Sporty through Everyday Life with the New Orbea Kemen

Wikipedia defines a split as an acrobatic exercise in which the spread legs ideally form a straight line. And as we know, a straight line is the shortest connection between two points. In this respect, what Orbea is doing with its latest presentation can very well be called a split. The two ebikes just presented, the Kemen and Kemen SUV, are intended to form a direct link between the manufacturer’s sporty segment and its ebikes for everyday urban use. In fact, it looks as if the models could manage this – and in an absolutely painless manner.

The first indication of this assumption is the bikes’ sleek appearance. Particularly in the side view, the “e-factor” looks almost completely absent. Orbea has integrated the motor in a slightly upright position in the frame, so that the area around the bottom bracket looks relatively inconspicuous. Of course, the cooling fins of the built-in EP8 from Shimano peek out from behind the chainring. However, the interaction with the frame seems more harmonious than, for example, the attempt by competitors to integrate the rather square Brose unit.

The right polish makes the difference

Especially since the down tube into which the EP8 runs is very close to the diameters of a conventional bicycle. The look of the Kemen and Kemen SUV aluminium frames, which are manufactured using the hydroforming process, is generally convincing. You won’t find the expected weld seams on them. Don’t worry, they are there and hold the individual tubes together. However, Orbea has the seams polished very thoroughly. If you didn’t know any better, you’d probably think it was a carbon frame.

Polished weld seams on the aluminium frame

According to the manufacturer, this treatment also has a beneficial effect on the function of the most heavily stressed areas of the frame. Orbea works with different dimensions for the wall thicknesses of the triple-butted tubes. The material is thicker where it is subjected to high loads. At the same time, savings are made where the statics allow. As a result, the weight of the bikes is somewhat lower. Orbea is so convinced of the safety of its frames that they come with a lifetime guarantee.

This attention to detail continues with the cables of the ebike. They all run inside the frame, stem or handlebars. This reveals small features such as the additional daytime running light integrated into the stem. For the dark, you can go a step further via the online configuration and choose a front headlight from Lezyne with 1,000 lumens in the high beam. In contrast, the rear light featuring a brake light comes as part of the standard equipment.

Less is sometimes more

One reason for the sporty design of the Orbea Kemen and Orbea Kemen SUV is the fact that the respective down tube has to accommodate a battery that is rather small in several respects. Firstly, its capacity of 540 watt hours is below what industry leaders like Bosch, Yamaha, Panasonic and co. offer today. Secondly, Orbea uses size 21700 cells in its self-developed battery, which combine a high energy density with small dimensions. Direct seller Canyon uses cells of the same size in the batteries of its Spectral:on model series, which it also developed itself. Thirdly, the battery can only be removed for maintenance purposes. This form of integration reduces the weight even further.

Unfortunately, Orbea does not specify the exact charging time.

Under these conditions, the design can turn out as slim as it does. It fits seamlessly into the strategy Orbea already relies on regarding its e-mountain bikes. The brand’s ebikes are meant to be efficient, which often results in a low overall weight. Every gram that does not have to be moved saves capacity and thus crucial space. This opens up additional possibilities. In several places on its website, Orbea makes it clear that this is the path the manufacturer wants to follow in the coming years.

Actual range difficult to assess

In the case of the Kemen and the Kemen SUV, this path ends for the time being at around 22 kilograms, which is the weight of the lightest model in both series. In terms of range, Orbea speaks of a maximum of five hours. From our point of view, this is a rather unusual way to indicate the performance of an ebike system. Especially since it remains open what five hours are supposed to be. For example, constantly at 23 km/h on gravel against the wind with 20 kilograms of luggage or an uphill and downhill ride with 2,000 metres of altitude on asphalt at a cool 5 degrees Celsius?

Less of a mystery surrounds the key data of the second battery pack that is part of the drive. The optionally available range extender resembles the shape of a water bottle and therefore fits into a corresponding holder on the down tube. From there, it is connected via a cable to the charging socket integrated in the seat tube and thus connected to the ebike system. The capacity is then increased by 252 watt hours to a total of 792 watt hours. The price for this is 1.4 kilograms of extra weight.

With its 2.35-inch wide Johnny Watts tyres from Schwalbe, Orbea is thinking more of off-road touring with the Kemen SUV.

Entire e-drive system at top level

Among other things, Orbea stands out from the crowd of other suppliers with its “intelligent” charger. What is intelligent about it is its ability to adjust the charging current according to the situation. It decides whether a charging current of two amps or four amps should flow. The decisive factors are the ambient temperature as well as the age and condition of the battery cells. According to the manufacturer, this individualised charging ensures that the battery lasts almost a third longer than without the logic during the charging process.

Orbea opts for Shimano’s EP8 motor. Its torque of 85 Newton metres is fully available. On its Rise e-mountain bike, for example, the manufacturer has reduced the torque to 60 Newton metres with the help of its own firmware. On the Kemen and Kemen SUV, however, the standard firmware from Shimano is used and you can enjoy the performance originally designed by Shimano.

Ready for extended tours

The drive is further enhanced by Shimano’s Linkglide groupset. This is explicitly designed for higher loads on an ebike. It weighs a little more than other Shimano groupsets, but lasts longer. You should be able to cover quite a few kilometres without any maintenance.

The rear carrier of the Orbea Kemen SUV is more massive than the one on the Orbea Kemen. With its approval for loads up to 27 kilograms, it suits for attaching a child seat.

Two frame versions of each of the two models – Kemen and Kemen SUV – are released. Orbea has opted for a classic diamond frame and a trapezoid frame with a slightly lower down tube. Different shape in this case also means a different choice of frame sizes. The ebikes with diamond frames come in sizes S, M, L and XL. For those with a trapezoidal frame, the choice is limited to sizes S, M and L.

For a surcharge of 100 euros, this waterproof pannier can be selected in the online configurator.

Orbea Kemen at a glance

• Variants: Kemen 10; Kemen 30; Kemen MID 10; Kemen MID 30; Kemen MID SUV 10; Kemen SUV 30
• Motor: Shimano EP8
• Battery: Orbea Internal 540 Wh
• Display: Shimano SC-EM800, Shimano SC-E5003
• Suspension fork: Fox 34 Float AWL 100 Rail, Marzocchi Bomber Z2 100
• Drivetrain: Shimano XT, Shimano Deore
• Brakes: Magura MT5 E-STOP, Magura MT30
• Maximum permissible total weight: not specified
• Prices: from 3,999 euros

Pictures: Orbea S. Coop.