If you’ve already set your alerts and notifications to cheer on Jenn Jackson in this weekend’s World Cup cross country in Leogang, you’ll have to look for a slightly different kit. And a new bike. Sort of.

Both the updated Oiz and a new, more aerodynamic kit from team sponsor Hiru will make their official debut this weekend in Leogang. As you might guess from that lead image of Jenn Jackson railing a berm in Nove Mesto, both kit and bike made a less official debut in Nove Mesto.

Orbea Fox Factory Team gets new Oiz

We talked at length about the new Oiz when it launched. It is still interesting to see how the Orbea Fox Factory Team riders build their race bikes up compared to what is commercially available. Simon Andreassen, Rebecca Henderson, Jennifer Jackson and Pierre de Froidmont all have their own set-up, but are running similar parts.

Here’s what Orbea has to say about the team’s connection to that bike and its development.

“The team’s visits to Mallabia and working sessions alongside the engineering and product development teams have helped translate the real demands of competition into the final product. This process reflects the close connection between those who design the bike and those who push it to its limits on the world’s most demanding race courses.’

The team are running full Shimano XTR Di2. That array of parts leaves some options for riders. The team’s opted for the servo-wave trail levers and two piston brakes. Shimano thinks that’s the best combination of power and weight, even though the brand still offers a lighter lever. That’s the inverse of what teams used to run before the servowave levers, when four piston brakes were used to get a bit more power out of the lightweight system.

Fox supplies a 34 SL fork, a lightweight version of what used to be a trail fork but what is quickly becoming standard for the more technical reality of modern World Cup racing. On top of that, an Oquo bar/stem combo keeps things light and tidy looking. Out back, a custom Fox Float SL I-Line works with Orbea’s new Oiz suspension layout.  Fox Transfer SL dropper post adds some room to move.

While Oquo, Orbea’s wheel and component brand, offers some very flash looking MR30-LTD carbon wheels, though reliable DT Swiss internals hide inside the Oquo branded hubs. There’s Maxxis tires on there, but what tread will change from day to day, obviously.

Orbea Fox Factory Team showing off the new kit and Oiz in Nove Mesto.
Hiro gets aero

World Cup racing is, to understate things, quite competitive. Any advantage matters. When aero gains kick in around 30km/h, aero quickly becomes relevant. To starts, to sprints, on fast downhills. So Orbea Fox is getting aero.

“Alongside the launch of the new Oiz, the Orbea FOX Factory Team will also unveil a new Hiru race kit. Developed specifically for competition, it combines lightweight, aerodynamic fabrics designed to maximise performance.”

Orbea’s also keen to point out that the Hiru kit will be quite white. Though not Jacksons. She’ll be wearing red and white until, at least, Canadian championships return to Langford in a couple month’s time.