This evaluation is unconventional for Home windows Central, however there may be some overlap for many who love know-how and always-connected 4G LTE units, like me. When Urtopia supplied to ship me its new e-bike, I rolled my eyes till I learn the specs and what it might do. I used to be impressed and had no concept that a lot might be tucked into a light-weight e-bike whereas additionally being absurdly easy to make use of.
I’ve been utilizing the Urtopia Carbon E-bike for the final month, and if you happen to want a superb highway metropolis bike and love devices, I can simply suggest it. It’s merely enjoyable, cool, and revolutionary.
It’s the primary and certain the final e-bike you’ll ever want.
Urtopia Carbon E-bike: Value, specs, and availability
The Urtopia Carbon E-bike is produced by Urtopia, based mostly out of Hong Kong, with manufacturing in China. The corporate is new and started crowdsourcing for its carbon e-bike in 2021 by way of IndieGoGo, however now you can buy it outright from its web site for $2,799.
There’s a 2-year guarantee (opens in new tab) on the bike and elements (besides put on and tear) and a 14-day free return interval.
Urtopia has teamed up with quite a few regional bicycle retailers in California, New York, and different states the place you’ll be able to see one in individual and test-ride it (opens in new tab). Extra retailers are anticipated to signal on as nicely.
The corporate ships the Urtopia Carbon E-bike to america and Germany, with extra markets to observe. The entire delivery weight of the bike, packaging and assist supplies is 64lbs (29kg), though the bike itself is simply 33lbs (15kg) because of many of the body being carbon fiber.
There are three shade selections to select from together with Sirius (used right here), Lyra (almost all black), and Midnight in Paris (essentially the most colourful).
Being a avenue/city bike, the entrance fork is inflexible with no shocks and might deal with a complete rider weight of 240lbs (110kg). It has a Class 1 e-bike classification.
The motor is a 250-watt rear-hub single-gear Gates Carbon belt drive with a most pace of 20mph (32km) within the US and 16mph (25.7km) within the EU. The battery is a detachable 36V 10Ah, 360Wh from Samsung that additionally locks in place.
Braking of the Kenda Kwest 700 x 35c puncture-resistant tires is dealt with by entrance and rear dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes.
The vary of the Urtopia Carbon E-bike is 30 to 80 miles relying on the pace of the motor used for journey. The entire cost time is 2.5 hours.
The built-in sensible headset homes a dot-matrix show, a 3W speaker, twin microphones, a entrance 100-lumen StVZO headlight, and vibration motors (for alerts).
Security options embody GPS monitoring (Discover My Bike), motion alerts (Alarm), thumbprint unlock, a digital bell, low battery alert, tail mild with projected flip indicator lights, and a locking battery pack.
Software program, together with firmware updates, happen over native Wi-Fi and are mediated by the Urtopia app accessible on iOS and Android. Customers get a free yr of eSIM always-connected service with buy, after which it prices $29 per yr.
The mannequin we reviewed is likely one of the newest variations with a number of revisions to the {hardware}, together with a brighter dot-matrix show, louder audio system, and better-tuned microphones.
Urtopia Carbon E-bike: What I like
Trying on the Urtopia and this bike actually appears to be like distinctive. In actual fact, it was designed by former BMW I collection designer Mathis Heller. He reportedly discovered inspiration for the design by way of a Möbius strip (a mathematical object with a non-orientable floor).
Getting a motorbike “within the mail” is at all times an expertise, however Urtopia ships the carbon e-bike 90 p.c already assembled. Even the FedEx shippers have been shocked at how mild the field was when eradicating it from the truck, as e-bikes can vary as much as 70lbs (31.7kg).
What minor meeting there was assisted by an easy-to-follow how-to video (opens in new tab) on Urtopia’s web site, and it took me round 25 minutes to get it finalized. All the things you want is included within the field, together with a small tire pump.
Urtopia recommends downloading its app, the place you’ll be able to create an account and pair the bike to it by way of a generated QR code on the bike’s dot-matrix show. As soon as linked, you’ll be able to hyperlink the bike to your native Wi-Fi community for software program and firmware updates, of which I’ve already had two since getting the bike in July.
The subsequent step is registering your thumbprint, which is built-in into the ability button to activate the bike. With out it, you may nonetheless journey away with the bike, however nothing will work on it, particularly the pedal-assist system.
Powering on the Urtopia, you get a pleasing chime, and the display lights up, indicating the present pace and degree of pedal help you might have engaged. Zero is off, the place you’ll be able to journey Urtopia like a regular, gearless bike. Subsequent are ranges 1 by 3, which improve the help dramatically. Lastly, there’s a degree 4 “Turbo” mode, the place the cycle takes off with little pedaling.
Altering ranges is finished by way of the left thumb controller – as much as improve, all the way down to lower, and left/proper to interact your rear blinkers. It’s all very intuitive.
Urgent the ability button when the bike is on rings the “bell,” which is a intelligent addition. Setting the amount to degree II or larger ends in a deafening sound peaking at a whopping 92db, above a hair dryer and just under a helicopter.
