Urban Mover UM36 Owner Reviews

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Reviewer: Jonathan Lord

Purchased From: Honeyfield Trailer Centre

Purchase Price: £750

Time Owned: 1 Month

Local Terrain: Some Minor Hills

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Strengths:
*** Perfect for my 7 mile round trip commute in Bristol. Maintaining 14mph average speed.
*** Really comfortable to ride, though riding position may not be so good for larger persons.
*** Very Stylish (in my opinion).
*** Excellent torque pulling away from stop and up hills.


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Weaknesses:
Issues as follows, mostly minor, though brakes is annoying and sensor failure disappointing.
*** Brakes squeak badly after initial rim surface removed. Have fitted new brake blocks toed in 1mm. Still some squeak, seems to be a rim problem. Also front rim join not smooth creating once per rev jerk on heavy braking.
*** Rubber brake cable boot between vee brake arms is far too thick and incompressible by brakes, had to shorten it.
*** As of 22/12/06 pedelec sensor (optical) has apparently gone and awaiting replacement under guarantee.
*** Heel catches on key head in battery, shortened key head to fix.
*** Rubber covers for ends of rear axle will not stay on. Rubber is too hard and just splits after a couple of fix attempts.
*** They need to fit a handle bar swtich to cut off power, so that you can be under full control when manouvering at slow speed. Suggestion of UM to apply brakes gently which swithes off power, is not ideal
*** Could use bigger chain ring on front, though torque sensor version, which I do not have, has 48 vs 42 teeth, I think. This said, you would looks on the low gear for a steep hill.



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Summary:
Recommended


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Overall Rating (out of 10) : 8

[hillside]

Hello Jonathan,

among other options I am evaluating a UM36x here in Graubuenden/Switzerland. Steep terrain, I use the bike between two villages as it shortens a car drive to about 60% and I do it in 1/2 hr with ease.

Recently Swiss TV, a consumer magazine and 'Velojournal' reported on a test done by engineers at a university lab in Biel/Bienne. Sez one of the journals: UM44 deserves better bike components. It sounded like: We like it, but you get what you pay for. The leading contenders cost easily 1000 francs more. But all I do is a return trip, shy of 15 km, not 10 Miles. a total of less than 300 m level difference (going/returning) and a trial run allowed me to do that on one charge.

I'd be interested to hear of further experiences you made with the UM36.

Thanks and greetings from the hillside -- RM

[Beanie101]

Originally Posted by hillside

Hello Jonathan,

among other options I am evaluating a UM36x here in Graubuenden/Switzerland. Steep terrain, I use the bike between two villages as it shortens a car drive to about 60% and I do it in 1/2 hr with ease.

Recently Swiss TV, a consumer magazine and 'Velojournal' reported on a test done by engineers at a university lab in Biel/Bienne. Sez one of the journals: UM44 deserves better bike components. It sounded like: We like it, but you get what you pay for. The leading contenders cost easily 1000 francs more. But all I do is a return trip, shy of 15 km, not 10 Miles. a total of less than 300 m level difference (going/returning) and a trial run allowed me to do that on one charge.

I'd be interested to hear of further experiences you made with the UM36.

Thanks and greetings from the hillside -- RM

Hello Hillside

I recently tried the UM36 in the Alps and didn't think that its climbing ability was good enough. I posted a review on the main forum page. For a bit more, you could get a second hand Flyer. Try their website (in German), where there are usually 5 to 10 of them advertised.