Urtopia Carbon Atom E-Bike Review: Lightweight, Versatile, and Fun
A carbon fiber frame, powerful motor, and excellent range move this e-bike to the head of the class.
Image Caption: Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
It has been fun to watch the evolution of e-bikes over the past few years. A decade ago, these bikes were hampered by limited range and exorbitant prices. But today, there are models for nearly every budget, making them more accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, improvements in battery technology and motor efficiency have increased range and power dramatically, with weight dropping significantly, too. Which brings us to the new Urtopia Carbon Atom, which benefits from all of these trends to deliver a high-quality option that should be on the short list for anyone currently shopping for an e-bike.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
The Carbon Advantage
If you know anything about the bike industry, you probably already know that carbon fiber is one of the top materials used in manufacturing bike frames. That’s because it is very lightweight, yet remains tough and durable, while offering a stiffer ride. It can also be molded into very aerodynamic shapes, or in the case of an e-bike, efficient shapes for housing the important components. The downside of carbon fiber is that it is, of course, more expensive than other materials, such as aluminum or steel.
The benefits mentioned above are quickly evident in the Urtopia Carbon Atom, as it weighs just 58 lbs, which is lighter than almost every other model in its class. The bike’s frame is also good-looking and functional, with a step-through design that still manages to look slick and sporty. The bike’s two-tone paint scheme further assists in this endeavor, as our test model features an olive and black design that is definitely eye-catching.
Of course, as noted above, using carbon fiber to build the frame does increase the price of the bike to a degree. The Carbon Atom has an MSRP of $2,499, which is actually surprisingly competitive considering everything it brings to the table. Yes, you’ll have no problem finding less expensive e-bikes to buy, but chances are they’ll be heavier, clunkier, and less fun to ride. And in addition to the carbon fiber frame, Urtopia’s high-quality construction definitely makes it worth the slightly higher cost.
The lighter weight of this bike brings an additional advantage for RVers or other riders who take their e-bikes with them when they travel. Because it weighs just 58 lbs, it is easier to find bike racks that can support the Carbon Atom while in transit. Heavier e-bikes are more challenging to take with you and usually demand a heavy-duty rack that also comes with a premium price tag.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Components and Specs
There is a lot to love about the Carbon Atom, aside from its good-looking and lightweight frame. For instance, the bike is equipped with an 835Wh removable lithium-ion battery that gives it a range of up to 95 miles on a single charge. Anyone who has ever ridden an e-bike will tell you that range estimates are just that—an estimate. The weight of the rider, type of terrain, weather conditions, pedal assist level, and other variables can all impact just how far you can actually ride before depleting the battery. That said, our test model was easily able to achieve a riding distance of 75 miles, with some juice left over, before we recharged the power cell. That’s pretty impressive considering this reviewer is is over 6’ 2” in height, weighs over 200 lbs, and lives in a hilly location.
The Carbon Atom’s 750W motor is also notable for its snappy response time and on-demand power. Unlike some other e-bikes we’ve tested, it provides instantaneous pedal assist across the three available assist modes, which include Eco, Tour, and Boost. To get the maximum range, you’ll want to stay in the lowest settings (Eco) most of the time, as each successive step up provides additional power at the expense of battery life. Switching between those settings is accomplished using a controller mounted on the bike’s handlebars, with the digital screen clearly indicating the current setting, how much energy is being used at any given time, and how much charge and range remain.
One of the best e-bike trends we’ve seen over the past year or so is the step up in quality for the more traditional bike components. Those include things like the chain, derailleur, gear cassette, and shifters, amongst other things. That trend continues with the Carbon Atom, which uses parts from Shimano. Don’t get me wrong, these components don’t compare to those found on a traditional high-end road or mountain bike, but they are also light years better than the cheap, clunky parts found on most e-bikes in the past. Shifting gears is smooth and effortless, and the bike rides much more efficiently thanks to these upgraded components, which generally improve the Carbon Atom’s performance and give it added versatility.
Photo Credit: Kraig Becker
Smooth, Fast, and Fun
With all of that context out of the way, let’s cut to the chase. Simply put, the Carbon Atom is a joy. The bike’s lighter weight makes it easier to pedal and improves agility and handling, too. A front suspension fork with 80 mm of travel, a suspension seatpost, and wide, puncture-resistant tires go a long way towards reducing the impact from bumps on the road and uneven terrain, too. This lowers rider fatigue, particularly on longer rides.
Urtopia includes a range of other nice features that further increase the Carbon Atom’s functionality out on the road. For instance, the bike comes with a bright headlight that aids visibility when riding in low-light conditions. It also has integrated turn signals and a responsive thumb throttle for those times when you simply don’t want to pedal at all. A built-in bell makes it easier to alert pedestrians or even cars to your presence, while the onboard LCD screen is bright, clear, and informative, even when wearing polarized sunglasses. The bike even has an IP65 water resistance rating, which means you shouldn’t worry too much about getting caught out in a rainstorm, but avoid fully immersing it in water.
My only one complaint about the e-bike is with its seat, which I found a bit uncomfortable on extended rides. It wasn’t outright bad, especially when riding shorter distances, but it did get a little bothersome the longer I rode. That said, there are a couple of things to keep in mind here. First, seat comfort on a bike is highly subjective. As someone who routinely rides a high-end road bike with a narrow seat, I know that what works for some people won’t work for others, and vice versa. I can say that the Carbon Atom’s seat is plush and well-padded, and may very well work just fine for you. But if it doesn’t, you can easily replace the seat with another that is more to your liking.
Photo Credit: Urtopia
Enjoy the Ride
That somewhat minor quibble aside, I can say that the Urtopia Carbon Atom is one of the best e-bikes we’ve tested in a long time. It features excellent build quality, it’s quick and easy to assemble, and it rides and handles like a dream. It has great components, excellent range, and plenty of thoughtful and functional features. It also happens to look great and its relatively low weight makes it easy to load on a bike rack or into an RV cargo bay.
As noted above, the bike does have a $2,499 price tag, which moves it out of the bargain e-bike category. Personally, I think that’s for the better, as the Carbon Atom delivers a refined riding experience and all-around great performance in a package that looks good and feels built to last. The step up in quality is so noticeable, in fact, that the bike offers considerable value for the price, making it very easy to recommend it to anyone currently in the market for an e-bike of their own.
Available in three accent colors—Moonlight, Copper, and Olive—the Carbon Atom is fully compatible with a range of Urtopia accessories, including front and rear racks, bottle cages, and more. This allows you to fully customize the bike to fit your needs and adds more utility to an already useful model.
To learn more about the Urtopia Carbon Atom, visit the company’s website.
Kraig Becker is a writer in the RV, outdoors, and adventure travel space. Over the course of his career he has contributed to such outlets as Popular Mechanics, Outside Online, Business Insider, TripSavvy, Digital Trends, GearJunkie, The Adventure Blog, and countless others. An avid runner and cyclist, he enjoys camping, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and just about any other outdoor activity. His travels have taken him to seven continents and on many amazing adventures.
