With its impressive list of features, unique design, and smart connectivity, the Urtopia Chord is one of the most beautiful and futuristic ebikes of 2023. The Chord is powered by a 350W brushless motor that provides pedal assist to a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) for a more relaxed ride and to help you climb steeper hills with ease. With a 36V 10.4Ah lithium-ion Samsung battery, Urtopia claims a range of 31–75 miles on a single charge, though if you're in higher power modes or tackling steeper hills, you can expect closer to 20-50 miles of real-world range.

But perhaps what best sets it apart from the other commuter ebikes in this class, is its smart connectivity.

Similar to the Urtopia Carbon 1, the Chord comes equipped with a matrix dot display that can connect to your smartphone via an app using Bluetooth. Their app allows you to track your speed, distance, and battery life, as well as adjust the bike's volume level and haptic feedback. With its built-in SIM card, you can even use the app to perform software updates, monitor the bike's location, and even lock/unlock the bike remotely, adding a layer of protection beyond.

To turn the bike on or off it uses a fingerprint sensor... Yes, the Chord even has biometric security.

Of course, all of these features come at a price. The Urtopia Chord ebike is currently priced at $1,999, which is quite steep, especially considering there are several more powerful and rugged Class-2 ebikes, such as the Velotric Nomad 1 which can cost $500 less. However, considering the bike's impressive lightweight frame and smart connectivity, it might be an attractive choice for some riders who prioritize tech and design.

Urtopia also frequently discounts its bikes. If you catch it at $600 off the asking price, the Urtopia Chord is a much more competitive choice and easier to recommend as a beautiful and reliable commuter bike. 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. It features a sleek, minimalist frame made from lightweight aluminum alloy that weighs 46lbs (20.1kg) with an overall length of 1800mm. The frame is constructed using a sophisticated liquid forging method, a unique approach compared to traditional welding. This technique not only makes the frame stronger and more durable but also gives it a more seamless appearance that adds to its premium feel.

Keeping everything clean, the Chord has internal routing of its cables, which further hides that this is an ebike. It's not quite as stealthy as the VanPowers 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. The step-through model features a lower frame that makes it easier to get on and off the bike, while the high-step model has a more traditional frame design with a higher top tube. Both models are available in either black or white. The black model has a modern look, while the white model has a more classic and timeless appearance.

You can see Chord's inspiration from the piano. The battery is finished in gloss black and is housed in the top tube, which mimics the keys of a piano. We also see this black-and-white contrast with its wheels, with a white stripe running the length of the tires' center as well as with its chain guard too.

You'll also find a few locations where they've added the Chord's signature logo, adding to its premium look.

Urtopia also offers a number of first-party accessories and add-ons to further customize your ride. 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 can also purchase an additional battery for $449.

The bike's adjustable saddle and handlebars add comfort and versatility. You can easily adjust the height and angle of the saddle and handlebars to find the perfect riding position.

One downside, however, is that the Chord lacks a quick release for adjusting your seat height and instead requires an hex key, which isn't convenient when you want to make adjustments along a ride. Similarly, this saddle is still best suited for road riding as it doesn't absorb bumps very well.

One thing that some riders may not love about the Urtopia Chord ebike is its lack of suspension. The bike has a rigid fork and no rear suspension, which means you'll feel bumps and vibrations more than you would on a bike with suspension. However, the bike's 27.5-inch wheels help absorb some shock, though its saddle isn't as comfortable as I would have liked.

Lighting

The Chord has a front LED headlight built into its display module. Long pressing the left control activates or turns it off. 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.

More impressive, the rear taillights have projectors built-in, illuminating a yellow and white Urtopia logo mirrored on each side of the rear tire.

Just as with the Urtopia Carbon 1, the turn signals are activated by double tapping the right or left button on the controls, which is a clever feature that I appreciate and feel should be standard on all bikes. These lights increase your visibility at night and help you make safe turns and lane changes. You can also long-press the down button to activate a hazard lighting mode which flashes your rear tail light and the projector lights.

Performance

The bike is powered by a 350W brushless motor with a torque of 45NM. Whether you're commuting to work, running errands around town, or taking a leisurely ride on the weekend, the Urtopia Chord has plenty of power for more casual city riding. Compared to the Carbon 1, the Chord is actually more powerful at 45NM vs 35NM, and features gearing.

The Chord uses a Shimano 8-speed drivetrain for shifting. There are four speed modes: Pedal, Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Turbo. 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. The motor also provides a decent amount of torque, which is especially helpful when climbing hills. Smaller inclines are effortless with the Chord; however, steeper ones will still require you to drop a few gears and put some extra push into your pedaling.

Range and Battery

The Urtopia Chord uses a removable Samsung 36V 10.4Ah lithium-ion battery, one of the best in its class.

