The Urtopia Carbon E-Bike is a work of art that you can ride
Review: The Urtopia Carbon e-bike stands out from a crowded market with its extremely light design, futuristic appearance, and Smart riding features.
Matthew Miller started using mobile devices in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. He was a co-host, with Kevin Tofel, of the MobileTechRoundup podcast for 13 years and authored three Wiley Companion series books.
- Started using mobile technology in 1997. Evaluated hundreds of PDA, phones, tablets, and more that ran Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, iOS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone operating systems. An athlete who uses wearable technol
Matthew Miller started using mobile devices in 1997 and has been writing news, reviews, and opinion pieces ever since. He was a co-host, with Kevin Tofel, of the MobileTechRoundup podcast for 13 years and authored three Wiley Companion series books.
- Started using mobile technology in 1997. Evaluated hundreds of PDA, phones, tablets, and more that ran Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, iOS, Android, webOS, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone operating systems. An athlete who uses wearable technol
Urtopia Carbon e-bike
pros and cons
- Lightweight and modern design
- Additional features via smartphone app
- Four-speed levels for riding
- Integrated cell service for location tracking
- Voice command isn’t always reliable
- Default seat is uncomfortable
- Kickstand is not included
Part of my morning commute includes carrying my e-bike up and down through a train station and an office building. It’s a heavy task, with most e-bikes I’ve tested weighing around 55 pounds. They’re even harder to move around when the battery dies and all that weight is left for you to carry. Naturally, I’ve accepted the fact that in order to reap the benefits of a fast-moving e-bike, a bit of sweat is necessary.
For the past three weeks I have been riding an electric bike that weighs about half what other e-bikes do while also fully incorporating an iPhone-esque elegant high-tech design system.
The Urtopia Carbon E-Bike is a work of art that you can ride.- my coworkers stopped by to check the bike out and were impressed with its modern design and sleek appearance. The lightweight carbon frame, sleek integrated battery, embedded display and controls in the Smartbar, single-speed belt drive, and smartphone connectivity make this a bike of the future.
The light weight, cool design, and solid riding experience have me considering this as a future bike option.
The motor does well at propelling you along even with a single gear. I was able to ride at up to 20 mph on fairly flat roads, from 10 mph to 14 mph up hills, and only had to walk up one steep hill after cranking along at 7 mph for half of the hill. The Urtopia definitely has me considering whether or not having multiple gears on an electric bike is worth the maintenance and complexity for infrequent riding scenarios.
Electric bikes at the lower end of the price spectrum, 450,500 or less, tend to have less aesthetic appeal, with visible bulky wires, lower-quality tires, and other cost-cutting features. E-bikes can be found in the 5000,000-to-4,000 range with additional features and better aesthetics. High-end models often don’t even look like e-bikes, with hidden batteries and advanced materials. The Urtopia Carbon E-Bike is clearly a high-end model, but it is priced in the midrange at 5000,799.
After you mount the front wheel, you can attach the pedals and insert the seat post into the frame. The protective plug over the nut for the seat post did not go back into the post and stay secure, so there is one element that can be improved, although it is very minor and has nothing to do with the functionality of the bike.
The best electric bikes: Top e-bikes for commuting
What is the best electric bike? ZDNet recommends the RadCity Step-Thru 3. Due to their low environmental impact and other advantages, electric bikes are rising in popularity, so we’ve come up with the top picks.
You also have to connect the two cables when inserting the seat post since the rear light and turn signal indicator lights are mounted on the seat post.
With the unique frame design, there is a limit to how far down the seat post can be inserted, so when you order an Urtopia bike you select either a medium or large size. The medium bike is designed for riders who are from 5 feet, 5 inches tall to 5 feet, 11 inches tall, and the large size is designed for riders who are from 5 feet, 9 inches tall to 6 feet, 5 inches tall.
I am 6 feet, 1 inch, and the large bike is just about a perfect fit at the lower end of the seat range.
The last part of the assembly is to remove the battery from the packaging and mount it on the front frame of the bike. It easily slides into the bottom and then snaps into place. You need to use one of the two provided keys to remove the battery. You can charge the battery while mounted on the bike or with the battery removed from the bike.
