Orbea uses a Shimano motor on many of its ebikes. However, the ebike manufacturer develops details such as the Rider Synergy firmware, currently the RS Gen2, itself. This was not previously the case for the control units. Now Orbea is presenting its very first control unit, which was developed entirely in-house. And the new RS HMI Remote is capable of more than just changing riding modes.
1. Orbea RS HMI Remote: the heart of the RS Control System
2. RS Control System ebike system communicates and charges
3. Functions of the new control unit at a glance
4. MC10 RS Smart Dropper – a smart dropper seatpost
5. Orbea ebikes featuring the RS Control System
1. Orbea RS HMI Remote: the heart of the RS Control System
Yes, at first glance, the new control unit seems rather inconspicuous. Two wide buttons suggest that you can still operate it easily with your thumb even when wearing full-finger gloves. A large, narrow LED in the middle. Five more small LEDs arranged in a row on the upper front. A wide lever protruding downwards to the left seems unusual. So far, so good.
The special feature of Orbea’s RS HMI Remote is hidden inside its housing. This refers to a circuit board with numerous miniaturised electronic components. It controls an entire communication system. With this, the manufacturer is now beginning to design the hardware for Shimano-based drive systems itself, following on from the software. In future, the company’s own ebikes should be easier to operate and will have new functions that go beyond what Shimano offers ex works, so to speak.
2. RS Control System ebike system communicates and charges
The RS Control System will be responsible for this, acting as a kind of higher-level authority for the control unit. It connects all individual system components via CAN bus using cables, thus ensuring data exchange between them. At launch, RS Control will include the aforementioned RS HMI Remote, the respective ebike battery and the new OC DP-MC10-RS dropper seatpost. If the corresponding ebike features electronic shifting, this will be included as well. The manufacturer also mentions a display that can be controlled by the control unit. However, Orbea’s first model with the RS Control System, the full-suspension Orbea Rise e-mountain bike, does not incorporate a display. This feature may therefore be planned for future models or may refer to the optional integration of a display such as the Shimano SC-EN600.
The RS Control System goes even further than mere communication. The control unit, seatpost and electronic gearing are centrally powered by the ebike battery. This has the advantage that you can actually charge the entire system via this one battery. No more extra checks for the batteries of the rear derailleur and dropper post. Conversely, this also means that when the battery is empty, all of the components mentioned are disabled.
Previous solution from Shimano not convincing
Similar to an LED Remote in Bosch’s Smart System, the new Orbea RS HMI Control combines the entire logic of the RS Control System. In the past, models such as the Orbea Denna, Orbea Kemen, Orbea Diem and Orbea Rise from the 2025 season have shown how starkly the Shimano EN600-L control unit, which until now had no alternative, contrasts with the rest of Orbea’s e-bike system. Limited in its functions and fiddly to operate, it did not fit in with the manufacturer’s modern approach.
It seems understandable that Orbea is now starting with this very point. With its large, ergonomically shaped buttons, the control unit represents a significant step forward. According to the manufacturer, you feel clear haptic feedback when shifting gears, which can even be felt through gloves. The arrangement of the buttons seems harmonious. You can fine-tune the position of the control unit by loosening the clamp. The clamp size is the standard diameter of 22.2 millimetres.
3. Functions of the new control unit at a glance
Battery charge indicator
Let’s take a quick look at the elements of the control unit. On its upper edge, you will see five small LEDs. These indicate the remaining battery capacity. This is done in increments of ten per cent. A quick calculation: Five LEDs and increments of only ten percent – how can that work? Orbea has the following solution. When the battery is fully charged, all LEDs light up white. When the charge is less than 98 per cent, the colour changes from white to blue. At 90 per cent and below, the right-hand LED lights up white, while the other four remain blue. At 80 per cent and below, the right-hand LED goes out completely and the remaining four continue to light up blue. This pattern continues for a while. When the battery has less than 20 per cent capacity remaining, all five LEDs suddenly light up red. With each further five per cent decrease, one of the LEDs gradually goes out. When only two per cent of the battery charge remains, the LEDs flash red.
Changing assistance levels
The two main buttons on the RS HMI Control have multiple functions. Changing the riding modes is very intuitive and can be done by briefly pressing the plus or minus symbol. Each of the three modes – Eco, Trail, Boost – and the deactivation of assistance are assigned colours. The narrow LED between the two main buttons lights up in this colour to indicate which mode is currently selected.
