That was quick: just one day after unveiling the promising Fazua Ride 60 drive system, Riese & Müller is launching its new UBN line, featuring two new ebikes that are designed to offer a good balance of features, performance and weight. This new line thus represents the sportier and more agile counterpart to Riese & Müller’s Roadster models, which had received a complete re-design for 2021.
While the UBN Five comes with a typical diamond frame, the UBN Seven features a trapezoidal comfort frame — technically, however, there is no difference between both models. The core of both bikes is the brand-new Ride 60 drive system from Fazua: it consists of a very lightweight mid-drive motor with a decent output of 60 Nm of torque and a battery with 430 Wh capacity. The latter, by the way, is removable and can thus be charged directly in the bike or removed at the place of choice. The drive system is controlled via a compact thumb switch called Ring Control, the battery status is displayed on the top tube at the so-called LED Hub — where you will also find a USB-C port for charging a smartphone. A smartphone mount from SP Connect is installed on the stem (already tested here). So you can optionally place the smartphone on the handlebars and thus call up information about the ride.
For smart functions, Riese & Müller offers the so-called RX Connect app, which provides ride data, statistics and security features. Through an integrated and newly developed RX chip, the position of the bike can be located, in addition, a motion alarm can be activated via the app — optionally with light, sound or push notification — in the case of theft.
The stock equipment of the new UBN bikes includes sleek mudguards, at the rear even with an elegant and unobtrusive pannier holder and a taillight integrated into the mudguard. The Supernova Mini2 headlight on the handlebars is mounted centrally, all cables and wires are routed directly below the handlebars in the stem — again, great attention has been paid to a clean look.
The brakes on the UBN bikes are from TRP, the tires are 42 mm wide models of the type Schwalbe Marathon Supreme installed. A bell and the kickstand complete the full Commuter equipment.
Characteristic for Riese & Müller is the extensive possibility to customize the bikes to the respective wishes and demands of their customers. It starts with the drivetrain, where you have the choice between purist singlespeed or low-maintenance hub gears from Shimano’s Alfine series with 8 gears — both in combination with the Gates Carbon Drive belt. In addition, the UBN bikes are of course also available with classic derailleur gears from Shimano’s Deore model series with 11 gears. A Comfort Kit provides a curved handlebar and Ergo grips on request. And those who find the standard fork too uncomfortable can also choose a suspension fork as an option — which is then of course also noticeable in the weight. However, at 18 kg, the starting weight of the UBN bikes is pleasantly low, which is achieved in particular by the new Fazua drive.
The configuration of the new UBN bikes is starting now via Riese & Müller’s website, the bikes will be delivered “in the summer of 2022”. Prices start at 4,899 euros (with Deore derailleur), 4,999 euros (Singlespeed with belt drive) or 5,199 euros (Alfine hub gears with belt drive).
Both models are available in three sizes. The UBN Five is available in the two colors selva and matte black, while the UBN Seven with comfort frame is available in pure white and rose.
