It’s been on the market for less than a month – and has already won its first award. That’s what you call a perfect start. Orbea impressed the jury at Cyclingworld Europe in Düsseldorf with its new urban ebike. They named the Diem “Product of the Year 2024”. Above all, the “innovative overall concept and the many beautifully designed details” left a lasting impression.
Always stay flexible
The ebike could possibly have a similar effect on you. At the very least, you will hardly confuse the Orbea Diem with any other bike. Many bikes want to be unique and unmistakable. Only a few achieve this through their design. However, the Diem is one of them. Orbea’s frame design simply deviates too much from the usual patterns. Normally, the seat tube and down tube meet near the bottom bracket so that the mid-motor can be integrated there. In the case of the Diem, however, the seat tube ends in a junction long before it reaches the down tube. One of the branches runs as a seat stay to the rear dropout of the frame. The other branch forms a small stay that points towards the front wheel and only meets the down tube a good distance above the motor. In this way, the usually triangular rear end of such an hardtail frame suddenly becomes one with five angles. There is quite a large gap between the individual frame tubes, which inevitably makes you wonder whether the designers have forgotten something here.
Of course, this concern is unfounded. Rather, there is a plan behind it. If you allow the shapes to blur a little before your eyes, you can see that the seat stay and the short extra stay leading to the down tube form a kind of bridge or arch. In this part, the frame flexes perpendicular to the direction of travel. This compensates to a certain extent for the vibrations caused by cycling, which should increase riding comfort. Orbea has patented this frame, called Diamond Glide.
Graceful and robust at the same time
In addition to its characteristic shape, the frame impresses with its excellent workmanship. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not mention the process used to produce the aluminium construction. It would have been interesting to know how the weld seams disappear so skilfully. Orbea has carried out extensive tests to ensure that the result meets the technical specifications and offers a lifetime guarantee for the frame. The Diem is available in four frame sizes from S to XL.
A shining example
Even in the dark, the Diem emphasises its uniqueness. You probably won’t notice much of the frame. All the more noticeable is a light embedded in the stem, which serves both as a visual signature and as an additional safety element. It runs almost completely around the head tube. It is harmoniously complemented by a narrow tail light integrated into the rear mudguard. This even signals to traffic behind you when you are braking. A front headlight called “Supernova Starstream” ensures that you can see ahead in the dark. Linked to a sensor, it activates automatically as soon as the daylight fades. You will find the headlight either directly in the handlebars or on the front rack if the model comes with it as standard or if you order it later.
Mix of different motors and batteries
The top model in the range, the Orbea Diem 10, features this rack from the outset. Also included is the EP801 from Shimano. On the other two models, the Orbea Diem 20 and the Orbea Diem 30, the manufacturer uses the EP600 instead. So if you want to ride Shimano’s currently most powerful mid-motor with a torque of 85 Newton metres, you will inevitably have to focus on the most expensive overall package. However, the EP600 does not represent a noticeable downgrade. In terms of technical data, it is on a par with the EP801. At 3,000 grams, it weighs only some 300 grams more.
Orbea combines the motors with two different battery capacities. An energy storage unit integrated in the down tube with 630 watt hours ensures maximum range. Alternatively, there is another intube battery with 540 watt hours. This is apparently a variant that Shimano produces exclusively for Orbea. The smaller battery is only available in the cheapest model, the Diem 30, but you can also swap it for the larger version when configuring the ebike for a corresponding surcharge. Orbea also provides you with the option of adding a range extender to all three Diem models. This increases the capacity by an additional 252 watt hours. Similar to a water bottle, it can be attached to the down tube. Only the price of 499 euros is significantly higher than that of a bottle. 😉
To save weight, protect the battery from damage and make it much more difficult for thieves to simply take it away, Orbea has integrated the battery firmly into the down tube. As a result, charging must be done directly on the ebike. At least with regard to the position of the charging socket on the bike, this should work without any problems. The charging socket is easily accessible on the aforementioned short stay that leads to the down tube.
