In connection with ebikes, a crucial question is how to make the switch from car to bike for shorter distances. However, it seems that no one is concerned with the switch from motorbike to bicycle. The Berlin-based manufacturer Urban Drivestyle is an explicit exception. Their best argument are ebikes that are marching to a different drummer in a positive sense.
The latest member of the bunch is called Uni Viper. Sounds snappy – and that’s exactly what it means. So far, Urban Drivestyle’s models range from the moped feeling with a really long seat for two people and standard, retractable footrests to a reminiscence of BMX culture. All deliberately recall the era of the 1970s and 1980s. If you try to combine these two poles and attach more importance to a sporty interpretation, you will end up with the Uni Viper.
Urban Drivestyle Uni Viper
A special kind of crossover
Here, fatbike, moped and BMX merge. The manufacturer considers the ebike to be in the tradition of motorcross and immediately adds the appropriate term: say hello to the EMX ebike. If the abbreviation BMX stands for Bicycle Motorcross, then EMX probably stands for E-Bike Motorcross. In any case, the fact that Urban Drivestyle is switching from the classic chromoly to aluminium for the frame is certain. For the design of the frame, the manufacturer has been inspired by the shape of an arrow. Both together represent a certain new note in Urban Drivestyle’s otherwise rather comfort-oriented appearance.
The equipment with shock and suspension fork is a step in the same direction. By definition, this is a full-suspension bike. However, it lacks any ambitions for trail or even downhill adventures. A glance at the brakes, the derailleur gears with only seven gears or the total weight of the bike of 27 kilograms will tell you that. Those who want to escape the monotony of the asphalt from time to time can still do so without hesitation with the Uni Viper, thanks to a suspension travel of about 100 millimetres at the rear and 70 millimetres at the front.
Simple single-joint on the Uni Viper
So wide, so good
Cruising through urban everyday life should be even more fun, however. Here, too, the suspension should prove to be an asset. In view of the enormously wide but only 20-inch tyres, you could ride calmly through almost any pothole even without this upgrade. The tyres are made by the Thai company Vee Tire. According to their own statement, they took the design of the tyre called Huntsman from dual-sport tyres and transferred it to ebikes. Its width of more than ten centimetres even dispels the fear of getting stuck in a tram track. It also has triple puncture protection. However, its weight of 1.5 kilograms should not be ignored. So, changing a tyre becomes a kind of a workout.
Fortunately, we are talking about an ebike on which a motor helps you to move these tyres. On the Uni Viper, this is done by a rear hub motor from Bafang with a torque of 70 Newton metres. Urban Drivestyle combines the drive with a frame battery from the Chinese manufacturer Hailong mounted on the down tube. With its capacity of 828 watt hours, a range of about 80 kilometres is within reach.
Are you ready?
Based on these key data, some of you may now be pricking up your ears because you have similar ideas about your own ebike. But before purchasing, you should ask yourself at least one more question: How much spotlight can I stand on a daily basis? Because one thing will not work with the Uni Viper: It won’t be able to swim along unnoticed in the flow of traffic. The twin-beam motorcycle-style headlights are too fat, the tyres too wide and the double-bridge suspension fork and curved handlebars too massive for that. All those who don’t mind can take a seat on the leather seat, hand-sewn in Urban Drivestyle’s own upholstery workshop, and enjoy the many stares. And believe us, they will come.
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- The headlight not only is impressive, but even features a daytime running light and a low-beam as well.
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- In comparison, the tail light seems almost dainty.
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- The seat is made of weather- and UV-resistant artificial leather, which is also used in the marine.
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- So that everyone else knows who the manufacturer of the Uni Viper is, it is written in bold letters on the seat stay.
If that’s exactly what you’re in the mood for, you should hurry. Then you can even get the attention at a slightly lower price. There will only be a strictly limited edition of the bike in the colour Thunder Grey. And the first 100 bikes will cost 600 euros less than the retail price. Order your bike now online on the manufacturer’s website and pay 990 euros. Then it will only be 2,990 euros in the end.
Urban Drivestyle Uni Viper at a glance
- Motor: Bafang G06
- Battery: Hailong, 828 Wh
- Control unit: KT LCD 4
- Suspension fork: LSRRYD
- Drivetrain: Shimano Acera
- Brakes: Magura MT4
- Maximum permitted total weight: 170 kg
- Price: 3.590 Euro
Pictures: Urban Drivestyle GmbH
