The FLYER Uproc X 9.50 – In our big “Best e-mountainbike of 2023” group test

With its super-powerful Panasonic GX Ultimate motor, the FLYER Uproc X 9.50 was designed to do just what its name suggests: grinding its way up the mountain in turbo mode and flying back down into the valley. Does FLYER’s sporty, € 11,299 eMTB live up to its name and price tag? How did it perform against the competition in our 2023 eMTB group test?

**FLYER** Uproc X 9.50 | Panasonic GX Ultimate Pro FIT/750 Wh | 150/150 mm (f/r)
24.8 kg in size L | € 11,299 | Manufacturer’s website

If we didn’t actually have the bike in our hands, we would assume that the FLYER team designs their bikes just for their own use. Based within the Swiss Plateau, the manufacturer only produces ebikes, which makes sense if you want to explore your way through the hilly region nestled between the Alps and the Jura mountains. FLYER’s newcomer, the Uproc X 9.50, wants to do just that, joining their eMTB portfolio as the ultimate peak conqueror, thus placing right between the downhill-oriented Uproc6 and more touring-oriented eMTB models, like the Goroc3. With its 150 mm of travel (f/r), mullet wheel setup (29″/27.5″) and a motor system that is unique in this test field, the 24.8 kg Uproc X 9.50 aims to put a big smile on the face of all uphill and downhill fans.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best eMTB of 2023 – 30 models in review

As FIT as a fiddle – How does the FLYER Uproc X 9.50 compare to the competition with its unique motor system?

The FLYER Uproc X is the only eMTB in the entire test field to feature a Panasonic motor. Not just any Panasonic motor, but the flagship 95 Nm GX Ultimate model, which secures it the “torque crown” in this test. The motor is complemented by a matching 750 Wh FLYER FIB battery, which can be removed from the side of the down tube using the 6 mm Allen Key hidden inside the rear thru axle. The charging port is positioned on the seat tube and protected by a robust plastic cover. The complete system around the Panasonic motor is supplied by system integrator FIT, a subsidiary of FLYER. The display ensures excellent readability and offers countless data fields and exciting functions, like the inclinometer and black ice warning, which aren’t very common for an eMTB.

I’m blue, da ba dee, da ba daa: The shiny blue paint finish of the FLYER Uproc X 9.50 is almost cringier than Eiffel 65’s catchy 90s hit. If you prefer a more sober look, you should get the matt grey finish.

Fun Fact: Porcupines can be found in mountainous regions up to 3,500 m above sea level. With the ONZA Porcupine tires, you’ll manage similar heights, but only if you stick to grippy terrain. In wet and muddy conditions, the black rubber rodents quickly run out of traction.

No magic, just a double bottom! The double-walled frame design increases stiffness along the large cutout and at the same time separates the cables from the battery.

The Panasonic GX Ultimate motor still leads a humble existence in the western eMTB world, which is a shame in our opinion. With its powerful acceleration and plenty of oomph, it’s an excellent alternative for high-horsepower fans!

Unfortunately, the integration isn’t so good: the display is positioned right in front of the cockpit, where it’s exposed to impacts in the event of a crash. The clunky joystick remote takes some getting used to and provides poor ergonomics, relying on a separate clamp and thus interfering with the clamp of the XT brakes. At least the buttons provide speed-dependent vibration feedback, so the system will let you know when you press a button by accident. Like the BULLS SONIC EVO EN-SL1, the FLYER features a MonkeyLink mount at the bottom of the display holder, which allows you to simply clip in a headlight. According to the Swiss manufacturer, the Uproc X 9.50 production bike will be delivered with a one-piece cockpit that integrates the display and remote holder, data cables, and a head tube mounted multitool.

Caught in the stranglehold of the spider monkey: Like the BULLS, the FLYER comes standard with a Monkey-link mount on the stem. The practical system feeds directly off the main bike battery and allows you to simply clip on a headlight.

The handlebar remote reminds us of an old-fashioned Nintendo controller and also shares the same outdated ergonomics. Moreover, it relies on its own, separate clamp, which interferes with the Shimano brake clamp and makes for a cluttered look.

YOUR AD HERE! The FIT Display Compact provides a wide range of functions and still manages to present all relevant data simultaneously, including navigation commands from your smartphone. However, the display sits right in front of the cockpit, where it’s exposed to impacts in the event of a crash.

Both the frame and cable routing of our test bike don’t make the highest quality impression. Although the frame silhouette isn’t too shabby per-se, relying on straight, clearly structured lines, the big gaps around the battery and motor mounts as well as the bright blue paint finish make for an overall inharmonious look. The spec, on the other hand, is beyond reproach, consisting of extremely high quality components, except for the tires. We suspect that the low-profile ONZA Porcupine tires were chosen because the Swiss tire manufacturer is based just down the road from FLYER’s headquarters, as they lack traction in muddy and loose conditions.

