Riese & Müller UBN Six: Sporty, Chic and Comfy at the Same Time

In January, Riese & Müller quietly unveiled its new addition to the UBN model series. Not even a press release announced the appearance of the UBN Six. Yet one of the sportiest low-steps currently available on the market deserved more attention.

When the UBN series saw the light of day in April 2022, Riese & Müller had acted much more conspicuously. Together with Fazua, they showed up exclusively at the launch of the Ride 60 drive. That’s why some of you have probably already heard of the trendy UBN Five and UBN Seven, which are aimed at the urban environment. Even back then, Riese & Müller let it slip that there was no random gap between five and seven. Now, at the latest, the logic behind it becomes clear. The UBN Five is an ebike with a classic diamond frame, while the UBN Seven has a trapezoidal frame. If you’re thinking about cycling in the city, you’re still missing a frame with a low step-in. This now comes into play with the UBN Six.

Obvious and hidden differences

Parts of the aluminium frame, such as the rear triangle, the head tube and the seat tube, are consequently taken from the two models from last year. Once again, the weld seams are wonderfully smooth, so that the lines really flow into each other. At a height of 48 centimetres, a small horizontally running additional tube connects the seat tube and the down tube. On the one hand, it stabilises the entire construction. At the same time, it serves as a handle that makes it easier to lift the bike and carry it up steps or into a bus. Of course, this does not work completely without effort. The UBN Six is quite light for a fully equipped urban ebike. Depending on the model, you still have to lift more than 20 kilograms.

Due to the low step-in, the manufacturer has slightly changed the down tube compared to the other two bikes in the model range. Because a hollow space has been incorporated inside, it is a little more massive. The hollow space increases the stiffness of the frame. However, it also means that the battery does not disappear completely into the tube. It protrudes a little from the bottom of the tube along its entire length. This is why the battery cover is stretched downwards more. You can see this in the small step that is most visible when you look at the bike from the side. In our opinion, however, this does not detract from the impressive aesthetics of the bike.

Control centre on the handlebar

The Ride 60 drive system from Fazua is operated from the handlebars of the UBN Six. The control hub is mounted to the left of the grip. Its logic is the same as Fazua’s Ring Control. This means that you push the slightly protruding nose of the control unit upwards to change to the next higher support level, and downwards to the lower mode. The light can be switched on by moving the nose sideways.

Compared to the Ring Control, the Control Hub features additional functions. On the one hand, there are the five LEDs on the right side of the control unit. Their colour indicates the riding mode in which you are currently riding. The number of LEDs indicates the charge level of the battery. Secondly, the Control Hub has been expanded to include a USB-C charging port. As a result, you can conveniently supply a navigation device, your smartphone, an additional light or whatever else with power from the e-drive while riding.

Basically, the Fazua Ride 60 cuts just as fine a figure on the UBN Six as it does on the other UBN models. With its torque of 60 Newton metres, the motor has sufficient agility for city traffic. At the same time, it does not drain too much energy from the battery. The battery’s capacity of 430 watt hours is easily enough for the 41 kilometres or so that many people cover on their ebikes every week, according to the latest E-Bike Monitor by GfK. If it is exhausted at some point, you can charge it directly in the bike via a charging socket or take it out and do it somewhere else.

More practical than UBN Five and UBN Seven

At least for now, the low-step has an advantage over the other frame shapes in everyday use that could be decisive for some of you. You can order an optional rear carrier with MIK system for the UBN Six. Riese & Müller usually provides a rather minimalist solution with two struts integrated into the mudguards to which panniers can be attached. However, they must not weigh more than 7.5 kilograms each. The optional rear carrier, on the other hand, has a proper small bed and can carry a load of 27 kilograms. Various MIK-compatible accessories can be clicked onto the MIK adapter plate. Riese & Müller has announced that it will also offer this option for the UBN Five and UBN Seven. However, we do not yet know a concrete date for this.

The manufacturer is launching two versions of the UBN Six: UBN Six touring and UBN Six silent. As with the UBN Five and UBN Seven, these are versions with an 11-speed derailleur or an 8-speed hub and belt drive, both from Shimano. Both versions can be customised with a Suspension Kit and a Comfort Kit. In the case of the Suspension Kit, a suspension fork with a travel of 63 millimetres and a suspension seatpost replace their rigid counterparts. The Comfort Kit includes a more curved handlebar and a steeper stem, which makes your riding position more upright and less sporty. The UBN Six is available in three frame sizes: 45 centimetres, 51 centimetres and 57 centimetres.

Riese & Müller UBN Six at a glance

• Variants: UBN Six touring, UBN Six silent
• Suspension fork: SR Suntour NCX 28″
• Rigid fork: Kinesis VL56A
• Motor: Fazua Ride 60
• Battery: Fazua Energy 430
• Control unit: Fazua Control Hub
• Drivetrain: Shimano Deore, Shimano Alfine 8-speed
• Brakes: Tektro TRP hydraulic disc brake
• Weight: from 20.2 kg (touring), from 20.7 kg (silent)
• Maximum permitted total weight: 135 kg
• Price: from 4,899 euros

 

Pictures: Riese & Müller GmbH