I just took a tour of the Orbea facility here in Little Rock. My son got a job down there getting the wheels ready for shipment and I stopped by today to take him and the friend who plugged him into the job to lunch.

The import the bikes into here from Spain where they're built up and shipped to US bike shops. They get a fresh container load every couple of weeks. It turns out in Europe Orbea is big, but over here they're just getting going.

Met the guys and all that, but more importantly: Oh baby those frames are nice, all carbon fiber and compound curves. The spec packages showed some really nice part selections.

http://www.orbea-usa.com/

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That's cool, E. Didn't realize that Orbea's distribution facility was in Arkansas. Orbeas are pretty big around here. They are very nice and I'd love to have one myself, but I guess I'll have to keep my Trek 5200 a bit longer. But if you come across any free samples in a 54 cm, let me know!

nice stuff, for sure. i work at a bike shop and picked up a couple of their frames right when they first came to the US market (2001/2, maybe).

Orbea makes some sweet rides for sure...in fact I might be on one if the LBS carried them in 04 when I bought my Lemond.

Loopy has one in the Euskatel color scheme.

Cannibal Dad you might want to check before getting a free 54cm...I believe they run big, but I might be wrong...like a 54 fits a guy normally on a 58

Just saw an ad for the Orbea Orca. Whoa....that's hot!

Nice bikes for sure. My bike shop carries them. Love the ride of them. Quality all the way. I've had 1 problem with a paint blemish, and they had me a new frame within a couple days, so their customer service is great !

Yeah, the Orca is totally new for 07. They made it alot stiffer than the years past.

My Orbea was a little squirrelly but stiff. Unfortunately, not stiff enough to protect it from crumpling when driven into my garage by my wife (on top of my minivan). Poor thing was only two months old.

We carry the line, and have had nothing but rave reviews. My wife is currently on the Mitis Dama and adores it.

Steve - Did your homeowner's insurance cover wifey's little mistake? I met a guy who's Litespeed met a similar fate; his insurance paid a generous replacement cost and he used it to trick out a Calfee to the tune of $10,000! I need to quick carrying my bike in the back of my Explorer, get a roof race, and do something stoopid! Maybe then I can snag one of those Orcas (unless Elvis will use his connections to help a brotha out).

Nah. Didn't try to file a claim. Funny thing is...I replaced it with a Masi frame, rode it for about two weeks, then I did exactly what my wife did. That year I destroyed three frames and bought four. I now put a large item in the middle of my garage floor whenever I use the roof rack, forcing me out of the car when I return.

Remind me never to let SlimmSherman carry my bikes anywhere....

Steve, Did the Masi rip a hole right thru the garage? (LOL)

I rode a Masi Team 3V during my last years of raod racing. This is when the aluminum and carbon boom were in full swing, but I loved that bike and wish I never sold it (tear slowly rolling outta my eye)

I had a blue one outfitted with campy record. This bike was so stiff and real resonsive.

(The good old days)

The Bike Gallery is one of Treks largest dealers WW and took Orbea on recently. I think they are pretty cool.

The Alma hard tail MTB rocks.

Right on Ben. Did you buy one yet? Get this people, here's Ben's excuse, when bringing home yet another bike (we won't mention the pricetag):

"But dear, I HAD to buy it, look it's called Alma"

(Ben's in-laws are from Alma, Wisconsin.)