New 2026 Orbea Rallon RS on Test – The Future of eMTBs?

Orbea have introduced far more than just an exciting new enduro bruiser with their new Rallon RS – they’ve unveiled an eMTB that’s well ahead of its time. What was once an unusual combination of components now points toward the future of bike evolution. But will such a concept become the standard for eMTBs in a few years rather than the exception?

Let’s get one thing straight from the start: the 2026 Orbea Rallon RS is not a bike for everyone – and it doesn’t want to be either. It won’t flood bike shops in large numbers, and you’re unlikely to see it in many places. Instead, it’s still a fairly unique concept, a bike that demonstrates what is technologically possible and how much effort Orbea – along with development partners TQ and FOX Suspension – are putting into pushing future e-mountain bikes forward. Unlike many brands, Orbea doesn’t put the motor system in the spotlight. Instead, they highlight the (once) unique collaboration between manufacturers and the seamless integration of different components. The newly-developed RS system acts as a connector, linking all electronic components together: everything can be controlled centrally, data from all electronic systems is available and able to communicate with each other, and power is drawn collectively from the main battery. Development costs for such a project are high, while the target audience is relatively small. However, the goal of this project is to show where things are heading and to lay the groundwork for future developments. And for the right type of rider, the new Rallon RS can be a damn cool bike.

The Rallon RS discreetly integrates the TQ HPR40 motor – the first HPR40 ever to be installed in an e-mountain bike – delivering 40 Nm of torque and up to 200 W peak power. It’s powered by a permanently integrated 290 Wh battery, which can be combined with a 160 Wh range extender. Added to this is the new electronic FOX X2 NEO shock, an electronic Shimano XTR Di2 drivetrain and Orbea’s own in-house electronic dropper post. All of these components are connected via the newly developed RS system. With the new wired RS handlebar remote, you can not only control the motor system as usual, but also the dropper post and suspension. At the same time, thanks to the RS module, the motor knows which gear you’re in, whether the dropper is extended or whether the shock is locked out. While not all available data is actively processed or directly linked to specific actions yet, the technical foundation is in place and the system offers plenty of potential for future upgrades via software updates.

Of course, this new system comes at a price. The Orbea Rallon RS-LTD we tested costs a hefty 14.999 € – making it the most expensive bike Orbea have ever produced. As usual, however, Orbea’s in-house MyO configurator is available, allowing you to customise your bike both visually and technically to suit your preferences and budget.

The TQ HPR40 motor system of the 2026 Orbea Rallon RS

At the heart of the Rallon RS sits the still relatively new TQ HPR40 motor — and it feels completely different from most e-bike drive systems you’re used to. Classic eMTB motors easily deliver peak outputs of up to 750 watts, churning out significantly more power than you can put through the pedals yourself. With the TQ HPR40, the concept is flipped on its head: it delivers a maximum of 200 W assistance, meaning you get considerably less output than with other systems and, depending on your fitness, you can contribute more power yourself than the system provides. This also allows you to use the Rallon RS in a very different way.

To put things into perspective: a light, efficient cross-country bike saves you roughly 30–50 W on the climb compared to a heavy enduro bike. With the TQ motor of the Rallon RS, you get an additional up to 150–200 W from the motor on top of that. All in all, this gives you a good idea of how you can pedal the Rallon RS uphill: you climb roughly like Nino Schurter on his cross-country race bike – but you’re sitting on a burly enduro bike with serious downhill capabilities and robust components. This is exactly what Orbea summarise under the “Rider Dominant” concept: you are at the centre, with the motor merely supporting you instead of doing the work for you. The TQ HPR40 is seamlessly integrated into the frame and is almost invisible from the outside. No bulky motor cover, no clumsy shapes – visually, the Rallon RS remains very close to the analogue Rallon, and the differences only become apparent on very close inspection.

The entire system is controlled via the RS HMI controller on the handlebars. This unit isn’t just the remote for the motor, but also the central control hub for the electronic suspension and the dropper post. The controller is hard-wired directly into the system, ensuring a reliable connection, though its operating logic does require some getting used to. That’s because the buttons work pretty much “the other way around” compared to classic motor remotes. Pressing the lower button increases support, while the upper one reduces power.

Battery status is shown by five LEDs at the top of the controller, which can light up in either blue or white to indicate the state of charge in 10 % increments. In theory, this is a simple idea, but in practice the colours aren’t always easy to distinguish depending on lighting conditions. Once the battery level drops below 20 %, the display switches to five red LEDs, which then step down to 0 % in finer 4 % increments. Between the two main control buttons sits another LED that indicates the current motor riding mode through its colour. By pressing and holding the + and – buttons, you can also cycle through the modes of the electronic suspension via the same unit: the upper LEDs briefly light up green, showing which suspension mode you’re currently using. After a short familiarisation period, the array of LEDs and buttons becomes manageable, though there’s still some room for improvement in terms of making the system more intuitive.