Hardware
After my shock at the lightweight nature of the box and the bike, the next thing that struck me about the Urtopia was the Smartbar, the company’s name for the handlebar assembly. All wires connecting the controls and display are hidden inside the handlebar unit. A four-way directional control pad is positioned on the left side with the fingerprint button on the right side. In the center sits the LED dot-matrix display.
The fingerprint button is interesting and helps provide a bit of security for the bike. It functions as the unlock button, horn, and voice control activation button. A fingerprint is needed to enable the alarm feature. After I set up my fingerprint in the Urtopia smartphone app, it reliably unlocked the bike every time.
The left side control pad is used for many functions, including speed control, turn signal, and lights. Pressing down for 2 seconds also puts the bike into standby mode.
A bright white LED headlight is located on the front of the Smartbar display. The display is big and bright; instead of a modern, color, crisp-font look, the dot-matrix design harkens back to the ’80s. Several easily identifiable status icons appear on the display, including your speed and assist level.
The front wheel with hydraulic disc brakes is positioned below the handlebars with the sleek battery integrated into the frame just behind the Smartbar. The saddle is not very comfortable for extended rides, but Urtopia also offers an optional comfort saddle if you need it. The saddle can be removed from the seat post, which has integrated taillight and turns signal indicators. This seat post assembly, called the ARES, is discussed more below.
The pedals are fairly basic and attached to the torque sensor. There is no chain on the bike as the rear wheel is controlled by a Gates Carbon Drive belt that should last you for years. This is the first time I’ve ridden a bike with a belt system and I found it to be a good experience. The rear 250W motor is positioned at the center of the rear wheel.
Voice commands, ARES, and eSIM
Pressing and holding the right fingerprint sensor button enables voice commands. These work well when you’re stationary or riding slowly, but when riding faster or in inclement weather, in my experience, the command system didn’t perform reliably. Commands are available for speed modes, turning, locking the bike, controlling lights, volume control, and standby mode. The only way to completely turn off the bike is to use the voice command or else simply remove the battery. With the preceding caveat, all voice commands, except for locking the bike, worked well. For some reason I had a heck of a time getting consistent responses while trying to lock the bike.
ARES (advanced rear early indication system) sounds like a modern, advanced function and, given the name, I thought it would include something like a Garmin bike radar that would warn me of approaching vehicles with notifications that might appear on the display. However, it is simply a bright rear red taillight and two ineffective turn indicator projection lights. These two side lights show a logo down on the ground just to the right and left of the bike. The only way anyone could see these dim lights would be if they were in a very dark environment and standing adjacent to the bike.
I see little utility in the current ARES system and stopped using the turn indicators entirely. Having the split rear taillight flash for the right or left side would seem to make more sense, as it could be helpful to inform drivers or riders behind you where you plan to turn.
The bike contains an eSIM card with 4G support and GPS so the position of the bike is tracked when you ride. The eSIM can also be used as part of the bike recovery process if the alarm horn does not deter a thief. Having an active eSIM on the bike costs 29.99 per year.
Urtopia Carbon e-bike
pros and cons
- Lightweight and modern design
- Additional features via smartphone app
- Four-speed levels for riding
- Integrated cell service for location tracking
- Voice command isn’t always reliable
- Default seat is uncomfortable
- Kickstand is not included
Part of my morning commute includes carrying my e-bike up and down through a train station and an office building. It’s a heavy task, with most e-bikes I’ve tested weighing around 55 pounds. They’re even harder to move around when the battery dies and all that weight is left for you to carry. Naturally, I’ve accepted the fact that in order to reap the benefits of a fast-moving e-bike, a bit of sweat is necessary.
For the past three weeks I have been riding an electric bike that weighs about half what other e-bikes do while also fully incorporating an iPhone-esque elegant high-tech design system.
The Urtopia Carbon E-Bike is a work of art that you can ride.- my coworkers stopped by to check the bike out and were impressed with its modern design and sleek appearance. The lightweight carbon frame, sleek integrated battery, embedded display and controls in the Smartbar, single-speed belt drive, and smartphone connectivity make this a bike of the future.
The light weight, cool design, and solid riding experience have me considering this as a future bike option.
