"Brachial! The Panasonic pushes and pushes and pushes." Josh is thrilled. It's the eve of the eMTB Challenge and we've taken our two test bikes, the Flyer Uproc X and the new Conway Xyron Carbon, out for a short test ride behind Arco. As powerful carbon all-mountain bikes, the e-bikes are the ideal choice for taking on the eMTB Challenge. This is because everything is demanded of an e-MTB here: riding strength uphill and downhill, motor power and intuitive handling. But we don't want to go into the race without any practice, so we use Friday evening for a quick test session. And really: Whether it's a rock step, a ramp or both, the Panasonic motor in the Flyer is bursting with torque and easily pushes up even nasty key sections.
It's just before eleven the next day when editor-in-chief Josh Welz and I roll along the riverside cycle path towards the start. Below us, our two duelists, Flyer Uproc X and Conway Xyron Carbon, are whirring, to our left a fresh breeze beats the waves against the beach of Riva and rustles the palm leaves. Who will come out on top in this all-carbon all-mountain duel? The Flyer is under pressure. For an extra 1000 euros, the Swiss company offers a powerful drivetrain and a truly outstanding high-quality frame, but can hardly beat the Conway in terms of equipment. XT drive and brakes as well as identical Fox suspension in the performance version are found in both e-bikes. In terms of suspension travel, even the Conway is slightly ahead with 160 millimetres of travel.
We are finally among the last to join the large group of riders at the starting arch. Around 150 e-mountain bikers are at the start, from absolute beginners to former German downhill champions. Nathalie Schneitter, former e-MTB world champion, is also there. The battery equalises the differences in performance.
The concept of the challenge is a mixture of enduro race and scavenger hunt. A lap of 30 kilometres, 800 metres in altitude and 10 landmarks must be completed with the aid of a map. And as in the enduro race, time only counts for special special stages. There are time penalties for putting your foot down, which gives skilful uphill riders an advantage.
With the transponder for timekeeping on my wrist and the map at the ready, we set off and a little later we are already in front of the first stage. Now, with my race number on my handlebars and just before my first race, I can feel the adrenalin flooding my veins. Luckily for my Conway Xyron, the key section is obviously not that steep, but is just a little lacking in grip. This could give me an advantage with the Bosch motor if the powerful Panasonic in the Flyer Uproc X can't modulate its power well enough. One thing's for sure: if the rear spins out, your foot is down and you're sure to get a time penalty.
I switch on the tried-and-tested E-MTB mode on the Bosch drive for the best modulation and I'm already at the front of the starting block. After my colleague Josh's start, the marshal looks at his watch with disinterest and then waves me onto the course with a slight nod of his head. And off we go! Off onto the short straight, over the first step - no problem at all - and into the first left. Saddle slightly lowered, elbows down. That should work with the traction.
It's no use. My pedalling is too over-motivated. The front of the Conway gets a little light, I put my weight forward to compensate, and the rear wheel slips. Standstill. The foot goes down as if of its own accord. Crap. Starting off again is out of the question here. So I push uphill, Josh behind me, who has obviously not been helped by the impressive power of the Panasonic motor in the Flyer. EWS champ Jérôme Clementz shoots past me on the uphill, then I too can plunge into the first descent.
With my pulse at the limit, tunnel vision sets in. All I can hear is the wheezing of my lungs and the rattling of the Conway Xyron beneath me. But apart from the background noise, the e-MTB does its job well. It's easy to handle but still feels planted on the narrow track and manoeuvres through the tight trail with little effort. Quite suitable for a blind race, I think. By now, we and the bikes are a well-rehearsed team.
The high-torque, high-climbing Flyer carries Josh swiftly up the long, bumpy straight to Stage 2. The tyres bite into the rocks and Josh can make full use of the Panasonic's motor power. Tight bends, on the other hand, require a little more effort with the Swiss bike, and the suspension remains sporty and firm rather than comfortable. On the last long straight of the Challenge, however, the Flyer is in its element: it shoots over the last rock steps to the finish line without brakes, and the firm suspension reveals what it was made for: Reserves for full throttle and tough terrain. Then it's already done. After a bit of cranking, we're sitting at the final pasta party in Arco. Now it's just a matter of rolling back to Riva and completing the challenge. The large batteries still show over 50 per cent, the arms have only just warmed up. What a shame, it could have gone on a little longer.
