Just this year, Orbea has started offering the Kemen with a belt drive and continuously variable hub gears – making this e-bike particularly appealing for urban use. After all, this combination promises a clean, low-maintenance drivetrain and a high level of comfort for everyday use. But the Kemen Tour 10 has far more to offer than the technical specifications might initially suggest – as our test shows.
Design
With its dynamically rising top tube, clean lines and overall sleek silhouette, the Orbea Kemen Tour 10 certainly makes an impression at first glance. Particularly noteworthy is the down tube, which remains surprisingly slender despite housing the battery. The fact that a powerful e-drive is fitted here is mainly evident from the motor in the bottom bracket area. The controls, with their small button and compact display, are also pleasantly unobtrusive in appearance.
Things get even more interesting when you take a look at the cockpit. Orbea has opted for an unusually short stem with a high degree of integration, in which both the specially developed position light and the headlight itself are elegantly housed. The latter is positioned directly within the handlebars and is therefore barely noticeable. Particularly clever: despite this sophisticated integration, the stem can be extended by 40 millimetres; a suitable adapter is included with the bike. A fine example of how good design should not only look good, but also offer the necessary functionality.
The design at the rear is equally impressive. Here, Orbea has integrated the rear light directly into the mudguard – and in a way that we have rarely seen from any other manufacturer with such elegance. You could almost think the light is a natural part of the mudguard, so unobtrusively does it blend into its shape. The large luggage rack, on the other hand, demands a little more attention; it extends far towards the rear and lends the otherwise slender bike a slightly bulkier rear end. However, those who prefer a more understated look can also opt for a more compact alternative here.
Features
This brings us straight to one of the special features of the Kemen Tour 10: as is customary with Orbea, the bike can be customised in numerous ways to suit your individual needs. This applies not only to its appearance, but above all to its specifications and ergonomics.
Let’s start with the rear rack, which is fitted to our test bike in its larger version. It is compatible with the MIK HD system and can even carry loads of up to 30 kilograms. This makes it suitable not only for carrying bags and baskets, but also for fitting a compatible child seat. Alternatively, Orbea offers a slimmer rear rack for the standard MIK system, which is less bulky but does not provide a mounting point for a child seat. Those who need additional storage space can also opt for a front rack, which is attached directly to the frame and can carry up to ten kilograms of luggage.
When it comes to the handlebars, you also have the choice between a straight version and the model fitted to our test bike, which curves slightly towards the rear. Together with the four frame sizes available in total, this offers numerous options for tailoring the Kemen to different body heights and personal preferences.
The Starstream Pro headlamp from Supernova is fitted and integrated directly into the handlebars. Despite its compact dimensions, it not only provides a powerful dipped beam but also features an additional full-beam function. This is quite remarkable for a headlamp that is so discreetly integrated. The rear light also has more to offer than its slim design would suggest: a brake light function ensures that following road users are given an additional warning when you slow down.
There is also an SP Connect smartphone holder fitted directly to the stem. To complement this, a USB-C port is integrated into the stem, allowing the smartphone to be charged whilst riding. This is a particularly handy feature on longer rides where you’re using navigation.
As well as the 50-millimetre-wide Schwalbe Marathon tyres, the SR Suntour Mobie34 air suspension fork with 80 mm of travel is key to ensuring the necessary ride comfort. Added to this is a dropper seatpost, which can be operated conveniently from the handlebars and provides an additional 30 mm of suspension travel. In this way, Orbea ensures extra riding comfort on rough roads in several different ways.
Although the Magura braking system fitted to our test bike impressed with its braking performance, it did occasionally draw attention to itself with an annoying squeaking noise. For the 2027 model year, Orbea is now switching to the tried-and-tested Shimano MT200 brake.
The mechanical drivetrain features the continuously variable Enviolo Trekking hub gear system, combined with a Gates toothed belt. This is a tried-and-tested combination that impresses above all with its low maintenance requirements, clean operation and straightforward handling. Electric assistance is provided by Shimano’s EP6 mid-drive motor, which delivers up to 85 Nm of torque. It draws its power from a 630 Wh battery, which is permanently fitted inside the down tube and therefore cannot be easily removed for charging. However, this design also has advantages, as it saves weight and enables the slim frame design mentioned earlier. Furthermore, this design offers greater freedom in the battery’s configuration, which is why Orbea has opted for a solution custom-built to its specifications with the highest possible energy density.
