THE FUTURE OF CONTROL | THE NEW RS SYSTEM

September 18, 2025

Orbea announces the next step in their RS System, further enhancing the connection between rider and machine. The new RS Control System is a new package that combines e-bike controls, ride information, and smart dropper functionality into a single, compact, and intuitive unit, powered entirely by the bike’s main battery. This innovation offers riders a completely new level of control and a seamless interaction with their bike.

What sets the new RS Control System apart is its unique operation through an in-house developed wired CAN bus communication network, ensuring maximum reliability and performance. This creates a fully interconnected ecosystem that simplifies the rider’s experience while also offering entirely new functionality.

Orbea’s RS journey began in 2020 with the launch of Rise, featuring their own custom firmware for the Shimano EP8 motor, providing a more natural pedaling experience. Since then, Orbea has advanced to fully developing in-house electronics, enabling them to create and integrate components like the RS Control System entirely within their own ecosystem. This breakthrough marks a significant milestone in Orbea’s continuing RS journey.

Orbea isn’t just presenting a new dropper and remote. This is a complete ecosystem that connects the motor, dropper, and display into a single, integrated system. It’s called the RS Control System, and it introduces two new components: the RS HMI interface and a fully redesigned Smart dropper post, the MC10 RS.

1. RS HMI- Seamless Ergonomics and Intelligent Design

The RS HMI handlebar remote, completely developed in-house by Orbea, integrates motor control, dropper control, and display into a single ergonomic unit. This design offers multiple mounting options, ensuring the perfect fit for any hand size or cockpit layout. As well as all the standard controls, Orbea adds what it calls smart features, which add innovative new functionality.

• RS HMI Motor Control: The control buttons are larger, textured, and offer clear tactile feedback even with gloves on. As well as all the standard controls, there are two Smart Features:
  • A Profile Change, that allows riders to change assistance profiles with a single button, quickly moving from RS to RS+ and vice versa.
  • Super Boost to select maximum assistance for a predefined time.
• RS HMI Dropper Control: The electronic dropper lever replicates the analog feel of a traditional mechanical actuation, and can be used exactly like a traditional dropper. Orbea also adds two smart features, a partial drop and a Ready-To-Drop mode where riders can prime the post and then drop it later, which is really useful when they see technical sections approaching. The lever is fully replaceable or removable.
• RS HMI Display: The RS-HMI features a new 6-LED display that communicates essential ride information like battery charge, motor assistance level and the status of the smart functions without unnecessary distractions. There is also a new Full Charge Indicator ensuring riders can confirm 100% charge status before hitting the trail. Battery readouts are presented in 10% increments from 100% to 20%, and 4% increments from 20% to 0%, offering higher granularity where it’s needed most.

2. MC10 RS Smart Dropper Post: Lightweight. Low Stack. Digitally Precise.

The new MC10 RS Smart Dropper Post delivers precision, low weight, and unprecedented integration while also adding key smart features.

• Weight: Starting at just 646 grams for 240 mm of travel, the MC10 RS achieves a category-leading weight-to-travel ratio.
• Low Stack Height: One of the lowest stack heights on the market allows riders to maximize insertion depth. This is key to achieving more travel in smaller frames and fully exploiting Orbea’s Steep ‘n’ Deep geometry.
• Adjustable Travel: A clever shim system lets riders quickly reduce travel in 5 mm increments, enabling fine-tuned fit without changing post length. The beauty of Orbea’s system is that it needs no special tools.
• Smart Features. With the electronic remote, it is possible to use Orbea’s smart dropper in exactly the same way as a traditional dropper, however a proprietary sensor system opens the door to what Orbea calls Smart features. Taking advantage of these, riders can set an intermediate travel point and have the post stop at this position, or they can click to activate the post and then choose to drop it at a later point.

3. One Battery. Total Control.

The RS Control System sets a new benchmark for system efficiency by drawing power from a single source, the e-bike’s main battery. This centralizes energy management across all components, including: remote, smart dropper, drive unit, display, electronic shifter and derailleur, meaning riders only have to charge one battery. This integration reduces overall weight, simplifies charging, and increases system reliability.

4. Connectivity and Customization: RS-App and RS-Toolbox

For riders seeking deeper data and personalization, the RS Interface is fully compatible with Orbea’s new RS App and RS Toolbox platforms:

• RS App: Available for iOS and Android, this app allows users to customize the system, and receive firmware updates for all RS components.
• RS Toolbox: Built for seamless Garmin IQ integration, RS Toolbox delivers full ride metrics to your favorite cycling computer or smartwatch—including cadence, torque, battery status, and ride time—without needing additional sensors or interfaces.

This dual-layer approach lets minimalist riders enjoy a distraction-free cockpit, while data-hungry users can access expanded information through their existing Garmin devices.

5. RS Control System available on Rise

Selected Rise models will be updated to include the new RS Control System, including the RS HMI and MC10 RS smart dropper as well as Shimano electronic shifting. Models are:

• Rise SL M-LTD and M10
• Rise LT M-Team and M10

This takes Rise’s RS concept even further, giving a bike which places riders at the heart of the action, removing barriers between them and the riding experience. With these updates Rise stays at the forefront of eBike development, giving riders the most natural, connected ride of their lives.

The new RS Control System will be available on the selected Rise models from the date of the embargo. Visit Orbea.com to learn more.