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Orro Terra E Shimano GRX 1x E-bike

8
£3,899.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Easy-to-control carbon gravel machine with a great ride quality which benefits from smooth electronic power delivery
Plenty of assistance levels
Smooth power input
Competent handling gravel machine
Weighty if the battery runs out
Press-fit bottom bracket won't please all
Weight: 
13,400g
road.cc Recommends

This product has been selected to feature in road.cc recommends. That means it's not just scored well, but we think it stands out as special. Go to road.cc recommends

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The Orro Terra E is one of the latest additions to the British company's line-up and has been created by adapting its highly regarded gravel bike to accept the FSA System HM1.0 rear hub motor. Yes, this makes it heavier, but that weight is offset by the power unit providing plenty of punch on the climbs and long, draggy climbs. This reduces the load on your legs from the constant accelerations required when riding those technical sections. And while the bike tested has Shimano GRX, the first model available to buy will actually have SRAM Apex.

> Buy now: Orro Terra E for £3,899.99 from Orro

If you are on the lookout for an e-bike, our best electric bikes buyer's guide shows the wide range of e-bikes that are available to us today. And if you don't require electrical assistance, our best gravel bikes buyer's guide rounds up the best human-powered gravel machines.

Ride

I have ridden various versions of Orro's Terra over the years, most recently the Ekar-equipped Terra C, and Dave also gave his thoughts on the same model kitted out with the latest Shimano 105 Di2 groupset last year. 

2023 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - riding 2.jpg

Both of us found the Terra to be a fun and fast gravel bike to ride, with its geometry placing it somewhere between a gravel racer and that of an adventure bike. An endurance gravel machine, if you like...

2023 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - riding 3.jpg

The new Terra E retains most of those qualities. Orro has subtly tweaked the geometry to allow the use of the FSA system, but those changes don't affect the way the Terra E handles, which I see as a positive.

2023 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - riding 4.jpg

With the Terra E you get a bike that is very easy to ride. The geometry provides balanced, neutral steering and a wheelbase that's long enough to bring stability. The ride is involving, and the frame and fork offer enough feedback for you to can crack on at a fair old rate of knots without ever feeling that you're out of control.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - head tube badge.jpg

Knowing exactly what is going on underneath the tyres allows you to push things on loose terrain, and if you do end up out of control the Terra E kind of gets you out of trouble in a relaxed manor. Riding in the muddy slop at the beginning of the year on the lightly treaded tyres there was plenty of sideways action, but the Orro was always ready to kick back into line with a shift in your bodyweight, or it was easy to style out the slide.

The main thing to consider is what power assistance mode you choose. At the highest setting you can get quite a power kick, which can exacerbate a rear-wheel slide. While the FSA System's power delivery is relatively smooth, I did learn to use the lower power options for technical stuff, keeping back the higher power modes for hard-packed tracks and trails.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike.jpg

The Terra E is 4kg heavier than the 105 Di2 Terra C, which means it isn't quite as nimble or quick to respond to shifts in weight on technical sections. Thankfully, though, this added weight is mainly situated lower on the bike, which makes it less of an issue, and if you're riding below 25kph (15.5mph) and the motor kicks in, balance is restored.

In short, I didn't find the added weight had any detrimental effect on the Terra's handling. Thanks to the front-end geometry and because of the planted feel the extra weight gives you, the Terra E is a confidence-inspiring descender.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - rear disc brake.jpg

Gravity means you'll pick up a little more speed on the e-bike version too, but as you've got loads of power from the hydraulic brakes and the fact that the Orro doesn't feel flustered when you're pushing it into a bend, again this isn't a problem.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - rear hub.jpg

The 250Wh battery delivers 42Nm torque, so climbs aren't a problem either. The FSA hub motor system doesn't have the punch of some bottom bracket-mounted motors, so you can't just sit and spin your way up the steepest hills – you will still have to pedal, but just not as hard.

You get five different modes of assistance ranging from ECO at the bottom to Boost at the top, and I found the range okay unless you're bike-packing or planning long-distance adventures.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - rear.jpg

On my commute to the office along the canal towpath, with a bit of road at either end, I managed 27 miles (43.5km) from a fully charged battery. And while the route is pretty flat, pedestrians on the towpath and stop-start traffic on the tarmac meant there was a lot of accelerating and quite a few sections under 25kph, so the motor was on if not exactly pushing out maximum power.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - frame detail.jpg

FSA claims a range of around 50km, so on full power I'd say what I achieved was pretty decent.