This certainly shows up on the scales: at 25.9 kilograms, as measured by us, the Kemen Tour 10 is certainly no lightweight; however, given its extensive specification – including wide tyres, an air-sprung fork, in-hub gears, a large luggage rack and a powerful battery – this figure is actually quite impressive! The high load capacity is also a welcome feature: the rider and luggage combined can weigh up to 130 kilograms.
Operation
Shimano’s EP6 is now one of the established drive systems on the market, yet its technical features continue to impress. The fact that the system has been on the market for several years is most noticeable in its operation: both the handlebar button and the compact colour display seem a little dated compared to newer solutions, but they are certainly neat and easy to read. Other drivetrain systems now offer more modern solutions in this respect, however.
In everyday use, however, it is far more important that the basic functions are simple and reliable to operate. With the Kemen, the focus is clearly on riding, rather than fiddling with countless settings, displays and additional functions of the electric drive. The selection of assistance levels is correspondingly straightforward: with Eco, Trail and Boost, there are just three riding modes available, covering the spectrum from economical assistance to maximum motor power. Our clear favourite was the Trail mode – more on why later.
As the battery cannot be removed, the charging port takes on particular importance. It is situated in an easily accessible position above the motor and is protected by an exceptionally sturdy plastic cover, which must first be unlocked before it can be opened. It feels robust, reliably keeps dirt and splash water away from the port, and is, on the whole, a well-designed solution.
The lighting controls are set up in a rather unusual way. The button on the handlebars only switches the rear light on and off, whilst the front headlight is operated via a separate, rather hidden button on the stem. Here, you can choose between the light being on permanently, switched off, or in automatic mode. We’d recommend the latter, as it allows the headlamp to switch on and off automatically depending on the light conditions. The additional position light stays on permanently anyway and is surprisingly bright. After all, in an age when even cars are fitted with daytime running lights, there’s little reason not to be as visible as possible on a bike too.
There is an additional button on the handlebars for the full-beam headlights, which can be used to activate the function manually. A corresponding symbol is then backlit in blue, although this is only really clearly visible once it is dark. If you want to check during the day whether the full-beam headlights might have been switched on accidentally, it is therefore best to briefly hold your hand in front of the headlight. The difference between dipped and full-beam headlights is so clear that this immediately answers the question.
The controls on the handlebars are rounded off by a thumb button on the left-hand side, which is used to lower and raise the seatpost, as well as by the twist grip for the Enviolo hub gear system. Interestingly, Orbea has opted not to include the usual display showing the selected gear ratio, as found on almost all other bikes fitted with this gear system. Whilst this feels a little unusual at first, it fits in well with the Kemen’s minimalist design philosophy, which aims to keep the cockpit as uncluttered as possible.
Even when it comes to the seemingly minor details, it’s clear that Orbea hasn’t forgotten about everyday practicality. For example, the side stand is mounted well towards the rear of the chainstay, meaning the bike can be manoeuvred easily even with the stand extended, without the pedals colliding with it. And thanks to the MIK HD system on the luggage rack, compatible baskets, boxes or even a child seat can be clicked into place in just a few simple steps. Additional side mounts are also available for classic panniers.
Ride impressions
The first surprise comes as soon as you get on the bike. Although the Kemen Tour 10 certainly looks sporty with its rising top tube and dynamic silhouette, the riding position is surprisingly upright and comfortable. This is down to the comparatively high cockpit and, of course, the rear-swept handlebars fitted to our test bike, which provide an additional 50-millimetre rise. This means you sit in a relaxed position and have a good view of the traffic, without the bike feeling sluggish.
