Review

The Review | The Flyer Uproc3 8.70

05.08.2015
by

We deliberately left the Uproc3 right until the very end, testing the two most extreme models from the Swiss company’s E-MTB collection first, namely the 160 mm Uproc6 fully and the Goroc hardtail. These set the boundaries and allowed us to judge whether the Uproc3 really is the hallowed middle ground between the three, or is it just a bike that’s a jack of all trades and master of none?

Das FLYER Uproc3 in der 8.70-Ausstattungsvariante für 5.499 € ist wie seine Brüder in schlichtem Schwarz/Grau mit dezenten Farbakzenten gehalten.
The FLYER Uproc3 shown here in the 8.70 build spec costs 5,499 €, and just like its siblings, it keeps the stylish black and gray colourway with subtle flashes of colour.
Drauf losfahren, entdecken – ist das Uproc3 der universelle Weggefährte?
Set out and discover – could the Uproc3 be the universal companion?

The Bosch Performance motor’s display already shows 650 km. Pretty far for a test. And the reason is simple: our testers just cannot get enough of the FLYER Uproc3 8.70. With 130 mm travel from the RockShox Revelation forks as well as the Monarch RT rear shock, this bike appears like it was destined for the forests around our office. And the rest of the spec gives no reason for complaint: as expected, the Shimano XT shifters perform flawlessly and the XT brakes with 200 mm disc brakes at the front possess more than enough braking power. At 760 mm, the bars are satisfyingly wide with high quality Ergon grips for your hands. The saddle, also from Ergon, has been received well by all the testers so far. Just like the Goroc hardtail, the Uproc3 rolls on 27.5″ with Schwalbe Nobby Nic tyres on DT Swiss M1600 Spline 2 wheels, whose unobtrusive freewheel won’t impinge on the stillness of nature.

Shimano XT-Schaltwerk und -Bremsen mit dicker 200-mm-Scheibe vorne. Klasse: der nahezu unhörbare Freilauf des DT Swiss M1700-Laufradsatzes.
Shimano XT shifters and brakes with robust 200 mm discs at the front. Nice touch: the almost inaudible freewheel of the DT Swiss M1700 wheelset.
Bosch-Motor der Performance-Line mit der von FLYER selbst entwickelten, schlagfesten Abdeckung. Dank der nach oben verlegten Kettenstreben hat die Kette trotz des kleinen Blatts des Bosch-Motors keine Chance zu klappern.
The Bosch motor comes from their Performance line and is covered by FLYER’s own robust cover. As the chainstay runs above it, the chain won’t bang at all despite the small chainring of the Bosch motor.
Der Hinterbau mit dem RockShox Monarch RT-Dämpfer funktioniert hervorragend und schluckt zuverlässig alles, was der Trail zu bieten hat.
The RockShox Monarch RT rear shock performs like a pro, soaking up whatever the trails throws at it.
Und solange man es nicht gnadenlos übertreibt und das Uproc3 in den Gefilden seines Endurobruders Uproc6 wildern lässt, bietet die Revelation-Gabel eine ähnlich gute Performance.
But as long as you’re sensible and leave the sickest terrain to the Uproc3’s more enduro brother, the Uproc6, then the Revelation forks deliver an equally strong performance.

On forest trails and gravel tracks the Uproc3 offers masses of comfort without any hint of inefficiency. And if locking-out is your thing then the shock and forks can both do this – although it does result in a notable loss of traction, and it is only really recommended on tarmacked climbs. On descents the bike outdoes itself with huge amount of confidence and control, naturally helped by the wide bars and reliable brakes.

Retailing at 5,499 €, both the spec and the quality justify the price of the Uproc3 – although we bemoan the lack of a dropper post, which comes at an additional cost.

Like on the Uproc6, the rear bearing is located before the end of the motor, keeping the chainstay short and ensuring the bike has both stability and a decent portion of agility. The Uproc3 is really fun to ride, begging to be taken along every trail you spot – it’s just unfortunate that you are frequently forced to stop to lower the saddle.

Eine Teleskop-Sattelstütze gibt es zwar in der Aufpreisliste. Serienmäßig ist aber ein starres Modell verbaut – ein Upgrade, das wir wirklich jedem Fahrer empfehlen.
A dropper post can be brought additionally, as the bike comes off the peg with a regular post. This is an upgrade we’d recommend to everyone.
Die Züge verlaufen im Inneren des Rahmens. Hier lässt sich auch das Kabel der Teleskopsattelstütze verlegen.
The cables are internally routed and the dropper post’s cable can run through here too.

The Uproc3 performed brilliantly in the tougher Alpine surroundings, impressing us with its efficient and responsive rear end, generously dishing up the necessary travel. It coped well with consecutive hits too, keeping its cool. Well-versed riders tackling tough sections – or heavier riders – might yearn for more progression – but before that would even be relevant, the forks are already on their limit. In fact, the RockShox Revelation and the pretty narrow tyres aren’t in a position to keep up here – in our eyes, RockShox PIKE forks would be a good alternative. However, these are all lofty complaints, as we admit to putting the Uproc3 the wringer down the gnarliest rock gardens, where it perhaps shouldn’t have even been.

Entdecker-Modus an! Das Uproc3 lässt einen auf jeden Fall nirgends im Stich.
The Uproc3 kept tempting us to discover every single trail.
Schönen Trail gefunden? Ab geht’s!
Damn that trail looks good, let’s go!
Auf Sicht ins Unbekannte? Auch kein Problem, das Uproc3 gibt jederzeit genügend Selbstvertrauen und Sicherheit.
Heading onto an unknown trail? Not an issue thanks to the confidence and stability given by the Uproc3!
Auch wenn manche Trails dann doch in einer Sackgasse enden ...
Although some trails do end in dead-ends …
Dann halt erst einmal eine Pause und die Natur genießen.
… it can be worth it for that moment’s respite to enjoy your surroundings.
Und weiter geht’s!
And we’re off again!

In short, the FLYER Uproc3 is a bike to urge you on, it’s a bike to just hop on and set off, to hell with route planning and logistics. Whatever you put this bike under, the Uproc3 is ready and raring to go, offering masses of comfort, stability and fun at the same time. It’s a bike intended just as much for some relaxing cruising as it is to be ridden full gas through the forest.

Specification

Fork: Rock Shox Revelation
Shock: Rock Shox Monarch RT
Drivetrain: Shimano XT
Break: Shimano XT
Motor: Bosch Performance 36 V/250 Watt
Weight: 21 kg
Price: 5.499 €

Conclusion:

FLYER are definitely on fire! The Uproc3 can be considered a hugely successful bridge between its potent enduro brother Uproc6 and the stiff hardtail, the Goroc. With its well-considered spec and solidly decent ride, it more than rivals the high standards set by its siblings. In response to the question of just who and where would suit the Uproc3, there’s only one answer: everyone and (almost) everywhere! Comfortable and relaxed, it’s great for long rides but it also exudes masses of potential for fun and stability on the trains. Commuters and weekend trail riders would get just as much as out of the Uproc6 – but if you’re serious about it then you’ll need to upgrade to a dropper post, a factor that remains our only complaint. Naturally, if you’re an Alpine dweller that keeps to rough trails, we’d expect you to grab its bigger brother, the Uproc6, while less off-road inclined riders would enjoy the Goroc. But having said that, the Uproc3 is the delightful middle ground, the perfect universal bike between the two. So, FLYER, chapeau: three bikes, three winners!

You can find more information at flyer-bikes.com.

Words: Andreas Maschke Pictures: Klaus Kneist

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