Introducing the Orbea Carpe

We are so excited for this latest bike from Orbea. From the moment we learned about it, rode it (and lifted it up 🪶!) at Eurobike in 2025 we knew this bike was going to be a big deal here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Achieving low weight without sacrificing performance in an urban platform, and delivering it at highly competitive pricing, is a formula we believe will make the Carpe a runaway hit.

Built in the Basque Country of Spain by Orbea's worker-owned cooperative, the Carpe is the newest addition to their Urban & Active lineup — and it might be the most thoughtful urban e-bike we've seen. Where the award-winning Diem focuses on premium integration and the Muga pushes into adventure territory, the Carpe lands right in the sweet spot: lightweight, practical, and genuinely clever about the little things that make city riding better.

Light, Nimble, and Natural

Let's start with what you notice the moment you lift it off the kickstand: this bike is light. Orbea achieved this through a hydroformed aluminum frame with optimized wall thickness — thinner where weight savings matter, reinforced where strength is needed — paired with a fully integrated 420 Wh battery tucked inside the downtube. No bulky external battery pack, no unnecessary bulk. The result is a bike that feels agile and easy to handle, whether you're riding it or walking it up a flight of stairs.

The Shimano EP6 motor is a perfect match for this kind of bike. With 85 Nm of torque, it gives you more than enough power for quick starts, loaded cargo runs, and — yes — San Francisco's steepest hills. But what really stands out is how natural the assistance feels. It's quiet, smooth, and fades away gracefully when you're pedaling above the assist limit. There's almost no drag, so the Carpe genuinely rides like a regular bike when you don't need the help.

The 420 Wh battery is more than adequate for daily city use, and if you need more, an optional 252 Wh Range Extender is available to extend your adventures.

Designed for Real Life

This is where the Carpe really shines. Orbea clearly spent time thinking about the moments when you're not riding, and how much they affect whether a bike truly works in your life.

The handlebar rotates 90 degrees. Just twist it and the bars align flat with the frame, dramatically reducing the bike's footprint for garage storage, elevator rides, or squeezing into a crowded bike room. The pedals fold flat too. These might sound like small details, but if you've ever wrestled a full-size e-bike through a narrow doorway, you know they're game changers.

The low step-through frame makes mounting and dismounting easy and natural — great for riders of all ages and abilities, and especially practical when you're loaded up with bags or in work clothes.

Orbea's Urban Equipment Ecosystem gives you modular rack options for front and rear cargo. The Carpe 10 comes standard with a rear rack compatible with MIK, MIK Side, and Ortlieb QL3.1 systems (up to 44 lbs), while a front basket is available as an option across the lineup. Fenders come standard. A kickstand comes standard. This is a bike that's ready to work from day one.

Smooth Riding, Safe Riding

The Carpe's ride quality is genuinely impressive for a rigid bike. Orbea's patented Twin Glide Flex seat tube design uses a unique double tube structure that allows controlled flex, absorbing the kind of small bumps and road chatter that make city riding uncomfortable. Pair that with a carbon fork for precise steering and wide tires, and you get a surprisingly plush ride without the weight and complexity of a suspension system.

Safety is baked in throughout. The integrated wrap-around lighting system — powered by the main battery — keeps you visible from the front, rear, and sides, day or night. The high-performance Supernova lights comply with StVZO regulations, meaning they're bright enough to see and be seen without blinding other road users. The battery is fully enclosed in the frame, protected from impacts and theft. An ABUS frame lock is available as standard or optional depending on model. And there's a hidden compartment for a Bluetooth tracker like an AirTag, giving you extra peace of mind when you park.

Three Models, One Platform

The Carpe lineup launches with three models, all sharing the same excellent frame platform, Shimano EP6 motor, and 420 Wh battery:

Carpe 25 The entry point to the Carpe experience. Shimano CUES 9-speed drivetrain, Pirelli Cinturato All Road tires, and hydraulic disc brakes. A fantastic commuter right out of the box, with optional racks, kickstand, and foldable pedals available.

Carpe 20 Steps up with Shimano CUES drivetrain, standard rear rack with MIK and Ortlieb compatibility, full fenders, and the option for an upgraded 30 kg-capacity heavy-duty rack. Everything you need for serious daily utility.

Carpe 10 The flagship. Gates Carbon Belt Drive with Shimano Nexus Inter-5 Di2 electronic shifting — incredibly smooth and virtually maintenance-free. Standard rear rack, foldable pedals, foldable stem, and ABUS frame lock. This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it urban machine.

All three models come in three colors: Nickel, Mars Red (Gloss), and Diamond Black (Matt), and are available in sizes S through XL to fit riders from 5'0" to 6'9".

Who Is the Carpe For?

If you're looking for a lightweight, thoughtfully designed e-bike that handles your commute, your errands, and your weekend rides with equal ease — this is the one. The Carpe is perfect for riders who want the performance and polish of a premium urban e-bike without the extra weight and price of a full touring setup.

And like every Orbea we carry, each Carpe is built and painted by hand in Spain by a team of people who genuinely love what they do. That craftsmanship shows in every detail.

Go Deeper: The Full Carpe Story

Want to see everything that went into designing the Carpe? Orbea put together an in-depth look at the engineering, the design decisions, and the riding experience. It's well worth a watch.

Come Ride One

The Orbea Carpe will be available soon at all three New Wheel locations — San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland. We'd love to get you on one for a test ride. Book a test ride or stop by and say hello. As always, every bike from The New Wheel comes with 6 months of complimentary service, our Best Price Promise, and the local expertise and support that keeps you rolling for years to come.