In principle, the TQ system of the Rallon RS has two main modes: Range and Rally. There’s also an optional Ultra mode. The name sounds like “full throttle”, but it’s actually the opposite. Ultra is the most efficient mode and demands the most rider input – in other words, it’s more “ultra-economy” than “ultra-boost”.

In practice, however, you can fine-tune things much more precisely. Using the dedicated Orbea RS Control app, you can define up to 10 different modes and two profiles, which you can then access on the bike. In the app, you can also adjust the character of the TQ motor – how strongly and how directly it provides assistance – and configure the electronic dropper post. One downside: the suspension can’t be integrated into the same app, so you still need the separate FOX app to make detailed suspension adjustments.

The TQ system draws its power from a permanently integrated 290 Wh battery in the downtube, which also powers all other electronic components: the dropper post, the Shimano XTR Di2 drivetrain and the electronic FOX X2 NEO shock. This means you don’t have to worry about charging multiple smaller batteries for the drivetrain and other components, which is extremely practical and hopefully will become standard on more eMTBs in the future. Don’t worry, though: compared to the motor, these components draw a negligible amount of power, so their battery draw is barely visible on the display. If you need more range, you can fit the optional 160 Wh range extender in the bottle cage, boosting total capacity to 450 Wh – which, thanks to the low motor output, goes surprisingly far in real-world use. The charging port is neatly hidden above the bottle cage on the top tube, well sealed, easy to access and protected from dirt. It can also be operated easily while wearing gloves.

Things get particularly interesting when it comes to weight, because the Rallon RS shows very impressively what’s possible with a lightweight motor and clever integration. If you combine all motor-related components – including wiring, cranks and the carbon link, which is around 200 g lighter than the aluminium link on the analogue Rallon – and compare them to the components otherwise required, you’ll be surprised to find that you actually save 40 g. On top of that, the single central remote saves you roughly another 200 g. The classic dropper remote along with its housing and cable are no longer needed. In the end, the only real “extra weight” left is the battery itself – and that weighs 1,446 g.

As a result, the Orbea Rallon RS-LTD in size M tips the scales at just 17.45 kg. The comparably specced analogue Rallon comes in at 16.24 kg in size M. Translated into plain terms: for just over 1.2 kg of additional weight, you get a cleanly integrated motor and a gentle breeze of tailwind on climbs.

The spec of the 2026 Orbea Rallon RS-LTD

When it comes to the spec, Orbea once again give you plenty of freedom. Like all high-end bikes from the Basque manufacturer, the Rallon RS can be customised via the MyO configurator, which lets you fine-tune both the spec and the look of your bike down to the smallest detail – or simply choose from two preconfigured base builds. From the factory, the Rallon RS is available in two variants, the RS Team and the RS-LTD. We tested the RS-LTD version, which comes with a regular price tag of 14.999 €. Below that sits the RS Team at 10.999 €, which does without the electronic shock and relies on Shimano XT components instead of XTR. However, since the MyO configurator allows you to swap components pretty much as you please, these builds are more of a rough guideline than a fixed specification. For example, we deliberately opted for alloy wheels to save a bit of budget and everyday hassle – and of course, you can also go wild with the look, thanks to countless colour options for extensive personalisation.

When it comes to suspension, Orbea don’t hold back: up front, a FOX 38 Factory with GRIP X2 damper and a generous 180 mm of travel takes care of the rough stuff – exactly the fork that has established itself as the test winner in our suspension fork comparison tests. This is paired with a brand-new FOX X2 Live Valve NEO shock, which electronically controls the suspension, draws its power from the main battery and communicates directly with the RS system via CAN bus. This requires dedicated NEO sensors mounted to the brakes, which feed the system information about riding conditions and terrain. The shock also factors in data such as motor support mode and the position of the dropper post, allowing it to fine-tune different lockout states and breakaway forces even more precisely. On the trail, the system reacts extremely quickly, switching almost in real time between open and firm settings and managing the 170 mm of rear travel very efficiently.