The motors
Panasonic overheating: However, the fact that the Panasonic only weighs as much as Bosch's CX and is similarly compact also has disadvantages. During our hill climb test at an outside temperature of 28 degrees, the Panasonic shot up the steep climb at record speed, but after around 350 metres in altitude it reported reduced performance due to the high temperature, while still providing powerful support. It later reduced the power significantly. The high temperature warning also reappeared on the next climb, but there were no further interruptions. Despite the breather breaks, the Panasonic completed the entire route at an extremely brisk average speed.
Conclusion from Adrian Kaether, EMTB test editor:
Despite a price difference of 1000 euros: In the end, Conway and Flyer are close together and differ mainly in character. The Conway Xyron is nimble, agile and comfortable, but the more powerful all-mountain e-bike is the purposeful and less playful Flyer Uproc X. The strong climbing performance and details such as the beautiful frame ultimately secure the Flyer E-EMT a narrow victory on points. The eMTB Challenge as a casual scene meeting and entertaining race format was real fun with both bikes.
Technical data Conway Xyron S 8.9 MX Carbon
General information
- Price: 6499 Euro
- to the Conway website
- Sizes / frame material: S / M / tested in size L / XL / XXL / Carbon
Drive
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX
- Max. Torque³: 85 Nm
- Battery³ / weight² / price replacement battery: Powertube 750 / 4300 g / 999 Euro
- Gear system: Shimano XT (12-speed)
- Translation (v. / h.): 36; 10-51
- Display / size: Bosch Kiox 300 / 33 x 48 mm
Measured values
- Weight²: 24.29 kg
- Suspension travel f. / h.: 160 / 160 mm
Equipment
- Permissible total weight³: 130 kg
- Fork / shock: Fox 36 Performance / Fox Float X Performance
- Telescopic seatpost: Contec Drop a Gogo, 150 mm
- Brake / Disc Ø (front / rear): Shimano XT four-piston / 203 mm / 203 mm
- Wheels: Mavic E-Deemax 35
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary / Big Betty, 29 x 2.4" / 27.5 x 2.6"
Technical data Flyer Uproc X 8.7
General information
- Price: 7449 Euro
- to the Flyer website
- Sizes / frame material: S / M / tested in size L / XL / Carbon
Drive
- Motor: Panasonic GX Ultimate Pro Fit
- Max. Torque³: 95 Nm
- Battery³ / weight² / price Replacement battery: Flyer FIB-740 FIT , 750 Wh / 4755 g / 962 Euro
- Gear system: Shimano XT (12-speed)
- Translation (v. / h.): 34; 10-51
- Display / Size: FIT Compact DSP1-M / 32 x 42 mm
Measured values
- Weight²: 24.97 kg
- Suspension travel f. / h.: 150 / 150 mm
Equipment
- Permissible total weight³: 140 kg
- Fork / shock: Fox 36 Performance / Fox Float X Performance
- Telescopic seatpost: Kind Shock Lev Int. 175 mm
- Brake / Disc Ø (front / rear): Shimano XT four-piston / 203 m / 203 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss H 1900 Spline 30
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary / Big Betty 29 x 2.4" / 27.5 x 2.6"
¹ The reach height was determined during standardised test rides on an asphalt climb with a gradient of 12.2 percent. Highest support level, 150 watts pedalling power of the rider, rider weight incl. equipment 90 kg. The altitude metres in clearly reduced emergency mode are shown in brackets. The average speed refers to the journey with full assistance.
² Determined on test stands in the EMTB test laboratory, weight without pedals. Battery weight may include screwed-on cover.
³ Manufacturer's specification
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
