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Urtopia Carbon E-Bike Review

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Electric Bike Review

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Mivice 250 Watt Geared Motor

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Downtube Battery Pack Charge Port

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Handlebar Smartbar Led Display

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Left Button Pad And Brake Lever Locking Ergonomic Grips

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Front View Stvzo Integrated Headlight

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Custom Carbon Fiber Fork 9mm Quick Release

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike 55 Tooth Gates Carbon Chainring

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike 160mm Hydraulic Disc Brake Rotors Dual Piston Calipers

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Back View Ares 8 Led Light

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Bottom Bracket Torque Sensor 170mm Cranks Wellgo Plastic Pedals

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Branded Cionlli Saddle

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Comfort Saddle Kickstand Mount

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Left Arrow Ground Effects Orange

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Rear Sprocket 21 Tooth Gates Carbon Cdn Belt Drive

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Side Lights With Ground Turn Signals

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Single Speed Gates Carbon Drivetrain

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Wellgo Plastic Pedals With Rubber Tread

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike Included Pump And Manuals

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike 36v Battery And 4 Amp Charger

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike High Step Sirius

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike High Step Midnight In Paris

2022 Urtopia Carbon E Bike High Step Lyra

A comfort-oriented road bike with lightweight carbon frame, fork, handlebar, and seat post. Single speed drivetrain is clean and quiet with Gates CDN belt drive. Available in two frame sizes and three color schemes. Custom dot-matrix LED display panel with voice control, fingerprint ID locking, optional smartphone app.
Modest 250 watt 35nm geared hub motor is compact and quiet, paired with the bottom bracket torque sensor it performs above-average. Downtube-integrated battery pack is removable, offers decent range , refills quickly with 4 amp charger.
Extra bright integrated front and rear lights are positioned well. Two side lights project turn signal arrows onto the street for even greater visibility and safety. Decent 160mm hydraulic disc brakes stop well and offer adjustable-reach levers.
High-step frame is tall, and could be difficult for some to mount and stand over. Custom bottle cage mount only works with their accessory. Voice commands didn't work well when moving. Custom stem, handlebar, and seat post might not work with aftermarket parts such as a suspension seatpost.

Make:

Urtopia

Model:

Carbon E-Bike

Price:

$2,799 (Free Shipping)

Body Position:

Forward

Suggested Use:

Neighborhood, Urban

Electric Bike Class:

Pedal Assist (Class 1)

Learn more about Ebike classes

Warranty:

14 Day Returns, 2 Year General Warranty

Availability:

United States, Canada, Europe

Model Year:

2022

Total Weight:

34.2 lbs (15.51 kg)

Battery Weight:

4.8 lbs (2.17 kg)

Motor Weight:

5 lbs (2.26 kg)

Frame Material:

Carbon Fiber

Frame Sizes:

18 in (45.72 cm)19.5 in (49.53 cm)

Geometry Measurements:

Large 19.5" Frame Measurements: 19.5" Seat Tube, 32.5 Top Tube, 16.5" Reach, 32" Stand Over Height, 38.5" Minimum Saddle Height, 27.25" Width, 44.5" Wheelbase,72.5" Length

Frame Types:

High-Step

Frame Colors:

Sirius Black with Orange and White Accents, Lyra Black with White Accents, Midnight in Paris Black with Red, Orange, Yellow, and Green Accents

Frame Fork Details:

Custom Carbon Fiber, 100mm Hub Spacing, 9mm Axle with Quick Release Skewer

Frame Rear Details:

135mm Hub Spacing, 12mm Threaded Slotted Axle with 18mm Nuts, Frame Break on Right Seat Stay for Belt Drive

Attachment Points:

Front Fender Mount, Kickstand Mount, Rear Wheel Lock Mount

Gearing Details:

1 Single Speed Gates Carbon Drive CDN, 21 Tooth Rear Cog

Cranks:

Prowheel Forged Aluminum Alloy, 170mm Length, 55 Tooth Gates Carbon Drive Chainring

Pedals:

