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Bought an Orbea Orca - right move?

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Old 07-19-08, 12:47 PM
  #1  
Pookie4G
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Bought an Orbea Orca - right move?

So I pulled the trigger last night and bought a 2007 orange Orbea Orca. All Dura Ace 7800 components, Ksyrium SL wheels, 3 years free adjustment and yearly tune-up. Dealer let me have it for $3800 which sounds like a fair deal given what the components/wheels sell for on ebay. I pick it up on Tuesday.

My current bike is a 2008 Trek Madone 4.5 with 105/Ultegra components, Kysrium SL wheels, and a few other upgrades which got the weight down to 17.1 lbs. The Orca is almost double the price of the Madone so I'm sort of shell-shocked at having spent that much but I couldn't help myself.

Is the Orca really that much better?
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Old 07-19-08, 12:50 PM
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Most people ask these questions BEFORE spending $3800.
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Old 07-19-08, 12:52 PM
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Can't speak for the Trek but the Orca is an amazing frame and with the components you'll be getting, it's a super bike. In any case, you rode it and liked it enough to buy it so enjoy it!
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Old 07-19-08, 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Most people ask these questions BEFORE spending $3800.
I thought the price for DuraAce equipped Orca was higher than $3800.
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Old 07-19-08, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Pookie4G
Is the Orca really that much better?
No. To most, it's not worth twice the price of that Madone. It certainly isn't twice the bike. But that isn't the point. Is it worth it to you?

I like mine but it isn't my favorite bike. But then, I didn't spend almost $4K on mine.

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Old 07-19-08, 12:57 PM
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Ah, buyer's remorse!!!

This goes without saying, "worth" is up to you. Maybe this will help ease the mind; let's assume that you are the average recreational cyclist and you ride the Orca for 600 hours over the next two years, the average dollar spent on the bike alone is about six and a half dollars per hour. Given that you live in NYC, this is cheaper than the average movie ticket per hour in NYC, certainly cheaper than Broadway or the Yanks, and cheaper than a night eating out.

Sounds like cheap, fun, and healthy entertainment to me. Now go out and enjoy your new whip.
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Old 07-19-08, 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Most people ask these questions BEFORE spending $3800.
+1

Ride it and then tell us what you think.
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Old 07-19-08, 01:00 PM
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On the Orbea website, an 08 Orca with DA is $4300 and this is an 07 frame so it should be less. Plus it's a 51cm orange and everyone wants a 54cm white or red according to my LBS. I was lucky because I only wanted the orange and needed a 51cm. I took it as a sign from above that I should buy this.
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Old 07-19-08, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Most people ask these questions BEFORE spending $3800.
...or at least should!
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Old 07-19-08, 01:16 PM
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"Ah, buyer's remorse!!! "

+1

Its all good man, dial it up to 900 watts and it will all go away.
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Old 07-19-08, 01:21 PM
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The Orbea Orca is a beautiful bike, I wish I had $3800 to drop on one.

And @ 55/Rad, how did you get it for under $3800? Isn't the frame alone worth around $3k?
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Old 07-19-08, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by DrPete
Most people ask these questions BEFORE spending $3800.
You are right. I'm not an impulse purchaser by nature. I spoke to the LBS about this bike a few days ago but had never actually seen one. He built it up for me and I went in to take a look and the moment I saw the Orca being wheeled out, I went into a trance - it was a weird out of body experience. I can only say that it was as if an external force grabbed hold of me and was controlling me. I took it out for a quick ride and I felt like I had ridden that bike for years.

By the time my head cleared, I was the new owner of an Orca.
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Old 07-19-08, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Pookie4G
You are right. I'm not an impulse purchaser by nature. I spoke to the LBS about this bike a few days ago but had never actually seen one. He built it up for me and I went in to take a look and the moment I saw the Orca being wheeled out, I went into a trance - it was a weird out of body experience. I can only say that it was as if an external force grabbed hold of me and was controlling me. I took it out for a quick ride and I felt like I had ridden that bike for years.

By the time my head cleared, I was the new owner of an Orca.
Well there ya go. Doesn't really matter what any of us think, as long as you love the ride.
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Old 07-19-08, 01:28 PM
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it's a beautiful bike....ride the wheels off it.
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Old 07-19-08, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Pookie4G
You are right. I'm not an impulse purchaser by nature. I spoke to the LBS about this bike a few days ago but had never actually seen one. He built it up for me and I went in to take a look and the moment I saw the Orca being wheeled out, I went into a trance - it was a weird out of body experience. I can only say that it was as if an external force grabbed hold of me and was controlling me. I took it out for a quick ride and I felt like I had ridden that bike for years.

By the time my head cleared, I was the new owner of an Orca.
Based on this, most clearly it was a good decision. Enjoy.
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Old 07-19-08, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Pookie4G
the moment I saw the Orca being wheeled out, I went into a trance - it was a weird out of body experience. I can only say that it was as if an external force grabbed hold of me and was controlling me. I took it out for a quick ride and I felt like I had ridden that bike for years.

By the time my head cleared, I was the new owner of an Orca.
I can't imagine any better reason to buy a bike than that. Enjoy!

Oh, and of course we want pics!
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Old 07-19-08, 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by ShadowGray
And @ 55/Rad, how did you get it for under $3800? Isn't the frame alone worth around $3k?
I bought it used - it is an '07 and put an '04 group I had laying around on it. Only thing new was the wheels.
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Old 07-19-08, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Pookie4G
You are right. I'm not an impulse purchaser by nature. I spoke to the LBS about this bike a few days ago but had never actually seen one. He built it up for me and I went in to take a look and the moment I saw the Orca being wheeled out, I went into a trance - it was a weird out of body experience. I can only say that it was as if an external force grabbed hold of me and was controlling me. I took it out for a quick ride and I felt like I had ridden that bike for years.

By the time my head cleared, I was the new owner of an Orca.
I got mine after following one for 50 miles on a group ride last year. Never rode it...just wanted it. Took 9 months to find a deal on a used one. I don't regret it one bit and love it. It may not be my favorite but no bike is the first 1000 miles or so. Maybe in 6 months....

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Old 07-19-08, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Pharmr
it's a beautiful bike....ride the wheels off it.
that sounds dirty.
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Old 07-19-08, 04:01 PM
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I think the Orcas are awesome. Enjoy the ride.
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Old 07-19-08, 04:04 PM
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Well I mean, if you don't like it, I could take it .
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Old 07-19-08, 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Pookie4G
You are right. I'm not an impulse purchaser by nature. I spoke to the LBS about this bike a few days ago but had never actually seen one. He built it up for me and I went in to take a look and the moment I saw the Orca being wheeled out, I went into a trance - it was a weird out of body experience. I can only say that it was as if an external force grabbed hold of me and was controlling me. I took it out for a quick ride and I felt like I had ridden that bike for years.

By the time my head cleared, I was the new owner of an Orca.
From what bike shop did you buy it?

I have the Onix and love it, out of curiosity I test rode the Orca but at the time wasn't up for the hell I would have gotten from my wife for dropping that kind of money on a bike.
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Old 07-19-08, 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by ShadowGray
The Orbea Orca is a beautiful bike, I wish I had $3800 to drop on one.
Amen to that
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Old 07-19-08, 05:26 PM
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You've done well
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Old 07-19-08, 05:59 PM
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I have the 09 about 500 miles on it so far. I also have a Trek Project One 04 5500 which I have always loved. The orbea is great rides smooth and is stiff and fast compared to the really nice Trek. You will love it and sounds like you got a good deal.
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