OCCAM LT 24 - RIDE REVIEW

Ben Haselden -

For 2023, I made a promise to myself. No new bikes this year. Just be happy….

Anyway, enough about that.

For 2024. Orbea released an effective ground up remodel of the now 6 year old occam chassis. On top of that ground up rebuild, they made it available in two distinct packages. The SL (super lite) and the LT (Long travel). The super light is literally that, a 10.8kg, 140mm traveled trail bike, but we’ll get to that later. Here we’ll talk about the LT, what the changes are and what it’s stand out features are.

Available in aluminium (H series frames) and Carbon (M series frames), The Occam LT is now proudly clad in a 160mm fork and retains its playful 150mm rear. The latter plus it’s overall resemblance is about all that remains the same however. Added reach, slacker, steeper, stiffer, UDH stuff, frame storage and different routing is what now steers the 24 Occam on a different path to the last.

Just to clarify, in order to test this new bike we had to get one. Obviously. So please ignore my opening sentence.

The Geo:

On the outside, most people will see the Occam LT as a well rounded trail bike with now added distinct heavy hitting capabilities. Take a look deeper and you’ll see the LT now sports 99% of the outgoing Rallon Geometry with a couple of distinct trail bike additions. Pushing a flipable 64.5/64 degree Head tube angle, the accompanying reach has now grown significantly since the last which was one thing I felt the previous Occam definitely needed. Seat tube angle has been steepened and the wheel base lengthened. On paper, the LT now features geo numbers that fit most peoples needs for modern day riding.

The Subtle changes:

Aside from the more angular looks, the frame largely resembles the outgoing model (yes you still need to be left handed to drink while riding!). But looking deeper you’ll notice a couple major changes.

  1. The rear triangle is notably different and incorporates a much different lower main pivot attachment to the main triangle. The incorporation of the new pivot is purely around stiffness and that flows through to the rear yoke mounting too.
  2. The main triangle has now much different shaped tubes. This again has been in the progression of stiffness.
  3. Frame storage has now been introduced utilising the robe LockR system
  4. UDH capable.. Grins
  5. Headset routing.... Doesn't Grin

The ride:

As mentioned above, one of the new major selling points for the new gen Occam has been the now stiffer main triangle and rear end feel. I have to admit that for the first time ever, I could actual feel what a manufacturer preaches. Almost instantly you can feel the rear end stiffness with a now obvious lack of noodling the previous rendition had (and that was enormously better than the model before that!). Driving into corners now rewards you with a distinct drive of complete grip and assertiveness. Straddling an off-camber gradient has now become something you genuinely don't live in fear of.

Descending performance has now increased by the bucket full. To the point they're nearly not the same bike as what the predecessor was. The Occam now holds it's head strong into chunk and trail debris as after-all, it's a down-traveled Rallon. But has it lost its playfulness of what it was known for? In a way,  yes, but this is a good thing. That previous playfullness often came at a significant penalty. A short wheel base and steeper HTA makes for one playful bike, but at the cost of speed and other playfulness. Would I say it's still playful, absolutely equally slammed with the words thereafter of "and extremely capable". The flip chip offers a seconds long swap by 0.5º which is easy and painless using the rear axles clip in 6mm tool. Is it worth having? For me no. I couldn't actually get the bike to stay in the "high" mode while descending on anything with more than slight landing. Did that matter? No, I prefer it slacker for what i am riding 90% of the time.

Climbing performance is notably better with the now steeper seat angle with impressive climbing traction and only a small penalty for a coil sprung bike (a worthy trade-off). I did notice that this rendition had slightly more squat than the previous model especially if you favour the Occam's Low mode setting, but given the steeper seat angle, it wasn't noticed to be an issue I'd penalise the bike over.  

The ride is hands-down superior to its predecessor and even a better Rallon IMHO. A planted, capable, fun baby enduro bike with some punch. We did a few issues with some of the pivots and rear axles working loose from over greasing, but we need to be mindful that some brands, don't put any grease on their bikes whatsoever.

Pro's:

  • Stiffer frame and better rear end design
  • Progressive, trendy Geo from previous models
  • Better looks with angular features
  • 230mm dropper capability with Orbea's Steep n Deep geo
  • UDH compatible
  • Superior paint finishing as per Orbea's standard

Con's

  • Headset Routing (please ban this from industry)
  • Left handed Bottle (again)
  • Flip Chip not the best execution
  • Too much grease on parts from factory

The Occam LT has once again been bought into a stable where it takes pride and stands tall as a serious contender for an all rounder with more emphasis on the getting down things fast with ya bad self category.

Massive thanks to Orbea NZ for the ongoing collaboration and support:

Buy yours here.