Urtopia could also be a comparatively new identify within the e-bike world, however it makes a powerful first impression. With its 4G, GPS, mmWave sensors and even gentle projection flip indicators, the Carbon 1 felt just like the Inspector Gadget of two-wheeled journey, however its unique design and road-bike leanings meant it wasn’t for everybody. The corporate’s second bike, the Chord ($1,799), has a a lot much less divisive aesthetic and – not like its sibling – practicalities like gears and a extra upright (and city-friendly) experience. Importantly, the Chord incorporates all of the wi-fi connectivity of the Carbon 1 at a less expensive worth, presumably making it a extra compelling package deal total.
The Chord looks like Urtopia’s try at a trendy metropolis bike within the imprecise fashion of Cowboy or VanMoof. The Chord is outwardly impressed by pianos, with its black and white colorway and the melodic notes that play while you cycle via the ability modes. At 46 kilos (21 kilograms), it’s noticeably heavier than the Carbon 1 (33 kilos/15 kg), however it’s on par with different fashions in the identical class.
The motor is a fairly simple 350W hub powered by a detachable 360Wh battery. High assisted pace is 20MPH over 4 modes: Eco, Consolation, Sport and Turbo. The utmost vary is an estimated 75 miles, however that can clearly depend upon how a lot help you employ. As a Class 1 ebike, there’s no throttle mode right here; as an alternative, there’s a Turbo mode with barely any must pedal to get you as much as that most pace. As talked about, the Chord comes with an 8-speed Shimano gear system which, mixed with the help modes, make for a versatile experience when it comes to pace and energy.
Picture by James Trew / Engadget
The extra fascinating options with Urtopia bikes come from its connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and 4G. Mixed with an accelerometer and a gyroscope the Chord has a shocking quantity of situational consciousness, which I’ll get to later. Oh, you can even communicate to the bike to alter settings and use it as a Bluetooth speaker as you experience whereas receiving visible instructions on the dot-matrix display screen contained within the “sensible field” bike pc. Did I point out there’s a complete app with experience monitoring, navigation and deeper settings, too?
Taking the Chord out for the primary time, it was onerous to disregard the additional weight in comparison with the aforementioned Carbon 1, but additionally the equally pitched Tenways. It’s not chonky in the identical manner one thing just like the 63-pound (28-kilogram) Velotric Discover 1 is however these further kilos have been noticeable the primary time I attempted hustling it (upright) into the elevator in my house block. Fortunately, it’s not one thing you’ll discover a lot whereas pedaling.
The driving place is of course extra upright and it makes for a snug cruise round city. It’s not designed for off-road, but when you end up on uneven pavement or perhaps a brief stint on a mud path it does a good job contemplating. The motor makes use of a torque sensor to determine when to kick in; it’s a quite common system proper now and does a very good job of delivering energy simply as you want it.
Now, about that energy. Within the scheme of issues, a 350W motor is a fairly customary entry-level possibility; it’s not about to drag your wrists out of their sockets when it kicks in, however it’s will get you to that 20MPH max pace in good time, so long as you’re prepared to do the your half on the pedals. The three energy modes are spaced adequately for whether or not you simply need a bit assist or simply wanna shock that weekend warrior as you go them barely pedaling. Turbo mode will attain max energy with out you actually making an attempt too onerous – it’s a very good possibility for if you happen to’re feeling actually pooped, and it doesn’t really feel just like the bike is pulling away from you, which may typically be the case with comparable modes on higher-powered bikes.
Picture by James Trew / Engadget
Utopia’s heavy-tech method made the Carbon 1 stand out, however it additionally felt a bit unpolished, a minimum of within the first iteration of the app. The built-in GPS and 4G are supposed to routinely document your rides and serve them up within the app with a map and statistics. Initially this felt a bit hit-and-miss. The fingerprint reader within the Carbon 1 was a pleasant contact, too, and it even doubled as an electrical bell, however sadly it could typically sound about half a second after I wanted it. With the newer Chord, the software program feels extra completed from the get-go.
For starters, the bell remains to be digital (you may even change the sound), however it’s triggered by a a lot clickier button that’s way more responsive. Extra importantly, the app feels extra refined now and I haven’t seen any rides go lacking throughout my time with it. In actual fact, they seem nearly immediately as soon as I end.
After all, routinely mapping rides is cool, however it’s not the first function of the 4G/GPS. That can be the power to trace your bike if somebody steals it. So long as the Chord’s inside cell protection, you’ll have the ability to see its final identified location through the app. You can even set it so that you obtain notification the second the bike strikes – doubtlessly providing you with a heads up earlier than a thief can experience off with it. After all, if the battery runs out or the GPS can’t see the sky it gained’t replace the app, however the cell lasts for a very good period of time in standby and it solely totally turns off if you happen to take away the battery, which requires a key (or bike-breaking brute pressure).
A fast notice on the battery: Its placement beneath the highest tube is a crafty solution to semi-hide it, but additionally supplies a bit extra safety from the weather. On the flip facet, there’s no solution to totally flip the bike off, so the 4G connection will gently drain the ability between rides until you take away it. In my testing, I additionally discovered that the estimated max vary of 75 miles feels a bit optimistic. It may be attainable beneath optimum circumstances, however even on shorter rides of 11 miles, with combined use of modes and terrain, I had used up a claimed 25 p.c of the cell. So if very lengthy rides are your factor, take notice.
If, upon listening to about all this 4G information you’ll be utilizing, your first query was how a lot that’ll value, the reply is nothing for the primary 12 months after which $29 yearly after that. Whereas it looks like every little thing has a subscription hooked up to it lately, this feels cheap for the performance you get out of it – particularly in case your bike does go lacking and this helps you discover it.
Past realizing the place the bike is, the Chord may also information you to your vacation spot through built-in navigation. To be clear, it’s dealt with by the app, however when your cellphone is related to the bike, the instructions will seem on the dot-matrix fashion show. This additionally means you may preserve your handset safely in your pocket or bag – not like some bikes that make your cellphone the bike’s pc, forcing it to stay uncovered to the weather.
Picture by James Trew / Engadget
With the Carbon 1, I assumed the choice to play music via the built-in speaker was a novelty at finest. The Chord hasn’t modified my thoughts both. Your music goes to sound fairly unhealthy, however it’s a enjoyable celebration trick nonetheless. Maybe it’s extra helpful for podcasts and audiobooks? Simply know that it’s one thing you can do (however not essentially one thing you need to). The voice management is a bit more sensible, however I not often discover a second the place I’d somewhat lean into the bike and speak to it as an alternative of utilizing the app’s controls.
One other fascinating change from the Carbon 1 is that the sensible field (previously, smartbar) is now not constructed into the bike. On the Chord it’s a separate unit that you just connect manually, opening the door for some degree of modularity. Urtopia hints at this in its press supplies, suggesting that sooner or later you could possibly improve to a distinct sensible field with a greater show, or new options which is an fascinating idea if nothing else.
With simply its second bike, Urtopia is displaying a promising mixture of consistency and development (the place wanted). The Chord is a fairly sufficient bike that, if it’s to your style, would function a very good basic function metropolis e-bike. It’s not essentially the most highly effective, nor essentially the most longevous when it comes to vary at this worth level. Nevertheless it’s presumably probably the most tech-laden and featureful if that’s what you’re searching for. Someday’s it looks like there’s a bit an excessive amount of give attention to the tech options and fewer on the experience itself. The truth that the door for characteristic upgrades additional down the road, through the modular sensible field, although, exhibits some welcome initiative on the corporate’s half. For the value, although, it is a straightforward suggestion if you happen to love a quantified experience and infrequently go off-road.
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