Test: Victoria is a real traditional brand that does not rest on its laurels, but recognizes what cyclists want and need. With the eUrban models, you have two great e-bikes in the range that can also master difficult tasks.
Mobility on two wheels has existed under the Victoria brand name for a long time, since 1886 to be precise. So you definitely have a lot of experience. One refers to generations of good quality, reliability and high suitability for everyday use, one feels obliged to these values and the long tradition. By the way, Victoria was an early pioneer of the motor-assisted bicycle. At the beginning of the economic miracle, the "Vicky I" came onto the market, which was based on a normal bicycle with a small 38 ccm auxiliary engine and a tank for the petrol/oil mixture.
https://www.velomotion.de/2017/08/victoria-e-bikes-2018-bosch/
Today, the Victoria range includes a variety of bicycles, from children's bikes to city bikes and tandems. However, eBikes are now a very important segment with great growth, as is the case with many manufacturers. There are speed pedelecs, trekking bikes and classic step-through bikes. We took a closer look at the eUrban models. These have a special feature: they allow a total weight of 170 kilos. That sounds like a lot at first, but let's be honest: Especially if you're not a lightweight, an e-bike makes a lot of sense and pleasure and you can expand your radius of action. Bike with luggage are quickly at 50 kilos. If you weigh around 100 kilos yourself, you won't have any problems with the eUrban. With bikes from many other brands that allow a total weight of 40-50 kilos less, you shouldn't be on the road at all. Are there any disadvantages if the bike is designed for a higher total weight? In any case, one advantage is that the bike is more robust and therefore more durable.
The differences between the two eUrban models
You can get a Victoria eUrban in two versions for around 3300 euros for the eUrban 11.5 and around 3500 euros for the 11.9. Both bikes come with a Bosch mid-engine. The more expensive variant even comes with the sporty Performance CX, while the 11.5 has to be content with the Performance. The CX is ideal if you are at home in mountainous areas or simply like to leave racing cyclists at the traffic light. The performance is completely sufficient for everyday use and it drives softer, more harmoniously.
The Shimano Nexus hub with eight gears goes very well with this. She likes moderate inclines and relaxed rolling, but you have to release the pedal pressure briefly to change gears. The NuVinci hub on the 11.9 also shifts under load and is particularly robust. The manufacturer even promises double the service life compared to conventional hub gears. One advantage is stepless shifting, there are theoretically an infinite number of gears. The range of gear ratios is only slightly higher than with the Shimano hub with eight gears, with 307% to 360% around 50% more are available, which allows the 11.9 in combination with the stronger Bosch CX unit to overtake the 11.5. You don't feel the extra weight of almost a kilo.
Common features of the Victoria eUrban Bikes
Both models are available with a low entry or with a diamond frame. You can't make a recommendation there, that's a matter of taste, at least they are both stable. We particularly liked three things. The design of the wheels is extremely harmonious. The customer who buys such a bike will also expect this and will not be disappointed. Quite the opposite, young and old liked it. In terms of colour, the extravagances are avoided and preference is given to flowing forms and visual integration. This becomes clear with the rear light in the luggage rack or the casing of the battery.
A second reason to celebrate is the Gates timing belt. Driving becomes somehow softer and smoother. There is no need to lubricate the chain, the trousers do not get dirty. Also worth mentioning is the choice of tires, which give the eUrban very good comfort. To do this, you should adjust the air pressure well to the rider's weight, then you won't miss a suspension fork.
All other components work perfectly. The brakes do their job confidently and offer sufficient deceleration values. The saddle and grips are comfortable and easily adjustable, as are the handlebars and stem. The front lighting from Busch and Müller is among the best the market has to offer and the luggage rack with integrated rear light also impresses us.
Werner Wiener says
I have now driven about 1000 km. I'm very excited. Will install other Nuvinci gears with more gears after warranty expires.
