The Orbea Diem is a Class 1 or 3 electric city bike built around the Shimano Drive unit. Orbea spent the last three years engineering this new frame design, that uses Orbea’s patented Diamond Glide technology.

There will be three models of the Diem available starting at $3799. The Diem 30 with a Shimano CUES 9-Speed, Shimano EP6 drive unit and a 540Wh battery. The Diem 20 starts at $4599 with the Shimano EP6 and 630Wh battery and a Shimano Nexus internally shifting hub. At the top of the pack is the Diem 10 starting at $5599 with a Shimano EP8 and Enviolo Automitq shifting rear hub.

All models will have the same Alloy Diamond Glide frame and a carbon fork. The Diem comes with Full fenders and integrated lights.

From front to back, the Orbea has thought every inch of this bike out to offer a performance city bike for performance riders. The Diem is smooth and comfortable around town and has a distraction free riding experience with integrated cables and lights.

As with all of our Tech Checks, this is not intended to be a long term review or endorsement of a product but is instead a chance for our viewers and readers to get a deeper look into some of the newest tech and products in electric bikes. We thank Velotric for the opportunity to create this feature and for getting you some valuable insight on this new offering.

Diamond Glide Frame: Three years in the works, Orbea’s patented Diamond Glide technology makes it’s debut on the Diem. This double diamond alloy frame design soaks up the road chatter for a very smooth riding experience.

Shimano Powered: With both a 20mph and 28mph restricted unit available, the Shimano EP system blends seamlessly into the frames design and offers an abundance of power when you need it with a quiet and consistent pedalling experience.

Seamless Integration: At first glance, the Diem is nearly cable free with headtube cable routing eliminating the amount of loose ends to snag on bags or racks as you ride around town. The Shimano system allows us to operate the Diem exclusively from a compact controller on the handlebars. Orbea’s mindset to not pair the Display to the Diem is due to the fact that we all tend to have large smart phones on us already and we can pair those devices to the bike with the App’s and use our own display when we want it.

Superior Components: Beyond the Shimano partnership, partnering with Enviolo for an automatic shifting rear hub creates the opportunity for a distraction free riding experience while the bike works with and for you to prepare you for flat roads and the hills to come.

Spaceship Green (Matte)
Starting: $5599 20mph, $5699 28mph

FRAME: Hydro High Polished 2024, Flex Tech, Headset Routing

FORK: Full carbon fork; tapered, 12×100, Post Mount disc mount

HANDLEBARS: 720mm 0° Rise; Optional: 700mm 54° Rise

SADDLE: Selle Royal Vivo Ergo

SEATPOST: OC Mountain Control MC21, 31.6mm, Dropper; Optional: 100mm or 125mm travel

BRAKES: Shimano CUES U8020 Hydraulic Disc

Drivetrain: Enviolo Automatiq, Gates CDX belt

WHEELS: Alloy 700c, Tubeless Ready

TIRES: Vittoria e-Randonneur 50-622

MOTOR: Shimano EP801

UI/REMOTE: Shimano EN600

BATTERY: Orbea Internal 630Wh; Optional: 250Wh Range Extender

CHARGER: Orbea 2.Generation eBike Smart Charger 42v/2-4A

LIGHTING: Front – Supernova Starstream Pro; Rear – Orbea Fender integrated w/ alert light

Ivory White (Gloss)
Starting: $4599 20mph; $4699 28mph

FRAME: Hydro High Polished 2024, Flex Tech, Headset Routing

FORK: Full carbon fork; tapered, 12×100, Post Mount disc mount

HANDLEBARS: 720mm 0° Rise; Optional: 700mm 54° Rise

SADDLE: Selle Royal Vivo Ergo

SEATPOST: OC Mountain Control MC21, 31.6mm, Dropper; Optional: 100mm or 125mm travel

BRAKES: Shimano MT201 Hydraulic Disc

Drivetrain: Shimano Nexus Inter-5, Gates CDX belt

WHEELS: Alloy 700c, Tubeless Ready

TIRES: Vittoria e-Randonneur 50-622

MOTOR: Shimano EP600

UI/REMOTE: Shimano EN600

BATTERY: Orbea Internal 630Wh; Optional: 250Wh Range Extender

CHARGER: Orbea 2.Generation eBike Smart Charger 42v/2-4A

LIGHTING: Front – Supernova Starstream Pure; Rear – Orbea Fender integrated w/ alert light

Glitter Anthracite (Gloss)
Starting: $3799 20mph; $3899 28mph

FRAME: Hydro High Polished 2024, Flex Tech, Headset Routing

FORK: Full carbon fork; tapered, 12×100, Post Mount disc mount

HANDLEBARS: 720mm 0° Rise; Optional: 700mm 54° Rise

SADDLE: Selle Royal Vivo Ergo

SEATPOST: OC Mountain Control MC21, 31.6mm, Dropper; Optional: 100mm or 125mm travel

BRAKES: Shimano MT201 Hydraulic Disc

Drivetrain: Shimano CUES U4000 9-Speed

WHEELS: Alloy 700c, Tubeless Ready

TIRES: Vittoria e-Randonneur 50-622

MOTOR: Shimano EP600

UI/REMOTE: Shimano EN600

BATTERY: Orbea Internal 540Wh; Optional: 250Wh Range Extender, 630Wh Internal Battery

CHARGER: Orbea 2.Generation eBike Smart Charger 42v/2-4A

LIGHTING: Front – Supernova Starstream Pure; Rear – Orbea Fender integrated w/ alert light

Rear Rack and Accessories: All models of the Diem will come with a rear rack that integrates nicely into the frame and supports the rear fender. This rear rack uses the MIK system with a 20Kg max load capacity. If you’re looking for more support, there is an optional 30KG rack using the MIK HD system. Both of these racks are compatible with Ortliebs QL3.1 mounting system for a seamless pannier setup.

Orbea doesn’t stop there with their rack solutions. Coming on the Diem 10 and optional for the other models is a custom front rack that mounts seamlessly to the headtube. The kit allows for relocating the front light from the handlebars to the front of the rack not compromising any visibility while riding with a load. This front rack has a 10Kg max load capacity.

Lighting: Located at the top of the Head Tube is the Diem’s Visibility light. This light is similar to the one’s we’ve seen on the Kemen and Vibe. This new version has even more wraparound offering significantly more visibility in all angles.

Mudguards: No urban bike is complete without fenders. The Diem has Curana Apollo Orbit fenders that are 60mm wide. These fenders flow gracefully with the lines of the Diem for an elegant and seamless look.

What makes a perfect city bike? Well our time with the Diem so far has us scratching our heads to think of what more we could want. The riding experience is the first thing to note on a city bike, especially when considering commuting 5+ days a week.

The Diamond Glide frame, carbon fork, and 50c tires are a match made in heave for comfort around town. The Diem soaks up road chatter while allowing you to pedal hard and push the boundaries of your riding similar to a performance road bike.

Integration and adaptability are the second most important thing for us on a city bike. Full fenders, integrated racks and lights, the Diem comes prepared for all day riding year-round.

Quality componentry is the final box on our check list and Orbea held nothing back. The Diem 10 coming with a Shimano EP801 and an Enviolo Automatiq hub with the Gates CDX Belt really is the pinnacle of componentry for urban riding. This distraction-free trio allows you to focus on the ride and not be held back with loose shifting or loud noises from the drivetrain.

All in all, the Diem has redefined what a city bike can be and we are looking forward to the many miles and months to come to see how it performs over time. 

Price: $3899-5699
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Weight: ~52lbs
Website: orbea.com