Urtopia Chord: This New Electric Bike Is Fully Loaded with Technologies

Connected with anti-theft, fingerprint, speaker, remote updates, and vibration navigation, the Urtopia Chord also combines elegance without elitist pricing.

In 2021, this new company from Hong Kong impressed with its style. The electric bike Urtopia Carbon One played the original card, featuring a frame with a suspended saddle in mid-air, made from carbon fiber. The advantage? The weight dropped to 13 kg, but without accessories such as fenders or racks.

In 2023, the Asian firm returns with a brand-new bike, the Chord. This model has a more traditional appearance. It seems aimed at reaching a broader urban audience, whereas the previous was more targeted at experienced users.

A bike that aims for piano-like elegance

Nevertheless, the Urtopia Chord remains atypical, with a hint of elegance in its frame, featuring no visible welds and a slightly curved lower tube. Named “strings,” it seeks to resemble “piano keys”, hence the black and white color tones. Made from aluminum instead of carbon, the e-bike is no longer a featherweight but is limited to 21 kg overall.

Especially notable is the integration of the battery beneath the top tube, which sets it apart from other electric bikes on the market. This is true for both versions, as the frame is available in closed and semi-open configurations. The 360 Wh battery is moderate in the e-bike segment, paired with a 4 A (fast) charger for a 3-hour full charge.

The small rear motor housed in the hub delivers up to 45 Nm torque, equipped with a torque sensor. While the first VAE relied on a belt, the Chord includes a chain with Shimano Acera 8-speed derailleur, making it more versatile. The brakes are conventional, disk brakes with hydraulic control, 160 mm in diameter. A good point is that the front lighting is integrated into the handlebar, and the rear lighting under the saddle. Originality is also evident as the bike projects a large red light on the ground and turn signals for vehicles behind you!

An ultra-connected electric bike

The strength of the Urtopia Chord undoubtedly lies in its connectivity. First, its central display on the handlebar stands out. Encased in a large black box housing the front light, the display is quite simple, similar to Vanmoof S3 or an electric scooter. It only shows speed in large digits, battery level, and assistance mode (4 options). However, it also features menus for mileage, power, calories burned, and even weather information.

Connected to the app, the bike transmits ride data, especially GPS location and anti-theft system. Rarely, it can be unlocked using a fingerprint, with accelerometers detecting movement, sending notifications, and showing the location in the app. Navigation is also possible directly on the bike via the screen and vibrations on the handlebar, similar to an Angell Cruiser.

Furthermore, updates are performed remotely via a 4G chip. The multi-functional device also includes a speaker to play your playlist via Bluetooth. Finally, if Urtopia updates its hardware, only the device needs replacing, not the entire bike. This is a good point to avoid rapidly changing models or easier repairs, benefiting the planet.

What is the price for the Urtopia Chord?

Positioned as a stylish urban bike with full equipment, this e-bike doesn’t have an excessive price tag. The Urtopia Chord starts at €2,299, making it more affordable than its competitors. It competes in the same league as Cowboy 4 (€2,990), Vanmoof (€2,998), or Angell Cruiser (€2,990). It can also be compared to the Ellipse E1 (€1,990, then €2,490 after launch). The first deliveries are expected in the second half of May 2023. Also note that front and rear racks are optional, not included as standard.