Switching on the ebike drive and lights
The on/off switch is located on the right-hand side of the upper main button. Press and hold it for two to three seconds to wake up the ebike system or switch it off. The headlight symbol is located on the right-hand side of the lower main button. A simple press of the button activates and deactivates the light.
Switch between RS and RS+ motor profiles
On ebikes fitted with RS Gen2 firmware, you can run the motor in two setups – in RS profile with reduced power and lower torque, and in RS+ profile with maximum power. The RS profile conserves battery power in situations where full assistance is not required. The RS+ profile is therefore ideal if you want to utilise the full motor power. To switch between profiles, press the button with the headlight symbol for about two seconds. The large central LED will then flash white briefly. A single flash indicates the RS profile, while a double flash indicates the RS+ profile.
Activating Turbo Boost and walk assist
If you only need a powerful boost from the motor for a short time, you can activate the Turbo Boost. To do this, press and hold the plus symbol on the lower main button. You will now have access to the motor’s peak power and maximum torque for a maximum of 15 seconds. The centre LED will light up red during this time. Simply press the minus symbol on the upper main button to return to the previous riding mode if you want to cancel Turbo Boost prematurely.
In addition, pressing and holding the minus symbol on the upper main button will activate the push assist. All in all, the buttons bundle a whole host of functions. It will probably take a while to get to grips with them all. This multitude of button assignments is certainly open to criticism. Orbea clearly wanted to fit as many functions as possible into a single location. Let’s see how this works out in practice during initial testing.
Remote control for seatpost
We expect extremely positive feedback when it comes to the additional lever on the RS HMI Control. This allows you to operate the dropper seatpost electronically. And there’s more to it than just raising and lowering it.
Orbea RS HMI Control functions:
- Switching the bicycle on/off
- Changing assist level
- Activation of Turbo Boost mode
- Walk Assist activation
- Change between assistance profiles RS and RS+
- Turning the lights on/off
- OC DP-MC10-RS e-dropper seatpost operation
4. MC10 RS Smart Dropper – a smart dropper seatpost
Orbea has come up with an extremely clever solution by integrating the seatpost into the new RS Control System. Firstly, the lever on the control unit eliminates the need to install the usual lever for the remote control. Your hand can remain in the same position on the handlebars while riding and does not have to reach around to a separate lever. Everything is conveniently accessible with your thumb. And there is more space on the handlebars to find the optimal position for the control unit.
Secondly, the connection of the MC10 RS to the battery ensures a permanent power supply. As long as you keep an eye on the charge status of the main battery, you have one less thing to worry about on the trails.
The seatpost meets the highest standards. Weighing just 548 grams, it allows for a maximum travel of 240 millimetres. Orbea also offers it with a travel of 180 millimetres and 210 millimetres. According to Orbea, the travel can be reduced in increments of five millimetres by up to 25 millimetres – without the need for any tools.
Choice of three modes
By connecting to the CAN bus communication system and equipping it with sensors, this great seatpost becomes a smart seatpost. For example, a quick double-click on the lever of the control unit is enough to lower the seatpost by a distance you have previously set. Orbea sets this Partial Drop to 20 per cent as standard. The seat post therefore lowers by 80 per cent from its fully extended position. However, you can customise this value in Orbea’s RS app.
A single short press activates Ready-To-Drop mode. This puts the seatpost into a pre-tensioned position, unlocking it, so to speak. From that moment on, it can be lowered at any time. This is useful if, for example, you know that a technically demanding passage is coming up, or you suspect it is and want to be prepared for anything. If you prefer, you can also ride the MC10 RS in Classic Mode. As the name suggests, the electronic seatpost behaves like its mechanical counterpart. In other words, you press the lever and it lowers, you release the lever and it remains in that position. To enter this mode, press and hold the lever on the control unit.
You can adjust the seatpost and make other adjustments in the Orbea RS app and the RS Toolbox. These are also the interfaces through which you can access firmware updates for the RS Control System and send your riding data to Garmin devices in real time.
5. Orbea ebikes featuring the RS Control System
Orbea is initially introducing the RS Control System exclusively on the new Orbea Rise LT M10, Orbea Rise LT M-Team, Orbea Rise SL M10 and Orbea Rise SL M-LTD. Retrofitting is not possible on older versions of this model. However, we will probably see it on upcoming ebikes from the manufacturer.
