Today, we’re talking about the 2025 Orbea Rise SL and LT. We’re riding them back to back and discussing where each one shines. They’ve got the same frame and motor, so how different can they really be? Stick around to find out.
2025 Orbea Rise: What’s New?
The new Rise is the revamped version of one of our all-time favorite lightweight ebikes. It’s packed with a few updates that further cement its position on the leaderboard of lightweight eMTBs. Now, we have two distinct versions, the SL and the LT. Just like the new Occam, there are several similarities between the SL and LT, but their differences on the trail are quite surprising.
The SL is the super-light version of the Rise with 140mm of travel both front and back. It has a much lighter-duty build than the LT, which comes with 150mm of rear wheel travel and 160mm up front. Both bikes use the same Shimano EP8 RS motor. However, this time around, you’ll have the option of sticking in the reduced-power mode with 60Nm of peak torque or getting a little more juice in RS+ mode with a full 85Nm. So now you can have a full power experience on a lightweight eMTB. In the past, we’ve seen bikes struggle with range when they have a small battery and full power. That’s not the case here, with the Rise getting some really impressive range numbers even in full power mode. More on that later.
Both models are available with a 420 or 630Wh battery. A range extender adds an extra 210Wh, giving you up to 840Wh of battery for some huge rides, especially in the RS mode. While more range is almost always the better option in my mind, there are some handling benefits from a smaller battery—especially when you factor in the smaller (read: shorter) battery, helping keep the weight lower inside your downtube.
That’s enough chit-chat. Let’s go ride these things.
2025 Orbea Rise Ride Review
Drivesystem
Orbea tackles the lightweight eMTB system with the less is more philosophy. They claim that less E means a more natural ride and longer range. That’s certainly a mantra I can get behind, as long as there’s still enough E that it’s worth the extra money and weight. I’ve struggled with a few of the lightweight systems that don’t offer enough assistance or range. Luckily, with the 2025 Orbea Rise and the Shimano EP8 RS system, there’s plenty of both. I really appreciate having the option to run both 60Nm and 85Nm RS modes. If I need to maximize range, I’ll keep the power output lower to be more efficient with my battery. If I’m looking to quickly shuttle a few laps on the local, I’ll juice that bad Larry up to 85Nm and knock out some miles. Hell, who am I kidding, I’m most likely keeping this thing in RS+ mode 400 days a year.
Now, you might be asking how much the range suffers in that higher power mode. I’m thoroughly impressed by how well the Rise manages the battery. Even in RS+ mode in the highest power setting, I’m getting about 3500’ vert on a 420Wh charge — and I weigh right around 200lb these days. The Giant Trance X E+ Elite is another lightweight eMTB that can run a full power mode. Comparing apples to apples, the Trance X E+ Elite is getting about 1800-2000’ vert on a 400Wh battery. The Trance is getting about 5 feet/watt hour on the high end, while the Rise is closer to 8.3 feet/watt hour. In the 60Nm mode, you’re going to get quite a bit more range — closer to 4500’ vert or more, especially on the SL. Now, keep in mind you have the option for a 630Wh battery and a 210Wh range extender. Theoretically, that means you could get close to 7000’ vert in full boost at 200lb rider weight. That’s tough to beat with any eMTB, let alone a lightweight one that handles as well as the Rise.
Now, a few quick notes about power. There are two peak torque modes (60Nm and 85Nm) with tuneable assistance levels within each. So you still have your standard Eco, Trail, and Boost, but now you’ve got even more options on power output. The 60Nm mode offers a more natural pedal bike experience that certainly will require more input on your end. Then, if you want to max out the climbing speed, put it in RS+ and get the full 85NM. Although, I do think it’s not quite the same as having a full-power eMTB. I have no empirical evidence to support this, but when riding with other riders on full-power eMTBs, even the Heckler with a Shimano EP8, I’m getting dropped on the Rise. Either way, it’s plenty of power, especially considering the overall system weight.
Climbing
Let’s jump into climbing performance for the new 2025 Orbea Rise. Both bikes have a similar fit and feel with the SL being just a hair more forward-biased with roughly a 1° steeper head tube angle and flatter bars. It feels a bit more trail and a little less all-mountain. The LT, on the other hand, has a slightly more upright fit and feel. The head tube angle is slacker, and the fork is longer. That shortens the reach by bringing the head tube up and back towards you. Combine that with the stock riser bar, and I find the fit on the LT more comfortable, but the SL might be more optimal for climbing. It’s also worth noting the LT offers adjustable geometry by about .5°. Neither one feels huge and unwieldy — both seem appropriate for the application. The front-to-back balance on the bikes feels right where you want it, with your weight nicely centered up. Although, you’ll sit just a bit further forward with more weight in your hands on the SL. Because of that, the handling on the SL feels a bit quicker and sharper. The LT feels a little more subtle and subdued.
As far as suspension performance goes, both bikes are fairly efficient for an eMTB. On a full-power bike, that’s less important, but on a bike with a smaller battery and a reduced power motor, efficiency becomes a bit more important. Your input matters more at that point. Both bikes feature similar kinematics, but the coil shock on the LT did lead to a bit more bob under hard pedaling efforts. Beyond that, though, the biggest difference for me in climbing performance and speed came down to tire selection and rolling speed. The SL rolls and, in turn, climbs significantly faster than the LT. On smooth trails and moderate grades, it’s easily the better climber.
