Orbea

Aqua TPX/Sram Apex Complete Bike - 2012

Orbea built the Aqua TPX 2012 Complete Bike for riders who are more interested in putting down hassle-free miles than having fancy, finicky equipment. But, this isn't to say that the Aqua is a slouch. Instead, its 7005 aluminum frame, Bronze carbon fiber fork, and SRAM drivetrain will get you through your ride with gusto, regardless of where you want to pedal.

Sure, carbon fiber may be the frame material du jour, but experience tells us that a well-built aluminum frame also provides an excellent ride quality. Orbea knows this, and accordingly, it built the Aqua out of 7005 aluminum alloy for its blend of light weight and durability. After the material selection, Orbea then went to great lengths to build-in comfort without sacrificing aluminum's natural rigidity. Along these lines, the seatstays and top tube have been hydroformed, which enables them to flex slightly more than a round tube. Adding to this design ideology is the same carbon fiber fork that's used on the Orca Bronze.

The fork's carbon fiber construction removes much of the vibration and bite that's associated with aluminum, while also increasing the stiffness and responsiveness of the Aqua's front triangle. in other words, the combination of the hydroformed tubes and carbon fork means that there's plenty of compliance to keep you comfortable on long rides. And since stiffness is key, the custom-formed down tube and large diameter chainstays resist flex under hard efforts. That means that none of your energy is wasted when it's time to ride out of the saddle. And, in terms of stability, the relaxed angles of the Aqua's frame bolster its handling at speed.

SRAM gets the nod for the drivetrain with its Apex group set. And while it may lack the titanium and carbon fiber bits that make SRAM's Red and Force components so drool-worthy, Apex sees technological trickle-down that results in crisp, precise shifting. The same DoubleTap shift actuation used in the Red shifters makes the Apex shifters instinctive to use. There's also a compact crankset and an 11-32t cassette to take the sting out of the steepest of climbs. And when you get to top, Orbea's house-brand brakes will keep you in control for the ride down.

The remainder of the build kit consists primarily of Orbea items, such as the handlebar, stem, and carbon fiber seatpost. The featured wheelset is the Shimano R500, which have been cased in Vittoria's Zaffiro tires. And lastly, the Selle Italia X1 Flow saddle provides a comfortable perch, no matter where the ride takes you.

The Orbea Aqua TPX 2012 Complete Bike is available in the color White/red and in five sizes from 48 to 60cm.