Urtopia Carbon Fold ST Review | Refreshingly Light

At 252Wh, this is one of the smaller battery packs you’ll find on an e-bike, so range is inevitably going to be lower than average. That said, I was less interested in raw distance and more curious about how the Carbon Fold ST would perform with the battery it has—especially given some of its built-in efficiency advantages. On that front, it didn’t disappoint.

In our max-power test with the bike set to Turbo, it covered 15.3 miles. Switched to Eco, the lightest assistance level, it stretched that to 35.1 miles.

Whether those numbers feel strong or limiting is largely a matter of perspective. Looking instead at watt-hours used per mile tells a more encouraging story. The Carbon Fold ST averaged 7.2 Wh/mile in Eco and 15.3 Wh/mile in Turbo. For context, folding e-bike averages sit closer to 11.4 Wh/mile and 20.6 Wh/mile, respectively. That comparison shows just how efficiently this bike uses the energy it has.

A big part of that comes down to weight—the Carbon Fold ST is significantly lighter than most of its peers—but Urtopia also made deliberate design choices that help. The torque sensor encourages efficient pedaling compared to cadence-based systems, and the 1.95-inch tires are far narrower than the 3-inch rubber many folding e-bikes favor. The result is a bike that truly makes the most of its available juice.

Since we’re on the topic of the battery, this is also a rare example of a seatpost battery I don’t hate. Larger versions often make their presence known over bumps, with weight concentrated in awkward places. Here, the bike felt no different than a typical riding experience, which is a welcome surprise.

One small nitpick: the charge port is located under the saddle. It’s a bit awkward to access and to pull the barrel connector out. It’s not a major issue, but it did stand out as a minor inconvenience rather than a deal-breaker.

Massive hills aren’t the Carbon Fold ST’s bread and butter, but it’s more capable than you might expect—and it did manage to summit our test hill.

In throttle-only testing, the bike didn’t make it to the top, tapping out just shy of halfway up, which is where many similar bikes bow out. It’s not the first 250W motor to fall short here, and it certainly won’t be the last.

With pedaling in Turbo, however, the Carbon Fold ST was able to complete the climb. It reached the top in 2:40, averaging 11.3 mph. That places it on the slower end of our Devil’s Backbone results, but context matters. For a climb that steep and sustained, maintaining an 11.3 mph average is still a respectable showing, and not something I’m inclined to knock.

Overall, the bike can manage hills when needed. It’s best suited for urban environments without a lot of sustained steep climbs, and riders looking for more hill-crushing performance might want to look at options like the Urtopia Carbon Classic instead. Still, for a lightweight folding e-bike, this performance is perfectly acceptable.

Our brake test couldn’t have gone much better for the Carbon Fold ST. It stopped in just 17 feet, 8 inches. That puts it among the top 15 braking performances I’ve recorded—and that’s out of more than 280 bikes tested as the resident braking-department guy.

Several factors are working in the bike’s favor. Hydraulic brakes are a plus, even if the 160mm rotors are on the smaller side by today’s standards. With just 37 pounds of bike to bring to a halt, smaller 20-inch wheels, a road-style tread that maximizes contact patch traction, and a very low center of gravity that keeps most of the mass close to the ground, the Carbon Fold ST delivered an exceptional result.

The Tektro brakes proved as reliable as sunrise, performing consistently across all the miles we put on the bike. As an added safety bonus, the rear light includes an integrated brake light to signal to others when you’re slowing down.

The execution of the Carbon Fold ST is genuinely impressive. You can find faster bikes or more versatile ones, but for what this bike is trying to be, the end result is a great ride.

The frame is made from Toray carbon fiber, which is both very stiff and impressively light. Flex is minimal for a step-thru folding design, and the bike handles confidently. Urtopia also nailed the geometry of the large folding stem, angling it back toward the rider to allow a natural bend in the elbows. Some folders force a more upright, perpendicular position that stretches the reach and makes handling feel twitchy. That’s not the case here. The narrow handlebars and 20-inch wheels feel agile instead, resulting in responsive, fun handling.

The frame looks sharp as well. It has a 14-inch step-over height in the frame itself (closer to 16.5 inches in practice due to the large chainring) and comes in blue or white. The overall design is sleek, and the folding feature works smoothly, taking a minute or less once you get the hang of it. I also appreciate the internal sleeve that protects cables from getting pinched when the bike is folded.

The small details really add up. The seatpost collar and folding stem use wide, easy-to-grab latches that don’t dig into your fingers. The handlebar raises and rotates into position easily, and overall, the bike is full of thoughtful touches that contribute to a smoother, more refined experience.

Is it perfect? No. The charging port under the saddle isn’t the most convenient access I’ve used, and I still prefer designs that plug directly into the back of the seatpost battery. That said, it’s more of a mild inconvenience than a true annoyance.

The included lighting and fenders are welcome additions, and the display is easy to see and interact with without feeling intrusive. Touch points are mostly solid. The grips use a standard ergonomic shape, and the saddle strikes a nice balance between sporty and plush. It even includes a hidden spot underneath for an AirTag if you want added tracking.

There are two accessories that don’t come standard but can be purchased separately: a throttle and a rear rack. I’d recommend the throttle and wish it were included out of the box. The rack may make sense for some riders, but it’s worth noting that the bike’s 220-pound payload capacity is lower than average, so a full-size rider plus gear could approach the limit. The rack’s placement can also obstruct the taillight when loaded, which is something to keep in mind.

Overall, I’m impressed with how this bike feels. The responsive motor, lightweight carbon frame, and narrow tires come together for a pedal experience that’s quicker and more engaging than it first appears—and when the ride’s over, it’s genuinely easy to fold up and put away.

I tend to think there are two types of folding bikes: those built around portability and storage as the core idea, and those that just happen to fold without that being central to their identity.

Urtopia’s Carbon Fold ST clearly falls into the first camp. It’s a purpose-built folding e-bike, with a strong emphasis on low weight and a sleek design that makes it far easier to manage than most of the competition.

It’s also a genuinely fun bike to ride. The carbon frame and compact layout give it spritely handling that feels right at home zipping around urban environments. It rides comfortably, can handle the occasional steep climb when needed, and really shines as a city-friendly way to get around.

There are some limitations to keep in mind. The weight capacity is lower than average, and the motor is more modest than what you’ll find on heavier folding e-bikes. That said, don’t overthink it. If the fit works for you, your terrain is a good match, and you want a folding e-bike that isn’t a chore to lift and live with, the Carbon Fold ST is a strong option—and a solid value for what you’re getting.

Happy Riding! Make sure to let us know if you have any questions or if you think we left anything out in this review of the Urtopia Carbon Fold ST down in our comments section.