How Much of the Orbea Diem is in the New Orbea Kemen?

For several years, the Kemen has been one of the most versatile ebikes in the Orbea range. It bridges the gap between the pure city ebike Diem and the hardtail eMTB Urrun. In view of fundamental revisions, it is moving more towards urban ebikes with the 2025 season, which is also where the manufacturer itself classifies it.

In fact, a new era has begun for Orbea this year. There is the time before the Diem, which was presented in March 2024, and the time after the Diem. Why is this being mentioned when we are talking about the new Kemen? Well, with the Kemen, you will encounter a number of details that you already know from the Diem. The frame, lighting, rear rack and much more make it clear that Orbea is pursuing a stringent concept with a clear design language. This began with the Diem and is now being extended to ebikes that are more suitable for touring.

New name. Motor as well.

The first obvious change is the new names of the bikes. Instead of Kemen and Kemen SUV, they are now called Kemen Tour and Kemen Adv. The latter contains the abbreviation for Adventure and is more of a successor to the Kemen SUV.

A first glance at the technical data quickly reveals the second major innovation – the EP8 has disappeared. In the previous Kemen and Kemen SUV, Orbea equipped the majority of models with the top Shimano motor, which Orbea traditionally modifies with its own software. The Kemen Tour and Kemen Adv are equipped with the EP6 throughout. Technically, both motors are quite similar. With its magnesium housing, the EP8 dissipates heat better and also weighs 300 grams less. In addition, it achieves a peak of 600 watts, exactly 100 watts more than the EP6. In the other categories, both are on a par. The torque is 85 Newton metres in each case, the continuous rated power is 250 watts and the support ends at a speed of 25 kilometres per hour.

What could be a more convincing argument for many is the price saving that comes with the change of motor. Just to remind you: Orbea was asking 4,999 euros for the top model of the Kemen and Kemen SUV. The entry-level model cost 3,599 euros. The prices for the new Orbea Kemen Tour and the Orbea Kemen Adv are now between 4,599 euros and 3,499 euros.

Beautifully polished

In our opinion, the improvements to the new models outweigh what feels like a downgrade from the EP8 to the EP6. The welds on the new aluminium frame with its slightly modified geometry have once again been carefully smoothed. This makes it look very much like a model made of carbon. Orbea remains true to the two frame shapes of the diamond frame and the trapezoidal frame. However, in future there will only be three frame sizes for the trapezoid frame, in contrast to the four sizes for the diamond frame.

A new patented cockpit ensures improved ergonomics on the bike. At first glance it looks identical to the Diem’s cockpit. However, if you take a closer look, you will notice that it is modular in design. Firstly, the front part can be rotated to create either a positive or negative angle. This results in the handlebars being in a higher or lower position. In principle, it is as if you were to mount a conventional stem on the fork shaft so that it points upwards or downwards. Secondly, the stem can be extended by means of an intermediate piece. The change in stem length results in a greater distance to the handlebars and thus a more stretched position of the upper body on the bike. By varying the angle and length, there are a total of four options that make it easier for you to find your comfort zone on the ebike.

Smartphone the first choice as a display

Like the Diem, the stem on the Kemen Tour and Kemen Adv also features an interface to the SP Connect system. With the help of a suitable cover, you can easily and securely attach your smartphone to your bike. If you install Shimano’s E-Tube app on the device and connect it to your ebike, you can also follow information about your trips live on a display. Orbea does not install a display as standard. If you wish, you can add a simple SC-EN600 from Shimano to your model for an additional charge when configuring it.

The smartphone can be charged directly via the ebike drive. There is a matching USB-C port on the cockpit. Of course, you can also use it to operate other mobile devices. The cockpit also features the Spinblock system, which prevents the handlebars from being turned too far. This was also used for the first time on the Diem.

Easily recognisable

The same applies to the front light. Or rather, to the front lights. Together, the position light integrated into the frame and the actual headlight in the handlebars ensure the necessary visibility. The Kemen can easily be recognised as an Orbea model by its light signature. That is definitely the manufacturer’s intention. Besides the associated safety for road traffic, of course. The tail light with the integrated brake light also contributes to this.

And we’re not finished listing the similarities between the Diem and the Kemen Tour or Kemen Adv. A front rack can be attached to the ebikes, which is perfect for touring and trekking. The corresponding mounting points are hidden under the removable batch on the head tube. You can transport cargo weighing up to ten kilograms on the front rack.

Increased range

We have already mentioned the motor and control unit. Now we need to add a few more details about the batteries. Two different sizes are available, with a capacity of 630 watt hours and 540 watt hours respectively. Both are permanently integrated into the down tube and should only be removed for servicing purposes. As an extension, Orbea offers a range extender with 252 watt hours, which can be mounted on any frame size and on both frame types. While the range extender was also available for the older Kemen and Kemen SUV, the maximum capacity there was 540 watt hours.

In search of the right model

Even though Orbea says that the new Kemen Tour and Kemen Adv are more different than before, they still look quite similar to us. Both models are available in different versions. These are offered in three colours each. If you like one colour of the Kemen Tour or Kemen Adv, you can choose it without losing any important features.

Kemen Tour and Kemen Adv only differ in three key areas: the suspension fork, the tyres and the rear rack.

When it comes to the suspension fork, the question is whether 80 millimetres of suspension travel is enough for you or whether you would prefer 100 millimetres. The Kemen Adv, which is more suitable for off-road use, has a slightly longer suspension travel. It also has tyres that are ten millimetres wider with a studded profile. The tyres on the Kemen Tour are 50 millimetres wide. The flattened profile of the Schwalbe Marathon, with its lower rolling resistance, is more suitable for riding on paved roads.

At the latest when it comes to the rear rack, you basically have a free choice. The Kemen Tour comes standard with a rear rack that can only carry 20 kilograms and has a fairly short platform. Since Orbea gives you some freedom when it comes to configuring your ebike, you can also choose a more heavy-duty rear rack. This can withstand loads of up to 30 kilograms, has a longer platform, is compatible with the MIK HD system and can therefore easily accommodate a child seat.

Orbea Kemen for the 2025 season at a glance

• Variants: Orbea Kemen Tour 10 Mid, Orbea Kemen Tour 10, Orbea Kemen Tour 20 Mid, Orbea Kemen Tour 20, Orbea Kemen Tour 30 Mid, Orbea Kemen Tour 30, Orbea Kemen Adv 10 Mid, Orbea Kemen Adv 10, Orbea Kemen Adv 20 Mid, Orbea Kemen Adv 20, Orbea Kemen Adv 30 Mid, Orbea Kemen Adv 30
• Frame: aluminium
• Suspension fork: SR Suntour Mobie34 Air, SR Suntour NVX, Fox 34 Float AWL 100 Rail, SR Suntour XCR34, SR Suntour XCR34 Coil Air
• Motor: Shimano EP600
• Battery: Orbea Internal 630 Wh, Orbea Internal 540 Wh
• Control unit: Shimano EN600-L
• Drivetrain: Shimano Cues U6000 GS Shadow, Shimano Cues U4000 GS Shadow, Shimano XT M8130 Link Glide SGS Shadow Plus
• Brakes: Magura MT5 E-STOP, Magura AT2, Shimano MT200
• Maximum permitted total weight: 130 kg
• Colours: Diamond Black (Gloss), Ivory White (Gloss), Spaceship Green (Matt), Diamond Black (Matt – Gloss), Blue Stone (Matt) – Burgundy (Gloss), Mars Red – Ivory White (Gloss)
• Prices: from 3,499 euros

 

Pictures: Orbea S. Coop. N.I.F.