Flicking though the modes though I was able to make the battery charge last for the length of my main gravel route, which is exactly 50km. It's lumpy and uses a whole range of different surfaces, but I never felt I had to sacrifice power output for battery life.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - rear drop out.jpg

I found on average I was around 10 minutes quicker on the Terra E than I was on the Ekar Terra C in similar riding conditions. This is because the motor let me take it easier on climbs, which in turn allowed me to push harder on the flats, while the downhills took care of themselves.

When I arrived home, there was still about 20% of battery life left after just under three hours of riding. You can increase range further by buying an extender cell that fits in the bottle cage.

But do try to ensure you're never left with a flat battery. If that happens, you're left with a 13.4kg gravel bike, which is on the sluggish side.

More positively, I found little resistance from the motor when it's not active, to the point that when you are freewheeling or pedalling you won't notice it.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - top tube detail.jpg

I found the Terra E a very comfortable bike to ride. Orro has kept the top tube, seat tube and seat stays slender for a bit of flex, so that even when you pump the tyres up hard for a bit of road use, the Terra shuns high-frequency vibrations while still feeling stiff and responsive.

Frame and Fork

As with the standard model, the Terra R's frame and fork are made from carbon fibre, with the tubing adapted to suit the needs of an e-bike.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - fork.jpg

Compared with the beefed-up welds and gussets required on aluminium bikes, the carbon fibre Terra E has a more incognito look.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - down tube.jpg

First off, the down tube needs to big enough to accommodate the battery. Secondly, the press-fit bottom bracket shell needs to incorporate the charging port.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - charging port.jpg

Cables run to the rear hub motor through the chainstay, while the system is controlled by a button on the top tube.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - top tube button.jpg

This button limits the use of Bento or top tube bags and can also clash with the straps on some frame-mounted bags too.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - seat tube junction.jpg

Speaking of load carrying, I think it is fair to say the Terra isn't as well equipped as some of its competitors.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - seat tube detail.jpg

You'll find two sets of bottle cage mounts, mudguard and rear rack mounts – though thanks to the slimness of those chainstays they come with a quite limiting 5kg limit.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - seat tube bosses.jpg

That said, if you are planning to use this for carrying loads or as a lightweight, credit card tourer, there are still lots of options around for frame-, seatpost- or handlebar-mounted bags.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - stem and cable route.jpg

To avoid interference with frame bags the Terra E uses fully integrated cable and hose routing with each entering the frame at the top of the head tube. It may not make servicing easier, but it gives the Orro a smooth look and keeps everything away from the elements.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - bottom bracket.jpg

Orro has gone for a press-fit bottom bracket. While some riders may have reservations about press-fit's reliability in wet mud and grit, or dry, dusty conditions causing creaking, I've had no issues.

I tested this for two months during some of the wettest weather I've known, over muddy gravel trails and with grit being thrown up from the gravel sections. The bottom bracket has been submerged in deep puddles – and to speed up wear and tear I didn't clean the bike during this period.

Even after giving the bike a full clean before it went back to Orro, the bottom bracket and motor were still working perfectly without any unwelcome, unwanted noises.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - fork clearance.jpg

Orro has squeezed in tyre clearances of 44mm, which isn't massive these days, but will be enough for most UK conditions, especially in the dry.

Geometry

The Terra E is available in four sizes. Our medium bike had a 553mm top tube, 165mm head tube and 500mm seat tube.

The chainstays are 423mm long, the wheelbase 1,030mm and the stack and reach are 584mm and 384mm respectively.

The seat angle is 73.9°, while the head angle is a relaxed 71°.

Finishing Kit

Alongside the FSA motor system, the Terra E presently on sale comes with a 1x SRAM Apex groupset, Orro/FSA aluminium finishing kit and Vision Team 30 wheels incorporating the FSA MH1 rear hub. The £3,899.99 RRP is the same as the Ekar-equipped Terra C, and there's also a flat bar Terra E, which is a fraction cheaper at £3,799.99.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - drop bar.jpg

If you're eagle-eyed you may just have noticed that this review bike has a Shimano GRX groupset with a deviation to an FSA chainset, along with a Deda bar and stem combo.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - bars 3.jpg

Orro is planning to offer this version at the same price as the Apex build, but ongoing supply issues mean the Apex version will be available first.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - drivetrain.jpg

Apex might be SRAM's entry-level groupset but it is well built and performs well.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - rear mech.jpg

The Apex build will pair a 40T chainring with an 11-speed 11-42 cassette. The resulting gearing range is easily sufficient when you add motor assistance into the mix. The frame does have a mounting point for a front mech, so running a 2x setup is possible.