Your entire setup course of was not solely painless however fairly enjoyable. Urtopia is extra of a wise system with a motorbike constructed on high of it, and there’s nothing prefer it in the marketplace.
Listed here are simply among the issues the Android and iOS apps can do with Urtopia:
- Discover my bike
- Alarm underneath mode “lock the bike”
- Monitor routes rode, together with a “replay” of your journey with full information
- Battery standing / Alarm of low battery
- Change quantity
- Set lights on/computerized, rear braking
- Change sounds for degree modifications, bell, energy on, and alarm
- Bike well being diagnostic verify
- Vibration degree
There’s additionally simply numerous enjoyable with the bike. You may change the bell ring to a canine barking or a horse nicker. To get to Turbo mode, you will need to maintain and press “up” so that you don’t unintentionally have interaction it. Doing so reveals an animated rocket taking off. That app itself may be very gamified.
The corporate even added the basic recreation Snake, which could be skilled on the smartbar.
Including to all this whizbang tech can be voice management. Maintain the ability button when the bike is on, and the show reveals a face awaiting your command. You may inform the cycle to vary ranges, toggle your lights, and even energy down.
For the headlamp, you’ll be able to have the bike auto-sense darkness and put your lights on mechanically, a superb security and comfort function.
Discover My Bike combines GPS and the eSIM in order that if somebody takes your bike, you’ll be able to observe it on a map to get better it. You may have a superb anti-theft system mixed with the alarm, which engages if the bike is moved. After all, you’d nonetheless wish to lock the bike since anybody might take it, however these options give some peace of thoughts. Urtopia has even posted a real-world instance of how this tech labored for one buyer.
Hopping onto the bike, all of it feels acquainted, albeit extra snug than my trusty Specialised Crosstrail. I used to be pleasantly shocked by the seat’s consolation, contemplating Urtopia presents an upgraded seat on its web site for $59 (opens in new tab).
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After using the bike for over an hour on a semi-hard path, I used to be smitten. I might journey the bike with pedal help off with consolation, however once I hit a hill, simply going to degree 1 peddle-assist was sufficient to save lots of my legs from additional arduous work. Going to degree 2 was greater than sufficient pace for me the place I might comfortably journey at 11+ mph. Turbo, the place you’ll be able to hit 20 mph, feels borderline too quick, and it is best to put on a helmet at that pace and have loads of room to decelerate.
Regardless of the odd body design, the Urtopia match our Thule bike rack with no issues. With its mild 33lbs weight, loading and unloading the bike (or carrying it as much as an condo) was a breeze.
Urtopia Carbon E-bike: What I don’t like
Meeting was superb, though I didn’t love becoming the seat within the body with the ability wire and nut system. It really works, however it may be a bit tough. I wouldn’t say no to rubber covers for just a few uncovered screw holes on the body.
Talking of the body, it could possibly scratch and scuff simply if you happen to’re not cautious. That’s made additional precarious since there is no such thing as a kickstand included (you should buy an official one for $29), which I extremely suggest. The identical goes for a water bottle holder ($39), which isn’t included. That’s common, as neither did my Specialised, nevertheless it’s one thing to think about.
Battery life in use is healthier than I anticipated, though, like most always-connected units, if you happen to go away the Urtopia unplugged for just a few days, the battery will drain by itself. Most individuals gained’t have a difficulty, particularly for the reason that battery is detachable (so you’ll be able to have a backup), nevertheless it’s one thing to think about if you happen to don’t journey day by day.
The thumbprint reader may also be finicky, nevertheless it labored about 90% of the time for me on the primary or second attempt.
There are some considerations with assist and guarantee as Urtopia is a really new firm. Nevertheless, it appears to be reaching offers with bike retailers within the US for take a look at using (opens in new tab), gross sales, and possibly even servicing, which is an effective begin.
Urtopia Carbon E-bike: Do you have to purchase?
When you’ve used a smartphone, the Urtopia appears like one, besides it’s an ultra-light, mid-range carbon fiber bike. Certainly, it jogs my memory of my Tesla Mannequin 3, which additionally has extremely configurable superior software program able to receiving over-the-air updates. The software program drives the expertise, a giant promoting level for any techy individual.
There are two issues to think about with Urtopia if you happen to’re keen on shopping for the bike. The value is each not low cost, but additionally very aggressive. I imply that dropping $2,800 on a motorbike for most individuals is troublesome, and for the occasional commuter, it is going to appear indulgent.
However, by comparability, most carbon fiber bikes value $4,000 and extra, they usually don’t have something near the smartbar system that Urtopia brings, together with built-in GPS, 4G LTE eSIM, and all the protection options.
That makes Urtopia a great worth and simple to suggest in order for you all its options.
All I do know is that I haven’t had this a lot enjoyable with a motorbike since I used to be a child. It’s about time our bikes caught up with the remainder of the tech world. This technique labored for Tesla, and it ought to work for Urtopia.
Urtopia’s Carbon E-bike brings 4G LTE, GPS, and a smartbar all to a sophisticated electrical bike motor and tremendous like carbon chassis. It is the proper bike for the city commuter, and whereas costly, it is a honest worth for what you get. No different bike compares to it.