FLYER Uproc X 9.50

€ 11,299

Specifications

Motor Panasonic GX Ultimate Pro FIT 95 Nm
Battery FLYER FIB-750 750 Wh
Display FIT Display Compact
Fork FOX 36 Factory FLOAT GRIP2 Kashima 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X Factory 150 mm
Seatpost RockShox Reverb AXS 170 mm
Brakes Shimano XTR 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM AXS Eagle X01 1x12
Stem Satori Ursa 40 mm
Handlebar FSA COMET 800 mm
Wheelset Mavic E-Deemax 30 29"/27.5"
Tires ONZA Porcupine TRC/ONZA Porcupine GRC 2.4/2.6

Technical Data

Size S M L XL
Weight 24.8 kg
Perm. total weight 140 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 115 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no

Specific Features

MonkeyLink light holder

Tuning tip: Grippier tires and handlebars with more rise to prevent chilling OTB moments

From the flatlands to the Monte Rosa – What is the FLYER Uproc X 9.50 capable of?

The Uproc X places you in a compact, pleasantly upright pedalling position which, together with the powerful Panasonic motor, big battery and countless touring features, like the navigation function, makes the FLYER an excellent tourer. The navigation function of the FIT display works in conjunction with the FIT ebike control smartphone app. When you approach the epic climbs of the Swiss Alps, the FLYER doesn’t shy away either, grinding its way up steep climbing sections with tons of traction – the powerful Panasonic motor provides plenty of oomph. At the same time, the front wheel remains planted on the ground, allowing the FLYER to generate good amounts of traction front and rear, thus making it easy to follow your line even in nasty tech sections. The long motor overrun helps you clear roots and steps that are too big to overcome solely with the power of your legs. Only on wet and loose terrain do the shallow profiled tires struggle to generate traction.

If Stallone were a bike! Like Sylvester in his mid-life crisis Hollywood banger Cliffhanger, the FLYER Uproc X 9.50 isn’t afraid of nasty, technical climbs.

No place for vertigo: If you suffer from fear of heights, you’ll quickly reach your limits on the FLYER Uproc X 9.50, because it quickly triggers unnerving OTB moments on steep descents.

If your idea of fun doesn’t end on the climbs but also includes some downhill action, the Uproc X quickly leaves its comfort zone. On flow trails, the suspension lacks mid-stroke support, making it hard to build up speed by pumping through rollers. While the FLYER still holds a comfortable lead over most bikes in this test on climbs, it falls behind nearly all of its opponents downhill. On steep descents, we wished we were more integrated with the bike. Here the FLYER tends to understeer when braking, triggering unnerving OTB moments. To make things worse, the cables and frame hardware of the FLYER rattle loudly on the trail.

Climbing veteran! The FLYER Uproc X 9.50 delivers an excellent performance uphill but shows clear weaknesses downhill.

Size	S	M	L	XL
Top tube	576 mm	589 mm	619 mm	645 mm
Seat tube	400 mm	415 mm	450 mm	485 mm
Head tube	100 mm	110 mm	120 mm	140 mm
Head angle	64.5°	65.0°	65.0°	65.0°
Seat angle	77.0°	77.0°	77.0°	77.0°
Chainstays	460 mm	460 mm	460 mm	460 mm
BB Drop	31/12 mm	31/12 mm	31/12 mm	31/12 mm
Wheelbase	1,221 mm	1,229 mm	1,261 mm	1,291 mm
Reach	435 mm	445 mm	473 mm	495 mm
Stack	612 mm	622 mm	631 mm	650 mm

**Helmet** Troy Lee Designs A3 | **Glasses** POC Aspire | **Hip Pack** EVOC Hip Pack
**Jersey** Troy Lee Designs Ruckus 3/4 | **Shorts** HIRU Lab | **Kneepad** Troy Lee Designs Stage
**Shoes** Five Ten Hellcat Pro | **Socks** HIRU Merino

What goes up, doesn’t always come down – Who should take a closer look at the FLYER Uproc X 9.50?

The FLYER is an excellent choice for touring enthusiasts, proving an excellent companion for epic, Alpine backcountry adventures. Climbing veterans who prefer to grind their way up the mountain on slow, twisted trails with hairpin switchbacks rather than ploughing their way back into the valley at Mach 10 will also get their money’s worth with the Uproc X 9.50. On the other hand, electric novices will quickly get overwhelmed by the FLYER’s demanding trail handling, while experienced riders might be better off with an ebike that manages its reserves better. The latter category should take a closer look at our Best in test, the Orbea WILD, and our Best buy tip, the RADON DEFT.

Riding Characteristics

DESIGN

unbalanced
coherent

USER FRIENDLINESS

cumbersome
clever

VALUE FOR MONEY

flop
top

TREKKING & COMMUTING SUITABILITY

low
high

HANDLING

demanding
intuitive

FUN FACTOR

boring
lively

Intended Use

Gravel roads

Technical climbs

Flowtrail descents

Technical descents

Conclusions about the FLYER Uproc X 9.50

The FLYER Uproc X 9.50 shows its strengths on long tours with plenty of vertical metres and technical climbing sections. This is where the powerful motor and the FIT system’s wide range of functions make the difference. Downhill, the FLYER gets easily overwhelmed and quickly reaches its limits in the hands of experienced riders. As a result, it can’t keep up with the strong all-round eMTBs in this test, some of which are also significantly cheaper.

Tops

Excellent touring and climbing capabilities
High-quality spec
Strong connectivity features

Flops

Loud rattling downhill
Cockpit ergonomics
Tires lack grip on loose terrain
Spongy suspension

You can find out more about at flyer-bikes.com

The test field