Urtopia Carbon 1

The Urtopia Carbon 1 e-bike is packing some serious technology. With its carbon fiber frame and Smartbar display, this urban e-bike introduces features that we have never seen before in our e-bike tests. Is carbon the frame material of the future? And how does this new technology and higher price work in the real world? It’s hard to tell if this is cutting-edge technology or a gimmick. So it’s time to put Urtopia’s Carbon 1 to the test and see how it performs.

What Is the Urtopia Carbon 1 E-Bike

The Carbon 1 is a Class 1 (20mph – pedal assist only) urban e-bike, featuring a single-speed belt-driven drivetrain, 250W hub motor, and a torque sensor. It’s heavy on the tech, with 4G LTE connectivity via its eSIM capability, plus features like an integrated app and a host of sensors, including a thumb scanner, voice command, and Smartbar dot matrix display.

All these items bring next-level technology to the user. Plus, the integrated app lets you track and control the bike. It gives you a warning if it is moved without your consent and allows tracking via the GPS. Overall, the bike has a futuristic feeling, with styling and components similar to that of a higher-quality road bike.

A full carbon fiber frame, including headset and handlebars, is a change from the norm and eliminates the ability to customize your cockpit. Despite this, the wonderfully integrated electronics, wiring, and sleek design give a feeling of quality. Topping it off, we have sleek controls and an integrated headlight, brake light and turn signals. The Urtopia Carbon 1 is a well-crafted package with a distinct design style.

Pros

Light, Responsive and Efficient

In North America, e-bikes trend toward fat tires and heavy frames coupled with large motors, so it’s hugely refreshing to ride a bike that is so pedal-efficient and maneuverable. The Urtopia is an e-bike disguised within a sleekly designed full carbon fiber frame. The overall unit weight and limited profile make it as easy to lift and maneuver as a standard bike. Plus, the integrated battery and small hub motor are so well hidden, you could easily miss them on first pass.

When it comes time to pedal, it’s a bike that is almost as pleasant without power as with it, unless you are on a hill. The Urtopia is a pleasure to ride, due to the simplicity and responsiveness of its controls and design. On pavement, the bike glides, with power efficiently controlled by the torque sensor as you pedal. While you cruise downhill, the hubs buzz away and the thin tires hold speed well. This bike will truly appeal to those who desire a pure biking experience, but with some electrical pep to assist. It’s easy to forget it’s an e-bike and just focus on the ride.

Maintenance and Design

The Carbon 1 uses a number of higher-end components, but taking center stage is the Gates Carbon Drive CDN drivetrain. It’s a pretty unique component and not what you would see on every e-bike.

The Gates CDN drivetrain allows you to travel up to 18,640  miles (30,000 km) without changing your carbon belt. Plus, you can say goodbye to adjusting derailleurs and getting grease on your legs and hands. With no derailleur, chain, or gears, you needn’t be preoccupied with drivetrain maintenance.

While riding, the lack of gearing is pleasant for its simplicity (on all but steeper hills). In general, the bike provides good power. Riding is about as simple as it gets.

New Age Technology

They pulled out all the stops when it came to the design of the Carbon 1. It features a ton of technology we have not seen before. Some of the items we are familiar with, such as the integrated torque sensor in the bottom bracket. The Carbon 1 uses a 250W rear hub motor. This small motor’s performance is clearly elevated by the inclusion of a torque sensor, making it very responsive.

That’s where the familiarity ends though. This bike also features voice control and a thumb scanner. The thumb scanner allows for locking and unlocking of the bike to ensure it won’t be stolen. After turning on the Carbon 1, you will find you can activate the voice control and speak to the bike, giving it a number of commands. It’s an easy way to control the unit and something we have not seen before!

All this tech needs updating, so Urtopia have given the Carbon 1 eSIM capability, allowing you to link the bike up to 4G LTE networks. This means you will be able to update the bike automatically and keep track of it at all times.

The included app also packs a ton of features, allowing you to navigate and send directions straight to the dot matrix Smartbar. It also has social functions and lets you control the settings of the e-bike as well as turn on lights and other controls. It’s a high-tech and streamlined package that I would loosely describe as the iPhone of e-bikes.

Cons

Limited Hill Climbing Ability

The 250W 35Nm motor is a planetary geared hub motor. It’s working hard. The Gates Carbon Drive drivetrain does not feature any traditional gearing. This single-speed set-up does not offer the gear range and efficiency needed for climbing steeper slopes.