The motor does well at propelling you along even with a single gear. I was able to ride at up to 20 mph on fairly flat roads, from 10 mph to 14 mph up hills, and only had to walk up one steep hill after cranking along at 7 mph for half of the hill. The Urtopia definitely has me considering whether or not having multiple gears on an electric bike is worth the maintenance and complexity for infrequent riding scenarios.
Electric bikes at the lower end of the price spectrum, 450,500 or less, tend to have less aesthetic appeal, with visible bulky wires, lower-quality tires, and other cost-cutting features. E-bikes can be found in the 5000,000-to-4,000 range with additional features and better aesthetics. High-end models often don’t even look like e-bikes, with hidden batteries and advanced materials. The Urtopia Carbon E-Bike is clearly a high-end model, but it is priced in the midrange at 5000,799.
After you mount the front wheel, you can attach the pedals and insert the seat post into the frame. The protective plug over the nut for the seat post did not go back into the post and stay secure, so there is one element that can be improved, although it is very minor and has nothing to do with the functionality of the bike.
The best electric bikes: Top e-bikes for commuting
What is the best electric bike? ZDNet recommends the RadCity Step-Thru 3. Due to their low environmental impact and other advantages, electric bikes are rising in popularity, so we’ve come up with the top picks.
You also have to connect the two cables when inserting the seat post since the rear light and turn signal indicator lights are mounted on the seat post.
With the unique frame design, there is a limit to how far down the seat post can be inserted, so when you order an Urtopia bike you select either a medium or large size. The medium bike is designed for riders who are from 5 feet, 5 inches tall to 5 feet, 11 inches tall, and the large size is designed for riders who are from 5 feet, 9 inches tall to 6 feet, 5 inches tall.
I am 6 feet, 1 inch, and the large bike is just about a perfect fit at the lower end of the seat range.
The last part of the assembly is to remove the battery from the packaging and mount it on the front frame of the bike. It easily slides into the bottom and then snaps into place. You need to use one of the two provided keys to remove the battery. You can charge the battery while mounted on the bike or with the battery removed from the bike.
Hardware
After my shock at the lightweight nature of the box and the bike, the next thing that struck me about the Urtopia was the Smartbar, the company’s name for the handlebar assembly. All wires connecting the controls and display are hidden inside the handlebar unit. A four-way directional control pad is positioned on the left side with the fingerprint button on the right side. In the center sits the LED dot-matrix display.
The fingerprint button is interesting and helps provide a bit of security for the bike. It functions as the unlock button, horn, and voice control activation button. A fingerprint is needed to enable the alarm feature. After I set up my fingerprint in the Urtopia smartphone app, it reliably unlocked the bike every time.
The left side control pad is used for many functions, including speed control, turn signal, and lights. Pressing down for 2 seconds also puts the bike into standby mode.
A bright white LED headlight is located on the front of the Smartbar display. The display is big and bright; instead of a modern, color, crisp-font look, the dot-matrix design harkens back to the ’80s. Several easily identifiable status icons appear on the display, including your speed and assist level.
The front wheel with hydraulic disc brakes is positioned below the handlebars with the sleek battery integrated into the frame just behind the Smartbar. The saddle is not very comfortable for extended rides, but Urtopia also offers an optional comfort saddle if you need it. The saddle can be removed from the seat post, which has integrated taillight and turns signal indicators. This seat post assembly, called the ARES, is discussed more below.
The pedals are fairly basic and attached to the torque sensor. There is no chain on the bike as the rear wheel is controlled by a Gates Carbon Drive belt that should last you for years. This is the first time I’ve ridden a bike with a belt system and I found it to be a good experience. The rear 250W motor is positioned at the center of the rear wheel.
Voice commands, ARES, and eSIM
Pressing and holding the right fingerprint sensor button enables voice commands. These work well when you’re stationary or riding slowly, but when riding faster or in inclement weather, in my experience, the command system didn’t perform reliably. Commands are available for speed modes, turning, locking the bike, controlling lights, volume control, and standby mode. The only way to completely turn off the bike is to use the voice command or else simply remove the battery. With the preceding caveat, all voice commands, except for locking the bike, worked well. For some reason I had a heck of a time getting consistent responses while trying to lock the bike.
