August 5, 2025 - Orbea has been designing and manufacturing top-quality bicycles in the rugged, mountainous Basque region of Spain since 1930.
As a co-operative, the company values the insights and contributions of all of its members, benefiting from a wide variety of perspectives in pursuit of the best possible riding experience.
That collaboration and commitment to social equity has consistently seen the company deliver innovative and award-winning designs. Orbea’s bikes are respected throughout the cycling world, from the alpine stages of the Tour de France to mountain bike trails in Quebec.
In 2017, Orbea entered the e-bike market with the Gain, available in both road and hybrid versions. Soon after they began to offer e-mountain bikes, and now have added the award-winning Diem, a line of city bikes that will appeal to sport riders, commuters, and urban errand-runners alike.
In 2024, the Diem took home a Eurobike Gold Award, an iF Design Award, a Red Dot “Product Design” Award and a Cyclingworld Europe “Product of the Year” Award, so naturally we were stoked when the opportunity came up to test a Diem 20 earlier this summer in Toronto.
Their Diem lineup sports Orbea’s new Diamond Glide frame, which absorbs impact through its modified arch design to provide a comfortable ride over potholes and other rough surfaces.
The sleek, modern lines combine with high-quality components and thoughtful design features to deliver a comfortable, capable, and stylish ride.
The semi-upright positioning balances good visibility and comfort with a sporty ride feeling, and the wide, flat handlebars offer good control of this responsive e-bike.
Shimano’s EP600 motor, found on the Diem 20 and 30, feels powerful and accelerates quickly with 85Nm of torque, while the Diem 10 offers even more power with Shimano’s EP801 motor, which will appeal to riders who live in cities with hillier terrain.
The 30 comes equipped with a Shimano 540Wh battery, while the 20 and 10 boast 630Wh; all three models can be fitted with an additional 250Wh range extender for longer adventures. Estimated battery life ranges from 70-100km, depending on the load and conditions.
Three drivetrain options are offered: the Diem 30 features a Shimano CUES U4000 9-speed drivetrain; the Diem 20 is outfitted with a Shimano Nexus Inter-5 rear hub, Microshift shifters and a Gates CDX drive belt; and the Diem 10 comes with Enviolo’s Automatiq system and a Gates CDX drive belt.
The Nexus 5 shifting on our Diem 20 test model was smooth and silent, with ample gear range to start on hills or cruise the flats.
A skilfully welded aluminum frame with internally-routed cables complements the pared-down cockpit, with a minimalist Shimano controller. There’s an option to mount your smartphone and charge it via a convenient USB-C port, and you can access Shimano’s E-Tube app for more features, including shift timing and power assist fine-tuning.
Shimano’s MT201 hydraulic disc brakes offer smooth and strong stopping power, and the Vittoria e-Randonneur tires grip the road securely, giving a safe and comfortable ride.
A Supernova Starstream Pure headlight automatically comes on at dusk to illuminate the path ahead, while integrated Orbea wrap-around lights in the head tube and rear fender ensure you will be seen from every angle.
The Diem 20 also comes standard with an MIK rear rack, capable of carrying 20kg of gear (or a small child), and buyers can choose to upgrade to a 30kg rear-rack and/or add a front rack with cargo net to carry an additional 10kg. It also comes with a Gates CDS chain guard, Curana mudguards, a Knog bell and a kickstand.
The bottom line? The Diem 20 looks terrific, feels great, and comes with a well-respected pedigree. Orbea’s attention to detail, design sensibility, and focus on performance have succeeded in creating a light, full-featured, capable e-bike that’s a lot of fun to ride.
The SRP is $6,599 and for more information visit here.