Having ridden Apex countless times, it does take a little time to get used to the DoubleTap shifting if you're more used to Shimano's STI and Campagnolo's Ergopower systems, but once you've learned it, shifting becomes second nature.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - seat stays.jpg

The shifting isn't quite as refined as you'll find on SRAM's higher-end groupsets, but it is crisp and direct and it isn't affected by mud and grit.

The lever ergonomics also take a bit of getting used to, as the hood space for the hydraulic reservoir is quite large – though this does give you a good platform for resting your hand when braking while descending.

FSA provides its Adventure Compact bar and Omega ST stem while the alloy seatpost and Borstal Plus model are both Orro branded.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - saddle and post.jpg

It has a narrow, road bike saddle-like design with a little extra padding to soak up the bumps, and I found it comfortable.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - saddle 2.jpg

The Vision wheels have 30mm-deep aluminium alloy rims. Even in their standard form they aren't the lightest wheels around, but that's even less relevant when they're laced around a rear-hub motor.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - rim.jpg

But they are tough, durable and capable of taking on tough gravel trails, singletrack through the woods and chalky grassland.

They were still true and running smoothly when the bike was returned to Orro, and they're tubeless ready too, which is how I'd set them up for off-road riding.

2022 Orro Terra E GRX600 E-Bike - tyre.jpg

The Continental Terra Trail tyres that Matthew liked are specced in a 40mm width, and they're e-bike specific too.

Their minimal tread pattern is ideal for hard-packed gravel or dry conditions, but like a lot of gravel tyres they struggle in typical muddy UK winter conditions.

That said, their grip is pretty good in most conditions, and there were no issues with punctures or durability.

Value

Unlike in the road market where e-bikes tend to use rear-hub motors, the gravel bike market seems to be split between rear hub- and bottom bracket-mounted systems.

The Vitus E-Substance is an electric version of its Substance that I liked when I reviewed it last year, and which uses a Fazua mid-drive motor. It has more torque than the Orro at 55Nm, but battery range is similar to that of the Terra.

Its SRAM Rival groupset is one above Apex, it has Kanza alloy wheels, costs £3,999.99 and weighs 14.7kg.

A lot of gravel bikes around this price with hub-based systems have aluminium frames.

This includes the Ribble CGR AL e that KiwiMike tested, which costs £2,899 for the Apex-equipped Sport model that has a Mahle Ebikemotion X35+ system.

Or there's Ribble's latest aluminium gravel specific e-machine, the err, cunningly named Gravel. The Pro build costs £3,699 and has the same X35+ motor as the CGR but comes with Shimano's GRX 810 groupset.

The ride quality of the carbon frame of the Terra E though is one of the highlights, so I reckon it's worth the extra investment.

Conclusion

The E has taken all the qualities of the other Terra models and given it a real boost. The smooth motor brings an extra level to your gravel riding – whether you want to go quicker or go further. The downsides are extra weight, but that is more than compensated for by the extra power on tap.

Verdict

Easy-to-control carbon gravel machine with a great ride quality which benefits from smooth electronic power delivery

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Orro Terra E Apex 1x E-bike

Size tested: Medium, 55.3cm

About the bike

List the components used to build up the bike.

The build spec of the currently available Terra is as follows, with a GRX build coming soon:

Seatpost: ORRO Alloy Setback

Rotor: Centerlock Paceline 160mm

Battery: FSA System HM1 36V 252Wh

Handlebar: FSA Adventure Compact

Stem: FSA Omega ST

Bottom Bracket: BB86

Chain: SRAM 11 Speed

Saddle: Orro Bostal Plus Saddle

Shifters: Sram Apex 1x

Rear Derailleur: Sram Apex 1

Cassette: SRAM Apex 11-42T

Brake Calipers: SRAM Apex Hydraulic

Tyres: Continental Terra Trail 40c

Wheelset: FSA HM1 System Team 30 AGX Hub Motor

Chainset: SRAM Apex 40T

Tell us what the bike is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about the bike?

Orro says: "After years of product conceptualisation and design development we welcome our first electric bike into the Terra family. Early in the design process we homed in on gravel riding as the basis for electric development. We wanted to give cyclists like ourselves the ability to take on more mileage and make it easier to tackle tough off-road climbs, such as those in our native South Downs testing ground. Terra E marks our considered entry into the empowering world of lightweight electrically assisted bikes."

