Urtopia Chord

Does your bike need a smartphone app and AI?

But is it all too much tech?

To turn the bike on or off it uses a fingerprint sensor…

New Roku streaming sticks.

Yes, the Chord even has biometric security.

Of course, all of these features come at a price.

Urtopia also frequently discounts its bikes.

Person using an iphone at a table with a glass behind it.

However, it does have a few interesting quirks that you should be aware of before purchasing.

Urtopia Chord Design

One of the unique things about the Urtopia Chord ebike is its design.

The frame is constructed using a sophisticated liquid forging method, a unique approach compared to traditional welding.

Urtopia Chord - Cover

It’s not quite as stealthy as theVanPowers City Venture, but, it conceals its battery well.

The Urtopia Chord ebike is available in two different models: the step-through model and the high-step model.

Both models are available in either black or white.

Urtopia Chord - Saddle

The black model has a modern look, while the white model has a more classic and timeless appearance.

it’s possible for you to see Chord’s inspiration from the piano.

Urtopia also offers a number of first-party accessories and add-ons to further customize your ride.

Urtopia Chord - Front Left

These include fenders, front and rear racks, a front basket, and an extra comfort saddle.

The Chord has two mounting points for water bottle holders.

you’ve got the option to also purchase an additional battery for $449.

Urtopia Chord - Top View

The bike’s adjustable saddle and handlebars add comfort and versatility.

you could easily adjust the height and angle of the saddle and handlebars to find the perfect riding position.

Similarly, this saddle is still best suited for road riding as it doesn’t absorb bumps very well.

Urtopia Chord - Cover

One thing that some riders may not love about the Urtopia Chord ebike is its lack of suspension.

Lighting

The Chord has a front LED headlight built into its display module.

Long pressing the left control activates or turns it off.

Urtopia Chord - Front Side

One potential downside to being built into the controller is that the angle can’t be adjusted.

However, I think its placement is fine, providing decent visibility directly in front of you and ahead.

These lights increase your visibility at night and help you make safe turns and lane changes.

Urtopia Chord - Front

Performance

The bike is powered by a 350W brushless motor with a torque of 45NM.

The Chord uses a Shimano 8-speed drivetrain for shifting.

There are four speed modes: Pedal, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Turbo.

Urtopia Chord - Top View

The Chord also has a walk mode which is activated by long pressing the right control.

The Chord’s torque sensor is designed to provide zero delay power for smooth and seamless acceleration.

This means the bike responds quickly to your pedaling input, providing a more natural and intuitive riding experience.

Urtopia Chord - Front Left

The motor also provides a decent amount of torque, which is especially helpful when climbing hills.

Some of these features, like weather, feel a bit gimmicky.

However, one downside of the Chord’s matrix design is the battery bar life indicator.

Urtopia Chord - Front View

It doesn’t provide nearly enough detailed information about the battery life.

Instead of displaying a percentage or estimated range remaining, it only shows a small bar.

I found it lacking in detail to represent the remaining battery life accurately.

Urtopia Chord - Chain Guard

Connectivity

Finally, let’s talk about the bike’s smart connectivity.

This is one of the features that sets the Urtopia Chord apart from other electric bikes on the market.

Long pressing the middle button allows you to give voice commands to the bike.

Urtopia Chord - Front Wheel Quick Release

One of the most useful features of the app is the ability to lock/unlock the bike remotely.

The app also allows you to set goals and track your progress.

This is an excellent feature for anyone who wants to stay motivated and improve their fitness.

Urtopia Chord - Saddle

Even at lower speeds, the sound quality is mediocre at best.

Too Much Tech?

Firstly, the fingerprint reader didn’t always work correctly.

Urtopia Chord - Rear Tail Lights

Several times, it took multiple presses before it registered my thumb.

Additionally, I found that the fingerprint reader struggles to work when the display is wet.

A more common issue I experienced was with the “smart” bell.

Urtopia Chord - Projected Turn Signal

While it’s easy enough to reach, it wasn’t as reliable as a physical bell.

I’m hoping a future firmware or app update resolves these concerns.

Urtopia Chord - Gear Shifter

Urtopia Chord - Ride 3

Urtopia Chord - Unboxing

Urtopia Chord - Assembly

Urtopia Chord - Riding 1

Urtopia Chord - Battery Display

Urtopia Chord - App - Home Screen

Urtopia Chord - App - Riding Stats

Urtopia Chord - App - Registering Thumb Print

Urtopia Chord - Front Bottom

Urtopia Chord - Sunset