Wellgo Plastic Platform with Rubber Tread

Headset:

Sealed, Integrated Design, 1-1/8" Straight

Stem:

Custom Carbon Fiber, Roughly 70mm Height and 90mm Length, No Clamp Because it

Handlebar:

Custom Carbon Fiber, Low-Rise, Merged with Stem, 670mm Length

Brake Details:

Urtopia Branded Hydraulic Disc with 160mm Rotors, Dual-Piston Calipers, Two-Finger Levers with Adjustable Reach

Grips:

Unbranded Rubber Ergonomic, Inner Lock Ring

Saddle:

Urtopia Branded Cionlli

Seat Post:

Custom Carbon Fiber, Tear Drop Shape Aerodynamic, Height Measurements Stamped, 4mm Hex Set Screw Inner Clamp Design

Seat Post Length:

350 mm

Rims:

Urtopia Branded, Aluminum Alloy, Double Wall, ETRTO 19mm Inner Outer Width, 36 Hole

Spokes:

Stainless Steel, 14 Gauge, Black with Nipples

Tire Brand:

Kenda Kwest, 700 x 35c, 28" x 1-5/8" 1-3/8" (36-622)

Wheel Sizes:

28 in (71.12cm)

Tire Details:

50 to 85 PSI, 3.5 to 6.0 Bar

Tube Details:

Schrader Valve

Accessories:

Fingerprint Smart Lock, Electronic Horn, Voice Control, Integrated StVZO Front Headlight, Integrated ARES Rear Lights with Advanced Rear Early-indication System Turn Signals that Shine Onto Ground (8 LED Back 2 Light Side, Ground Effects)

Other:

Locking Removable Downtube-Integrated Battery Pack, 1.8lb 42 Volt 4 Amp Battery Charger, Reention Battery Lock and Key, Gates Carbon Belt Drive, 240lb Max Load Capacity, CE European Economic Area Certified, Frame Compatible with 30~45mm Wide 700c Tires

Motor Brand:

MIVICE 36V 250W

Motor Type:

Rear-Mounted Geared Hub

Learn more about Ebike motors

Motor Nominal Output:

250 watts

Motor Torque:

35 Newton meters

Battery Brand:

Samsung

Battery Voltage:

36 volts

Battery Amp Hours:

9.8 ah

Battery Watt Hours:

352.8 wh

Battery Chemistry:

Lithium-ion

Charge Time:

2.5 hours

Estimated Min Range:

30 miles (48 km)

Estimated Max Range:

80 miles (129 km)

Display Type:

Integrated Smartbar LED Dot-Matrix Display Panel, 441 LEDs, 3.5" Diagonal Measurement

Readouts:

Current Speed, Assist Level (0 Pedal, 1 Eco, 2 Comfort, 3 Sport, T Turbo), Battery Charge Level Infographic, Voice Control Icon, Turn Indicator (Left, Right), Lock the Bike Icon, Over The Air Update Icon, Warning Icon, Turbo Mode Icon, Fingerprint Recording Icon

Display Accessories:

Button on Left for Assist Level and Turn Signal: Up, Down, Left, Right, Button on Right: Fingerprint Reader Lock, Short Press Horn, Long Press Voice Control, eSIM with 4G, Bluetooth, WiFi

Drive Mode:

Advanced Pedal Assist (Bottom Bracket Integrated Torque Sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Radar)

Top Speed:

20 mph (32 kph)

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Make or Model

Model Year

Body Position

Suggested Use

Frame Type

Drive Mode

Availability

Price Range

$0 (0 €)$18,000 (16,920 €)

Total Weight

0 lbs (0 kg)227 lbs (103 kg)

Top Speed

0 mph (0.0 km/hr)50 mph (80.5 km/hr)

Battery Watt Hrs

0 watt3,456 watt

Frame Size

0 in (0.00 cm)432 in (1,097.28 cm)

Motor Power

0 Newton meters250 Nm

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This review was provided for free using a demo bike. My goal is to be transparent and unbiased with you, this video and writeup are not meant to be an endorsement of Urtopia products. I welcome your corrections, additions, and feedback in the comments below, and the Urtopia electric bike forums.

