The Urtopia Chord E-Bike – Where Beauty Meets Technology
Recently, I had the opportunity to go for a spin on the new Chord e-bike from a company called Urtopia – in our view it’s a revolutionary design which could change both urban and rural cycling for the better – let’s dig into what makes it so special…..
Urtopia Chord E-Bike Sometimes the design of an object can be just as important as its functionality. Think of the iPhone, a Le Corbusier chaise longue, or a Tesla car as simple examples. Clean lines and a simplicity of use, coupled with exceptional performance can give a vision of harmony to even the most hardened of hearts. They can even sometimes give a glimpse to how the future might pan out.
Bikes have never really managed to break into that territory where art meets useful design. With the exception of Chris Boardman’s “Lotus bike” from the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, I can’t think of a single bike with pedals which has stopped me in my tracks and made me go ‘wow’ – and in all honesty that wasn’t the most practical bike – you certainly couldn’t pop to the shops on it!
However, that changed recently when I saw the Urtopia Chord e-bike for the first time. It looked absolutely stunning in white, and whilst the look of an ebike should not really have any bearing on whether you buy it (performance, price and comfort are much more important), the Chord really tugged at my heartstrings. Whilst writing this, I realize I must be a little bit crazy.
Urtopia Chord E-Bike The Chord E-Bike – Overview
Unlike other electric-assisted bicycles on the market today, Chord’s shape and design immediately stands out.
You can purchase the bike with either a white (our favourite) or black frame with the look complemented by a sleek black battery embedded into the top tube. The battery is very nicely integrated into the Chord and makes it difficult to tell that this is an e-bike at first glance. We’ve not seen a battery in the top-tube before, and this certainly makes it easier to remove the battery for charging without bending down. It also provides better protection against rain water seepage compared with mounting on the down tube like other manufacturers typically do.
Key Specifications
Novel Features
The Chord is the first electric bike we’ve heard of which gets ‘over the air’ updates in a similar way to a Tesla car. The SmartBar control unit which sits between the handlebars contains an esim card which allows it to receive firmware updates from Urtopia as they create new features and improvements. No need to plug it in or take it to a dealer for your next upgrade.
The in-built GPS system allows Google Maps navigation on the screen without having to use a mount for your phone – this is very welcome for us. There’s also AI voice control and haptic feedback – the handlebars actually vibrate to let you know that you’ve done something like change gear or turn left or right.
The display is really interesting. It has a ‘dot-matrix’ retro style which is easy to read even under bright sunlight. Coupled with the GPS, you can track your routes or show energy (calorie) consumption, mileage, power level and even the upcoming weather!
Anti-Theft
The GPS also allows the bike to issue alerts to its owner if it gets tampered with or moved. This is a really great feature, and helps owners chain their bike up with confidence and not be worried that it will disappear without them knowing.
The alarm system uses the GPS as well as accelerometers and gyroscopes built into the Chord which detect sudden movement. This will then send alerts to your phone, letting you know if there’s a problem – very nice!
Drivetrain and Brakes
In the UK and EU, the Chord comes with a 250W hub motor in the real wheel, powered by a 360Wh battery. The battery uses Samsung cells with fast charging – it only takes 3 hours to fully top up from 0>100%.
There are five power modes, ranging from simple pedal-assist Eco up to the mighty turbo mode. You can easily get up to the limited speed of 16mph and beyond if you don’t mind pedalling a bit harder. The weight of the bike is a very reasonable 21kg in total, with the battery being 2.2kg of it.
Gearing is 8-speed Shimano with decent sports-grade shifters and a 50-tooth cog at the front. Smallest cog at the back is 12-tooth which gives a great set of ratios for even the toughest climbs.
In terms of the power delivery itself, I was certainly impressed by the push you get in the back from the motor. There’s a maximum torque of 45 Nm which is pretty good for what is a fairly well-priced electric bike. Full Tektro hydraulic disc brakes also allow you to stop in plenty of time, even in wet conditions.
The Chord has standard 700C road bike wheels which give it great rolling ability and make it easy to buy replacement tubes and tyres when required.
Accessories
Urtopia have included a kickstand for the Chord as well as nice-looking mudguards at the front and back. It’s possible to buy front and rear racks if required with panniers for each – great if you fancy a bit of touring.
In Use
The Chord really impressed us with its comfort, and we quickly got used to some of the gadgets available. In particular, I really liked the SmartBar control box which offers fingerprint unlocking and Bluetooth music playback as well as language control.
During my week with Chord, I found myself particularly enjoying its Bluetooth music playing feature; while cycling along a scenic lake in my local park, I could connect my phone to Chord’s handlebar and have my favorite songs play through it effortlessly. I’m not sure the people out walking were quite so impressed with my Iron Maiden playlist though!
Navigating around is also made easier by SmartBar’s built-in navigation functions, eliminating any need for smartphone holders on handlebars which could potentially cause safety hazards during riding. Urtopia promises more exciting projects coming up soon as they are always innovating in their R&D labs, and can easily share the updates to eager owners.
Elegant Design
The Chord ebike is certainly an elegant machine which radiates sophistication. Designed with top-of-the-line craftsmanship, the bike is crafted with liquid metal casting technology and seamless finishing to create a sleek, smooth shape. The curved frame is accented by the combination of pearl white and matte black paint for a stylish look that stands out from other ebikes.
The gear ratio ranges from 4.5 to 1.5, making it versatile enough to accommodate different speeds while remaining light on its feet. The ergonomic design of the frame makes it comfortable to ride in any terrain or environment, so you can confidently cruise across California’s breathtaking coastlines or windy mountain roads without worry or fatigue.
Lighting
The Chord has in-built lights which send a projection onto the ground either side of the front wheel. This helps cars and other road-users see that you’re there.
There’s also a great rear light which is integrated into the electrics and so doesn’t need its own battery. This is all controllable by the SmartBar unit on the handlebars.
Sizing
I’m 6ft3 and found that the Chord was plenty big enough. I believe it can cater for people ranging from 170cm (5ft7) to 195cm (6ft5)
Urtopia Chord E-Bike 
Conclusions
The Chord ebike is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a stylish yet practical way to get around town or explore nature on two wheels. It has all the features necessary for a safe ride while being lightweight enough for easy transport between destinations – perfect for those who are always on the go.
With Urtopia’s dedication to environmental responsibility (paint is water-based instead of oil-based for improved air quality, and its packaging materials are 100% environmentally friendly and recyclable), there’s no doubt that this electric bike does so many things right that we think it’s destined to be a classic.
Urtopia Chord E-Bike 