The Terra E behaves just like the naturally powered models, with a responsive frame and great handling, with the added bonus of a motor for a boost on the climbs or when travelling further.

Where does this model sit in the range? Tell us briefly about the cheaper options and the more expensive options

There are currently two models on Orro's website, this one and a flat-bar build – and there's a Shimano GRX build is on its way soon.

Frame and fork

Overall rating for frame and fork
 
9/10

Tell us about the build quality and finish of the frame and fork?

Well made, and the matt-black finish shrugs off scuffs and knocks.

Tell us about the materials used in the frame and fork?

A custom blend of carbon fibres.

Tell us about the geometry of the frame and fork?

The geometry gives a well-balanced, easily controllable bike that works on a whole range of surfaces.

How was the bike in terms of height and reach? How did it compare to other bikes of the same stated size?

As mentioned in the review, the stack and reach measurements are nothing out of the ordinary for a medium sized gravel bike.

Riding the bike

Was the bike comfortable to ride? Tell us how you felt about the ride quality.

The ride quality is firm, but it doesn't feel harsh and I found it comfortable.

Did the bike feel stiff in the right places? Did any part of the bike feel too stiff or too flexible?

Balanced stiffness throughout.

How did the bike transfer power? Did it feel efficient?

Plenty of stiffness around the lower part of the frame where it is required.

Was there any toe-clip overlap with the front wheel? If so was it a problem?

No.

How would you describe the steering? Was it lively neutral or unresponsive? Neutral.

Tell us some more about the handling. How did the bike feel overall? Did it do particular things well or badly?

The well-balanced handling makes the Terra an easy bike to control riding through corners, and the steering is fast enough so that the ride never becomes dull.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's comfort? would you recommend any changes?

The padding on the saddle gave some extra comfort – but without alienating you from the ride itself.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's stiffness? would you recommend any changes?

The Deda front end found offered loads of stiffness for riding hard up hills or when sprinting out of the saddle.

Which components had the most effect (good or bad) on the bike's efficiency? would you recommend any changes?

The FSA motor delivers its power very smoothly and efficiently, offsetting the weight penalty of the battery and motor.

Rate the bike for efficiency of power transfer:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for acceleration:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for sprinting:
 
7/10
Rate the bike for high speed stability:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for cruising speed stability:
 
9/10
Rate the bike for low speed stability:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for flat cornering:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for cornering on descents:
 
8/10
Rate the bike for climbing:
 
7/10

The drivetrain

Rate the drivetrain for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the drivetrain for weight:
 
7/10

Tell us some more about the drivetrain. Anything you particularly did or didn't like? Any components which didn't work well together?

The Shimano GRX groupset on our test bike offers great shifting performance and braking power, as does the SRAM Apex groupset that will be found on the initial Terra E models.

Wheels and tyres

Rate the wheels for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the wheels for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the wheels for weight:
 
6/10
Rate the wheels for comfort:
 
7/10

Tell us some more about the wheels.Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the wheels? If so what for?

Thanks to the motor, the overall weight of the wheels isn't a major concern and they are tough enough to cope with the abuse when you hit the trails.

Rate the tyres for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the tyres for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the tyres for weight:
 
5/10
Rate the tyres for comfort:
 
7/10

Tell us some more about the tyres. Did they work well in the conditions you encountered? Would you change the tyres? If so what for?

They have decent tread pattern for dry conditions and hard-packed trails, but they don't work so well in wet and muddy conditions.

Controls

Rate the controls for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the controls for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the controls for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the controls for comfort:
 
7/10

Tell us some more about the controls. Any particularly good or bad components? How would the controls work for larger or smaller riders?

Regardless of whether you get the Deda components on our test bike or the FSA kit, you'll get a shallow drop and an alloy build that is strong and dependable.

Your summary

Did you enjoy riding the bike? Yes

Would you consider buying the bike? Yes

Would you recommend the bike to a friend? Yes

How does the price compare to that of similar bikes in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

With a lot of variation in the different motor systems used on gravel bikes at the moment it's hard to make direct comparisons. Vitus's e-bike offering has a similar price but comes with a Rival groupset and a different motor system. The Orro is also competitive against alloy-framed options, which make up most gravel bikes around this price or cheaper.

Rate the bike overall for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the bike overall for value:
 
5/10

Use this box to explain your overall score

I have found all of the Terras I have ridden over the years a lot of fun to ride, thanks to their stiff and comfortable framesets. The Terra E retains all of those qualities and offsets the extra weight with a highly usable motor system that allows you to ride faster and further.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 44  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed,

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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