ARES (advanced rear early indication system) sounds like a modern, advanced function and, given the name, I thought it would include something like a Garmin bike radar that would warn me of approaching vehicles with notifications that might appear on the display. However, it is simply a bright rear red taillight and two ineffective turn indicator projection lights. These two side lights show a logo down on the ground just to the right and left of the bike. The only way anyone could see these dim lights would be if they were in a very dark environment and standing adjacent to the bike.
I see little utility in the current ARES system and stopped using the turn indicators entirely. Having the split rear taillight flash for the right or left side would seem to make more sense, as it could be helpful to inform drivers or riders behind you where you plan to turn.
The bike contains an eSIM card with 4G support and GPS so the position of the bike is tracked when you ride. The eSIM can also be used as part of the bike recovery process if the alarm horn does not deter a thief. Having an active eSIM on the bike costs 29.99 per year.
Smartphone app
The smartphone app is essential to the full Urtopia Carbon E-Bike experience and it is available for iOS and Android. There are three main tabs in the app: Home, Navigation, and Mine. The Home screen shows you tiles with your recent ride, CO2 saved estimate, news, user guide, and stories that include the Urtopia.
The Navigation part of the app lets you search for a destination and then plot a course to that destination. The map view gives you the distance and estimated duration, assuming you are riding the bike. Tap the Go button to start navigating to the destination, and if your bike is on and connected to your phone then the navigation prompts will appear on the center display of the Smartbar. This is a very cool feature of the bike that makes it so you do not need a separate bike computer.
On the last tab, Mine, you can connect to the bike via Bluetooth, view weekly ride reports, check your previous routes (data collected via GPS and uploaded via eSIM), and your CO2 saved. The routes that you rode show the start time, duration, distance, average speed, and a map of your route. Tap the play button to view your route in a replay animation. Diving into your bike connection you can view the battery status, adjust sound/volume/vibration levels, set up the fingerprint, check the health of your bike, and view a few advanced settings. There are also buttons to turn on the lights, lock the bike, or sound the alarm.
Trending sport wingfoiling: Types, assembly and transport
Wingfoiling is the latest trend in water sports! This article will clarify the most important questions: What is wingfoiling? Is wingfoiling difficult? Which types of wingfoiling exist? How does wingsurfing work? How do I transport my wingfoil? And how does the reacha help to have a perfect day on the foil?
Wingfoiling is a new trend sport. It combines kite surfing and windsurfing elements. When foilsurfing you surf on a hydrofoil. You float above the water surface. No matter if wing-foiling, kite-foiling, pump-foiling or wave-foiling. It results in high speeds and a feeling of weightlessness.
The difference between different types of foils is in their propulsion. The speed, the foilspeed, is generated differently. Wingfoiling uses a handheld kite by putting it into the wind like a sail.
The reacha can carry a complete wingfoil setup without any problems.
The foilboard is very different from windsurfing or kiteboards. There is no regular fin on the bottom of the foilboard as for surfboards. Instead, it has a downward standing mast. A hydrofoil wing or foil is attached to the end of the mast. Similar to an airplane wing, the foil generates uplift at a certain speed. As a result, the board and rider rise out of the water. The foil board does not touch the surface. The frictional force is reduced. High speeds can be reached by minimal resistance. The world record for wingfoiling is about 67 km/h.
As mentioned, a certain basic speed is required for foiling. The foilspeed is achieved with a wing when wingfoiling. The Wing looks like a steering kite without strings. However, it is steered by hand, just like windsurfing. In terms of production and material, wings are very similar to kites. They are made of synthetic textiles reinforced with Kevlar or nylon. Wings are kept in shape by a multi-chamber system of air bodies when inflated. Thanks to the air bodies, the wing floats when you fall into the water. Which, by the way, is a constant part of wingsurfing, especially in the beginning.
My Wing Bikes. Freedom X Review
The Wing can also be used in a variety of ways outside of the water. On land, the Wingfoil kite can also be used on longboards, skis or inline skates.
reacha SPORT in use with two foilboards
In 2019, wingfoiling has become a trend and is growing in popularity. An advantage of foiling to regular kitesurfing or windsurfing: Low wind speeds of ten knots are enough. It is easier to handle the equipment when wingfoiling compared to kitefoiling or windsurfing. It is also easier to learn wingfoiling than other foiling styles. If you want to try the trend sport, you can find surf schools that offer wingsurfing courses.