Anything over an approximate 12% grade will require significant effort on the part of the rider, and I found myself getting out of the seat often, when facing any incline. This does factor into the natural ride quality of the bike, and those coming from a road biking background will probably enjoy the extra push. But for those of us that want to do less work, you will need to avoid steeper inclines on this bike.

Some Features Feel Unrefined

Some of the items on the bike, such as the voice command and turn signals, felt like they needed refinement.

I found that the Carbon 1 had a limited ability to understand my voice cues. If I did not use a specific command such as “go to sleep”, the bike would not respond. “Turn off” will not deactivate the bike, only, “go to sleep”. I frequently avoided using voice commands, preferring to use the app or a button instead.

The other feature I was not impressed with was the turn signals, which project onto the ground. They don’t offer good driver awareness and won’t work unless it’s very dark. It would be good to see an LED light higher on the bike to supplement these turn signals.

These items felt like tech for tech’s sake, and not like things that had been thoroughly tested for ease-of-use and functionality.

Limited Dot Matrix Display

I was not a huge fan of the display. The dot matrix screen is kind of retro cool and I can’t lie, its bright and easy to see. But I found the unit overly simplistic, which is disappointing to see on a bike with a higher price tag and so much tech packed in. It was pretty annoying to need to pull out my phone every time I wanted to change a setting or get more detail. Plus, with carbon fiber handlebars, it’s tough to attach a phone mount, and you need to be careful torquing anything down.

I was questioning why they did not go with an LCD display, to give us more functionality and detail. In some ways, the bike is highly functional and efficient. Yet in others, it feels like it was designed more for aesthetics than functionality. Such is the case with the display and turn signals.

What Does It Do Best?

The Urtopia Carbon 1 excels on flat smooth pavement. It really is a pleasure to ride in urban environments or flat rural areas. Simple operation and some really cool design features make it an interesting ride that will turn heads on the road.

I enjoyed the fact this really feels like a bike and you can easily forget it’s e-powered. The efficiency and lightweight nature of the bike make it a pleasure in all situations. Plus, those skinny tires are fast and quick when carving into a turn. The bike feels similar to a road bike and has that same sense of fast fun.

Who Should Buy This Bike?

Riders who are reluctant to give up road biking, or those who want a very traditional ride quality while also having access to the latest technology, would love this bike. It’s simple to operate and ride, and feels both modern and clean. It fits best within an urban setting, preferably without a lot of hills (sorry San Francisco riders).

Being tech-focused is also going to increase your interest in this bike. If you love electronics, it’s got some features that will keep you engaged. With its higher price tag, it’s not for everyone. But if you are looking for a unique e-bike experience, this is definitely it. It gives me some New York vibes, with its single-speed drivetrain and sleek looks.

Reasons to Look Elsewhere?

A high price tag is the first con, followed by some technology features that could easily lose their luster. If you are not obsessed with the latest tech and you’re looking for a bike with a full carbon frame, you can find better deals elsewhere. I would say this bike is targeting a smaller audience than most. If it is for you, you would already know by now. I would expect that many owners of the Carbon 1 are also owners of traditional road and single-speed bikes and enjoy the refined experience that these units provide.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed riding the Carbon 1 in urban environments, because of its light weight, maneuverability, and speed. It is the lightest full-size e-bike I have ridden, and it offers many of the benefits of a road bike. It eats up miles efficiently over smooth surfaces, and weaving between traffic or along winding bike paths adds a little fun to any ride.

We also can’t forget that, from a tech standpoint, it’s a pretty cool ride. I love seeing where we can go with e-bikes and it’s fun to see a brand pushing the limits with some of these features. Will LTE 4G connectivity be the next big thing on e-bikes?

The simple efficiency of the Urtopia is a standout feature, whether you add the electric tech or not. So if you’re looking for a cool, lightweight bike that’s packed with tech, and you don’t mind spending a few extra dollars, this might just be the bike for you!

