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Who Made Orbea?

Elevate Cycling |

If you’ve come across Orbea bikes—known for their performance, sleek design, and European craftsmanship—you might be curious about their origins. Before deciding whether to buy one, many riders ask: who made Orbea? The story of Orbea is one of transformation, innovation, and community ownership that spans more than a century.

Let’s dive into the brand’s fascinating history and see how it grew from a small family business into one of the world’s leading premium bike manufacturers.

The Founders: The Orbea Brothers

Orbea was founded by three brothers—Casimiro, Juan Manuel, and Mateo Orbea—in 1840 in the Basque Country of northern Spain. Originally, the company didn’t make bicycles at all—it started as a firearms manufacturer. Based in the town of Eibar, the Orbea brothers crafted precision rifles and pistols, products that required meticulous attention to detail and engineering skill.

That same dedication to craftsmanship would later become the foundation of Orbea’s reputation in the cycling world.

From Firearms to Bicycles

In the early 1930s, the Orbea brothers made a bold decision: they shifted from producing firearms to building bicycles. This move was driven by changing market conditions and a growing demand for personal transportation across Europe.

The new Orbea bicycles quickly gained recognition for their quality and reliability. By the late 1930s, the company had begun sponsoring professional racing teams, marking the start of Orbea’s deep connection with competitive cycling—a legacy that continues today.

The Cooperative Era: Workers Take Ownership

By the 1960s, the company faced financial challenges. Rather than selling to an outside investor, Orbea did something revolutionary: the employees took over ownership. In 1969, the company became a worker-owned cooperative, joining the Mondragón Cooperative Corporation (MCC)—a federation of worker-owned businesses in the Basque region.

This means that Orbea is not owned by a single founder or corporation, but by the very people who design, build, and assemble its bikes. Each employee is both a worker and an owner, creating a culture of pride, craftsmanship, and shared success.

Modern Orbea: A Global Cycling Powerhouse

Today, Orbea is a global brand recognized for its high-performance road, mountain, gravel, and electric bikes. The company’s headquarters and main production facility remain in Mallabia, Spain, where every bike is assembled, painted, and customized.

Orbea’s combination of history, innovation, and community-driven values has made it a leader in the cycling industry—trusted by both professional racers and everyday riders worldwide.

Highlights of Modern Orbea

  • ✔️ European craftsmanship: Designed and assembled in Spain.
  • ✔️ Customization through MyO: Riders can personalize paint, components, and geometry.
  • ✔️ Racing heritage: Used by pro athletes in the Tour de France and World Cup events.
  • ✔️ Sustainability and innovation: Employee-owned production focused on quality and longevity.

Why the Origins of Orbea Still Matter Today

The fact that Orbea was created by a family and is now owned by its workers gives the brand a unique soul in a corporate-driven industry. When you buy an Orbea, you’re not just purchasing a bike—you’re investing in European craftsmanship, human values, and a century of innovation.

Verdict: Who Made Orbea?

Orbea was founded by the Orbea brothers in 1840 and is now owned by its employees as part of the Mondragón Cooperative Corporation. What began as a small family business in Eibar, Spain, has grown into one of the world’s most respected premium bike brands—built on craftsmanship, community, and performance.

FAQs

1. Is Orbea still owned by the original family?

No. While it was founded by the Orbea family, the company is now owned by its workers through the Mondragón Cooperative Corporation, a large network of worker-owned companies in Spain.

2. Where are Orbea bikes made today?

Orbea bikes are designed, painted, and assembled in Mallabia, Basque Country, Spain. Some frame manufacturing takes place in Portugal and Taiwan, but final assembly and quality control are done in Spain.

3. What makes Orbea different from other brands?

Orbea’s combination of European assembly, worker ownership, and full customization through its MyO program sets it apart from most other global bike brands.