With the PARCOURS 5, Victoria bring an elegant off-road step-through bike into the comparison test that also shines in the city and impresses with its consistent design language. It comes with the Bosch Smart System and 625 Wh Bosch PowerTube battery for € 5,999. But does the bike manage the balancing act between city and trekking?
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best full-suspension off-road step-through bike 2023 – 4 ebikes in review
31.6 kg in size M | € 5,999 | Manufacturer’s website
The Victoria PARCOURS 5 is ideal for those who want to travel carefree and elegantly in the city and in the countryside. This is also in line with Victoria’s intention in developing reliable everyday bikes for commuting as well as for adventure tours, for both young and old. The PARCOURS 5 is available in various configuration packages and comes with either a conventional chain drivetrain or a belt drive. Depending on availability, the knobby Continental eRuban Plus tires can also be selected. We put a Victoria PARCOURS 5 test bike with the low-maintenance belt drive and the somewhat smoother Schwalbe Al Grounder tires through its paces.
The Victoria PARCOURS 5 speaks an elegant and strong design language with its clear edges and lines. The shock, which is controlled by an almost completely concealed joint, is cleverly hidden in the seat tube and almost invisible from the side, making setup unfortunately a little more difficult. The clean look carries through to the front. The many cables in front of the cockpit are neatly bundled and disappear into the frame at the head tube.
An angle adjustment of the stem was dispensed with in favour of the aesthetics with the curved stem providing a discreet mount for the Bosch Kiox 300 display. The new Bosch Smart System has introduced many practical connectivity features. The eBike Lock, for example, disables the motor functions and makes life that little more difficult for thieves. The smartphone becomes the digital key and the navigation function helps to find the right way even in unknown terrain. The powerful motor provides 85 Nm torque and gets the needed energy from the Bosch PowerTube battery with a capacity of 625 Wh. If you like to take the battery out of the bike for charging, that’s easily done. Well protected by a lacquered cover, the battery can be easily removed from the down tube. The bike can also be charged directly via the charging port, which is located above the motor. We have to point out, however, that the charging port is only covered by a thin rubber cover and is thus insufficiently protected from moisture.
The Victoria PARCOURS 5 comes fully equipped and thus designed for everyday use as well as longer tours. Its features include the MIK luggage rack with spring clamp, which makes attaching the bags quick and easy. The brake light integrated into the mudguard also pays off in road traffic and ensures good visibility. However, we would have placed the CONTEC Dlux 120 E+ front light further up on the handlebar for better illumination. The rickety plastic mudguards also aren’t ideal, as we found them to twist and grind against the front wheel.
Catwalk or dirt trail? The Victoria PARCOURS 5 in the test
Once you get on the saddle, the Victoria scores with intuitive steering and follows the rider’s input on well-paved paths. When riding over kerbs or through potholes, the full suspension offers enough comfort and reserves to absorb shocks. The SR Suntour MOBIE34 fork and the SR Suntour EDGE air shock each have 100 mm travel and are similarly firmly tuned as on the ZEMO. However, the Victoria can’t quite keep up with the excellent responsiveness of the CONWAY’s rear triangle. The harder compound of the Schwalbe Al Grounder 2.35″ tires also contributes to the somewhat firmer setup. Not only do the Al Grounders offer slightly less cushioning, but their smooth tread cannot provide the same traction off paved trails as the knobby Schwalbe Johnny Watts tires on the other bikes in the comparison test.
Leisure riders who travel in cities or regions with a flatter topography will enjoy the Enviolo HEAVY DUTY gear hub. The gear ratio can be selected continuously via the handlebar and, in combination with the powerful motor, enables relaxed cruising on the flat. However, if a trip in the Alps is on the cards, the Enviolo’s gear hub does not have enough range to cope well with steeper climbs in a low gear. With a heavy load, there is even the risk that the transmission in the gear hub will simply slip. Adventurers who carry a lot of luggage on the rear not only have to keep an eye on the moderate maximum permissible weight of 140 kg but also maintain a firm grip on the bike at all times. The PARCOURS 5 tends to flutter when you take your hand off the handlebar at high speeds and when heavily loaded. The Victoria also requires a good braking technique from heavy riders and bikers with a lot of luggage; otherwise, the Shimano two-piston brakes will reach their limit despite the large 200 mm brake disc at the front. But even lighter riders might have trouble operating the PARCOURS 5 safely, as at 31.6 kg it was the heaviest bike on test.
Victoria Parcours 5
€ 5,999
Specifications
Motor Bosch Performance Line CX Smart System 85 Nm
Battery Bosch PowerTube 625 Wh
Display Kiox 300
Fork SR Suntour MOBIE 34 100 mm
Rear Shock SR Suntour Edge 100 mm
Seatpost Limotec A1 75 mm
Brakes Shimano BR-MT420 200/180 mm
Drivetrain Enviolo HD 3,8
Stem Victoria "integrated Stem" 70 mm
Handlebar Ergotec Riser Bar 720 mm
Wheelset Mach 1 "MAXX" 27.5"
Tires Schwalbe Al Grounder 2.35"
Technical Data
Size S M L
Weight 31.6 kg
Perm. total weight 140 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 108 kg
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount yes
Specific Features
CONTEC Dlux 120E+ /TL355 lights
| Size | S | M | L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top tube | 602 mm | 605 mm | 619 mm |
| Seat tube | 460 mm | 510 mm | 560 mm |
| Head tube | 150 mm | 160 mm | 175 mm |
| Head angle | 68° | 68° | 68° |
| Seat angle | 73° | 73° | 73° |
| Chainstays | 500 mm | 500 mm | 500 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,199 mm | 1,203 mm | 1,218 mm |
| Reach | 415 mm | 415 mm | 425 mm |
| Stack | 613 mm | 622 mm | 635 mm |
Victoria’s engineers have done a great job with the design and the integration of the full suspension. Due to the somewhat firmer frame and the choice of the bike’s configuration, such as tires and drivetrain, the Victoria PARCOURS 5 is more suitable for city than for off-road riding, and therefore does not have such a wide range of uses as the other bikes in the comparison test. Although the belt drive is well suited for trips on the flat, you should opt for an off-road step-through bike with a chain drivetrain if you ride a lot in hilly terrain.
Tops
- beautiful design and stylish integration of the full suspension
- low-maintenance belt drive
- helpful connectivity features
Flops
- choice of features limits the field of application
- gear hub slips under heavy load
For more information visit victoria-bikes.com
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best full-suspension off-road step-through bike 2023 – 4 ebikes in review
All bikes in test: CONWAY CAIRON SUV FS 5.7 | Malaguti Collina FW6.0 | Victoria Parcours 5 | ZEMO SU-E FS11
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Words: Mike Hunger Photos: Mike Hunger, Julian Lemme
