Viva Urban De Luxe Review

The Viva Urban is an elegant hybrid bike, based on an aluminium frame and 7 speed hub gear.

Looks

Viva have put a lot of thought into aesthetics and have produced a good looking, elegant bike. You definitely feel you are riding something which has been produced by a real designer and gives that real bike feeling.

The lines are quite clean and smooth. The overall finish is simple yet effective.

Ride Quality

The lightweight aluminium frame is offset by the relatively heavy 7 speed hub gear, yet it still feels nifty around town. The hub gear is easy to change, even when stationary. The riding position is quite upright and gives a classic hybrid compromise of flat handlebars, which is fine for commuting to work or short leisure cycle. It’s an enjoyable and easy bike to ride around. It feels the kind of bike you can ride with little effort.

Technical Specs

• Frame and fork: Aluminium 7005 VIVA design 7005
• Brakes: Shimano Nexus Roller
• Weight: 13.4Kg for 52cm
• Gears: 7
• Mudguards: yes
• Pannier rack: Can fit

Extra Parts

• I wasn’t enamoured with the saddle (Velo), it was quite large and not the most comfy I have ridden.
• The chain guard was a nice touch. – helping both aesthetics and practicality of protecting leg.
• Tyres Schwalbe Delta Cruiser 700x28c with Puncture Protection. Looks and feels a really good tyre. The width of the tyre gives a good feeling of stability and helps absorb some of the rigidity you get from an aluminium frame. Good layer of puncture protection is what most hybird bike buyers will be looking for.

Conclusion

This is the kind of bike you could happily ride away with little thought. It is a simple bike to ride, and is likely to be really quite low maintenance. Generally hub gears need maintenance only on quite rare occasions – there is also no more changing cassettes; when they do need maintenance it is a bigger job and you have to see a specialist hub reparirer. But, for the average short distance commuter it reduces the likelyhood of getting problems on the road.

In a choice of black or light blue, you have a really nice looking bike that will appeal to anyone looking for a bike with style. I think most people looking for a hybrid bike will be quite happy with the compromise of a 7 speed hub gear. It will get you around all but the most hilly routes. (though the lowest gear could definitely have been a bit lowered, it was geared for pretty quick cycling or very low cadence.)

At a rrp of £700, it is not the cheapest hybrid, and you will definitely pay for the ‘style’ looks. However, if you’re lucky you may be able to pick up the bike at a discounted rate. It is currently being sold for £450, which is excellent value.

Who Will Bike Suit most?

A commuter looking for a stylish, low maintenance, easy to ride hybrid bike. More concerned with style than speed, this is nevertheless still pretty nifty.

If this bike was a car?

Perhaps the new fiat 500c, small, classy, good Italian lines and a little more expensive for your trouble.

Buying Viva Urban de Luxe

• Viva de Luxe at Evans Cycles

handlebar grips are really good and show the care that has gone into  bike.

The styling sticks rigidly to black and silver to give a strong overall impression. Even handlebar grips (VIVA hand sewed artificial leather) fit with the rest of the ethos of the bike.

Mudguards already fitted and room for pannier racks.

Women’s Viva Urban De Luxe

The women’s Viva Urban de luxe is essentially the same bike, but with a step through frame for ease of riding in a skirt.

• Womens Viva Urban de luxe at Evans

Thanks to Leeds Evans Cycles for test ride.

Related

• Best Hybrid Bikes
• Hybrid Commuting Bikes

Buying Hybrid Bikes

• Hybrid  Bikes at Wiggle
• Hyrbid Bike at Evans