Quite the opposite: right from the very first few metres, the Kemen surprises with its exceptionally direct steering. The unusually short stem is likely to contribute to steering inputs being translated immediately, allowing the front wheel to be steered with great precision. At the same time, thanks to its long wheelbase and generally smooth-riding geometry, the bike offers a high degree of stability. This combination is quite unusual: on the one hand, the Kemen rides with remarkable comfort and confidence; on the other, it manoeuvres with astonishing agility through tight bends and city traffic.
The electric drive complements this perfectly, although during our test we focused primarily on Trail mode. Unlike an assistance level with largely constant power output, this mode responds dynamically to the rider’s pedalling effort. If you pedal only lightly, you receive correspondingly subtle assistance, whilst the motor delivers noticeably more power when you pedal more vigorously. This creates an exceptionally natural and direct riding experience, in which the motor supports your own movements without constantly taking centre stage. Nor is the motor lacking in power: in all riding situations, it offers sufficient power and always ensures confident propulsion.
In terms of noise, the Shimano drive is pleasantly unobtrusive, although it is not one of the quietest motors on the market. Whilst its characteristic, deep hum is audible, it is hardly noticeable in everyday use. The mechanical drive with in-hub gear changes and a toothed belt, on the other hand, operates almost silently.
The Enviolo hub gear system also impresses in the Kemen with its well-known advantages. Instead of having to switch between fixed gears, the gear ratio can be adjusted continuously and thus tailored to the current riding situation at any time. A particularly convenient feature is that the gear ratio can also be changed whilst stationary. For example, if you have to stop unexpectedly at a set of traffic lights, you can select a lower gear ratio before setting off again. With a conventional derailleur system, this isn’t readily possible, as the gear change only takes place whilst the bike is in motion. The downside is that gear changes with the Enviolo are rather gradual – anyone used to quick and direct gear changes will need to adjust to this.
The adjustable seat post also proves handy when stopping at traffic lights. A simple press of the thumb button is all it takes to lower the saddle significantly, allowing you to comfortably reach the ground with both feet. Particularly in heavy city traffic, where you frequently have to stop and set off again, this is a convenience you’ll quickly come to appreciate.
One of the reasons the Kemen is so comfortable to ride, even on rougher roads, is its high-quality air suspension fork. It responds sensitively and effectively absorbs bumps without unnecessarily dampening the direct feel of the ride. The additional suspension in the seat post and the wide Schwalbe tyres reinforce this impression, so that even rough cobblestones lose much of their intimidating edge.
As a result, the overall riding experience is remarkably harmonious. The Kemen offers plenty of comfort for longer rides, yet handles with surprising directness and agility. It’s a successful combination that’s also great fun on everyday journeys through the city.
Conclusion
To be honest, our expectations of the Orbea Kemen Tour 10 weren’t particularly high to begin with. After all, at first glance, the technical specifications read just like those of an ordinary, well-equipped e-touring bike. A powerful mid-drive motor, a large battery, hub gears, a belt drive and a suspension fork – we’ve seen all of these features on countless other models before.
In practice, however, it becomes clear that the Kemen is far more than the sum of its parts. First and foremost, there is the superb design, which impresses with its sleek lines and numerous clever integration solutions – without ever losing sight of functionality. Added to this is a combination of high riding comfort and, at the same time, surprisingly agile handling. And finally, Orbea offers a comprehensive, well-thought-out range of everyday features that can also be tailored to your own needs thanks to numerous customisation options.
There isn’t much cause for criticism here. Whilst the Shimano drivetrain continues to perform satisfactorily, its operation and a few details reveal that it is now showing its age. For some prospective buyers, the permanently fitted battery is likely to be a greater concern, as this can make charging a hassle, particularly for city dwellers without a ground-level charging point. On the other hand, anyone who can park their bike in a garage with a power socket, for example, will of course not have this problem.
That said, the Kemen Tour 10 is an exceptionally versatile urban e-bike that impresses not only with its suitability for everyday use, but above all with its design and the impressive riding experience it offers. However, this comes at a price: our test bike set us back around 4,600 euros. In return, you get a bike that’s ideally suited to both daily journeys through the city and longer rides – and performs surprisingly well in both areas.
Further information on the Kemen range is available directly on the Orbea website.
