12 Months on the ORRO Venturi STC (Review)

OK, 10 Months, but you get the picture...
So I'm no cycling industry journalist or professional bike reviewer, but I do like to ride my bikes as fast and as far as possible and I've done a fair bit of that now... So, with that in mind think of this video as a collection of thoughts rather than an out and out review (it is my first go at this sort of thing after all).
Get 15% off bikes exclusively at www.orrobikes.com! Use code: ALEXB15 at check out on www.orrobikes.com (NOT an affiliate link!). Code valid only at orrobikes.com and on all full price items, and unable to be used in conjunction with other discounts, offers and vouchers. Enjoy!
As I mention in the video, I am an ORRO ambassador, but they've not asked me to make this video, nor had any input or control over it. This is all my own opinion with no conscious bias, I've made this video because I've had an absolute blast riding this bike over the last year and I want to recommend it to anyone in the market for a new bike!
My Instagram posts on this bike - / alex_13oz
Extra Discounts:
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Here are some of the other reviews I reference in the video:
road.cc/conten....
www.cyclist.co...
road.cc/conten...
www.bikeradar....
road.cc/conten...
I've also pinched some photographs from Phil Hill ( / the_phbalance , Road.cc and Cyclist.co.uk, so hopefully they won't mind ;).
#ORRObikes #BikeReview #UltraCycling #Bikepacking #RoadCycling

[@alexboswell]

REMINDER: The discount code is valid at www.orrobikes.com ONLY (not valid with 3rd party retailers or in stores). See the description for more details. Cheers!

[@jonbroome9049]

I have one and, while I don’t do the endurance that Alex does, totally agree with everything he says. I bought it for 2 to 3 hour blasts but am quite comfortable riding it for a whole day.

[@alexboswell]

Nice one Jon! I'm genuinely amazed with this aspect of the bike. It's so stiff and tight when it come to handling, so I've no idea how they've managed to engineer it to absorb vibration like that at the same time 🤯

[@gabrieljohannson6777]

Just checked out their online store and WOW great price points! I’m sold. Soooo much better value than the named brands. Thanks Alex. 🇦🇺

[@alexboswell]

Nice one! You won't be disappointed! I absolutely love mine 👌

[@thomasmacfarlane1579]

Absolutely loved this! Great production!

[@alexboswell]

Thanks man! Pretty happy with how this one came out. A few more 'review' type videos in the pipeline. Need to get on and film one of my ORRO Terra C gravel bike... it's been a pretty nifty machine to ride over the last year too 😍

[@keithmyerscough9900]

I love my Venturi. , after being bitten by the road bike bug , up graded from a tarmac sl 2. Instantly felt the speed of the Orro , comfort on the 28mm tyres the frame seems to soak up harsh bumps pot holes. Even after upgrading it to what would be Taylor made spec from standard , it still pushes me to PB s every ride. As a mid 50s cyclist I feel like it’s always challenging me to go faster , stealth black in colour always gets good comments from the group rides. 👍👍👍

[@alexboswell]

Pleased to hear it! The stealth black is utterly beautiful isn't it!

[@tonyclish7207]

I got the version with the Blktec stem & bars. The stem is a thing of beauty! It’s a beautiful bike full stop. Agree the comments re absorbing the road noise. My usual ride are a pair of Bianchi Infinito bikes and the Venturi is even smoother, plus faster and better looking. The lower pressure tubeless will be a factor. Pleased to hear the bike packing comments as I’ve got a few self supported trips planned inc 7 days in France and was going to take a different bike but good to know I’ve got options! Thanks for the video 👍

[@alexboswell]

Nice one! Yeah I'd love to try out the BLKTEC bar/stem... but I use clip on aero bars when doing ultra races, so need a section of classic round bar to get those on. But yeah, it's a remarkably good bike for bikepacking and ultra, even on a bit of the rougher stuff... there was a lot of graded gravel sections in Brittany on the Pan Celtic Race last year and the Venturi faired really well on that too 👌

[@thepict5886]

It is a superb bike. I love mine. Done a few centuries now and it just glides along and is always fast, seems to just slip through the air

[@alexboswell]

Totally agree, such a lovely ride isn't it 👌

[@t6eor]

Thanks for the review. Also got a Venturi STC Ultegra DI2 Feb 2023, matt black and I covered just short off 5k over that period. Did put a set of carbon 44mm Hunt Wheels that I had and also recently updated the sadle. Over this period I completed an Audax (200km) , ride London , and a Madrid to Malaga 700km sportive so I could not agree more that is both fast and comfortable. Since I got it few more friends from my club got the same bike and all of us as super happy. And when it comes to speed (especially with the replacement carbon wheels) you can cruise with significantly less effort than my previous bike. So not only is a great all around bike, great value for money but also a good-looking one

[@alexboswell]

Couldn't agree with you more! Glad you've been loving yours too. Any Audaxs on the books for it this year? That Madrid to Malaga sounds awesome! I'll be taking mine across France, Spain and Portugal in a few weeks on Desertus Bikus (ultra race)!

