It's easy to fall prey to the cycling industry's marketing hype machine, but Orbea really seems to have pulled out all the stops with its latest Ordu time trial bike. Spain's Orbea focused on finding a way to balance the three most important design principles: aerodynamics, weight, and stiffness. Usually, focusing on improving one of these attributes can compromise the others, but Orbea claims to have struck a balance with the new Ordu.

For aerodynamics, the designers looked at ways to shape the frame to work seamlessly with the brakes, wheels, bars, seat post, hydration, and storage system, eliminating redundancies and integrating them fully as a system. These measures allowed Orbea to reduce total drag by 11.5%, an improvement of 41 seconds for a 180 km ride at an average speed of 43 km/h.

Externally, the Orbea appears more brawny and aggressive than the current model. The tube shape, while quite spectacular, is functional, with chamfered cutouts throughout the frame structure that reduce both weight and aerodynamic drag. As a result, Orbea has succeeded in minimizing overall weight: frame (1,130g), fork (440g), seat post (180g), and base bar (245g).

Handling was another area that received an overhaul. Orbea used a longer reach for stability in the aero position, a 72-degree head tube angle and a lower bottom bracket to improve response, control, and balance in racing conditions.

The big story of the new Orbea Ordu, however, is its adjustability and ergonomic characteristics. The bike is designed to accommodate any type of rider with a wide range of adjustment points and angles, including stack, reach, armrests, handlebar assembly, and seat post. In terms of sizing, Ordu comes in four options (XS, S-M, M-L, and XL); Ordu comes in two standard colors: Ice Green Ocean and Speed Silver Brilliant Rouge, as well as Orbea's MyO platform allows users to customize paint, graphics, and component options.

Three specification levels are available, including a frameset-only OMX option. The series is spearheaded by the Orbea Ordu M10i Ltd with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 hydraulic groupset and Rotor ALDHU R 52/32T crankset. It consists of Vision 55 SC Disc Carbon TLR CL wheels, Vision Metron TFA Carbon Aero clip-ons, and a Fizik Argo Vento R5 saddle, while the seatpost, bars, and storage are finished with Orbea's own accessories. The Orbea Ordu M10i Ltd retails for £7,999 / €8,999 / $8,999

One model down is the Ordu M20i Ltd, which is nearly identical to the M10i Ltd except for the Shimano Ultegra Di2 hydraulic groupset. Priced at £6,199 / €6,999 / $6,999.

The entry-level Ordu M20 Ltd is the only mechanical setup in the series. It benefits from Shimano's venerable Ultegra R8000 groupset and the slightly less premium Rotor Vegast crankset, but is otherwise on par with the two stablemates. The price is considerably lower at £4,199 / €4,699 / $4,999.

Orbea's Ordu is a weapon for both serious triathletes and pro cyclists. By simply removing the downtube storage system, it is instantly UCI legal and can be used at World Tour events without any problems.