Generally, people from Switzerland are considered to be rather comfy, who appreciate a more relaxed rhythm in everyday life. If you take that as a reference, Flyer is acting quite un-Swiss right now. The ebike pioneer from Huttwil is starting the 2024 cycling season at racing speed with three remarkable innovations.
1. Flyer Goroc TR:X
2. Flyer Uproc Evo:X
3. Flyer Upstreet SL
1. Flyer Goroc TR:X
The new Goroc TR:X in particular will raise quite a stir. And this is not necessarily due to the wide lugged tyres on which the full-suspension ebike with mudguards, the complete lighting system and the slim rear rack for panniers comes along. The trigger is rather a drive that is celebrating its world premiere at this year’s Eurobike. We are talking about the Motor Gearbox Unit, or MGU for short, from Pinion. The company is probably known to many of you as a manufacturer of high-quality gearboxes. Now Pinion is going one step further and combining an ebike motor with its own gearbox in one unit.
Unique interaction
The advantages of such a solution are obvious. Since there is no need to install a gear hub or derailleur, almost the entire weight of the drivetrain is concentrated in the centre of the ebike. In principle, there is nothing better for the weight distribution and the resulting handling of the bike. The centre of gravity is very central and low, which gives the bike a really great balance. In addition, all moving parts are protected in a housing. There, hardly anything can be damaged by external influences, be it any weather or large mechanical forces, such as from a fall. Consequently, wear and tear tends towards zero. According to Flyer, the only maintenance that needs to be considered for a Pinion MGU is an oil change after 10,000 kilometres.
In terms of performance, the drive unit immediately ranks well in the leading pack of the current competition. The motor produces the usual 250 watts, which can increase to 600 watts at peak power. The maximum torque is 85 Newton metres. You can tame all this power within the framework of twelve gears of the transmission and the four riding modes Eco, Flow, Flex and Fly and bring it to the road or the trail.
No matter what comes
This ebike, which Flyer calls a crossover, feels good on both terrains. The carbon frame offers 130 millimetres of suspension travel – both on the 4-link rear triangle and on the suspension fork. With its 29-inch wheels, you can confidently tackle more demanding terrain in the forest. At the same time, they are convincing due to the usual smooth running on firm ground and asphalt. Thanks to its complete range of features, the Goroc TR:X can do just about anything. Even longer. Flyer uses a battery with a capacity of 700 watt hours as standard. This can be increased by another 535 watt hours with an optional additional battery. Given these values, the newcomer is equally suitable as an enduring trekking ebike and a flexible everyday companion.
Flyer will produce a total of four different versions of the Goroc TR:X, in frame sizes S, M, L and XL. These include the Goroc TR:X 8.63 HS, an S-pedelec. Delivery of all models has been announced for spring 2024. There is only one frame shape to choose from. But you can choose between the two colours Curcuma Gloss and Gentian Blue Gloss.
Flyer Goroc TR:X 2024 at a glance
- Variants: Goroc TR:X 4.63, Goroc TR:X 8.63, Goroc TR:X 8.63 XC, Goroc TR:X 8.63 HS
- Frame: Carbon/Aluminium
- Motor: Pinion MGU E1
- Battery: TP 700 FIT
- Display: FIT Display Compact, FIT Display Comfort
- Suspension fork: Fox 34 Float Rhythm E-Optimised, SR Suntour Aion, Fox AWL
- Drivetrain: Carbon belt
- Brakes: Shimano XT MT8120, TRP C2.3
- Weight: approx. 30 kg
- Maximum permitted total weight: 150 kg
- Colours: Curcuma Gloss, Gentian Blue Gloss
2. Flyer Uproc Evo:X
While the Goroc TR:X is a border crosser between on and off road, the Flyer Uproc has traditionally had a pronounced preference for off-road. This is no different with the new Uproc Evo:X. Apart from that, however, a few things are different compared to the previous models in the series. Different drive. More aggressive geometry. More suspension travel.
Flyer has changed the concept noticeably in the direction of Enduro. For the first time, the manufacturer uses a flip-chip system. This allows you to change the frame geometry from a higher to a lower position with just a few turns. Roughly speaking, the first one offers a little more efficiency when pedalling and is therefore more suitable for the way up the mountain. At the top, it is recommended to change to the second position, where the centre of gravity of the bike lowers and the head tube angle flattens out a little. This means more stability and comfort on the way down to the valley.
Especially downhill, you can also look forward to increased suspension travel. Compared to the Uproc X, 20 millimetres are added to the suspension fork. The rear shock has 15 millimetres more travel.