Specs

Electric Bike Class: Class 1
Warranty: 2 Year, Limited
Model Year: 2022
Battery Weight: 4.8 lb
Total Weight: 34.2 lb
Motor Brand: MIVICE 36V 250W
Motor Type: Geared, Rear Hub
Motor Nominal Output: 250W
Max Torque: 35Nm
Battery: 36V 9.8Ah (353 Wh)
Range Claimed: 25-62 mi.
Range Tested: 31.41 mi.
Speed: 20 mph
Throttle: No
Pedal Assist: Yes – 4 mode (1,2,3,Boost)
Charger: 100-240V input – 42V 4A output
Charge Time: 2-3 hours
Display: LED, Dot Matrix
Frame: Carbon Fiber
Fork: Carbon Fiber
Brake Levers: Urtopia branded, Hydraulic, Aluminum
Brake Calipers: Urtopia unbranded, Dual-piston, Hydraulic
Brake Rotors: 160mm Front and Rear
Chain: Gates Belt Drive
Crankset: 170mm 55T Gates
Rims: 700C (29”), 19mm inner rim
Spokes: 14G stainless steel
Tires: Kenda Kwest 700×35C
Fenders: Yes. Included, Plastic, Front and Rear
Lights: Yes. Integrated front light & ARES rear light
Grips: Ergonomic, Lock on
Handlebar: Carbon Fiber, Integrated with Stem (670mm)
Kickstand: Included, Single-sided
Pedals: Wellgo, Flat, Plastic
Max. Rider Capacity: 240lb

Frame and Geometry

As the name suggests, the Urtopia Carbon 1 has a full carbon fiber frame, available in medium or large frame sizes. It’s not just the frame – the entire front fork, headset and handlebars are all carbon fiber. The only alloy parts on the bike are the crank arms, rims, and a dropout on the seat stay that allows you to remove and install the belt. This makes for a very light 34 lb bike. You can easily lift it with one arm, and maneuvering the bike is easy. It really is as light and easy to maneuver as a traditional road bike.

When mounted, the Carbon 1 also feels like a road bike. An athletic body-forward stance brings good pressure to the pedals, with an adjustable seatpost allowing you to reach an optimal position. The forward stance means the bike is fairly natural to pedal from a standing position. The torque sensor gives a good response to the added input.

The high standover height does mean riders will need to be accustomed to swinging a leg over, and it’s far-removed from the step-through frames we see so often on modern e-bikes. If you want a bike that is light, maneuverable, and has a very traditional riding stance and style, this is it. The only thing missing from this bike is any attachment points for a rear rack or pannier, so you will be forced to use a backpack of some kind.

Motor

The Carbon 1 is highly pedal-efficient and Urtopia have used this to their full advantage. They offer riders a very small motor, with only 250W of rated output and 35Nm of torque. These figures are not very impressive on paper. However, when riding, the torque sensor offers wonderful input control and the unit is surprisingly peppy.

On flat ground in boost mode, the bike surges ahead with a few pedal strokes. It’s a pleasure to ride. On flat ground, you can easily keep up with slow-moving urban traffic. Plus, the assist settings offer good power and cadence for moving through urban environments, with just enough power and pep to keep you in control, and not so much that you feel uncontrolled in tight spaces. The Carbon 1 is a great companion for the city.

When it comes to hills, you will find yourself a bit disappointed though. The small motor demands significant effort on behalf of the rider, and it does not have the pep to climb anything more than a 12% grade.

Acceleration:

• Assist Level: Boost
• 0-20mph: 7.5 seconds

Short Hill Climb:

• Time: 03:21
• Distance: 0.95 mi.
• Elevation Gain: 66 ft
• Max grade: 6%
• Avg Speed:  18 mph

Medium Hill Climb:

• Time: 02:58
• Distance: 0.55 mi.
• Elevation Gain:  203 ft
• Max grade: 16%
• Avg Speed:  12.0 mph

Large Hill Climb:

• Time: Incomplete
• Distance: 0.19 mi.
• Elevation Gain:  82ft
• Max grade: 20%
• Avg Speed:  8 mph

Cockpit and Control

The cockpit and controls on the Urtopia are purposefully simplistic and minimal, with a game-style directional pad and a single thumb button to control the unit located on the bars. There’s no shifter, throttle or other distractions.

The bike is operated with some simple controls and uses some more advanced functions accessed from the app or with voice commands. With voice control, you can easily speak to the bike to control most basic functions, and some others like the speaker volume. I did find the commands are limited, and you need to use a specific phrase to make it work. So it’s not as smart as Siri or Alexa. The phone app has a ton of functions inside of it, and most of the advanced features are accessed through this interface.

