Orbea has significantly revamped its Terra gravel bike series; the new Terra, launched in 2017, is designed specifically for gravel bikes, encompassing all modern standards and requirements associated with all-terrain adventure riding.

As riders on the best gravel bikes are choosing more adventurous routes, Orbea has shaped the latest Terra frame to accommodate larger tires and more rack mounts. There is also a new down-tube rock port for storing spares and tools.

The surge in all-terrain riding has increased demand for larger casing tires that offer better off-road riding comfort and lower inflation pressures.

Because many gravel bikes are meant for all-night adventures, the Terra has more tire clearance in the fork and rear triangle.

According to Orbea, 700c x 45mm tires can be rolled with no mud clearance issues; if 650b size is your preference, the Terra frame can roll 50mm casings with no problem.

Fatter tires improve ride comfort, but Orbea knows that the geometry must provide ultimate steering stability and responsiveness.

To create a riding platform that is predictable for riders going fast on rutted fireroads and forest singletrack, Orbea dropped the bottom bracket to 78 mm, lowering the bike's overall center of gravity. The designers also trimmed the Terra's chainstays to a compact 420 mm.

The head angle of the Terra was increased by half a degree, from 70 to 72 degrees across the entire product portfolio (to account for geometry differences between the larger and smaller sizes). All Terras also feature longer carbon forks, which promise better vibration absorption on the trail. If you are not familiar with gravel bike sizes and geometry, please read our special feature.

Orbea knows that a true gravel touring bike needs a lot of gear, and Terra's asymmetrical rear triangle has dropped chainstays on the drive side to accommodate both 1x and 2x gears.

The most affordable Orbea Terra is the M30 Team 1X, which at £2,899 combines a Shimano GX812 drivetrain with RX400 gravel bike brakes. If you need more gears, the double M30 TEAM is £2,999 and has a Shimano GRX RX810 drivetrain.

If you want the crispest shifting possible, there is the Terra M21e TEAM 1X.

Priced at £4,999, it uses the SRAM Force eTap AXS drivetrain and brakes. This premium version of the new Terra is also fitted with lightweight Fulcrum Rapid Red 500 DB wheels.

Like all Orbea bikes, the Terra can be ordered in custom colors, and all bikes have two handlebar options.

Riders can opt for 12-degree flared drop bars as a compromise between aero and steering leverage. There is also the Easton EC90, which has a 16-degree flare for more control on loose, rocky descents.