You already got the display
Like other manufacturers, Orbea takes a rather minimalist approach when it comes to operating the e-drive on the urban ebike. The small EN600-L control unit from Shimano acts as the control centre. With its help, you can carry out all the familiar steps such as switching the system on and off, switching the lights, changing riding modes, etc. However, only a small LED helps you to read the battery charge status or recognise the currently selected support level. It is quite possible that many people will make use of the SP Connect interface on the stem and use their smartphone as a display alternative. The power that your smartphone needs, for example while navigating, is supplied by a USB-C port integrated into the stem.
Well thought-out extras – standard and optional
Such small but very practical solutions clearly set the Orbea Diem apart from some of the competition. These include a system called Spinblock, which is coordinated with the headset. It prevents the handlebars from turning too far to the left and right. This increases riding safety and makes it easier to handle the front rack. This, again, is one of the advantages of the Diem. It comes as standard on the Diem 10. You can choose it as an option on the other two models. It can be attached directly to the head tube and can carry a load of ten kilograms. Orbea supplies it with a tensioning net. This keeps all kinds of luggage securely on the rack while riding.
Larger and heavier items can be transported on the rear rack. Orbea offers two versions of this. The larger one allows a load of 30 kilograms and is approved for attaching a child seat. The carrier is compatible with the QL 3.1 system from Ortlieb as well as with MIK and MIK-SIDE systems. The rear rack, which is installed as standard on every Diem, is one size smaller. Due to its significantly shorter cargo area, it can only carry a load of 20 kilograms. However, it is compatible with the Ortlieb QL 3.1 system as well as with MIK and MIK-SIDE.
The cargo concept is completed by an optional adapter for bicycle trailers of various brands on the Diem 10 and Diem 20. Of course, you can also tow trailers with the Diem 30. In this case, the solution is a conventional thru-axle adapter.
Furthermore, Orbea mentions a hidden mount for an AirTag. However, the manufacturer will only reveal where exactly the tracker in the form of a coin can be hidden on the bike later for those who have purchased a corresponding ebike. With the help of an iPhone 11 or higher and iOS 14.5 or higher, your Diem can be located in this way. Alternatively, another tracker can be used in the appropriate place on the bike – provided it has the right dimensions.
Belt or chain? Automatic or manual?
One equipment feature that is certainly of interest to everyone is the respective drive system. Orbea uses these components aggressively to create a clear distinction between the three models and at the same time cover as many different requirements as possible. Two hub gears with a belt drive are contrasted with a nine-speed derailleur system from Shimano. The hub gears are the stepless automatic transmission from Enviolo on the Diem 10 and a Shimano Nexus Inter-5E with just five gears and a limited gear range of 268 per cent.
Given such obvious differences, the price jumps between the individual models seem quite understandable. From 3,799 euros for the Diem 30 to 4,599 euros for the Diem 20 prices go up to 5,599 euros for the Diem 10. You can choose between the three colours Space Green Matt, Ivory White Gloss and Glitter Anthracite Gloss for each of the ebikes.
Orbea Diem at a glance
- Variants: Diem 10, Diem 20, Diem 30
- Frame: Aluminium
- Fork: Carbon
- Motor: Shimano EP801, Shimano EP600
- Battery: Shimano Internal 630 Wh, Shimano Internal 540 Wh
- Control unit: Shimano EN600-L
- Drivetrain: Enviolo Automatiq, Shimano Nexus Inter-5E, Shimano Cues U4000
- Brakes: Shimano Cues U8020, Shimano MT201
- Weight: from 23 kg (Diem 30, size M)
- Maximum permitted total weight: from 173 kg (depending on model and frame size)
- Prices: from 3,799 euros
- Colours: Space Green Matt, Ivory White Gloss, Glitter Anthracite Gloss
Pictures: Orbea S. Coop. N.I.F.
