Orbea Kemen 2023 - Full Rider’s Review
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- čas přidán 12. 10. 2023
- #ebike #bikereview #cyclingvlog
A month of bliss. I’m sorry to say that I wasn’t so impressed when I first heard about the Kemen. It seemed a bit of a commuter’s bike. Then I saw it and rode it. I was both right AND oh-so-wrong. Commuters will love it because they can ride trails after work. Trail riders will like the fast rides on road to get to their trails. Pretty much every day for the month Orbea loaned one to me I’ve ridden. I’ve tackled steeper hills, knarlier trails and chalked up my highest mileage with the most climbing in a month ever on this amazing machine.
It is the one e-bike to rule them all.
Huge thanks to Orbea for the loan www.orbea.com/gb-en/ebikes/ur...
Thanks as always to Altura; today for the Progel Plus bib shorts, and Progel mitts www.altura.co.uk/
And to www.d2dcyclingclothing.co.uk/ for the jersey
This stuff fits big people. Ask away if you have any questions about kit.
My heart rate monitor was provided by Coospo www.coospo.com/products/h9z-c...
If you want to do more to support the channel, you can Buy Me A Coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/fnx8xq6fjh9
For business enquiries, please email me at yakorides.gmail.com
Great review, very detailed. I am pleased you liked the bike. For your health sake, it would be nice if Orbea gave you this bike to help with your ongoing rehabilitation. I will stick with my Gain and my Trek domane for now. I swap between the 2 as I find the electric is very tempting and I am losing just a little weight where with the Trek life is hard but the weight loss is better. I think with your heart problems this Kemen would be perfect for you. Keep going.
I can’t agree with you more, dear! They should! Maybe you should flog both your bikes for a Domane E? But seriously, thank you.
Awesome full review! Very helpful! You answered all my questions! I can’t wait to ride one. 😊
Too bad you can’t keep it longer. Thank you!! 🙏🏾
My pleasure Denice! I think you’ll get addicted to it…I know I am, but it’s a very different beast to our Gains!
An excellent review Yako - just the information you need when considering alternative E-bikes. Thanks for your channel
My pleasure. Glad it was helpful to you!
Nice picturesque ride very well done, your tyre pressure seems high for off road i only have 32psi on my Orro gravel bike which I find perfect ok for road too.
If you completely deplete the battery is there any problem charging, or just take a long time.
I don't think that an MTB is for me as i have an Orbea MX40 MTB and never use it which is a shame.
Have yourself a wonderful weekend
Thanks Terry. Completely depleted only means to the point where the battery management system cuts the power to preserve the battery, not anywhere near dead like leaving the lights on on a car. I need extra tyre pressure because I weigh…a lot. lost over a stone but still over 19st…
Thank you. This is great full review. I bought Kemen Suv 10 xl last week. I will deliver the bike end of this month. Your review help me very much. I also a big guy. 140 kg weight and 2.00 m tall. I am at the bike’s capacity limit. I hope I can fit in.
Glad it helped you Özgür. I wouldn’t worry about the weight limit - unless you plan to do big jumps, which this isn’t really designed for. You are going to love this bike! Let me know how you get on!
I'm looking at these reviews for a first all round workhorse car alternative for commuting, shopping, carrying luggage and cargo and pulling trailers regularly which usually vary between 40 to 85kg behind my ordinary hybrid push bike at the moment. I'm also 2 metres tall although I only weigh a little over 120kg myself.
From this review I am completely sold on how good this bike is.
My one disappointment is that the battery is not removable for charging and also for replacement because I intend to keep and maintain whatever bike I do get for a long time and not being able eventually to buy a replacement battery is causing it to lose a few points for me.
That's the only reason it's not top of my probables list which is currently held by the Cube Kathmandu.
@tconnelly9820 There are some very good deals for the Kemen at the moment, but also look at the Canyon Pathlite ON, and perhaps research Shimano’s EP8 motor’s reliability before making your final choice.
@@yakoridesagain Thanks for the response. Genuinely.
I will definitely look at that Canyon.