Step THROUGH Into the Future | Wing Freedom ST.2 | Electric Bike Review
Different types of wingfoiling
Besides classic wingfoiling, there are other ways to use wing and foil boards.
On the water with only a foilboard
So-called pump-foiling involves picking up speed on a short foil board by shifting your body weight. Through pumping motion on the board, the foil lifts you up. Even curves are no problem on the foil board. However, pump-foiling is extremely exhausting. Long distances on the water are only possible with a lot of endurance.
The transportation to the water without a wing is easier. However, the foil board remains bulky and difficult to transport. A buggy like the reacha allows you to bring your board to the water with the mast mounted!
Using the wing on land
To learn wingfoiling, combining it with longboard or skateboard is ideal! Without experience in kiteboarding or windsurfing, first steps can be made on land on a board. If the wind is good, the wing can be used to pick up speed. Unlike windskating, the glider is not screwed to the board.
Whether on land or in the water. Always secure your wing with a leash on your wrist! The risk of falling while wingsurfing and your wing becoming uncontrollable is very high!
Wings are also interesting for winter sports enthusiasts. Whether on the slopes or on the cross-country ski trail. The wing pulls you through the snow in windy conditions. Wingfoilers have especially much fun with the Wing on the snowboard. If you want to use the Wing all year round, you should take a closer look at Wing-Skiing.
Especially in the flatlands you want to transport the skis or the wingfoil. This is possible without a car! The reacha bicycle trailer does not have to be pulled straining. Whether Wingfoil or ski, with reacha you get everywhere!
The Foil also makes a good figure on the reacha
Wing-SUP
If the wind is too strong, you don’t have to miss out on a tour on the SUP. With the combination of Wing and SUP you will still be on the water. With Wing SUPing you stand normally on your SUP. Instead of paddling, you let your Wing pull you. Pump up your SUP and Wing and you’re ready to go.
On the plus side, if you’re traveling with SUP, the SUP and wing can share the air pump. If you don’t want to carry it in two backpacks, you are mostly stuck with your car. A long SUP is extremely bulky and rarely fits well in the car. With the reacha bicycle trailer you can easily transport your wing and SUP. At your spot you only have to unload your foil at the water’s edge. Without emissions, stress and parking problems.
To not endanger you and your environment while wingsurfing: and more wingfoil manufacturers rely on viewing Windows. This ensures that nothing happens to you or others in the water.
Without Wing on the E-Foil
We already told you about pump-foiling. The other option, without a wing, is e-foiling. E-Foils have an electric motor in the board, which drives a propeller on the foil. With a remote control in your hand the speed of the e-foil is regulated. Basically, e-foiling works like wingsurfing. only without wind. With an e-foil, you can glide across the water at up to 50 km/h.
The problem with e-foils? They are extremely expensive. Those who are still interested in e-foils: The most popular brands are Flite, Audi and Waydoo. Who wants to see the reacha with an E-Foil can do so at the Motorworld in Cologne!
Contribution of reacha user Flo and his e-foil
How do I transport my Wingfoil?
Even if the material for wingsurfing is more convenient than for kitesurfing or windsurfing, there is still a lot to carry. In addition to the wing and board, you also need to take a pump, helmet, neoprene shoes, wetsuit, life jacket and sunscreen. Basically two components belong to the Wingfoil transport. The Wing and your board. The Wing plus pump can be compactly stowed in a backpack or a special bag. This hardly takes up any space. It is more difficult to transport the foil board. Although there are now inflatable wingboards that can be transported like a small SUP. But there is still the foil consisting of mast and wings.
There are several options for transport: Either disassemble or transport the Wingfoil as a whole. If you disassemble an inflatable board and the foil, you can even take it on the plane. It will fit in the trunk of your car. However, you will be busy at the spot for 30 minutes. The wingboard has to be inflated. The foil has to be assembled and mounted to the board. And the wing has to be inflated. Warming up before the water sport is done. In addition, the individual parts of the foilboard, such as the fuse, mast or wing, can be damaged when the wingfoil is transported.
