The Swiss brand FLYER is the only manufacturer that relies on the lightweight and powerful Panasonic GX0 motor. But there is much more to the FLYER Uproc7 4.10 than a powerful motor!
For an overview about the test field click here: The best budget eMTB of 2019 – 8 models head to head
Traction and comfort are the keywords regarding the 24.32 kg FLYER Uproc7 4.10. To achieve that the Swiss brand relies on 27.5″ x 2.6″ Schwalbe Magic Mary tires and 160 mm travel RockShox suspension. The € 4,499 bike comes with their D0 display and the powerful Panasonic GX0 motor, fed by a 630 Wh semi-integrated battery. The Uproc7 4.10 is available from FLYER with either their D0 or D1 display. The more compact D0 display provides all the basic information. The huge D1 display we had on our test bike costs an additional € 300; it’s capable of providing you with a host of fitness data as well as navigation via a Komoot interface. However, both displays are only partially suitable for aggressive trail use. If you want to use the onboard display to navigate, you are unlikely to have much joy with the D1: the Komoot interface only shows arrows, but not the route – not accurate enough for trail use! The exposed position of the display and remote also means they’ll quickly get scratched or broken if you crash. For the drivetrain, FLYER relies on an 11-speed Shimano XT rear derailleur paired with an SLX shifter, unfortunately. The SLX shifter is much spongier and less defined than the XT version.
You wouldn’t drive off-road with an S-Class. The FLYER feels most comfortable on wide forest roads and on long relaxed rides.
The FLYER Uproc7 4.10 in detail
Fork RockShox Yari RC 160 mm
Rear shock RockShox Deluxe RL 160 mm
Motor/Batterie Panasonic GX0 630 Wh
Drivetrain Shimano XT 11 speed
Brakes MAGURA MT Trail 200/180 mm
Seat post FLYER MT171 150 mm
Stem FLYER Alloy 50 mm
Handlebar Answer ProTaper Alloy 780 mm
Wheels SUNringlé Düroc SD42 27.5″
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary 2.6″
Size | S | M | L | XL |
---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube | 410 mm | 440 mm | 480 mm | 505 mm |
Top tube | 565 mm | 590 mm | 623 mm | 655 mm |
Head tube | 120 mm | 130 mm | 140 mm | 150 mm |
Head angle | 65° | 65° | 65° | 65° |
Seat angle | 75° | 75° | 75° | 75° |
Chainstay | 450 mm | 450 mm | 450 mm | 450 mm |
BBhöhe | 358 mm | 358 mm | 358 mm | 358 mm |
Wheelbase | 1,174 mm | 1,200 mm | 1,234 mm | 1,268 mm |
Reach | 408 mm | 430 mm | 460 mm | 490 mm |
Stack | 605 mm | 614 mm | 623 mm | 632 mm |
The FLYER Uproc7 4.10 in review
The Panasonic motor in the FLYER turns the Uproc7 4.10 into a true mountain goat. Thanks to the 90 Nm torque output and the smart automatic mode, the motor is very sensitive yet sufficiently powerful, although it is relatively loud on the Uproc7. In combination with the super grippy Schwalbe Magic Mary tire on the rear, steep, technical climbs are no problem. In a direct comparison to other motors, the GX 0 is “only” capable of multiplying your leg-power by three. So, letting the motor pull you up the mountain is not an option. Instead, the Panasonic scores with its natural ride feel. The FLYER also feels really comfortable in less extreme terrain like gravel service roads. The balanced pedalling position and the tuning of the suspension mean that you’ll remain comfortable on long rides, which is unfortunately disrupted by the rattling of the 630 Wh battery. Correctly setting and re-adjusting the battery mount is essential on the Uproc7.
On leisurely descents, the FLYER Uproc7 is easy to manoeuvre along the trail. It offers a lot of traction and holds its line well, providing sufficient amounts of confidence. Thanks to the balanced weight distribution, even low-speed corners are easy to roll through. Let go of the undersized two-piston MAGURA MT Trail brake on the rear calliper however, and the Uproc7 quickly reaches its limits. The rather linear suspension rushes through its travel, bottoming out even with medium-sized obstacles. Actively changing direction or jumping the bike requires a lot of physical effort, since the suspension swallows the rider’s input, designed to prioritise comfort over agility.
Unique feature: a lot of you won’t have heard much about the Panasonic GX0 motor before. It responds sensitively and feels very natural, fitting in perfectly with the character of the FLYER Uproc7.
Conclusion
With the FLYER Uproc7 4.10, you can climb “almost” everything. The traction-generating suspension,balanced pedalling position and the powerful motor cut a good figure on climbs and on long rides. For aggressive riders, however, the suspension and geometry of the Uproc7 4.10 are too spongy and sluggish. You’ll only really have fun if you aim to leisurely cruise along the trails.
Tops
- good, central pedalling position
- long-distance comfort
Flops
- battery and cables rattle loudly
- sluggish
- underpowered brakes
Riding Characteristics
4Agility
- sluggish
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- stable
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Riding fun
- boring
- lively
Motor feeling
- digital
- natural
Motor power
- weak
- strong
Value for money
- poor
- top
For more information head to flyer-bikes.com
The Test field
For an overview about the test field click here: The best budget eMTB of 2019 – 8 models head to head
All bikes in test: Canyon Spectral:ON 7.0 | COMMENCAL META POWER 27 RIDE | CONWAY eWME 629 | Haibike XDURO AllMtn 3.0 | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 800 | RADON SWOOP HYBRID 9.0 | Specialized Turbo Kenevo Comp
"The mountain hut is the destination, not the trails" – rides mainly on gravel paths and flowy singletrack, comfort plays a crucial role.↩
The focus is on riding fun. Riding skills: from beginner to experienced – the range extends from flowy singletracks to demanding technical trails.↩
A rider with very good bike control – rides on demanding and challenging technical trails, uphill as well as downhill.↩
The rating used for riding characteristics refers to the bikes in the group test and the current state of development of eMTBs. The best bikes managed to blend supposedly opposite riding characteristics, feeling both lively and stable at the same time. The handling describes the balance of the bike on downhill sections. The information regarding motor-power refers to the ride-feeling in the overall context of the bike and not exclusively to the motor – that’s why the same motor can present different values.↩
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer, Valentin Rühl