I liked
- It comes with embedded lights
- The components are high quality
- Looks like an standard bike
- Lightweight electric bike (15 kg)
Opportunities for Improvement
- Controller is not intuitive
- Controller light colours are hard to read
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Motor assistance
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Battery range
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Weight
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Responsiveness & Confort
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Quality of Components
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Controller / Display
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Added elements
The Orbea Vibe H30 is a mid-range, lightweight commuter electric bike model worth considering.
The 2023 Vibe H30 model resembles a standard bike, which, for me, is fantastic. It features a battery embedded in the lower tube of the frame and a discreet yet smooth motor in the rear hub.
Compared with the Orbea Gain D40 road e-bike, I think it offered more versatility for urban commuting purposes.
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.
Orbea Vibe H30 Real-Time Video Review
Table of Contents
Vibe H30 Specs Summary
MOTOR & TOP SPEED
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BATTERY
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RANGE (based on brand information)
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CONTROLLER, RIDING MODES & DISPLAY
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FRAME
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DRIVETRAIN SYSTEM
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BRAKING SYSTEM
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OVERALL WEIGHT & CARRYING CAPACITY
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TYRES
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SENSORS
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FEATURES
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PRICE
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Riding the Orbea Vibe H30 Experience
Things I liked
– The first thing that caught my attention was its clean design. With its minimalist look, I felt like I was not having an electric bike in front of me.
– Another aspect that impressed me was the clean integration of the battery, the cables, and the lighting system. With that front light, it felt like a futuristic e-bike.
You can use the ebikemotion app to disable the lights when riding on a bright day—this will save minimal battery, though.
– I was pretty impressed by this discrete motor’s power (250w), with a smooth and gentle push transition at every pedal assist selected. Also, it was great to feel how strong the torque (40Nm) was, considering it would land on the low side.
– The three (3) available pedal assist levels were good enough to reduce my pedalling efforts. There was a clear difference between PAS 1 and PAS 3 (the highest assistance offered). Even though I felt PAS 1 was not too strong, it was enough to help me take off without pedalling too hard.
– On the ergonomics and comfort side, I definitely felt comfortable pedalling; and the front handlebar was easy to reach.
– The walk assistance was excellent. The band’s additional feature allows users to walk the bike on steep hills without worrying about the Vibe H30 15 kg weight.
– Considering it doesn’t come with a suspension system, there was not much vibration towards my lower back and wrists. This is also thanks to the thick Kendra tyres (2.2″).
– Orbea did not cut corners. I saw all the components used to build this commuter e-bike were from well-known manufacturers, such as the German brand Magura with its hydraulic braking system, which is among the best in the industry.
The opportunities
– It was remarkable that this model has all the necessary mounts to attach mudguards and a rear rack, though it would’ve been good to have those elements already available.
The models that come fully equipped are called EQ.
– Even though the Orbea Vibe H30 range is set up to ~ 70 km, it was hard to gauge the battery power left by using the iWOC TRIO LED light configuration. However, the brand also offers the possibility of installing an external battery to increase the range by 50 km more, I believe.
– I felt the battery power using color coding with the iWOC controller was slightly inaccurate. Four (4) different colors are used to determine the battery power left based on a percentage.
- White – 75% plus
- Green – between 50% and 75%
- Orange – between 25% and 50%
- Red – between 5% and 25%.
So, it is hard to tell how close it is to 25% or 5%, which is the most critical color, I’d say.
For more information about the iWOC TRIO operation: How to use this Mahle Controller?
– The seatpost cannot be lowered too much unless the rear light attached to the seatpost itself is removed.
Other facts to account
– Regarding the electric bike regulations in Australia, this model met the standards where the motor cuts out at 25 km/h.
Enrich your knowledge: Electric Bike Laws – Know Them Before Riding.
– In the event the battery needs replacing (it may take a long time), it must be taken to an Orbean bike shop representative.
The Orbea Vibe H30 Verdict
– This model was built with high-quality components, like the motor and the braking system, to highlight a couple of things.
– The design was clean, and I loved having lights embedded in the frame.
– In terms of Vibe H30 weight, it was super lightweight at 15 kg (33 lbs), which made it great for commuting.
– I was surprised by how powerful the Manhle X35 motor was. Quite as well.
– I was not entirely content with the iWOC’s LED TRIO light system. It was hard to read, especially the battery power, and it was also hard to see the color coding on a bright day.
This was corrected from previous models, but I think it could be improved.
The price tag was slightly higher than other brands offering extra features and comfort, such as the Giant Roam E+ hybrid e-bike. However, it would be worth investing in it if I hoped to have a good-looking, minimalist e-bike with a lifetime frame warranty and good customer service.
Overall, I really liked what the Orbea Vibe H30 offered. If you do so, I suggest taking a test ride to experience it yourself.
