One year with the Orbea Rise SL H20

By Christian Jensen - 22.02.2026

When I ordered the Orbea Rise SL H20 in late 2024 and finally rolled it out onto the trails in early 2025, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. For years I had been convinced that an e‑MTB wasn’t for me. Trail riding had always been about the rhythm of pedaling, the feedback from the terrain, and the sense of working with the bike rather than being pushed by a motor. The early e‑bikes I tried felt heavy and abrupt, and they removed much of what I enjoyed about riding.

After a full year with the Rise SL, my perspective has changed. The lightweight e‑MTB category has matured, and the Rise SL sits right at the center of that evolution. It feels far closer to a traditional trail bike than I ever expected, yet it offers the support that makes long climbs and inconsistent training periods far more manageable.

This is my look back at a full season of riding, upgrading, experimenting and learning.

The Bike and Its Setup

The 2025 Rise SL H20 is built around Orbea’s hydroformed aluminum frame with 140 millimeters of rear travel and 29‑inch wheels. I upgraded the suspension, brakes and tires early on, but the core platform remained untouched. The Shimano EP600 RS motor and 630 Wh battery proved to be a reliable combination throughout the year, offering smooth assistance without overwhelming the ride.

The geometry is modern and purposeful. A steep 78‑degree seat tube angle places you in a powerful climbing position, while the 65.5‑degree head angle and long wheelbase provide stability on descents. Compared to my previous trail bike, the Rise is noticeably longer, yet it still manages to feel agile thanks to its balanced suspension and relatively low weight for an e‑MTB.

A Year on the Trails

Most of my early rides took place on snow‑covered forest paths, but even then the Rise felt composed and predictable. As the season progressed and the terrain opened up, the bike revealed its full character. The assistance profile encourages active riding rather than passive cruising. You still work, but you get help when you need it, and the motor never feels intrusive.

The extra weight is noticeable when lifting the bike or maneuvering at very low speeds, yet once rolling it behaves like a capable trail bike. The suspension platform is supportive, and the bike handles technical terrain with confidence. Throughout the year I rode everything from bogs and high‑mountain trails to dense forest and rocky singletrack, and the Rise handled it all without complaint.

Software and Connectivity: A Mixed Experience

While the bike itself impressed me, the software experience did not. Orbea’s RS Toolbox app for Garmin devices was intended to display live motor data such as battery level, assist mode, cadence and estimated range. In practice it struggled to connect, often displayed incorrect information and occasionally paired with the wrong bike if another Rise was nearby.

Since the motor’s built‑in LED only changes color at twenty percent remaining, accurate battery information is essential. The RS Toolbox rarely provided that reliability.

A Practical Solution

The workaround was to bypass Orbea’s app entirely and pair the bike directly with a Shimano STEPS‑compatible Garmin device. By using Basic profiles in Shimano’s E‑Tube app, the Garmin received all the important data without relying on the unstable RS Toolbox.

I created a custom assist profile that blended Orbea’s RS and RS+ modes into a three‑step setup that suited my riding style. This combination provided smooth assistance and consistent data throughout the season.

Electronic Shifting: Shimano RD‑M8150

Midway through the year I upgraded to Shimano’s RD‑M8150 electronic rear derailleur. Since it integrates directly with the STEPS motor system, installation required removing the motor and having a Shimano‑certified shop reprogram it afterward. Once installed, the system delivered crisp and precise shifts with less noise than the mechanical XT derailleur it replaced.

The derailleur handled mud, bogs and rough terrain well. The only recurring issue appeared when shifting four or five gears at once, where the derailleur occasionally moved faster than the chain could follow. Because of the motor’s freewheel mechanism, backpedaling does not help, so I had to stop and free the chain manually. Despite this, the overall experience was positive, although the upgrade is not inexpensive.

Two Bikes in One: The Dual Wheelset Advantage

One of the most practical improvements I made during the year involved reusing equipment I already owned. My previous trail bike used the same wheel size as the Rise, so I installed a new freehub body, cassette, brake rotors and a speed sensor. This allowed me to use the old wheelset on the Rise without compatibility issues.

The result was two distinct setups. One wheelset carried aggressive tires for technical terrain, while the other was fitted with faster tires for gravel and light singletrack. Swapping between them took only a few minutes and effectively gave me two bikes in one. For anyone who already owns a trail bike, this is a cost‑effective way to expand the versatility of an e‑MTB.

Looking Back at 2025

After a full year of riding, upgrading and experimenting, the Orbea Rise SL H20 has proven to be a capable and enjoyable companion. The geometry is well balanced, the suspension is excellent and the Shimano EP600 RS motor delivers smooth and intuitive assistance. The software experience needs refinement, but with the right workaround the bike becomes reliable and predictable.

The combination of electronic shifting and a dual‑wheelset setup added even more versatility, and the bike adapted well to everything from long climbs to technical descents to fast gravel loops.

As I look ahead to 2026, the Rise SL remains a bike I look forward to riding. It has changed my view of what an e‑MTB can be and has earned its place in my stable.