Observations:

Urtopia appears to only produce this single model, the Carbon E-Bike, but they offer three color patterns and two frame sizes. I was test riding the large frame for this review, which measures about 19.5″. They do sell a kickstand, mudguards, and custom bottle cage adapter on their website accessories page here. I’ve created a follow-up video showing the installation and my thoughts on the kickstand, fenders, and bottle cage options.
It’s rare to find an electric bike that weighs less than 40lbs, so this 34.2lb full-carbon model is quite impressive. It sacrifices motor power and battery size, but I found it to still be very satisfying to ride because of the torque sensor activation and efficient tires. You could make it even lighter by swapping the alloy crank arms with carbon fiber.
Unlike most of the other ebikes I review, this one did not use standard parts for the stem, handlebar, and seat post. This means it is not as customizable, I’m not sure you could use a suspension seat post, swept back cruiser handlebar, or taller stem to improve comfort.

Pros:

The frame is unique and fairly attractive, I appreciate the the curving tube design and three color choices… even though they look fairly similar. It’s nice that Urtopia didn’t put a huge word logo on the side like many competing products.
I love that they decided to built two sizes for this model. This improves fit and comfort which are important on a more active bicycle which requires pedaling (it’s pedal assist only Class 1). The saddle and locking ergonomic grips felt very comfortable to me as well. You can even adjust the brake lever reach to match your hand size.
Considering the custom frame, display panel, smartphone app, nice disc brakes, and quality website and support, I think the bike is priced very well. It offers a 14 day return policy, two year general warranty, and shipping is free!
Carbon fiber is very strong, but also more comfortable than aluminum alloy because of its vibration dampening qualities. I kept the tire pressure at 60 PSI (which is between the recommended 50 to 85 PSI) and felt very comfortable. The bike has a nice upright body position that isn’t as aggressive as many competing road bikes. It’s almost a city bike.
The battery pack is positioned perfectly, keeping weight low and center, and it looks great. I love that it locks to the frame and can be charged on the frame. You can easily remove the pack for charging and safe storage (cool dry location at 50%). It looks like they are using high quality Samsung cells, which should hold up over time.
The included charger is compact and fairly light at 1.8lbs, but very fast! It offers 4 amp output vs. just 2 amps on many others. They say it will quick charge the battery in just 2.5 hours.
Even though the motor is rated at 250 watts nominal with 35 newton meters of torque peak output (which is kind of low for North America)… and the battery is lower than average capacity at 352.8 watt hours vs. 500+ watt hours on many others, I found them them to be satisfying. The bike is efficient and light, and the torque sensor is very responsive. I rode for quite a while and still had a nearly full battery charge because you have to pedal and push to activate the motor, and the bike is just so light and efficient.
The single-speed drivetrain is very quiet and clean. They chose to use a Gates Carbon CDN belt drive vs. a chain, which should last longer. In order to do this, they had to make a horizontal sliding rear dropout and custom frame with a cut at the right seat stay to get the belt on. This is fancy stuff, and they executed it well from what I could see.
The hydraulic disc brakes performed well and are easier and more consistent to use than mechanical disc brakes. You get basic 160mm rotors and dual piston calipers here. The brake levers are Urtopia branded, and offer adjustable reach.
Incredible integrated light design. The headlight is high up at the stem so it makes you more visible to cars and fellow cyclists. You cannot aim it, but the set aiming was really good and the light beam was bright and effective during my tests. Because it’s part of the stem and handlebar, it points where you steer. The rear light is extra wide and visible from the side. It has two separate beams that shine down onto the street and project turn arrows that blink as you signal using voice control or the left button pad.
This is the first electric bike I’ve ever tested with voice control, and they worked okay when stationary. Once moving, I think the wind and air noise cause it to not pick up as well. It’s an interesting idea that I’m not sure works in all scenarios.
This is also the first ebike I’ve tested with a fingerprint scanner to unlock. It seems very secure in some ways, but the bike could still be stolen and ridden like a normal bicycle. I chose not to use the fingerprint scanner myself, and the button still doubles as a bell and you hold it to do voice commands.
I appreciate how the smartphone app shows precise battery percentage and offers GPS mapping. It even records your saved CO2 and past trips. It’s fairly social and includes some news items.
Nice white accents on the rims and frame to help it stand out a bit at night. I’m not sure if they are reflective, but they still help to make the bike visible, since the tires are not reflective and the headlight doesn’t have side windows or cutouts.
The bike can support up to 240lbs, which is fairly good for such a custom “open” frame design. It’s nice that they communicate this limit on their website… and the instructions and manuals and stats are so much easier to find and understand than many competing ebike companies.
I’m grateful that the founder, who worked for BMW and Siemens, decided to create something so special. It definite pushes the ebike space forward with some creative systems. He won IF and Red Dot awards and you can tell that the quality and attention to detail here is way above average. Some of the parts are cheap (pedals, crank arms, even the generic brake parts) but the overall combination is quite good for the price.

