Orbea recently introduced two new electric bikes, the Kemen and Kemen SUV, designed to seamlessly integrate into everyday life and provide escape when needed.The Kemen and Kemen SUV are urban electric bikes following the Vibe, Katu, and Optima series, the former designed for speeding through urban areas and the latter equipped to carry luggage, two variants of the do-everything trekking bike.

In designing the new Kemen series, the Basque brand says it wanted to bring a smart solution to all-terrain machines, using cutting-edge technology while reducing weight and efficiency. Will the new Orbea Kemen and Kemen SUV be featured in our guide to the best electric bicycles and the best electric bicycles for commuting?

In addition to the Shimano EP8 motor, both Kemen models are powered by Orbea's proprietary 540 Wh battery, which is found in the award-winning Rise model. According to Orbea, this battery consists of between 21 and 700 cells and can accommodate more energy in a smaller volume, meaning more power and smaller size. For this reason, the downtube is thinner than what we are used to seeing on e-bikes with built-in batteries. According to Orbea, under optimal conditions, the battery will maintain 80% capacity after 500 full charges, but it is worth bearing in mind that battery life can be affected by temperature, storage conditions, and charging frequency. [According to Orbea, the battery's life can be extended by up to 30% because it adjusts the charging power according to various factors, such as temperature, cell condition, and the number of charge cycles already consumed. This prevents "overcharging" the battery and optimizes its use, Orbea says.

Although the battery is not removable, Orbea says that its full integration into the downtube reduces overall bike weight, improves frame rigidity, and makes bike handling better and easier.

Orbea claims that the Kemen's battery setup is very efficient, allowing up to five hours of pedaling. If more power is needed, he says that a range extender, sold separately, can be attached to the frame, adding 252 Wh.

The aluminum Kemen frame is hydroformed and uses triple-butted tubing.

Both the Kemen and Kemen SUV models have two frame options: a top bar with a more traditional horizontal top tube and a mid-bar with a more staggered step-through top tube. According to Orbea, the top-bar models of the Kemen and Kemen SUV are designed to maximize frame rigidity for rough trails with heavy loads. The mid-bar, on the other hand, is designed to carry heavier loads and provide a stable ride while loaded.

One of the key things Orbea boasts about the new Kemen series is what it calls "state-of-the-art technology aimed at simplifying the design and removing unnecessary weight from the entire bike. This includes not only the integrated battery and resulting slimmer design, but also the integration of handlebar cables. All brake wiring, display cables, and control cables run inside the handlebar and stem cover.

Both models are easily equipped with integrated lights front and rear, the latter of which seem to increase in brightness during braking to inform the following driver of the rider's actions. In addition to this, they are also equipped with spotlights that can be controlled from the handlebars.

The Kemen series is equipped with Shimano's Link Glide drivetrain. This drivetrain is designed specifically for e-bike transmissions and is said to provide smooth shifting that can withstand the stress generated by the motor. This is due in part to the elimination of unnecessary gears in electric motors, reducing weight and complexity.

Other features include a kickstand and durable components that are useful for the everyday cyclist.

According to Orbea, the Kemen is designed for speed and comfort, with "intuitive and confident handling" over a variety of terrains; since the Kemen is intended for more urban use, it is equipped with longer mudguards than SUVs and has more attachment points The 29-inch wheels are equipped with 2.25-inch tires for comfortable riding in poorly maintained urban areas.

Kemen comes in four models: the Kemen 10, Kemen Mid 10, Kemen 30, and Kemen Mid 30. The top-end Kemen 10 has a Fox 34 Float AWL 100 Rail fork, Magura MT5 E-Stop hydraulic disc brakes, 11-speed Shimano XT Link Glide shifting, OC MC20 Mountain Control dropper post, Oberon OC1 tubeless ready wheels, and Schwalbe G-One Allround 29 x 2.25in tires. Priced at £4,299 / $5,499 / €4,799.

The Kemen 30, on the other hand, features a Marzocchi Bomber Z2 100 fork, Magura MT30 hydraulic disc brakes, 10-speed Shimano Deore Link Glide shifting, no dropper post, and the same wheels and tires as the Kemen 30 retails for £3,599 / $4,599 / €3,999.

The Kemen SUV, as its name suggests, is designed for more adventurous and heavier loads. It is equipped with more aggressive 2.35-inch Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires for better grip in the rain, and the rack can handle loads up to 27 kg. This increases its ability to carry a baby seat compared to the Kemen. Another feature of the Kemen SUV's rear rack is its compatibility with Ortlieb's QL3.1 mounting system.

The Kemen SUV is available in four models: the Kemen SUV 10, Kemen Mid SUV 10, Kemen SUV 30, and Kemen Mid SUV 30. The higher-end Kemen SUV 10 has similar specifications to the Kemen 10, the main difference being Schwalbe's Johnny Watts 29 x 2. The Kemen SUV 10 retails for £4,299 / $5,499 / €4,799.

Like the 10, the Kemen SUV 30 shares many similarities with the Kemen 30 except for the tires. This model sells for £3,599/$4,599/€3,999.

The Orbea Kemen and Orbea Kemen SUV are available on the Orbea website and from your local Orbea dealer.