The bike will also speak and make noises, so it’s very immersive and interactive. You can even hook up your music via Bluetooth and let it play over the bike speaker. The app can also display directions on the dot matrix screen, allowing you to be guided on your ride without having your phone out.

Urtopia have introduced some cool functions that you don’t typically see on e-bikes. Whether these are truly functional on a day-to-day basis is up to the individual user, but I can see those with a tech focus enjoying, and regularly using, most of this bike’s available features.

Battery

A smaller motor means a smaller battery, and the 353Wh lithium-ion battery (with Samsung cells) performed well. It powered the bike well beyond the brand’s minimum range, reaching a total of 31.41 miles. The Carbon 1 benefits from being highly efficient, allowing the battery to really push out the miles despite its small size. As an added bonus, this battery weighs only 4.8 pounds. You could easily carry a second battery to extend your range.

Range Test:

• Distance: 31.41 mi.
• Time:  2 hr  4 min
• Elevation:  1,030 ft

Charger, Battery Removal, Keys

The battery, charger and key access all sit nicely integrated into the downtube. With the charging input located on the left and the key on the right at the top, it is easy to locate. A simple key turn will allow you to remove the battery for charging, or simply pop off the rubber cap and charge it while it’s on the bike. With its lightweight design, the whole unit can easily be brought indoors if you prefer. Battery removal and insertion are also easy, and it locks down with a satisfying click.

With a 4-amp output, this 42V charger can be considered a true fast charger, which is a nice upgrade from the 2-amp chargers found on many e-bikes. It’s going to fully charge the battery in 2-3 hours, which is very efficient and quick. This always gives you the option to bring the charger with you to your destination, and allows for a full charge before heading home.

Drivetrain

The Gates Carbon Drive drivetrain is something you may have never run into on an e-bike before. The key benefits of a belt drive system are reduced maintenance, less noise and no grease or chain lube. The drivetrain is single-speed, with a planetary geared rear hub motor. This results in a very simple ride, but also no ability to change the gearing. The bike is able to operate well within its factory speed limit of 20 mph on flat ground.

With high pedal efficiciency, the Carbon 1 is quick to accelerate and pleasant to pedal. The torque sensor controls motor output very effectively, and the whole unit is great to ride and pedal when under power. The only time the bike becomes sluggish is when encountering steeper grades. Anything over 12% will cause a noticeable drop in performance. In those situations I quickly found myself forced out of my seat to offer some added pedal power.

Brakes

As a light bike with skinny tires, the Carbon 1 still managed to perform well in braking tests, despite less tire traction. The bike stops efficiently from top speed, thanks to hydraulic brakes, calipers, and levers connected to 160mm rotors. We could not determine the make or model of the brakes, other than their Urtopia branding. They are dual-piston hydraulic brakes. We had no problems with the brake setup on the bike and it felt controlled and efficient at all times.

Braking Distance Results

20 mph:  21 ft

Wheels, Tires

The bike’s 700×35C tires are light and fast on pavement. It’s an urban e-bike designed for hard surfaces. Do not expect good ride quality if you stray from the road into loose dirt and gravel. The high-pressure tires are efficient on hard packed ground though, and they eat up the miles in an efficient manner.

I can see anyone familiar with urban road bikes being very comfortable with this rim and tire combination. I found them to be a good companion for the Carbon 1. Our test bike had front and rear fenders. These kept the majority of road debris from hitting us. They worked well, but the rear fender did slap around a fair amount when encountering any bumps in the road.

Kickstand

Our Urtopia test model featured a single-sided kickstand. It’s simple and functional.

Contact Points

Overshadowed by the high-tech extras on the rest of the bike, the contact points may glide under the radar with no issues and no real added value.

Grips

Simple ergonomic lock-on grips grace the bars. They are functional and offer a good platform. Plus, the added bonus of a locking grip means it’s not sliding on the bars, which is a pet peeve of mine on many bikes. So no points are lost on the grips.

Seat

The Urtopia branded Cionlli seat offers some plush cushioning and is a pleasant shape. It was a good platform for cruising or pedaling and I did not find it added any discomfort over longer range tests. I was happy with the choice and found no issue with the seat as a stock contact point for the bike.

Pedals

It’s the same story for the pedals. With a flat set of Wellgo pedals, it’s hard to complain. But they are also a basic item and something we see on many bikes. It’s sufficient to get you out on the road right away.