There’s little sense in denying the progression of e-mountain bikes both in technology and execution. Responsible trail access will continue to be an important issue to resolve, but more eMTBs are getting thoroughly refined execution, and we’ll continue to see them on shared trails. Then again, e-bikes like the revised 140mm travel Orbea Wild FS might sneak right under our noses.
Orbea isn’t really trying to slip one past us, they’re just continuing the design evolution that gives sleek integration of batteries and motors, and the best performing pedal-assist drive systems, all with handling dialed in for e-assist all-mountain riding fun.
2019 Orbea Wild FS alloy all-mountain e-bike
The latest version of Orbea’s Wild FS full-suspension eMTB that debuted just last autumn, now gets updated with slightly longer and lower cockpit to give a more aggressive position for riding technical trails. Plus, the new e-bike adds options – take more fork travel for more descending capability, or drop the cost with Shimano’s newer E7000 STePS drive system.
2019 Orbea Wild FS Tech Details
From the outside of that giant swooping 7000 series aluminum downtube, the Wild FS doesn’t look to have changed much in just over a year. But the simplicity of an alloy frame allowed them to quickly improve on what was already one of the stealthiest eMTBs available. The new version completely redesigns the non-driveside battery door to make it easier to access and swap power supplies, still keeping everything neatly tucked out of the way.
The integrated skid plate in front the cranks now also makes way for the more affordable Shimano E7000 drive system (only available in Europe so far as we can tell), in addition to the top of the line original E8000 version.
The Wild FS still builds in full 29″ or 27.5+ wheel/tire options. But now up front, a couple of the larger-wheeled 29ers also get a longer 150mm Fox 36 fork option for more aggressive trail capabilities.
2019 Orbea Wild FS Specs & Pricing
The bikes all get new two-tone paint jobs that blend the look of those giant oversized downtubes a bit. The longer travel 29er is available in two complete builds with fatter 29 x 2.6″ tires – the 7000€ Orbea Wild FS 150 10 29S with E8000, XX1 Eagle & Fox Float Factory suspension, or the $6,800/6000€ Orbea Wild FS 150 20 29S that steps down to an XT 1×11 & Fox Float Performance suspension (note that it looks like only that second one is coming to America.)
Standard versions of the 29ers are also available at both of those specs with matching 140mm of travel front & rear using smaller 2.4″ tires and lower pricing ($7000/6500€ for the 10 29S, and $5,700/5300€ for the 20 29S.)
The 27.5+ bikes share the same general spec & pricing as the 140mm travel 29ers, with an additional lower 30 29S27S 30 model getting E8000 and NX Eagle for $5,000/4600€.
The most affordable e-bike with an E7000 powertrain is available in either wheelsize for 3700€ (these also look to be Europe-only for now at least) as the Orbea Wild FS 40 29S/27S with a Deore 1×10 drivetrain and a mix of a Fox Float Performance shock & RockShox Sektor RL 140mm fork.
