Urtopia Carbon 1 Step-Thru Review | A Tech-Savvy, Lightweight Ride

Typically, bikes that earn the “lightweight” label often carry smaller batteries, but that doesn’t mean they can’t deliver practical range depending on your needs.

For the Carbon 1 Step-Thru, we ran two range tests using its Class 2 settings. The first was in max assist, the second in the mid-power mode. (The lowest setting, in our experience, didn’t add much — it mostly just took the edge off climbs in the stock setup.)

With max power (PAS 3), the bike was able to ride for 24.7 miles. In PAS 2, it was able to travel 35 miles.

When stacked against similar bikes in our database (models with 300-400Wh batteries and 250-500W hub motors), the Carbon 1 ST compared well. On the low-power test it used 10 watts per mile, close to the 9 watt average (though, keep in mind, most of those other tests were run in a bike’s lowest setting). On the max power test, where all bikes are pushed to their limit at 20 mph, it stood out with 14.3 Wh per mile compared to the 16.8 Wh average.

Put simply, its low weight gives it a clear edge in efficiency, so it maximizes its range with what it has to work with. Whether the actual range is sufficient will depend on your riding needs, but in terms of power-to-mileage performance, the Carbon 1 ST outperforms most of its peers.

Charging is also quick thanks to the included 4A charger. With the 9.8Ah battery, a full recharge from empty takes only about 2.5 hours, and the removable battery makes finding a charging location a bit simpler.

Our hill test is designed to push e-bikes to their limits, and even with the Urtopia’s modest power (350W nominal, 750W peak, 60Nm torque), the Carbon 1 Step-Thru held its own. It reached the top in 2 minutes, 37 seconds, averaging 11.5 mph.

That’s one of the slower times we’ve recorded at our new test hill, but for a lightweight city cruiser like this, simply finishing the climb is the real win. The bike didn’t stall out or overheat, and the motor kept steady all the way up.

The performance matches its purpose: this isn’t a speed demon built for racing up steep grades—it’s designed to make everyday rides easier and more enjoyable. Riders facing daunting hills, such as the infamous 27% grade of Lombard Street, may want to look elsewhere.

For riders facing routine hills on commutes or neighborhood rides, the Carbon 1 ST has enough power to get you up in relative ease, and it can still trudge up tougher climbs when needed.

If you need that extra boost, you can also engage Turbo mode. In my testing, this feature helps on hills by about 10% more (though it might be best for limited use to avoid draining the battery).

Braking is handled by a set of 2-piston calipers with 160mm rotors—a common setup for lightweight e-bikes. In testing, the Carbon 1 Step-Thru came to a stop in an average distance of 23’9”, compared to 23’4” for similar bikes.

That’s slightly longer than average, but still within a safe and effective range. Larger rotors would add extra bite—especially for riders closer to the upper weight limit—but even as a heavier tester, I found the stopping performance reliable and confidence-inspiring.

Bottom line: the brakes are plenty safe, but something a little more robust would be on my wishlist for the Carbon 2 ST one day.

The Carbon 1 Step-Thru may be packed with tech, but let’s start with the basics.

At 41 lbs (36 lbs without the battery), the frame feels refreshingly light for a cruiser. We’ve seen 10 to 30 lbs heavier in this category. That makes it agile on the road and much easier to maneuver in a garage or onto a hitch rack. Urtopia also gives buyers some variety with four color options: Glacier Blue, Creme, Matte Black, and Charcoal Grey.

The geometry leans toward smaller riders, with a short reach and wheelbase. It will best suit heights up to about 5’8” (though Urtopia officially lists 5’1”–6’1”). The upright posture, swept-back bars, and plush saddle make for a comfortable ride, even without suspension, while the sharper steering of the narrower wheelbase provides quicker handling than most cruisers.

The drivetrain provides enough gearing for casual up- and downhill riding, and mounts for a rear rack or fork accessories add useful versatility. The Kenda 700C x 40C tires balance speed with light grip. They’re fast-rolling on pavement, but steady enough for crushed stone paths (though not intended for full gravel riding).

Where things get more futuristic is in the tech. The LED dot-matrix display is integrated directly into the bars. It shows ride data, battery, and even one-hour weather forecasts. It’s sunlight-visible but not always the easiest to decipher at a glance. Key components like the display, headlight, and control pad are fixed in place, though you can fine-tune bar height with spacers.

Voice controls are clever, though sometimes more novelty than necessity. Telling the bike to change assist levels or toggle lights takes longer than pressing a button, but raising speaker volume mid-ride works only by voice, so there’s some real utility.

The Urtopia app unlocks deeper customization: tuning PAS assist levels, tracking rides, and connecting with other riders. You can also customize sounds for PAS levels or the electronic horn, or simply turn them off if it feels like too much stimulation.

It also manages the bike’s 4G features, which are included for the first year and $39 annually after—a fair price considering the security benefits that will protect your investment.

Security is a standout. Riders can power on the bike with a fingerprint or the app. Motion alarms, geo-fencing, and built-in GPS tracking add peace of mind and make the Carbon 1 ST harder to walk off with than most e-bikes.

The Urtopia Carbon 1 Step-Thru delivers a refreshingly light and enjoyable cruiser experience. While the smart features will grab most of the attention, the foundation is a solid ride: the carbon frame keeps it nimble, the handling is sharp, and the motor runs quietly with smooth engagement and enough power to make it fun on flat sections, and hills feel approachable.

Its tech package includes some genuinely cool functions and a handful that lean towards gimmicky, but you can embrace or ignore them as much as you’d like. The security features, however, stand out as practical and reassuring, making it one of the more theft-conscious e-bikes you’ll find.

Fit is where compromises show; taller and heavier riders may find it limiting. But for those within its sweet spot, the Carbon 1 ST offers an easygoing, stylish cruiser with a surprisingly classic ride feel wrapped in a modern, tech-forward package.

It’s a bike that blends old-school cruiser comfort with new-school connectivity—a best-of-both-worlds option for the right rider

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 1 Step-Thru down in our comments section.