Cons:

I really appreciate that the bike comes in two frame sizes, but both of them still have a fairly high standover height and are only in high-step.
While the frame looks unique and fairly attractive, the decision to skip a traditional seat tube makes it difficult to lower the seat post and achieve a lower saddle height. Basically, the seat post bottoms out inside the seat tube instead of having more space to slide down… and even if you shortened the post, it changes shape and has the light mounted so you really cannot get it that low.
Following the first complaint about the seat tube design limiting saddle height, it also probably compromises frame strength a bit and takes away space for adding a bottle cage mount. I wish there was at least one bottle cage mount on the frame, even if it was somehow on top of the battery pack. UPDATE! The company does produce a custom bottle cage that will work with the frame. You can find it on their accessories page here.
It appears that the the fork has some mounting points for adding a fender or front rack, but I did not see any for adding a rear fender or rear rack on the bike frame. This means you have limited utility with the bike, and might need to wear a hydration pack or larger backpack to move things around… which can be less comfortable and hotter. UPDATE! The company does sell custom mudguards on their website here.
Considering that the geometry is more upright on this electric bike, and I perceive it as being more casual, I was surprised that it didn’t have a kickstand. At least there is a mounting tab on the left chain stay where you could bolt on an aftermarket 40mm stand like one of these. Kickstands add a bit of weight and can rattle on bumpy terrain, but they keep the bike from tipping and getting damaged.
Since the stem and handlebar are merged, I’m not sure you can swap them out for different components that could improve fit and comfort. Imagine wanting a longer or steeper stem, or a sweeping cruiser handlebar vs. the low-rise that it comes with.
There is no suspension on the bike, and the tires are meant to be inflated to higher PSI, which is less comfortable. The result is something light and efficient, but it would have been nice if the seat post was round vs. tear drop shaped so you could at least add a suspension seatpost aftermarket. There are some really nice lightweight carbon fiber models from Kinekt worth exploring.
The bike utilizes a single speed drivetrain with a 55 tooth chainring and 21 tooth rear sprocket. I found it challenging to start from standstill, and then got outpaced above 20mph. Considering this is a pedal assist only ebike with no throttle, the options for pedal cadence and climbing are a bit limited… but at least it’s clean, quiet, and very reliable.
I have found that road bike tires need to be inflated frequently because the high pressure leaks out slowly, and if they get too low you can get a “pinch flat” where the rim cuts into the inner tube. It’s nice that they included a pump to help with this… However, the tires didn’t appear to have puncture protection or reflective sidewall stripes, which would further improve durability and safety.
You have to unbox and build the bike, which requires some extra time and effort. Keep this in mind and set aside some time. At least the bike was packaged and organized super well, and the tutorial videos were outstanding.
Because the rear light is mounted near the top of the seat post, it could get blocked if you’re wearing a long jacket that hangs down. Please keep this in mind as the weather gets cold and your garments get longer.
While the display panel is large and fairly easy to understand, it offers limited readouts, cannot be swiveled to reduce glare, and did not appear to dim at night… so it’s kind of bright shining in your face. I’m not sure I love all of the chimes and songs it plays, but at least you can adjust the volume :)
Considering that the smartphone app has a GPS mode for route planning, I wish there was a USB charging port on the bike and a way to mount the phone to use while riding. Perhaps it could sync with the display to better communicate directions.
If you get both the fenders and bottle cage, you will need to purchase longer bolts to use both simultaneously because the included bolts are only long enough to support one bracket at a time. I show this in my accessories review here.