That story starts to change on steep, loose, and technical climbs. The LT’s increased traction from not only the tires but also the coil-sprung suspension helps it edge out the SL. The LT offers a bit more control on the rough climbs, too. You don’t get bounced around quite as much over bumps and ledges.
Descending
Now, getting into descending performance, we really start to see the bikes separate themselves. The differences are pretty stark. The SL ends up feeling pretty “trail” while the LT flirts with that all-mountain/enduro line. Part of it is due to the differences in geometry, after all, a 1-1.5° difference in the head tube goes a long way. Mostly, that comes across in an increased wheelbase on the LT, giving the bike more stability. The bulk of the difference between the bikes probably comes down to how they’re built up. The tires, fork, and brakes bing the most notable contributors.
Let’s start with the brakes. I understand Orbea is trying to make the SL as light as possible, but I’d argue that brakes, especially on an eMTB, aren’t the right place to save weight. The SL comes with 2-piston Shimano brakes. They’re fine on flat trails where you don’t need them, but as soon as you start getting into steeper terrain, the brakes get overpowered. The arm pump was real on some of the rougher rides. I’d swap those in a heartbeat for the 4-piston brakes that come stock on the LT. I don’t think they’d be out of place, even on the SL. The simple fact that the LT slows down faster makes it far more capable in rough terrain than the SL.
Now we’re talking tires. The tires on the SL are appropriate for smoother trails with fewer rocks, roots, and sharp edges. They roll extremely fast on hardpack and offer a decent amount of traction in good conditions. They’re a big contributor to the quick and agile feeling of the SL. They’ve got thin sidewalls, however, so make sure to pick good lines to ensure you’ve got air left in them by the bottom. I’d maybe even consider an insert or heavier casing on the rear, just for some added protection. The heavier-duty tires on the LT provide more comfort, traction, and protection. I didn’t feel the need to tip-toe through the rocks. They also helped slow the bike down better when needed, contributing to a more confident feeling.
Lastly, the fork makes up a big difference between the two bikes. The SL comes stock with a 140mm Fox 34, while the LT has a 160mm Fox 36. I think the 34 is appropriate for the SL, especially for smaller riders and those who aren’t riding really rough terrain. It’s a significant reduction in weight over the heavier, stiffer 36. The 36 suits the LT perfectly. I’m a bigger guy and found it stiff and robust enough for the application. It works better for someone around my weight who’s riding rougher terrain. It provides better front wheel control than the 34 when things get rough. That said, it might be overkill for some folks. I also wouldn’t hate riding an air shock on the LT. The coil is nice for a little bit of added traction, but I’d almost prefer just a little more lively quality out of an air shock. That could be a nice middle ground between the LT and SL.
Comparing these to their pedal bike counterparts, the differences between them might be a little less dramatic. The Rise SL feels more capable than the Occam SL. It probably has a little to do with the eMTB effect and a better sprung-to-unsprung ratio. I wouldn’t necessarily say the Rise LT is more capable than the Occam LT, though. I think they’re very similar. Both bikes will cover just about anything you’d want to ride, with the SL being happier on green, blues, and easy black diamonds and the LT living in that tougher blue to double black range.
2025 Orbea Rise Buyer’s Guide
This is a tough one, as both models would be a good fit for a lot of riders. They will both cover a lot of types of terrain. There’s also the option of getting one or the other and changing parts until you have something that sits between the two stock options. Like an SL with proper brakes, tires, and 150mm fork. Or an LT with and air shock. I’ll try to break it down for you, though.
If you’re a new eMTB rider and/or you come from a trail or XC background, I can’t help but think you’d be happier on the SL. By nature, the handling will be closer to what you’re used to. It’s quick, snappy and lively. It’s the perfect match for tougher greens up to easier black diamonds. If you love blue flow, you’ll be a big fan of this one. Obviously, get the battery size that best suits your range needs, but keep in mind the smaller battery will make the bike handle better if that’s what you want.
If you’re an experienced eMTB rider, but you’re not the gnarliest of folks on the descents, I’d still recommend the SL. I’m talking about folks who mostly stick to blues or pick their way down the occasional black diamond. The SL is better suited for that terrain and starts to shine on smoother sections. It’s also the best bet for big rides with a more efficient build and quicker rolling set of tires. I’d almost certainly recommend pairing this with the bigger battery. If you’re used to riding eMTBs, the extra weight won’t be too big of a detractor for you.
If you like riding difficult trails, it’s clear that the LT is the right Rise for you. If you consistently find yourself in black diamond and double black diamond terrain, it’s a no-brainer. The LT offers more control in the rough and a lot more confidence on steeps. Battery size is a little tricky with this group tough. If most of your rides are short, or you’re not always riding with full-power, full-battery eMTB friends, I’d almost recommend the smaller battery. The handling is a bit more natural. Experienced riders who like a lively bike that they’re able to move around easily will appreciate this. If you just need maximum range, then snag the bigger 630Wh battery, and you’ll get enough range to ride with just about anyone.
Well, that’s going to do it for the 2025 Orbea Rise. Are you an SL or LT rider? Let me know below. Orbea Rise
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