Ralph Karl says
First of all – I ordered my e urban 11.5 from “my” dealer (Fahrrad – Goyn in Lübbenau) in April 2018, and he was not able to get a delivery date from the manufacturer until the beginning of June – only regular consolations due to delivery bottlenecks. The team in Lübbenau then rotated and got me a "fair piece" from Leipzig in time for my vacation - really great, how they try to get customers there...
Well, at the end of June I was finally able to take delivery of the bike - and I was pretty excited from the first sight - beefy, reserved and still a great look! I hadn't seen it in person before, only various videos and photos on the net. Did everything right until now. I had the bike “upgraded” with the Nyon and had “my saddle” fitted. Since then I've cycled 2.300 km on the Müritz on vacation and on weekends in Lusatia until now (end of November) - and I'm still thrilled! I'm 1,66 m tall and weigh about 72 kg, and I found out that 1,8 bar on the balloon tires results in optimal suspension and rolling behavior for me, at 1,6 bar I pump up. I can handle it with about 15kg of luggage on the luggage rack. I don't miss a suspension fork and even find that my back is no longer as strained as it was on my Victoria E - city bike predecessor - the rear wheel also "bounces" and somehow the wheel geometry seems made for me. This bike rolls phenomenally, I've gotten used to the rolling noise and the "banging" when you ride over acorns, small stones or branches on the cycle paths - even for me it's now simply part of these balloon tires. I mostly ride this bike in "tour mode" and 6th gear, so I don't hear any engine noise, the toothed belt is also "silent". If I then downshift on a hill, the engine hums quietly to itself – that’s okay with me. Taking the pressure off the pedals for a moment when shifting gears – no problem for me, it was the same with my predecessor. I've had to use the brakes for emergency braking three times downhill - and they do a great job.
All in all, an electric bike that I am very satisfied with - and with which I always have a lot of fun on my tours. Oh well - at second glance the bike is always an "eye-catcher" for others and I am asked quite often - the thick tires, the toothed belt, the handling, the optics ... That could maybe be "annoying" for other riders, For me, this is usually a successful start to an interesting conversation. For me, this bike is worth the price - and on the subject of weight I can only say: Anyone who, like me, consciously chooses this bike - also knows how heavy almost 2 kg actually is, 27 kg...
pep smear says
Experiencing the same as described by Ralf Karl. First mentioned delivery date passed without comment, on request got a second, obvious fantasy delivery date, which has also passed in the meantime. Again without comment. I don't feel like another third delivery date, which again probably has nothing to do with reality.
I would have liked to have bought the bike, but what the Victoria people are doing with regard to delivery dates is absolutely dubious.
FYI: If I can't meet a delivery date, *I* inform the customer promptly and don't wait until they ask where the overdue delivery is. I certainly don't name him a new appointment with a shrug of the shoulders, which I again don't keep and let pass without comment.
Conclusion: You can put your hat on your eUrban.
caliph says
I had the same experiences with Victoria as ralf karl and pep Schmier. What Victoria is doing with the delivery dates is absolutely outrageous. Luckily I have a great dealer who made a rental bike available to me until my bike arrived.
Now to the e urban 11.5: the bike is absolutely amazing. For me, the seating position is absolutely comfortable and driving is really fun. The combination 6th gear and tour is suitable for almost everything. Once you have found the right tire pressure for you (3 bar in my case), the bike rolls incredibly well.
The optics can hardly be topped anyway, but of course it is a matter of taste.
Bottom line: I'm glad I had the patience to wait for the bike. Nevertheless, Victoria's behavior in terms of delivery promises is not serious.
Peter meyer says
I've driven the 11.5 since May 2019 and have already driven almost 3500km and haven't regretted a single kilometer. Unfortunately I had to wait almost 7 months for the bike.
Boris says
Test driven and immediately in love. Pathetic but true.
Two 11.9 ordered.
Delivery awesome. The Wave frame was conjured up in the right size within a week.
The diamond for me as promised within a month!
All about the bicycle dealer in the larger neighboring village of Altshausen.