New Orbea Diem ebike targets urban comfort with double-diamond frame and Shimano motor

The Diem promises class-leading smoothness thanks to its patented Diamond Glide frame

By Warren Rossiter

Published: Thursday, 07 March 2024 at 15:00 PM

Orbea’s new radical-looking urban ebike, the Diem, showcases an all-new frame design incorporating the brand’s patented Diamond Glide frame design.

The diamond-shaped rear triangle looks similar to Rondo’s new gravel bike, the Ruut V2 and Specialized’s Sirrus Carbon urban bike. However, this is the first time we’ve seen it on an electric bike.

Orbea claims its frame design will maintain the stiffness and solidity required for housing a mid-motor (Shimano’s EP8 or EP6, in this case), while providing “class-leading” bump compliance without the need for a suspension fork or seatpost.

Instead, the Diem is all about keeping things as simple and fuss-free as possible, according to Orbea.

Where most bikes of this ilk opt for an alloy (or, more rarely, steel) fork, Orbea specs a carbon example to absorb vibrations and reduce weight. The frame is made from hydroformed aluminium.

The deeply sloped hydroformed top tube is almost flat, and mirrored neatly by the forward-facing top section of the diamond-shaped rear triangle.

Orbea

The Diem’s steering features a ‘Spin Block’, which prevents the bar from rotating fully. Orbea says this makes the bike more stable when propped on its kickstand.

Orbea’s new urban e-bike the Diem
Orbea

The Diem’s frame shape was designed to keep much of the weight as low as possible, aiding stability, while the front end is relaxed to a 70-degree head angle to keep the steering smooth.

SMLXL
Seat tube angle (degrees)74.774.37473.7
Head tube angle (degrees)6969.57070.5
Chainstay (mm)435435435435
Seat tube (mm)442468490540
Top tube (mm)586610634659
Head tube (mm)164.1187.4210.6233.7
Fork offset (mm)50505050
Bottom bracket height (mm)279279279279
Wheelbase (mm)11021121.61140.81159.5
Standover (mm)672686700713
Stack (mm)601625649673
Reach (mm)422438454470
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Integration simplified

Orbea’s new urban e-bike the Diem
Orbea

The Diem has a range of integrated accessories that are usually bolted-on aftermarket items.

The chainstay incorporates a custom kickstand, while lights are built into the head tube and seatpost. These are powered by the main battery.

Orbea’s new urban e-bike the Diem
Orbea

A powerful Supernova Starstream headlight is integrated into the one-piece handlebar. An StVZO-compliant rear light, which doubles as a braking light, is part of the mudguard.

The whole lighting array is intelligent and switches on automatically as the light fades.

Orbea’s new urban e-bike the Diem
Orbea

The Diem’s sealed battery can only be removed through the bottom bracket to improve security. Hidden Apple AirTag ports are also integrated into the bike.

The top of the stem has a USB-C port, drawing charge from the battery to power accessories on the go.

Ramping up the range

Orbea Diem urban eBikie
Orbea

Orbea has employed Shimano’s open tech for the EP motors, enabling the use of third-party batteries.

Orbea has designed its own enlarged 630Wh battery (most of the competition uses a standard 500Wh or smaller battery) for the bike.

Orbea claims this is good for around nine hours of riding, or 150km of range, with a charge time of four hours via its own smart charger.

If you want a lighter version, the Diem can be specified with a lightweight 540Wh battery (120km range). Alternatively, if you want to go further, a 252Wh range-extender battery is available.

Make it your own

Orbea’s new urban e-bike the Diem
Orbea

The Diem is available with Orbea’s semi-custom MyO program. Through this, you can specify your Diem with options on accessories, batteries and additional extras.

Orbea’s new urban e-bike the Diem
Orbea

The Diem line starts with the Diem 30, which gets Shimano’s EP6 mid-motor and 9-speed Shimano Cues drivetrain. Orbea claims a 23kg weight for this model with the 540Wh battery in a size medium.

Next, it’s the Diem 20, with the bigger 630Wh battery, a Gates belt drivetrain and a Shimano Inter-5 hub gear. In a size medium, the Diem 20 has a claimed weight of 23.6kg.

The range-topping Diem 10 comes with Enviolo’s maintenance-free auto-shifting CVT (constant variable transmission) hub, Gates belt drive, Shimano’s EP8 motor and a large 630Wh battery.

Orbea’s new urban e-bike the Diem
Orbea

A medium-sized Diem 10 has a claimed weight of 24.2kg.

Each model is available in four sizes, from small to XL.

Range and pricing details

Orbea Diem 10

Orbea’s new urban e-bike the Diem 10
Orbea

Orbea Diem 20

Orbea’s new urban e-bike the Diem 20
Orbea

Orbea Diem 30

Orbea’s new urban e-bike the Diem 30
Orbea