high-quality aluminum alloy construction as the rest of the eBike. With a 700 mm width and 12mm rise, even larger adult cyclists can ride in comfort.

The saddle is also Brooks Cambium design, matching well with the grips. The saddle can be a bit too small for very large riders, but it should be nice and snug for the average cyclist, making every ride an enjoyable one.

Wheels and Tires

The last major component we want to discuss is the tire setup. The Vibe H10 comes with Kenda 29’’ x 2’’ tires, mounted on a custom Orbea thru-axle, tubeless-ready disc. 29’’ tall tires provide fantastic traction and speed on flat urban roads.

The 2’’ wide tires provide a balance of stability with a tight turn radius to help you navigate through traffic and narrow alleyways. The tires have extensive puncture protection, so you won’t have to worry about suffering a flat or blowout–even when you’re riding at very high speeds. Lastly, we also are impressed at how reflective they are, which significantly reduces the risk of suffering a collision from someone in your blind spot.

Accessories/Upgrades

Like other Orbea bicycles, the Vibe H10 is a highly customizable electric bike from the moment you start your order. Whether you need to purchase additional upgrades and accessories depends on your riding needs. Even the most basic model offers a genuinely premium eBike experience.

While we appreciate the integrated light system on the base model, we don’t think it’s enough to provide significant safety for cyclists. You’d be much better off by adding the front light upgrade to your eBike. Beyond that, here are a few other accessories and upgrades we think are worth adding to the Orbea Vibe H10 eBike:

• Orbea Pro E115 Front Light
• Orbea Ursus Mooi Quick Stand
• Orbea OC Monochrome Display
• Orbea Vibe Range Extender
• Orbea OC Dual Bag

Recommendation

While many eBikes we have reviewed say they try to tailor to every customer’s personal needs, the Orbea Vibe H10 is one of the few eBikes out there that goes out of its way actually to do it. This is a highly customizable eBike before you even order it, with several parts you can swap out along with five-set colors (and an option for a custom printed paint job) and four eBike sizes.

No matter which frame size you choose, the Orbea Vibe H10 is one of the lightest eBikes on the market, with the average frame size weighing below 35 lbs. While we prefer removable batteries, the small integrated battery offers an impressive range of 60 miles on a single charge with the 40 Nm Ebikemotion motor. The 12-speed drivetrain, the hydraulic disc brakes, the matching saddle and grips, and nearly every other component lends to the Vibe H10 electric bike’s stellar premium build. If you want an eBike that will make every commute to work or tour around the city a blast, we highly recommend purchasing the Orbea Vibe H10 electric bike!

Thank you for reading our spec review of the Orbea Vibe H10 electric bicycle. Be sure to leave a comment below if you would like to see a full performance review or video review of this city commuter eBike!