I have read and watched some reviews and articles and especially the comments from users comparing Bosch and this Shimano EP8 motor and there didn't seem to be much between them apart from some people having that free wheeling rattling noise which would just be a minor issue in it's own. Both motors reached very impressive mileages for some people. Others had more disappointing experiences. I will look further into it. Perhaps I overlooked or missed something relevant? Thank you again 😊
@@tconnolly9820 As with all things, people tend to write about things that have gone wrong! There is a Facebook group called ‘Shimano EP8/EP801/EP6 Owners’ or similar. May I suggest you ask a question on there? I’ve ridden two bikes with the EP801 and neither rattled over rough ground, for what it’s worth, but a bike is a huge investment and it pays to take care.
Sadly the end of another adventure and end of the road for another Orbea bike. Nice you have been able to review several bikes with different capabilities and the Orca coming so back to road adventures. The question of course is what you need your bike for? You have given a nice presentation of options for everyone. My guess is the Kemen would probably be the prefect bike for you and giving you the freedom to tackle the various roads and climbs in your area. Also the extra assist available is probably not always needed but gives more confidence to one with heart issues. Hopefully at some point you will be in the position to purchase one or maybe ask Orbea about purchasing a used one after they are done with demos.
I do like that it’s more hop on-able George, and I’ve absolutely loved the exploring but I couldn’t give up the thrill of a high-speed descent down a smooth, flowing mountain road. I’ll just HAVE to have bike no.2 at some point! Hope you and yours are well?
Good review bud 🙂
Glad you liked it! I liked the look of that bread-and-butter pud of yours!
Hehe, was good and sold well too - you should try making one, savoury bread and butter pud is the way forward 🙂@@yakoridesagain
Gréât watching this & thanks to Orbea. As it gets us an insider view of the bike!
Sounds like it’s a mtb bike design - it will be better reducing thé bar, easy to do… it becomes twitchy at 550, but fine enough at 650 even.
How’s your heart? Have you had a check on heart RYTHM? Any blockages? I have my heart rate stuck at 126, to keep me safe. That’s zone 2. Stay safe! Look after yourself.
I started cycling on my gain. Remember on cardiac rehab. My M20 gain is brilliant. Somehow the front derailleur broke but I will get it replaced soon.
Many thanks!
I’ve had lots of tests but back in Tuesday for results and hopefully answers!
@@yakoridesagain I get to talk to my specialist Tuesday- courage Monsieur aussi
Appreciate the review and all your adventures.
I have had a Kemen 10 SUV for a few weeks now. As for "niggly problems"? (1) No issues with cable routing/rubbing so far, and (2) have put it in assist profile 2 (less powerful) and tuned the settings down. It's perfect as even on Eco setting the motor cuts out at 25km/h speed.
For me I think the battery would last ~6-8h.
Lights are super bright. Nobbly tyres with 50psi still roll well. Have not really taken it off road much yet but will soon.
Absolutely loving it and agree with your review!
Many thanks Darren. Glad but unsurprised you are enjoying the bike. You’ve made a great choice there!
I was going for ‘niggardly’, not in it’s stingy/miserly sense, but in that the problems there are amount to very little.
I’ve only seen the lights on in a tunnel, and I wasn’t even riding it that day, but you’ve reminded me that I must do a night ride before handing it back.
Thanks for the support.
Nice bike, it is in my radar.
It certainly is, Alfonso! Good to hear from you.
Finally I picked up the Mondraker Thundra X, the same concept with Shimano EP600 and 720w. Question of price. Waiting for her.
Understandable. The prices are high - though some great deals are available right now.
excellent.....though slightly worryng the way you were carressing the frame.....lol.....does mrs yako know theres another!?....
Mrs Y is very understanding - but I keep the Gain in the same room as Eileen and overnight, Eileen might get a smudge of oil on her, or her tyres let down…I went out on the Gain yesterday, and this morning, no marks on Eileen…
Great review Yako 👍
As someone who needs an Ebike asap and was / is thinking of a Cube Reaction 750 (I need range, not power) Allroad or Kathmandu, this range of Orbeas piqued my interest.
So much so that I was searching for my nearest dealer, but then you highlighted that the battery is fixed. Deal-breaker, unfortunately 😓
Cheers 🚲🙂
Check out the Canyon Pathlite: ON. Not, to my eyes, as good-looking, but close, and a removable, larger - battery. Another of my viewers bought one and raves about it. I’d love to test one.
@@yakoridesagain thanks, I'll do that now.
Looks isn't a consideration, simply range and the ability to put a pannier on it.
I am even thinking about a Himiway Zebra due to its 960Wh battery but it's a huge bike, albeit having fat tyres which would come in handy.
