Bikes for the Berlin bohemian are built in Berlin. You can’t win a Transalp with the Classic from Urban Drivestyle, but you are at the forefront of cool show running.
The electric bikes from Urban Drivestyle are different from almost all other bikes with electric motors. They are not intended at all from the classic bike, but justify their own genre. You can put it in a nutshell: In many ways they are reminiscent of a small electric motorcycle that has been trimmed in such a way that it is legally a pedelec and is allowed to use bike paths and does not require any extra insurance. Motto: As much e-moped as possible and only as much bicycle as necessary. The legal framework for a pedelec is as follows: The motor only helps up to 25 km / h, there is no helmet or insurance requirement, the e-bike can be used anywhere ride where muscle wheels are allowed.
Not a classic bike
If you look at the Urban Drivestyle Uni MK Classic from the point of view of a die-hard cyclist, you can make a page-long minus list. Or he can make it easy for himself and deal with an e-bike that is more suitable for his purposes. The disadvantages should not be concealed, but let’s start with the things the bike scores with.
Most important is the design. The bike looks city-cool, if you think it’s ugly, you don’t have to read any further. The big headlights in the shape of old motorcycles catch the eye. In addition, there is the long seat, which can be extended even further, as was done with the test bike. The suspension fork and handlebar are very special. Unlike bicycles, the handlebar consists of two separate arms that can be swiveled.
Send through the city
First impression: Here the idea of the “Café Racer” was adapted for an e-bike. Not to drive street races, but to enjoy the appearance in an urban setting. You stand out on your bike and you should love that too. Not only the headlight, the entire design of the bike is made from one piece and is convincing. The frame is neatly drawn and gives the fun vehicle an unexpectedly serious stature. There is nothing to complain about about the workmanship, by the way, the bike is assembled in Berlin. The add-on parts feel valuable and have been carefully selected. It’s also nice that a hydraulic brake from Tektro was installed. This is not a high-end brake from MTB sport, but its pressure point feels far better than with the mechanical brakes. You have to order mudguards separately, we would recommend this if the bike is not only to be moved in sunshine. The thick and coarse tires from Kenda are likely to splash you with water and mud when it rains.
Cruiser and not a hit
So the Classic looks good, but how does it drive? The Urban Drivestyle Uni MK Classic is driven by a Bafang hub motor. Hub motors have the advantage that the power of the motor does not work through the chain and gearshift, so these components are hardly stressed. The engine is not a technological miracle, it is completely sufficient for the urban ambience. The quite audible motor drives the bike forward. The annoying noise is caused by plastic gears, suitable lubrication significantly reduces the running noise. Thanks to the well-chosen Tourney circuit, the rider always stays at a comfortable cadence – even at top speed. The strength of the support can be adjusted in nine levels. The Bafang motor is basically not particularly sensitive, but here it is already very well adjusted.
Incidentally, there is no throttle grip. The bike masters inclines like bridges well, but it is not suitable for the mountains. The front suspension and the extra wide Kenda tires cushion the Classic quite well. The wide tires are supposed to enable off-road capabilities. In fact, they move quite well on loose and wet ground. But off-road means: You can conquer the uneven lawn of an urban green area. However, it does not mean that you can survive an Enduro descent alive.
Better casual than sporty
And that is mainly due to the “casual” attitude. On the Classic, you loll on the bench with your legs stretched forward to reach the pedals, and the same goes for your arms and handlebars. It looks cool and cozy, but in this position you have very little control over the bike – technically demanding riding is simply not possible. How come? It starts with the rider actually sitting on their bum and not being able to shift their weight completely onto their arms and / or legs. Steering by shifting your weight is only possible to a limited extent. Control on the handlebars and front wheel is as limited as with a Dutch bike.
With the Uni MK Classic you can perform acrobatic tricks, as you can see on videos. But then there are also BTX artists at work who move the bike on the pedals while standing. The wide platform pedals, on which the usual spike knobs are screwed, are also suitable for this. If you don’t jump, you should consider removing the knobs. They reliably ruin all nylons and sooner or later you will chop them deep into your calves.
None of this speaks against the Uni MK Classic – as long as you use it for cruising in the city. The bike works fine on distances of less than ten kilometers. With the flat sitting position, the feet find a firm footing when held, the thick tires provide additional security.
The bench cannot be adjusted in height. The position of the handlebars can be adjusted slightly to the size of the bike, but essentially the position on the bench makes all the difference to being able to pedal. Smaller people slide forward, a long time backward. With a size of 183 centimeters, the bike is quite mobile. The optimal driver size should be between 170 and 180 centimeters. People under 165 or over 185 should test ride the bike before making a purchase. Two adults can sit on the bench if both are not too big and powerful. There are even very stylish footrests for this. But that’s forbidden in Germany. We are only allowed to take children up to the age of seven with you. Small children cannot sit on the bench anyway.
Please do not wear!
The battery can be charged in the frame, but it can also be removed. As usual with the Bafang systems, you have to use a key to switch between driving and charging mode. The Classic is very heavy at 33 kilograms, which means it has to be parked at ground level. It is very difficult to transport over stairs. The special shape and the wide tires also make it impossible to transport this bike by car using a bike rack.
Conclusion
With the Uni MK Classic you buy a cruiser and eye-catcher – the Classic fulfills both functions perfectly. You shouldn’t expect things that you associate with sporty cycling. The price of around 3000 euros without add-on extras is justified. Those who love something special also have to pay for the design. A prospective customer should only make sure that the sitting position is comfortable for him and that he lives in such a way that he does not have to heave the run up stairs.
The Uni MK Classic is delivered in accordance with the StVO. However, we would suspect that many buyers will transform it into a no longer legal e-moped by means of a retrofitted throttle grip or another display. And then only move your feet pro forma or not at all. Without footwork, you can sit on the bench much more casually and glide through the city.
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I am a 24-year-old writer and journalist who has been working in the news industry for the past two years. I write primarily about market news, so if you’re looking for insights into what’s going on in the stock market or economic indicators, you’ve come to the right place. I also dabble in writing articles on lifestyle trends and pop culture news.
