The original Terra was released by the Basque brand in 2017 and then received a major overhaul in late 2021 with the release of the new "all-terrain" Terra. Until now, however, it was only for fans of plastic bikes. Fortunately, for those with less nostalgia and fans of metal bikes, Orbea has released the Terra Hydro. Apart from the price, the differences between the alloy and carbon versions are subtle but not insignificant.

Many brands offer bikes in both carbon and aluminum options without adjusting the geometry. Aluminum is generally seen as a more budget-friendly option, but that doesn't necessarily mean less performance. Our list of best gravel bikes is almost entirely carbon, and our guide to best budget gravel bikes features a mix of frame materials. Terra Hydro's aluminum tubing is internally butted and hydroformed.

The Orbea Terra Hydro frameset is very similar to the carbon Terra, with the same six sizes from XS to XXL and nearly identical geometry in each size. The head angle, BB drop, and top tube length are also the same. However, the wheelbase is 10 mm longer in each case due to the 10 mm longer chainstays. This makes the alloy versions slightly more stable (or slightly less "racy," depending on your point of view) and may slightly improve climbing ability on uneven terrain, as the center of gravity is effectively moved forward. Steering feel would be the same, as each size would have the same trail.

Both have the same carbon fork and use an asymmetrical chainstay design to improve tire clearance and chainring clearance. The Orbea Terra Hydro will accommodate 700c x 45mm or 650b x 50mm, depending on your definition of "gravel". The Orbea Terra Hydro can be fitted with 700c x 45mm or 650b x 50mm chainrings.

The Terra Hydro also does not feature in-frame storage pods. This is because the aluminum tubing cannot withstand drilling huge holes without significantly compromising its structural integrity. However, the additional bosses are handled admirably, and in the alloy version, in addition to the three sets of bottle bosses on the seat and downtube, two more fit neatly inside the seatstays to accommodate the pannier rack.

The new Carbon Terra had a mix of build options from both Shimano and Sram. They are 2x Tiagra and Ultegra level options and 1x 105 level option. It was available in three colors: copper (brown), mango (orange), and night black (black).

The most expensive Terra H30 (nominal Ultegra level) is £2,299/$2,799/€2,299; Terra H30 1X (nominal 105 level) is £2,199/$2,699/€2,199; Terra H40 (nominal Tiagra level) is £1,999/ 2,499 USD / 1,999 EUR.