Also integrated into the RS system is Orbea’s in-house OC Mountain Control MC10 eDropper – the first dropper post on the MTB market to be permanently connected to the motor and main battery. Other brands are working on similar solutions, but with the Rallon RS, Orbea are ahead of the competition. We rode the version with a massive 240 mm of travel, which can be reduced by in 5 mm increments up to 25 mm using shims. Particularly exciting is the Smart mode: here you can define an intermediate position to which the post automatically extends at the press of a button. You can also “pre-unlock” the dropper so that it only drops once you sit down – even if you’ve long since released the button. Alternatively, there’s also a classic mode for those who prefer things simple. If you want to know more about the RS dropper, you can check out our dedicated article here.

The Rallon RS is less flexible when it comes to the drivetrain, as the bike is currently only available with Shimano components. Our test bike comes equipped with the new XTR Di2, paired with 165 mm e*thirteen cranks, since Shimano don’t yet offer dedicated TQ cranks. Shifting is super fast and precise, but not always entirely smooth, and it’s particularly loud on the descents: when the suspension extends, the derailleur likes to knock against the B-screw – nothing dramatic, but still annoying. In addition, Shimano’s Free- and Auto-Shift functions are not yet supported by the TQ motor. The ergonomics of the Di2 levers, on the other hand, are excellent and highly adjustable. The chainstay protector is generously sized and seamlessly integrated into the frame, effectively preventing annoying chain slap – at least in this respect, things remain quiet.

Orbea also rely on Shimano for the brakes, fitting XTR four-piston stoppers. These brakes pack a serious punch, especially in combination with the thicker, high-quality 200 mm Galfer rotors, delivering powerful deceleration that perfectly matches the bike’s character. However, the ergonomics of the brake levers take some getting used to – even after several weeks on the bike. On top of that, the brake hoses run extremely close to the handlebars and are quite stiff, which can cause them to rattle against the cockpit when riding on rough terrain. A shame, because apart from the Shimano components, the Rallon RS is impressively quiet overall. Inside the frame, all cables are cleanly routed and clamped at the ports; only the cable for the RS remote runs through the headset.

Our test bike rolls on an OQUO Mountain Control MC32 TEAM alloy wheelset, which did a solid job in this test and perfectly suits the bike’s intended use. If you prefer something more exclusive or lighter, you’ll find the MC32 LTD version with carbon rims in the configurator. Tire choice is an extremely well-matched MAXXIS combo: a High Roller III up front in the softest MaxxGrip compound, and a Minion DHR II at the rear in the harder MaxxTerra compound. The rear uses the robust DoubleDown casing, while the front relies on the lighter EXO+ version. Given the 180 mm of travel up front, we do find the EXO+ casing a bit on the edge, but we’ll still let it slide for a sporty enduro setup ;). After all, the Rallon RS is designed more as a trail-focused machine and less as a full-on bike park tank.

If you do need to reach for a tool while out on the trail, a small FLP multitool is hidden near the bottom bracket, held securely in place by magnets. It includes 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm Allen keys – the most important sizes for most trail-side repairs. In addition, there’s an integrated 6 mm hex key in the rear axle. Unfortunately, what’s missing is a Torx 25, which you’d need, for example, for brake rotor bolts or SRAM components.

The geometry of the 2026 Orbea Rallon RS

The Orbea Rallon RS is available in four frame sizes from S to XL, with reach values ranging between 430 and 505 mm. In typical Orbea fashion, the seat tube is extremely short across all sizes, yet still offer very long insertion depths. In size L, with a reach of 478 mm, the seat tube measures just 410 mm – perfect for slamming a long dropper post all the way and standing really deep in the bike without the frame layout holding you back. In frame sizes S and M, you can fully insert 210 mm dropper posts, and in sizes L and XL even 240 mm droppers – crazy!

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top Tube	538.92 mm	565.29 mm	591.52 mm	620.76 mm
Seat Tube	400 mm	405 mm	410 mm	420 mm
Head Tube	105 mm	110 mm	120 mm	130 mm
Head Angle	64.25°	64.25°	64.25°	64.25°
Seat Angle	74.6°	74.6°	74.6°	74.6°
BB Drop (Low-Setting)	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm	35 mm
Chainstay	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm	445 mm
Wheelbase	1215 mm	1242 mm	1270 mm	1301 mm
Reach	430 mm	455 mm	478 mm	505 mm
Stack	633.7 mm	638.2 mm	647.2 mm	656.2 mm

In addition, the Rallon can be configured either as a full 29er or a mullet bike. Orbea achieve this via two different rocker links, each of which adapts the kinematics and geometry to suit the respective wheel size. When purchasing the bike, you have to decide on one option, but you can later buy the other link for an additional € 249. Unlike the analogue Rallon, the Rallon RS uses carbon links instead of aluminium ones, with a revised shape to deliver kinematics tailored specifically to the Rallon RS.

