Urtopia: The Carbon Electric Bike at a Cut-Price
This page is translated from the original post "Urtopia : le vélo électrique en carbone à prix cassé" in French.
- 25/01/2022 14:47
The Urtopia electric-assist bike offers a lightweight design thanks to carbon fiber for an affordable price, via a crowdfunding campaign.
The electric bicycles are not necessarily just urban electrics. A new generation of connected products like Vanmoof, Cowboy, iWeech, Voltaire, or Angell is bringing fresh energy to the sector. Recently emerging in this vein, Urtopia is a project from Hong Kong (China), starting with a crowdfunding campaign.
A Weighty Advantage
The main quality of this “Carbon e-bike” is its weight. The use of carbon fiber for the frame, fork, handlebars, and saddle allows for a weight reduction to 13.6 kg, whereas a traditional e-bike often weighs over 20 kg. For comparison, the Vanmoof model weighs 21 kg, Cowboy 4 about 19 kg, and a Specialized Turbo Vado SL around 15 kg.
We are thus dealing with a true lightweight, reminiscent of the Gogoro Eeyo 1S with its 11.9 kg. It even mimics the Taiwanese bicycle with its unusual frame where the saddle appears to float in mid-air. It does not feature suspension, fenders, or a rear rack; its design is rather sporty, akin to a road bike. The battery is well integrated, as are the lighting and cables, which are perfectly hidden. The Urtopia bike is available in two sizes and a gray color with three possible decorations.
A Very Connected Bike
On the technical side, the electric motor is mounted on the rear hub, without transmitting torque. It is paired with a single-speed belt drive (Gates Carbon Drive) and a torque sensor. There are five modes to choose from, to suit each situation or preference.
The transmission uses a flexible belt. Credit: Urtopia 
The bike reaches 130 km of range (in eco mode) thanks to its 360 Wh battery. Credit: Urtopia 
The Vanmoof-inspired screen conceals anti-theft devices and connectivity features. Credit: Urtopia
The brakes are hydraulic disc brakes, with 28-inch wheels fitted with puncture-resistant tires. The LG battery, removable and lockable with a key, has a capacity of 360 Wh. Urtopia claims a maximum range of 130 km, likely in the most eco mode, and 50 km in the sportiest setting. Charging is done via a 4A charger, full charge taking about 2.5 hours.
The handlebar features the “SmartBar” screen. It remains a monochrome display with pixel style, inspired perhaps a bit too much by Vanmoof, guided by voice commands. It includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 4G connectivity to collect data via a smartphone app and receive remote updates.
Moreover, the GPS allows for continuous location tracking of the bike, even in case of theft. Safety features include unlocking via fingerprint and an alarm that activates if the bike is moved. A rear radar warns of approaching vehicles, and the rear light also functions as a turn signal.
What is the Price for the Urtopia?
Although it favors carbon fiber and is highly connected, Urtopia does not fall into the elitist bike category. Its launch price is only €2,245 for the European version, similar to the Vanmoof S3 (€2,198). However, the brand already indicates that the price will increase soon.
Currently, this e-bike is only available through the crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. Only 150 bikes are planned for the European market, two-thirds of which have already been spoken for. First deliveries are expected around March 2022.
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