I stored the bike for a couple of weeks without using it, and when I tried to power it on after that time, the battery was completely dead. I wonder if their system has a phantom power draw or the cells are lower quality, because a commenter on YouTube said the same thing. For them, it was just one day. Maybe the display or something is on in the background even when the bike is powered off? It’s hard on batteries for them to go to zero, so perhaps removing the battery could help to prevent this.

Useful Resources:

January 29, 2024 (3 months ago)

Urtopia Chord Review

MSRP: $1,999
MODEL YEAR: 2023

A completely custom, artistically crafted, 8-speed electric bicycle with a 350 watt hub motor. The frame is hydroformed aluminum alloy with elegant curves and fins added for style. Internally routed cables, semi-integrated removable battery pack, fast 4 amp charger.. Available in two frame sizes, with the smaller Chord X being a mid-step with lower…...

Read Review

Bruce Burt

2 years ago

What’s the price ???

Court

Hi Bruce, I list the price in the Introduction section of the details, just below the video, for each review. I also put it at the end of the title for each YouTube video. In this case, it’s $2,799 USD. Hope that helps!

P.J. Andros

The Tesla of bicycles. Just too expensive. Built for the wealthy with plenty of security available to avoid theft. The best is still to come in these bikes, in affordability and technically (those tires look very narrow for street travel in the USA), drop this bike once and it will ruin a costly asset…

Randy

$2,800 is not really that expensive for an electric bike. But I don’t think any dedicated cyclist is going to buy this. I know I would not be happy with only 2 sizes available, no water options, no shifting options. I think their market is people who aren’t really cyclists.

Hi Randy! I’ve added some updates to the review. It looks like Utopia does have a proprietary bottle cage that bolts to the bottom of the seat tube area there in the center of the frame. Your other points are well received though. It is a decent price, but seems like more of a recreational “road” style ebike than the real deal. Especially without drop bars.

Alan

1 year ago

Me: ~70 years old with a bit of afib that finally got me off my road bike – one bad hill would knock me out. This is my first e-bike.

The good:
– Easy to put together, runs very smooth.
– Nice to have a removable battery.
– Was worried my weight, ~215 lbs., would test the bike’s 240 lb. limit. I thought it would either break in the first hour or be fine. It handled me without any problem, and I have already lost a few pounds!
– Rides of ~18 miles use up about half the battery, about what has been noted by others.
– Ride GPS map nice.

The not so good:
– During assembly, I didn’t know that the seat post adjustment screw engaged a pronged plate, and I didn’t tighten enough for fear of stripping any carbon frame threads. This resulted in seat tube slipping down and scratching the post. Would help if they had an instruction to tighten screw XX turns after engaging seat post.
– Single speed means that the assist is weak on moderately steeper hills, even in turbo mode, for a fatty like me.
– Single speed also means that for hilly terrain you cannot effectively increase your speed going downhill before the next uphill bit, as one cannot pedal fast enough to engage the gears.
– It would be nice to have handlebar grips with end knockouts so one can add an end-bar mount rearview mirror.
– I find the tire to be a bit fat, even though they are typical 700 x 35c. While fine for gavel, I might try changing to 25c as I ride mostly roads.
– The electronic sounds and haptic vibrations became annoying after a bit, so it was nice to be able to turn them off. The display is larger than needed, would be nice if it displayed total distance as well as speed.
– It would be nice just to have the rear lights on during the day.
– Turn signals seem mostly useless; it would be better if the rear lights signaled either by light at one end of the string blinking or if a series of lights turns on in sequence in the direction of the turn.
– Did not notice that radar mode did much, will get a mirror.

