Orbea Gain M30 Road E-Bike Review

Could you blame another cyclist if that person was riding the Orbea Gain M30?

Road bikes may not be the most popular for commuting, but they can offer similar capabilities for urban riding. Certainly, the M30 version could cover both aspects, though I would not be comfortable living this high-priced bike on the street, locked to a pole.

Important information about my review: This e-bike was loaned by Ivanhoe Cycles for testing purposes, and all the words are my own. I have not been compensated to promote the bike store or the bike’s brand.

Gain M30 Specs Summary (basic)

Gain M30 Riding Experience

Comfort & maneuverability

– For a road bike that generally lacks saddle padding, it was actually very comfortable. I rode around 20 km and felt that my glutes and inner thighs were relaxed.

– Reaching the handlebar was also easy, especially for my short arms. In addition, my wrists were positioned comfortably when wrapping the dropped bar, which sometimes I find difficult to use.

– I was content with how stable and responsive the bike was. The reduced weight of the front fork (made of carbon) may have played an important role in helping me maneuver it well.

Battery & Mahle X20 motor performance

– The small 250 X20 Mahle rear hub motor was impressively powerful, especially when using PAS 3 (the highest level).

– It made me laugh when the motor pushed me to shift gears because my cadence was not high enough. I think this motor is rated for high cadence support, but I’m not so sure.

– One particular thing I noticed was how noisy the motor was, even when using the lowest PAS. For me, this was not a big issue.

– The 36v battery blended nicely within the down tube. Considering its capacity at 248Wh, I was surprised how good the battery range was (40 – 90 km).

– I liked that the battery charging port was not on the side of the frame (something the Giant Explore E+ 1 does not offer). I know some users would appreciate this, as it reduces the risk of damaging the port while charging and accidentally moving the pedals.

– The one thing that could be a bummer is that the battery cannot be removed from the frame; only an authorized dealer can do it.

Mahle One controller & app

– Similar to what was offered with the Gain D40, the Orbea Gain M30 came equipped with a very discrete controller in the high tube. No display was offered, which I think is reasonable to keep it lightweight. If you are curious, Pulsa One is the display you could get to fully equip the bike.

– The Mahle One controller offered three (3) modes: PAS 1, PAS2, and PAS3. Each assistance was linked to a colour:

• White: there is no assistance.
• Green: PAS 1.
• Orange: PSA 2
• Purple: PAS 3 (maximum power)

– I liked how easy it was to see the colours on a bright day. Also, the controller was simple to operate.

– I also found out that this version does not show the battery level unless it is around 10% capacity left (the red colour constantly flashes). This is different from what I’ve seen with other Orbea lightweight bike models.

– The Gain M30 can still offer more if the My Smartbike App by Mahle is used. It gave me more alternatives for a better riding experience. However, if I compare it with what Bosch has created with their e-bike app (Flow), I think Mahle needs to work on this better to allow more customisation.

Final Verdict

– The look of the M30. Certainly, for me, it didn’t look like a road bike powered by a motor. Simply put, the battery and motor blended well with the bike frame design. This, to me, was fantastic.

– The small rear hub motor was powerful enough to climb a steep hill without much of an issue. Even better, riding it without assistance was also easy.

– The drivetrain and gear system were extremely smooth and efficient, making my ride enjoyable.

– Comfort-wise, I was content with how my body was positioned without having to reach too far for the handlebar and brake levers. This is very important for me as a road bike should be as comfortable as possible for riding a lot of kilometres.

– The controller interaction was good enough. Its very simple operation was great from a riding experience perspective.

– Even though there is an app with additional features, I think it could have been better.

– Last but not least, I know Orbea prase for building and developing e-bikes that are as lightweight as possible, and this was a great example at only 12.8 kg.

Overall, the Orbea Gain M30 is a beauty. If I were into road bike riding and had $10k to spend, I would undoubtedly consider investing in this electric road bike.