Fast touring bikes with a motor: E-bikes up to 20 kilos - the Riese und Müller UBN Five Commute on test
Georg Bleicher
· 24.08.2024
The UBN 5 Commute is a new addition to the Riese & Müller portfolio: The e-bike is the first RM e-bike with "drop bars" and a suspension fork. And, no, even if the bike enthusiast asks "Carbon?", the finely painted frame with the flowing transitions is made of aluminium. The elaborate manufacturing process produces stiff and attractive results. Visually, only the overly wide, sturdy mudguards do not harmonise with the 40 mm tyres.
The Commuter has a gravel Suntour suspension fork with 60 millimetres of travel, which not only compresses reasonably well, but is also relatively laterally stiff and makes riding on dirt tracks more comfortable. You shouldn't expect too much comfort from the bike, as the frame itself is extremely stiff and readily absorbs shocks. Despite their low profile, the 40 mm Schwalbe gravel tyres grip well on everything except mud, but also run smoothly on asphalt, so that the touring bike is a pleasure to ride even with the motor switched off, unless it's going uphill. After all, just under 20 kilos is twice the weight of an organic gravel bike.
Riese and Müller UBN Five Commute: fine to the office
Speaking of the motor: the Fazua 60 is beyond reproach. Smooth start, smooth decoupling at 26, dynamic thrust - especially with a higher pedalling frequency - all very quiet. Three support levels are changed from the underside of the handlebars: A button sits in a handlebar tape recess on each side, with intuitive downshifting on the left and upshifting on the right. However, it is more difficult to feel the buttons when wearing winter gloves. The drop bar is suitable for extended cruising over a variety of terrain.
Anyone expecting a lively sports bike with a rack (which can only take small panniers due to its low height) is wrong. The Riese und Müller UBN 5 Commute likes to ride in a straight line, and the suspension fork and narrow handlebars minimise the urge to hook. This gives you a great feeling of safety, but not so much manoeuvrability that you would want to shred trails on it.
Speaking of shredding: the Gravel Commuter costs 4999 euros. The standard equipment with RX chip, which - among other things - can help to recover the bike in the event of theft, is well worth it. Depending on the service package taken out, there are also various insurance options. And lots of data on bike use on top.
>> The Riese and Müller UBN Five Commute in comparison to the competition: 6 e-bikes up to 20 kilos in the test - read now!
Conclusion on the e-bike Riese and Müller UBN Five Commute
Great motor, great frame, great concept. But beware: if you're coming from the manoeuvrable Bio Graveler, you won't find a simple counterpart with a motor here, but a fine addition with which you can take it easy.
The most important information about the Riese und Müller UBN Five Commute
- Price: 4999 Euro
- Test bike weight: 19.9 kg
- Permissible total weight: 135 kg
- Frame size: 45, 51, 57
- Frame: Aluminium
- Fork: SR Suntour GVX 60 mm Travel
- Circuit: Chain, Shimano GRX 812, 11-speed / 11-42 teeth
- Motor/battery: Fazua Ride 60 / Fazua Energy 430
- Brakes: Disc, Shimano GRX600, 180 mm
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Allround 40-622
- Saddle: Fizik Aidon X5 145 mm
- Front/rear lighting system: Supernova Mini 2 (100 Lux) / Busch & Müller Xeltec
- Luggage carrier with maximum load: R & M, 15 kg
- Special features: Smart with RX chip + 1 year free insurance, integrated steering stop, SP-Connect bracket