The missing:
– Could use front/rear rack mounts for those like me who want to use it as a car alternative. I’m sure I can work out a kludge, but still…
– Could have added bottle cage thread mounts to top of battery. I’ll probably epoxy some flange nuts to the top of the battery.
– If Urtopia becomes a successful company, they may want to try a mid-mount motor with an internal 3-speed rear hub for those who live in hillier areas. I see there is even an auto-shifting 3-speed hub now available.

Hi Alan, you shared some excellent insights and I completely agree. It would be nice to see a 3-speed IGH with a mid-motor, but that could add to the weight and cost. Perhaps they could use a mid-gearbox like the Pinion and stick with the hub motor? Congrats on losing some weight and getting back out on a bike. I love to hear that, and hope your future rides go well. The point about a side mirror and improving the turn signal and muting the electronic noises are all spot on ;)

Heinrich

I’ve had the (Large version) bike for two weeks, and I love it. But there are some unnecessary quirks that make little sense to me, on top of those you’ve already mentioned (like the weirdness with a seat that simply cannot drop low enough for anyone who is not in the new Avatar movie, to sit on).

The app has a toggle for the brake light. But the brake light doesn’t seem to exist. Lidar, not seeing it. Cars have come up behind me often, and there’s been not a single warning. Turn signals are of no value during anything but pitch dark night. Would have been better to have a 50-penny LED either side. Also, Left projects amber but Right projects white? There is no way to disable some or all blingy sounds. You can choose a limited number (cannot add your own) of sounds for bell, power on, etc.

On the plus side, I love this bicycle! Even unpowered, it rolls better than almost anything I’ve seen, and is totally ridable even up modest hills in that fixed gear. I love that it boosts right off the line. It’s a very well-made machine. It would be really cool to see an aftermarket evolve for this bicycle. Different seat, for instance, or mods to the firmware, a 350W motor that integrates with the existing system. And after that, perhaps an upgraded battery.

I know it’s silly, but just the little frame baggie makes a big difference in the usability… great place for a phone, garage door opener, wallet. I feel the power of this bike is just fine. It’s obviously not a 1,000W monster, but it is an immensely elegant work of art. I love it.

Hello Heinrich! That’s a grat summary, I appreciate the details about pros and cons that you have noticed. Yes, it’s a special ebike and pretty impressive for a first generation… considering all of the unique design features. Some could be better, but I love to hear that you’re enjoying it. I agree that an aftermarket of accessories and mods would be cool to see. I’m curios what Urtopia might bring us in the future too! Happy New Year :)

Happy New Year Court, and happy cycling!

Charles Lapin

Just rode mine today. I like that it feels like a bike. Smooth ride. No need to hassle with shifting gears. Urtopia had a Christmas sale that clinched the deal for me.

Nice! I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying it and got a good deal, Charles :D

Tim Kroes

Urtopia now has a Shimano 7 speed version of this carbon bike (Carbon 1S) at the same price point and weight. It comes in 3 sizes and has an upgraded 350w 45 Nm motor. What are your thoughts?

Wow, that’s pretty awesome Tim! Thanks for the update. I am glad to hear that they’ve added a 7-speed version and managed to keep the price point. The additional frame size sounds nice too. Upgrading the motor power makes sense given the taller wheels, although it’s so light and efficient… I had a lot of fun with the single speed you see here. Although it had some quirks, none of them were dealbreakers… just not as useful as my imagination (and the marketing) suggested. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you go for it, and I’m excited to see how the company does ongoing. They seem committed to the space and are trying new things!

Bobloblaw

Would love to see you review the Carbon 1s too. Seems to me that it resolves the major drawbacks of this model (underpowered motor, lack of gearing, and 20mph limit), and it appears there’s nothing else that can compete with it at this weight and price point. Urtopia also has a rack that’s specially designed to fit the frame of these bikes (you probably want to update this above). I’d just like to see them use some wider tires for city riding, but of course that would also have a weight penalty.