Univega Flyte 850By MMB 2.1 |   |  |
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
| cost: | £599 |
|
| frame: | Rectangular section 7005 alloy
|
|
| shock: | RST 22 600lb coil over |
|
| fork: | SR Suntour MG 90 |
|
| stop: | STX levers, Tektro brakes |
|
| go: | STX RC rear mech and shifters, Alivio front, SR Suntour chainset, VP platform pedals |
|
| wheels: | Alex AL DA 18 rims on Shimano hubs with Maxxis tyres |
|
| stuff: | Univega reinforced saddle |
|
| weight: | 33lb
|
|
| from: | Reece 0121 440 4632 |
|
| web: | n/a |
|
|
Both the hardtail and suspension models of Univega's Flyte series are based around a Y-shaped rectangular section 7005 mainframe. Not the prettiest thing we've seen but with bags of room to swing your pants. On the suspension bike, the downtube is cut short and a tapered section is welded on, placing the composite pivot just above, and in front of, the bottom bracket. The seat boom is reinforced with two long aluminium plate sections that also form the front shock mount. All this ugly-angle iron is complemented by the crude angular plates that join the URT swingarm to the bearing. The rear sub frame uses box section stays and a short circular section of seat tube for mounting the front mech and shock. The rear shock mount plates are drilled for three positions to adjust travel and shock leverage.
 The heavily sprung RST coil shock refused to move until we tried the lowest position and, even then, it was several rides and a quick strip of the simple bearing before the rear plushed out fully. However, once we'd worked it through, it was actually pretty supple through its stroke. Spring pre-load and rebound can both be adjusted, but the shock still clunks through to top and bottom out with heavy landings. The pivot point is steady under pedalling, just nodding with rider movement. The Flyte tackled climbing technical sections well considering its weight. Lateral cornering stiffness is also good.
The SR Suntour MG 90 fork relies on spring and elastomer internals to keep you cushioned, but travel slaps through to the stops very quickly after the initial soft joy. Purple pre-load adjusters do nowt to help, but steering and braking rigidity are workable. There's even a disc mount for the optimistic.
Riding position is confidently laid back thanks to high-swept risers, and the head lifts easily when required. The 130mm stem causes a whole bunch of ducking and diving at low speeds, though. Fit something shorter if you're heading down the woods. The drivetrain is a pick-and-mix selection — Alivio/STX mechs and shifters work fine and eight-speed's a treat at this price — but, the Suntour chainset is a little slow and noisy when switching the chain between rings. VP platforms are a nice choice for slalom dabbing, with plenty of flat foot bite from the steel pegs. STX levers are flex-free, with spot-on reach for two-finger work. But, even with straight line cable routing into the rear brake (which wasn't the leg rub horror we'd feared), the Tektro calipers are floppy when you haul hard. The power is there, if you're insistent, but there's little feel for feathering in ropey conditions.
Alex rims are durable, double-wall units and the Maxxis tyres give a respectable cushion and impressive grip in most stuff we stirred about in. Neither are light, but this adds to high speed and airborne stability and should help handle the abuse a bike like this encourages. Rider contact points are nicely appointed. Family favourite WTB dual-compound grips and reinforcing on the saddle sides stayed cleaner than most through winter filth and thigh slapping.
|
|
| VERDICT
|
|
Once the springs and pivots are bedded in, the Univega is a plush and workable ride. The fork is too soft for big impact work, but climb and drive performance are fairly nod-free. The frame isn't pretty, but all that extra bracing should keep it intact for a while; and the rest of the componentry is decent durable stuff too. Too heavy for big days out, but you'll have a blast playing down in the woods.
|
|
HAS:
-Workable rear suspension action. Well-placed pivot for plush action and steady pedalling
-Multiple shock settings. Tune the travel and the leverage to taste
-Decent tyres and finishing kit. Maxxis tyres bite well and the saddle, and grips are sweet
|
|
NEEDS:
-Shorter stem. Barge steering from the tiller fitted
-Stiffer rate fork internals. Comfy on gentle days but too soft for real abuse
-More responsive brakes. They stop eventually, but with precious little feedback or initial bite
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