[@t6eor]

@@alexboswell No Audax booked yet.. Ride London, 4 days in France/Burgandy in June and likely a sportive from Slovenia to Italy in September. And maybe a couple of more races. Too old for more. Good luck with your challenges.

[@alexboswell]

Nice, sounds like a good year ahead! Thanks, all the best for your adventures too!

[@williamvillamarin3250]

I bought my orro ventury 2 years ago..lm very satisfied with this bike performance.

[@FrictionCollective]

Ace production man

[@alexboswell]

Thanks guys! That's high praise coming from the pros... You hiring!? 😜 😁

[@MyMountaingoat]

I have the same bike but Hunt deep rim wheels. I LOVE it. Lots of negative stuff on youtube about the bike but ive had mine 18months its fun fast fancy and friggin fab 2 ride...

[@mrslunker]

I have had mine a year now and I much prefer my 2017 Scott Foil.....just personal preference but I find the Scott better for me.

[@alexboswell]

Fair play, I've never ridden a Foil, but hear good things too.

[@johnadams3788]

Alex, know your an ambassador, but as a fellow cyclist appreciate your thoughts on a video Ive just seen where a mechanic has just trashed the build quality especially the carbon layering inside the frame and how the bottom bracket was fitted Your comments thoughts valued

[@Etherglide]

Hi John. You’ve watched two video reviews. You’ve watched this one where an experienced rider has used the bike for a significant period and given a balanced view. The other video you watched was quick review of the build not the performance. Down to you to make a decision. To buy or not to buy. Happy hunting!

[@darrenbatchelor2843]

@alexboswell - I am really interested in this bike. I have a Giant Defy 1 2017 at the moment - and it has been great but now I feel I have to work alot harder compared to friends on similar bikes to the Ventiru. So I'm looking for something quicker in the flat and quicker uphills AND still comfortable - which from what you have said in the review and the endurance you do - seems to be amazingly good. I am doing RAB2024 so need to decide whether I go for a Venturi Aero or stick with my trusted Giant.

[@alexboswell]

Hey! always happy to talk bikes (drop me a DM on insta if you wanna have a more in depth chat), I really have been amazed at how comfortable this bike is on the longer stuff, but I've really dialled in my fit and contact points really well with a proper bike fitter which is really important for ultra and longer rides. A couple of friends of mine have gone for the new ORRO Gold STC, and that might be a better bet for something like RAB, it's more of an all round endurance race bike and still has lot of the aero cues of the all out aero Venturi, pair it with some fast wheels and tyres and it'll be nearly as fast on the flats.

[@jonathanlockwood9295]

Since you've had this bike have you had any issues with the frame or bottom bracket?

[@pmcmpc]

Is that an L or XL? Also, tire clearance? Have you tried fitting 32s? Merlin don't respond when I ask about tire clearance ... which makes me think it's tight.

[@alexboswell]

Hey, I ride an XL with a 120mm stem and I'm 193cm/6ft4 tall if that helps. Check out geometrygeeks.bike/ which allows you to compare different bikes side by side... best sizing tool I've ever found. 👌 Tyre clearance it's designed for 28mm, but I've had a 32mm on the rear without any issues, and about to put on 30mm front and back for an ultra across Spain (@desertusbikus201). So I don't think you'd have any issues, but different tyres do run at different sizes and vary on different rims too.

[@alexboswell]

@alex_13oz on instagram, dm me and I'll drop you some photos of my tyre clearance 👍

[@MURRED.]

Hello. How much does this bike weigh, and what is the maximum tire size it can accommodate?

[@alexboswell]

I think mine is about 7.5kg, but that depends on what wheels I have on it. I currently have 30mm tyres on it, but you might just get away with 32mm especially at the back, but I know ORRO say it's up to 28mm. Hope that helps

[@JWalkerBhoy]

What size frame did you go for mate? and what height are you?

[@MyMountaingoat]

5"10 deffo Medium

[@SabianDB02]

How tall are you

[@alexboswell]

Hey, I'm 6'4" / 193cm, frame size XL with a 120mm stem

[@raymundafoakwa1188]

It’s not a review

[@jamesf8864]

Guy owns bike for a while, rides thousands of kilometres on it and then tells us how it's been. How is this not a review?