With this battery, you can ride for about 30-70 miles on a single charge, depending on the power assist level and your riding style.

This is a good range for an electric bike, and it means you can ride all day without worrying about running out of battery. While riding in Turbo mode with an average speed of 16 mph, with a mix of flat and hilly roads, we estimate a more realistic range of 25–45 miles.

With its key lock, the battery is also removable, which makes it easy to charge remotely if needed or store indoors for added security. This is especially convenient if you live in an apartment or don't have access to a power outlet near your bike or if you leave your bike parked outside overnight. You can take the battery inside and charge it overnight, then reattach it to the bike in the morning.

You can fully charge the battery in about 2.5 hours, which is extremely fast for this capacity. This is thanks to their 36V 4A charger, which is nearly twice as large as most other ebike brands, usually 36V 2A. This makes packing the charger less convenient, but when the charger is set up in a permanent location, those improved charging speeds will be appreciated.

Matrix Display

The Chord features a retro-style LED dot-matrix screen that provides real-time cycling metrics in a way that is easy to read, clear, and bright enough even under direct sunlight. This display allows riders to switch between multiple screens, including accessing real-time data on calorie burn, cycling mileage, power, weather, and more. 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. 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. I would prefer a more informative display to keep track of my battery usage and avoid running out of power during a ride.

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. While some electric bikes have a basic display that shows speed and battery life, the Urtopia Chord takes things to the next level with its Bluetooth-enabled controller and smartphone app. This allows you to not only track your ride stats in real-time but also control various aspects of the bike from your phone.

Long pressing the middle button allows you to give voice commands to the bike. You can say things like turn the lights on or off, which might help keep your concentration on the road, though I find it just as easy to press the controls for the dedicated setting or mode I need.

One of the most useful features of the app is the ability to lock/unlock the bike remotely. This means you can keep your bike secure even if you're not physically near it. If you're running into a store or stopping for lunch, you can lock your bike with the app and rest easy, knowing it's safe and secure. 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. You can set a goal for distance, time, or calories burned, and the app will track your progress and provide feedback along the way.

The Chord's Bluetooth connectivity feature also lets you connect your phone and play music through the bike's speakers. While it's a fun idea to have a portable speaker always with you on your ride, I found the speaker quality to be lacking. It's difficult to hear the music while riding, especially when going above 8 mph or with any amount of wind. Even at lower speeds, the sound quality is mediocre at best. It feels like another example of the manufacturer trying to pack in too many features without ensuring they are all functional or practical.

Another unique benefit is that you can perform updates over its LTE SIM card connection. For example, if there's a new firmware update that improves the bike's battery life or performance, you can easily download and install it without taking the bike to a shop. The ability to perform over-the-air upgrades for firmware is a huge advantage, as it ensures that the bike stays up to date with the latest software improvements and bug fixes. In my time reviewing the Chord, I had a day-one update that calibrated the battery to provide a better and more accurate range.

Too Much Tech?

While I'm impressed with the smart features of the Urtopia Chord ebike, I encountered a few issues during my use. Firstly, the fingerprint reader didn't always work correctly. 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. Although this isn't surprising, it makes it difficult if not impossible, to unlock the bike or change settings while riding in the rain or damp conditions. On a similar note, I noticed that some moisture seems to have been trapped in the display that I can't clear out.

A more common issue I experienced was with the "smart" bell. While it's easy enough to reach, it wasn't as reliable as a physical bell. Despite being louder, there was often a delay in the bell ringing after I clicked it, which could be a safety concern if it didn't alert others in a timely manner.

Finally, I had difficulties pairing the smartphone app to the bike via its iOS app, which made it challenging to access some of the bike's customizations and track riding stats. Although I was eventually able to pair my phone to the bike after several attempts, the connection wasn't consistent each time. I frequently had to completely deactivate the bike from my account and then re-pair the Chord for the app to connect to the bike at all. While the smart features of the Urtopia Chord are undoubtedly impressive (when they work), I feel like they're adding too much tech where it's not necessarily needed or valuable. I'm hoping a future firmware or app update resolves these concerns.

An Elegant Commuter

Overall, the Urtopia Chord E-Bike is an impressive electric bike with much to offer. With its powerful motor, long-lasting battery, sleek design, and smart connectivity, it's certain to be a hit with anyone looking for a reliable and stylish electric bike with unique connectivity options. Though its smart features still need more refinement, it's still in a league of its own with what it can offer.

More importantly, despite losing out on the carbon build, the Chord feels much more refined than the Carbon 1, with better power and a more competitive price. While the Chord is still on the pricey side, it might be worth the investment if you're serious about cycling and want a bike that can track your stats as well as allow you to keep tabs on it, even when you're away.