Today, Orbea announces the new Rallon RS eMTB. While it looks like the latest Rallon enduro bike, Orbea added a light power drive system to it, and at the same time, took its RS Control System integration to a new level. Orbea states that the Rallon RS was built to ask questions, push boundaries, and explore a different path forward for mountain bikers, and the result is a bike that marks a bold new direction for the industry.Built around the long-travel Rallon enduro platform, Orbea added the compact TQ-HPR40 drive system to provide assistance that never exceeds the riders own input. In fact, Orbea says they do not describe the Rallon RS as an e-bike, but as a trail bike that represents the next step in mountain bike development. Thats quite a statement, and along with the expansion of the brands RS-HMI (Human Machine Interface) system integration, theres a lot to unpack here. Lets check it out.Orbea Rallon RS DetailsThe Rallon RS is based on the non-electric Rallon enduro bike that launched last year. In fact, the OMR carbon frame looks nearly identical, despite housing a compact drive unit and battery in the downtube. Well get into the details of the TQ-HPR40 drive system later, but well point out here that its compact size allowed Orbea to maintain a silhouette almost indistinguishable from the analog version, including the split-pivot suspension design. However, the motor and battery appear to negate the use of the GravityLinks for adjustments on the non-electric version.So, youre telling me thats an e-bike? The Rallon RS hides it well.Like the non-electric Rallon enduro bike, the Rallon RS frame features 170mm of rear wheel travel, paired with a 180mm fork. It is sold with dual 29 wheels or in a mixed wheel configuration. A different linkage maintains the bikes geometry when switching between rear wheel sizes, which Orbea sells separately for those who like to tinker. A geometry-adjusting flip chip changes bottom bracket height by +/- 8mm and head angle by +/- 0.5 degrees. Lastly, a headset adjustment allows further geometry customization with head angle adjustment of +/- 0.75 degrees.The Rallon RS has looks, travel, and geometry mirroring the standard Rallon, which means it probably shreds pretty hard.Beyond those adjustments, the RSs geometry closely mirrors that of the analog Rallon. The key figures include the 64.25-degree head tube angle, 445mm chainstays on all sizes, and a steep effective seat tube angle. The provided geometry chart lists the effective seat tube angle as 74.6 degrees, but it looks much steeper than that and is quoted at 79 degrees by other sources.Regardless, the bike comes in four frame sizes, S-XL, and Orbea states that even the small and medium frames can fit a 210mm dropper post.The frame has mounts for one bottle cage in the front triangle, which can be used for water, obviously, or to hold the optional range extender. Even with the TQ-HPR40 motor, 290 Wh battery, and other electronics, Orbea says that the RS version is only 1.3kg heavier than a standard Rallon. Unfortunately, complete bike weights were not shared with us, but wed expect them to be in the neighborhood of ~40 pounds (18 kg).Drive System and BatteryThe TQ-HPR40 is barely noticeable with its compact form factor.With the new Rallon RS, Orbea refers to the pedal assistance as a subtle helping hand. It seems the idea was to take a bike-first approach and not let its e-bike-ness be the dominant feature. According to Orbea, The objective was to improve the pedalling feel on climbs by reducing the usual compromises that come from the extra weight of a long-travel chassis and the rolling resistance of aggressive tires.To that end, Orbea chose the compact and lightweight TQ-HPR40 drive system to provide the pedal assistance. Wed be lying if we said we werent a little surprised that they didnt choose the mid-power HPR60, which has received very high praise and is used on bikes like the new Yeti MTe. That said, the HPR40, which is more common on e-road and e-gravel bikes, seems to align well with the objective described above. With up to 40Nm of torque and up to 200W of peak power, itll provide a little boost but a more natural ride feel for those who want just enough support to maintain flow without losing the satisfaction of pedaling.The Rallon RS might look the least like an e-bike of any eMTB on the market.Powering that motor is a 290 Wh battery thats cleanly integrated into the downtube of the frame. Given that lower-power motors like the HPR40 draw less power, Orbea claims the modestly-sized battery provides an impressive range of 1200 to 1800 meters of climbing. That range can be increased by adding battery capacity in the form of an optional 160 Wh range extender, which adds 55% more battery for longer rides.RS Control System IntegrationThe RS Control System involves the integration of all of the components highlighted in this image. Thankfully, they dont glow in real life, we think. Last year, Orbea introduced its RS Control System, which debuted on select models of its Rise eMTBs. At that time, the RS system included the new