There’s also a flip chip in the lower shock mount, which lets you switch between a high and low setting. Among other things, the chip affects the bottom bracket height by 7 mm, as well as reach, head angle and seat angle, without significantly changing the bike’s fundamental character – ideal for setting the Rallon RS up to be either a bit more pedal-friendly or more aggressive for downhill riding. The whole system is protected by a small, removable plastic cover. On top of that, the head angle can be adjusted via the oversized headset. This allows you to make the head angle slacker and more downhill-oriented, or steeper and more touring-friendly, depending on your intended use. All in all, this results in a very versatile geometry concept that retains the classic Rallon DNA – long, low and capable – while offering enough fine-tuning options to dial the bike in precisely to your riding style.

2026 Orbea Rallon RS first test ride

Even on the climbs, the Rallon RS shows that it has retained the fundamental character of its analogue sibling, but thanks to subtle tweaks it’s better suited to long tours and a wide variety of trails. The electronic suspension plays a major role here too, significantly boosting climbing performance. The electronic FOX X2 NEO makes the rear suspension extremely neutral under pedalling, whether you’re spinning up un tarmac or tackling technical uphill trails. Thanks to the steep seat angle, you’re nicely integrated between the front and rear wheel, with the central riding position allowing you to pedal efficiently from above. However, you still shouldn’t expect classic eMTB power from the TQ HPR40. The motor delivers more of a constant tailwind feeling rather than pushing you up the hill with brute force. The closest comparison is pedalling a light XC hardtail uphill – just on a very capable enduro chassis.

The TQ motor works super quietly, and even the rolling noise of the tires is enough to completely drown it out. What does take some getting used to, however, is the resistance when backpedalling: compared to most other systems on the market, the motor uses just one clutch instead of two, meaning it doesn’t decouple as much when you pedal backwards. In other words, if you want to quickly adjust your pedal position on the trail and briefly backpedal, it can feel a bit strange at first. After a while, though, you get used to it.

Riding downhill, the Rallon RS clearly differs from the motorless Rallon – and in a positive way. In the most recent enduro comparison test, the classic Rallon proved to be a bit of a vacuum cleaner: tons of grip, extremely planted, but not particularly agile. The Rallon RS, on the other hand, feels noticeably firmer. The revised link and more progressive shock tune ensure that the bike offers more support and doesn’t cling to the ground as much. This makes the Rallon RS a significantly better all-rounder: it feels much livelier on long tours, flowy trails and moderate descents.

That said, the core Rallon DNA clearly remains intact. You’re positioned low and confidently in the bike, the suspension conveys plenty of capability and reserves, and you can really let it rip when the trail gets rough and fast. The balance between agility and composure is very well executed: the Rallon RS willingly changes lines without feeling nervous, while remaining impressively composed at high speeds. The balance between front and rear also feels spot-on right from the start, inspiring plenty of confidence. All in all, the Rallon RS rides downhill like a full-fledged enduro bike and uphill like a very sporty XC bike.

Who should take a closer look at the new 2026 Orbea Rallon RS?

The 2026 Orbea Rallon RS isn’t a bike for everyone – yet it’s a great bike for many who know how to use it properly. If you’re looking for a classic eMTB with maximum power that drags you up every climb with 85 Nm of torque and a turbo mode, you’re completely in the wrong place here. Instead, the Orbea is aimed at riders who enjoy pedalling themselves but want a noticeable tailwind on the climbs – without having to compromise on downhill performance or weight. With plenty of travel and a highly capable suspension setup, the Rallon RS is absolutely ready for demanding enduro tracks, bike park sessions and fast, rough trails. At the same time, it allows you to rack up plenty of elevation gain on long tours, as long as you ride efficiently and use the motor as support rather than as the primary drive.

Conclusions about the 2026 Orbea Rallon RS

The Orbea Rallon RS offers a glimpse into the future of eMTBs and is not a daily rider for the masses. However, if you’re looking for a full-fledged enduro bike with highly capable suspension that climbs like a fast XC bike with a gentle breeze of tailwind, you’ll find an extremely exciting bike here. The previously unique integration of the lightweight TQ system, the electronic FOX X2 NEO shock, the specially developed dropper post and the XTR Di2 drivetrain shows what’s possible, and we’re confident that this kind of integration will become the standard rather than the exception in a few years’ time. It brings many advantages – even if you have to consciously accept the added complexity of the electronics.

For more information, visit Orbea’s website.

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Words: Peter Walker Photos: Jeremie Reuiller, Roo Fowler