2.5" tyres will be fine if the range is good.
Cheers .
I’ve never ridden a fat bike, but I have ridden some awful stuff on an Orbea Rise and it’s 2.4” tyres were very confidence inspiring so I’d stick to something nearer that if you ever go near a sealed road! If you give me a minute or two, I have a list of Kemen/Pathlite equivalents somewhere I rooted out for a possible vid that never got made…I’d still advise trying to to keep the bike as close to 20kg as possible as you may still need to put it in a car/train/lift it up steps…
I only found 2 more, but have a good look around for ‘SUV’ bikes (e-mtb’s with fenders, rack and lights) as there are lots of choices, including the Focus Thron and the Giant Stance E+. No idea if either are any good…
@@yakoridesagain yes, I don't need, or really want, a fat-bike per se, it's just that the Himiway Zebra has a 960wh battery. But then, a 750 Wh battery on a much lighter bike with 'only' 2.5" tyres would probably give a similar range. And more versatile too.
Since finding your channel I'm going to hang on a bit longer to make the correct choice, you've opened my eyes to more possibilities.
Cheers 👍
I've been off the internet for a few weeks so I'm trying to catch up with your vids. Sorry to hear about your heart condition. Are you going to keep the Kemen?
Well they have asked for it back…a pity as it’s the perfect adventure vehicle for the impaired!
Oh lord far too much great info, was convinced I was going for a Specialized ,now haven't a clue 1:03
what sort of riding will you be doing, @plp? Urban, trails, gravel? What riding do you do now (ie how much)? Happy to help you make the right choice!
Another consideration is your location in respect of your nearest Specialized and Orbea dealers, for any service or warranty issues.
Can I pm you if so how ?
Easiest is yakorides@gmail.com, though emails are a bit old-fashioned these days!
@@yakoridesagain test sent
Hi Yako, I've read other reviews on riding using a Shimano EP8 motor and they all mention a 'clacking noise' when not pedalling (essentially allows the motor to disconnect from the cranks when not in use) and also detected when the motor is engaging and disengaging around the 25km/h cutoff on the road, and while cruising over washboard bumps on mundane fireroads. What is your experience with this issue? Thanks for any help.
I read those to Mazsha. I’ve ridden 2 now with the EP8…the Rise has the EP8 RS, developed with Orbea and downgraded to a max 60Nm to improve range. It was completely silent ie no rattles or presumably clutch noises. Nothing. Orbea say they worked on eliminating those noises, and they have succeeded. with the full power Kemen, there was still no rattling from the road surface, but there were ‘clutch’ noises as the assist engages/disengages, yes. I didn’t find it off putting, or particularly loud, and it’s not like it’s THAT stealthy. I didn’t think it warranted a mention as the rattling, which would get wearying, was absent. Hope that helps, and let me know if you end up making the purchase!
Great review! Is this a good bike for a long distance tour, maybe 80-90 km per day? Is it too heavy with the engine off? And what range have you experienced? Thanks
Many thanks! Much depends on the terrain, how much climbing, how heavy you are. Look for my Dawn to Dusk video from December, I rode 154km that day, only 600m approx climbing. - but I was around 125kgs. The bike rolls very well with the motor off. I did make a lot of videos with this bike, take a look!
Hi Yako, I've been researching this bike and came upon your videos; thanks for the comprehensive reviews. I may be about to order one in the UK, but I'm wondering if there will be a newer version of the Kemen coming out soon; do you have contacts at Orbea that would know or could comment on that? Also, it seems like you went on some pretty good trails on the regular Kemen, which is the one I'm leaning towards. Did you get a chance to ride the SUV version? I'm having a bit of trouble deciding which one suits me better as I'll probably mostly ride on roads and towpaths.
The SUV is almost identical, just wheels and tyres and a heftier rear rack I think from memory, so if you owned one you can change the tyres to best suit what riding you do at any time. On the rougher trails I really missed a bigger tread pattern, but these tyres were pretty amazing all round, and rolled incredibly well (and quietly) on road. Huge savings at the mo too - enough to buy a second set of wheels for when you want to take to the trails maybe!
I’ve just checked the ‘24 spec Kemen, it looks like the only change is to the rear carrier on the SUV. ‘My’ ‘23 already had the new EP801 motor and it is as you know is based on the new Urrun hardtail MTB frame.