Orbea Kemen Mid SUV 30 E-Bike Review

Images from manufacturer's website

80 mi

RANGE

20 mph

TOP SPEED

4 hrs

CHARGE TIME

48 lbs

WEIGHT

Mid-drive

MOTOR TYPE

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Orbea Kemen Mid SUV 30 Review: Takeaway

A very good all-rounder all-terrain electric bike, the Orbea Kemen Mid SUV 30 is light, nimble, and fun to ride both on and off-road. You can customize it to your needs and have just the right machine delivered to your door. Whether you use it for long-distance commuting or mixed-terrain trekking, this e-bike will handle most things very well.

Ideal for...

Long-Distance Touring over Mixed Terrain

Commuting & Fun on the Weekends

Overlanding in Drier Conditions

Day/Night Riding

Family Rides

E-Bike Overview

A lightweight, long-range step-through all-terrain electric bike, the Orbea Kemen Mid SUV 30 is great fun to ride on and off road.

At just over 48 lbs, the Kemen Mid SUV 30 is around 30 lbs lighter than you’ll find in typical big fat-tire overlanders. This means that the internal 540 Wh battery can take it much further than its American rivals. Efficiency also comes with the 10-speed transmission and a big, 43-tooth rear cog for the nastiest climbs. Unable to hack thick mud or ride over dry sand, it can still take on steep slopes with the 250W mid-drive motor that can hurl out as much as 85 Newton meters of torque.

This electric bike also includes a rack that’s capable of carrying all you need for a day’s riding. The tubeless Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires sit comfortably between off- and on-road to both grip the soft stuff and pavement. Being tubeless, they’ll self-seal should a thorn go into the tire.

Reasons to Buy

Lightweight, nimble, and downright beautiful to look at, this e-bike is deceptively tough — very European with efficiency trumping raw power. The Kemen Mid SUV 30 uses less power to achieve more, and that can mean a much more fun ride than an e-bike made with girders and beefy motors.

Another big selling point is that you can upgrade the e-bike considerably on the order page. The basic model is $4,399, but you can upgrade the brakes and add a range extender, better lights, and a backpack pannier bag for up to $5,335 if you take all options. There is a range of colors and sizes available to suit your needs, too.

Things to Consider

This lacks a throttle, which could be off-putting to some U.S. buyers. Another minor issue is that it’s a Class 1 e-bike capable of only doing 20 mph at full pace. For those who like high speeds, this could be a drawback — though it’ll be much easier to handle at speeds over the speed limiter in terms of agility thanks to its low weight.

Specs & Components

Brand

Orbea

Frame

6061 Aluminum

Motor

Mid drive 250W Shimano EP801, 85 Nm

Battery

540 Wh in-tube

Control

LCD

Fork

Marzoochi Bomber Z2

Transmission

10-speed Shimano Deore 11-43t

Wheels

29” Tubeless Schwalbe Johnny Watts all terrain

Brakes

Magura MT30 hydraulic

Extras

Fenders, rack, lights

Options

250 Wh range extender battery $529, upgraded lights, backpack pannier bag

The specs above come from the manufacturer and may vary from what you’ve experienced. Notice something that needs correcting? Let us know.

Ratings

Power

 4.5/5

4.5

At 250W, the motor is small but mighty, offering up to 85 Nm of torque, which is far more efficient than any Bafang motor. It’ll only get up to 20 mph before the motor cuts out. This may put off someone after a speed pedelec that’ll do 28 mph.

On road, the knobbly tires will slow down acceleration, but this is a trade-off of having an all-terrain e-trekking bike.

Range

 4.5/5

4.5

Orbea states this e-bike has five hours of range on the standard battery. That’s more honest than making wild claims as to how far you can travel. Five hours on softer, rough terrain will mean far less than on flatter, harder terrain. We suggest 80 miles per charge based on this calculation and another 40 with the 250 Wh range extender. But in all reality, on typical terrain with an average rider, you might only get 30-50 miles on a good day.

Comfort

 5/5

Sat in a forward-leaning trekking position for maneuvering over rough terrain, you’ll use your upper body a lot. That said, the geometry is optimized for maximum comfort and comes in three distinct sizes to fit all riders. A quality front Marzocchi Bomber Z2 suspension and 29” wheels come together to make this a very comfortable ride even after many hours in the saddle.

Durability

 4.5/5

4.5

Since it’s made by a luxury European cycling brand, this e-bike can handle high mileage. The warranty terms are very good, and the components are made to last. Keep the chain oiled and send it in for an annual service, and you’ll be riding the Kemen Mid SUV 30 for many years to come.

Style

 5/5

With a large dollop of Spanish flair, this electric bike certainly wins in the aesthetic category! Available in a choice of mango (yellow), urban green, or gloss black, the colors are modest yet will still make you stand out on the road. If there was one improvement that could be made, it would be that it was offered in any color you choose like with the premium Orbea e-bikes.

Our Research Methodology

We personally research and test every e-bike featured in our reviews and guides to provide accurate, data-driven recommendations. Learn how we review.

About Our Editorial Team

Written by Richard Shrubb

Contributing Author

Richard is a well-established journalist and copywriter with years of experience in the EV and e-bike world. He has worked with international sailing magazines, e-bike publications, and national newspapers.

Edited by Kristy Snyder

Professional Editor

Kristy Snyder is a professional writer and editor living in Pittsburgh with over 10 years of content creation experience. When she's not contributing to eBikes.org, Kristy enjoys reading, practicing yoga, drinking beer, and hitting up rail trails.

Meet Our Editorial Team