It is hardly possible to transport it assembled in a car. Depending on the length of the mast, the body is too large for a trunk. You either need a big car or a van. But there are also alternatives to transport your Wingfoil material.
reacha bicycle trailers are the easiest way to transport your Wingfoil. On a bicycle trailer you can put your Wing, your Foilboard and your pump. Secure everything with a strap. And you are ready to cycle to the lake. All without the hassle of finding a parking space and assembling the Wingfoil. And the best thing about it: No CO2 emissions.
You want to use your SUP with a Wing?
The reacha bike trailer has no problem with that. Pack your foil in the trunk and attach your SUP over it! You can find more info below or here
Putting your Wingfoil in the water:
With reacha you can pull your board-foil-wing combination directly to the water’s edge. Thanks to the bike connector, the bike trailer becomes a hand trailer in just a few steps. So even the last meters go playfully!
You just have to get your foilboard and wing into the water. We have summarized the best tips from Wingpassion.de:
Transport your wingfoil with the reacha:
With the reacha your Wingfoil material can be transported without problems. Either with the long SPORT drawbar, as with the Weber drawbar or shorter CITY-drawbar
There are two ways to transport your wingfoil material with the reacha. Depending on how much wingsurfing equipment you take with you! You can transport your foilboard mounted on the reacha and secure it with a fastening strap. If you have concerns, you can remove the foils and store them in the trunk of the reacha.
You can also put your wing in the trunk of the reacha or fasten it on your board. With a bike trailer from reacha you don’t have to assemble your foilboard on the beach. The length of your foilboard does not matter for the reacha. Smaller wingfoil setups can be transported either with the reacha CITY or the Weber drawbar. Is your board over a certain length, drawing it with the reacha SPORT without troubles.
Due to the adjustable width of the bike trailer, so far every Wingfoil has fit on the reacha.
Wing Freedom S2: The Ultimate Review
Are you in the market for a compact, urban e-bike? Look no further than Wing Freedom S2. With a 5-star rating and over 1,000 satisfied customers, you can trust that you’re getting a top-quality product.
Not only is the Freedom S2 perfect for maneuvering through tight spaces, but it’s also a great alternative to cramped public transportation. Additionally, if you’re a smaller rider, this bike is specifically designed to fit you. It’s suitable for most riders between 5′ to 6’1″.
Furthermore, the Freedom S2 comes equipped with Wing’s unique alarm system and integrated lights for added security. This means you can have peace of mind knowing your bike is protected.
In addition, the removable battery is lightweight and easy to charge, whether it is on or off the bike. Lastly, the swept-back handlebar design ensures comfort and optimal handling while riding.
Pros
The Freedom S2 is the ideal e-bike for shorter riders. Its compact frame and 20-inch wheels make it easy to navigate tight spaces. It also weighs only 37 pounds, making it easy to carry around. With a maximum speed of 25 mph, it’s perfect for commuting or weekend rides.
The battery on the S2 can last up to 25 miles on a single charge, which is more than enough for most trips. Another great feature of this bike is its remote, fob-operated alarm system provided by Wing, which adds an extra layer of security.
Furthermore, the bike’s battery is securely lockable and removable for remote charging and the horn and lights are activated through the bike’s display. Lastly, the assembly process of the S2 is simple enough for even novice bike builders. All these features make it a great choice for purchase.
Cons
It’s important to note that the Freedom S2 does have a few limitations potential buyers should be aware of before making a purchase. Firstly, the throttle is an additional purchase and not included in the standard package. So, if you’re looking for electric assist from the start, you’ll have to pay extra.
Secondly, fenders are also not standard and must be purchased as an add-on. This is an important consideration if you plan on using the S2 for commuting as you’ll want to protect yourself from road spray and debris.
Finally, while the S2 does come with racks, they are only available as an add-on. This means that if you’re planning on using your bike for carrying cargo, you’ll need to factor that into the overall cost. While the S2 is a great value proposition, it’s essential to be aware of these potential extra costs before making a purchase.
Give It a Try!
In case you’re considering purchasing a pair of Wings but are unsure if they’re the right fit for you, we suggest taking the opportunity to test them out. If there is a Wings dealer in your area, you can take them for a test ride.
If that’s not an option, don’t worry. Shipping is low, and you have five days to decide if they’re right for you.
We are confident that you’ll love your Wings, but we want you to make the best decision for yourself. So, go ahead and test them out, we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.