RS Smart Dropper, an integrated handlebar unit that controlled both the drive system and dropper, and connected everything to the bikes main battery. In our press materials, Orbea also refers to this as RS-HMI (Human Machine Interface).With the new Rallon RS, Orbea takes that system integration further by connecting the remote, motor, derailleur, dropper post, suspension, and battery together. According to Orbea, Sharing power simplifies charging and reduces clutter, and their proprietary communications system enables all the components to share information, a totally new concept that creates new possibilities.Orbea worked with Fox to create a proprietary Live Valve Neo shock that integrates with the RS Control System.Orbea says the updated system allows riders to control the bikes motor, suspension profiles, and dropper post from a single handlebar-mounted unit with customization through its own RS Connect App. To achieve this, Orbea says it invited both Fox and TQ to join them and that they recognized the potential to push their own technologies further and agreed to open development. Now, Orbeas RS technology works with the proprietary Fox eNEO Live Valve shock, the TQ motor, and the Orbea RS dropper to share information and enable the following capabilities.Suspension informed by motor data: The shock receives inputs such as cadence, rider power, motor power, and bike speed from the TQ motor. Orbeas custom algorithms use this data to deliver more predictable and responsive suspension behaviour.Suspension informed by dropper position: The MC10-RS dropper communicates its exact position multiple times per second through an optoelectronic Time-of-Flight sensor. This is an industry first. When the dropper is lowered, the shock stays fully open to optimise downhill performance.Motor behaviour adapted to terrain and rider position: The TQ motor recognises when the bike is pointed downhill with the dropper lowered and adjusts its assistance to avoid unwanted inputs in technical terrain.Orbea Rallon RS: Build Options and PricingThe Rallon RS currently comes in two build options, with both available with 29 wheels or in a mixed-wheel configuration. As mentioned above, the RS-HMI system is designed to integrate with a proprietary Fox eNEO Live Valve shock, which comes specd on the top-tier LTD builds. The Team builds do not come with the Live Valve shock, but it is listed as an upgrade option for the low price of $1,049.Either way, the new Rallon RS comes in either Frozen Concrete Gloss or Fuel Carbon View colorways, or buyers can design their own in Orbeas MyO customizer. At checkout, you can also purchase the 160Wh range extender for $525, upgrade from EXO+/DD to DH casing tires for $40, and the mullet or 29 linkage for $265.The Orbea Rallon RS-LTD in Fuel Carbon View with dual 29 wheels.Orbea Rallon RS-LTD: $14,999Fork: Fox 38 Float Factory 180, Grip X2Shock: Fox Float X2 Live Valve Neo Factory Trunnion EvolDrivetrain: Shimano XTR Di2Cranks: e*thirteen Helix Race alloy 32TBrakes: Shimano XTR M9200Wheels: Oquo Mountain Control MC32LTD (MX or 29)Tires: Front: Maxxis High Roller III 2.40 EXO+ MaxxGripp, Rear: Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 DD MaxxTerraDropper: OC Mountain Control MC10 ElectronicSaddle: Fizik Terra Ridon X1 145mmHandlebar: OC Mountain Control MC10 Carbon, Rise 20, Width 800Stem: OC Mountain Control MC11 Alu SL, 0The Orbea Rallon RS-Team in Frozen Concrete Gloss with MX wheels.Orbea Rallon RS-Team: $10,999Fork: Fox 38 Float Factory 180, Grip X2Shock: Fox Float X2 Factory TrunnionDrivetrain: Shimano XT Di2Cranks: e*thirteen Helix Race alloy 32TBrakes: Shimano XT M8220Wheels: Oquo Mountain Control MC32TEAM (MX or 29)Tires: Front: Maxxis High Roller III 2.40 EXO+ MaxxGripp, Rear: Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 DD MaxxTerraDropper: OC Mountain Control MC10 ElectronicSaddle: Fizik Terra Ridon X5 145mmHandlebar: OC Mountain Control MC10 Carbon, Rise 20, Width 800Stem: OC Mountain Control MC11 Alu SL, 0Orbeas new Rallon RS is well-integrated, unique, and available now.Orbea Rallon RS: AvailabilityOrbea seems to be charting its own path with the new Rallon RS, aiming to make the most integrated, but least e-bike-like, eMTB. Thats sure to resonate with some riders, and rule out plenty more. But as the eMTB market continues to mature, were seeing more options to suit specific use cases, riding styles, and preferences. Its clear that Orbea had a specific goal with this bike, and were certainly curious to know how it rides.Perhaps the most interesting aspect of its design, however, is the expansion of its RS Control System. This marks a new level of system integration and points to a future in which all of our bikes electronics operate as a connected system. With the new Rallon RS, it seems that the future is now, for Orbea anyway.The new Orbea Rallon RS bikes are available now. Head to the Orbea website to learn more or pick one up for yourself.orbea.comThe post Orbeas New Rallon RS E-Enduro Bike Aims for Peak Integration and a Bike-First eMTB Experience appeared first on Bikerumor.