Less power, more extras
The Bosch drive system is also new. In future, it will be Smart System Performance Line CX instead of Panasonic’s GX Ultimate Pro Fit. In terms of torque, this means a loss of performance for the time being. The Panasonic offered 95 Newton metres. The Bosch unit with its 85 Newton metres can’t quite keep up. On the other hand, there is suddenly the option of a range extender, the new Bosch PowerMore 250. As its name suggests, it extends the battery capacity by 250 watt hours. In addition, Flyer provides you with more extensive theft protection with the Bosch Connectmodule. The GPS tracker hidden under the motor cover ensures that you can track a stolen bike via position data and pass this information on to the investigating authorities, so that in the best case scenario you get it back safe and sound. Just as practical is the MonkeyLink interface on the top model, the Flyer Evo:X 9.50, which allows you to magnetically connect lights.
Flyer Uproc Evo:X 2024 at a glance
- Variants: Evo:X 4.10, Evo:X 6.10, Evo:X 8.70, Evo:X 9.50
- Frame: Carbon
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line CX
- Battery: Bosch PowerTube 750, Bosch PowerTube 625
- Control units: Bosch System Controller, Bosch Mini Remote
- Suspension fork: Fox 38 Float Factory E-Optimised, Fox 38 Float Performance E-Optimised, Fox 38 Float Rhythm E-Optimised, RockShox Domain RC
- Drivetrain: Sram X01 Eagle AXS, Shimano XT, Shimano Deore
- Brakes: Shimano XT MT8120, TRP C2.3
- Weight: approx. 26 kg
- Maximum permitted total weight: 140 kg
- Colours: Curcuma Gloss, Black Metallic Gloss
3. Flyer Upstreet SL
The Flyer Upstreet SL comes third in our list. It would have been just as deserving to start the article with it. After all, it is the lightest ebike that has ever left the Flyer halls. It clearly shows which ebikes Bosch had in mind when it presented its latest drive, the Performance SX. At least when we think of bikes that are supposed to prove themselves as reliable companions in urban environments.
Unobtrusively appealing. Flyer may have followed this approach in the design of the Upstreet SL. There are neither particularly striking lines nor a motley choice of colours. Instead, perfectly polished weld seams on the aluminium frame, over which, among other things, a shiny anthracite lacquer gently lays. This is not a visual outcry. But it certainly looks elegant. And experience has shown that this is exactly what attracts customers who appreciate a high-quality city ebike.
Perfect match?
With the Performance SX, Flyer relies on a drive that seems made for such a bike. Its torque of 55 newton metres ranks well below the bolides that provide a powerful boost on e-mountain bikes. Nevertheless, the sprint riding mode, which is only available on this motor, usually catapults you to the front of all the cyclists gathered beforehand when you set off at a traffic light. Of course, only if you want to and unleash the motor with the necessary cadence. Thanks to the customisable riding modes, you can adapt the response behaviour and the available torque entirely to your preferences. This also applies to the speed up to which the motor should support you in each mode.
Of course, if you want, you can also cycle through the city on the Upstreet SL in a relaxed manner. In this case, many people will not notice that you are riding an ebike. The motor makes almost no noise. The frame is extremely slim. And apart from the control unit on the top tube and the mini remote on the handlebars, no large-format displays or the like will give you away.
Special feature announced for 2024
For those who getting to work, meeting friends, going to the sports club or the cinema, by bike is not enough, we recommend the Bosch PowerMore 250. The small range extender gives you about 60 percent more range than the standard Bosch CompactTube 400 battery. So you can think about longer tours. This also works well without the additional battery. Flyer has integrated the CompactTube 400 so that it can be easily removed from the side. This makes things easier, especially if you don’t know in advance how and where you will be able to recharge it on your trip.
Of the three available models, the Usptreet SL 3.83 deserves a special mention. Available from summer 2024, it will be equipped with a 2-speed gear hub from Classified. This will be accompanied by a low-maintenance carbon belt from Gates. On the models already delivered, there is a derailleur with nine gears from the still fairly new Cues group from Shimano. As usual, Flyer offers three frame styles: from the classic diamond frame to the trapezoid frame and a low-step. In addition to the aforementioned anthracite, there is a second colour, Frosty Sage.
Flyer Upstreet SL 2024 at a glance
- Variants: Upstreet SL 3.10, Upstreet SL 3.83, Upstreet SL 3.12 XC
- Frame: Aluminium
- Motor: Bosch Performance Line SX
- Battery: Bosch CompactTube 400
- Control units: Bosch System Controller, Bosch Mini Remote
- Drivetrain: Classified 2-speed, Shimano Cues 4000
- Brakes: Tektro T280
- Weight: approx. 18 kg
- Maximum permitted total weight: 130 kg
- Colours: Anthracite Gloss, Frosty Sage Gloss
Pictures: Flyer AG
