Urtopia Carbon Joy Review | Light, Simple, and Lots of Fun

Using the method explained above, our testers went 24.6 and 35.7 miles in our range tests on a single charge of the Carbon Joy’s 529-Wh battery. As shown in the graphic above, both distances were relatively short when compared to similar utility e-bikes our team has reviewed, though this was not unexpected due to the bike’s smaller-than-average battery.

At the time of writing, other utility bikes we tested averaged roughly 33 and 59 miles in this test while carrying batteries that averaged 703 Wh. So, while the Carbon Joy’s Eco and Turbo mode tests yielded respectively around 8.5 and 23.5 miles less than average, it also had roughly 174 Wh (about 25%) less battery capacity.

In truth, the bike did well for its specs. Based on the bike’s 500W motor and 529-Wh battery, we calculated an estimate of 18.4 miles and 64 minutes of ride time for our Turbo mode test. Its real-world results exceeded our expectations by roughly 6 miles and 20 minutes, showing a 34% increase in efficiency that is potentially due to its torque sensor.

While the Carbon Joy did fairly well for its specs in this test, we recommend that Urtopia revises their advertised range estimate. At the time of writing, which is in the pre-launch period for the bike, the brand claims up to 70 miles of range. Our testing shows that this estimate is hopeful, and we would expect most riders to share similar figures to what we achieved.

Keep in mind that our testing was done with the bike set to Class 2 speeds and without carrying cargo on the rack; users should expect fewer miles when riding faster or carrying extra weight. The bike does include a 4-amp fast charger, so when a recharge is necessary, it should only take a little over 3.5 hours.

The Carbon Joy had mixed results in our Hill Test, which uses the process explained in the graphic above. The bike was unable to complete the test using its throttle, but it was successful in helping our test rider, Justin, reach the top of the hill when pedaling in Turbo mode.

Justin completed the pedal portion of the test in 1:41, which is well below average for the utility e-bike category. At the time of writing, this style of e-bike averages 1:18. The Carbon Joy’s time is not unexpected, however, considering its relatively low motor output and the bike’s resultingly natural, analog-like feel.

Urtopia’s motor peaks at 750W with just 33 Newton meters (Nm) of torque. This torque rating is among the lowest we’ve seen (other utility e-bikes we’ve tested range from 60-90 Nm), which explains the Carbon Joy’s slower climbing time.

Considering that some other e-bikes have taken upwards of 2:30 to complete the pedal portion of our Hill Test, we feel the Carbon Joy did its job effectively despite its incomplete result in the throttle test.

Case in point: I tested the bike at our secondary location, called “Pilot Hill,” which is less intense than Hell Hole Trail but still a big enough hill that most cyclists walk up. I had to pedal actively to reach the top, so the experience was a light workout, but the motor was helpful enough that I wasn’t out of breath at the end of the test.

More importantly, the throttle was powerful enough to climb Pilot Hill (admittedly, it wasn’t the fastest), so it should do well for riders on small- to average-sized hills.

Considering that Urtopia seems to be gearing its marketing toward seniors and those newer to e-bikes, we encourage the company to choose a motor with a higher torque rating in the future. This change would give riders who live in hilly areas an easier pedaling experience and a more capable throttle.

Otherwise, our test showed that the bike is suitable for riders who are comfortable with active pedaling.

We tested the Carbon Joy’s Tektro hydraulic disc brake system using the method described above. The bike’s average stopping distance was a remarkably impressive 18’3”, making it one of the best-performing utility e-bikes we’ve put through this test!

For perspective, other bikes in the utility category averaged 20’4” when braking, so the Urtopia’s stopping distance was just over 2 feet shorter than average.

Weight is a major contributing factor to braking performance; typically, the heavier a bike is, the harder it is to slow down. Utility-style e-bikes are often much heavier than the Carbon Joy—the category’s average is 74.8 pounds at the time of writing—making the Urtopia slightly over 15 pounds lighter than average.

As such a (relatively) lightweight e-bike, it makes sense that its stopping distance would also be shorter than average.

In my personal testing of the Carbon Joy, I thought its brakes felt great. The system had a powerful-but-not-too-aggressive stopping force and overall good modulation. Based on its overall feel and performance data, we give the bike an emphatic two thumbs up in this test!

In the intro section of this review, I briefly mentioned the Carbon Joy’s nimble handling and responsive PAS. These factors are core elements of how the bike feels to ride, but they are pieces of a larger whole. In this section, I will discuss many of the bike’s other qualities and address one point of critique.

To expand on the Carbon Joy’s handling, it has an airy and energetic feel when riding that is a natural side effect of its lightweight frame. Combined with small 20” wheels, a relatively short wheelbase, and 3” wide mid-fat tires, it maneuvers quickly and can turn on a dime.

The bike’s pedal assist system responds quickly to changes in pedal pressure while delivering power smoothly; there are no jarring surges or abrupt halts in motor output. As hinted at in our Speed Test section, the bike’s four PAS settings offer an approachable selection of well-balanced power levels with varying degrees of ease.

The Carbon Joy’s carbon fiber frame is made in a single size that Urtopia advertises as suitable for riders from 5’0” to 6’3”. To tailor the bike’s fit, it features an adjustable stem with 60° of rotation to alter the handlebar height and reach. It also has a dual-telescoping seatpost with roughly 10” of saddle height adjustment.

At 5’11”, I found myself splitting the range of adjustment at the stem and seatpost to find a comfortable fit. The extended seatpost had plenty of length to provide full leg extension, but even at its highest point, the adjustable stem placed the handlebars somewhat awkwardly low.

Additionally, the fact that the adjustable stem routes the bike’s cables through the headset means that finding a taller replacement option may be difficult. As such, the Carbon Joy is likely best suited for riders of short to average height.

We tested a pre-production model with a few differences from the final version of the bike. Most notably, the production model will have a softer suspension fork and handlebars with 24° of backsweep instead of a stiffer suspension fork and handlebars with only 15° of backsweep.

Without experiencing the production model’s feel, it’s difficult to comment on the changes. With that in mind, our suspension fork did feel noticeably stiff, so I think there’s a good chance that the final version of the bike will be more comfortable overall.

I liked the feel of the handlebars and saddle (the production model will also have a brown saddle instead of the black one on our test bike). The pedals can be easily replaced, but I would have preferred studded aluminum platforms to the plastic pedals with grip tape that are standard.

Simplicity is another highlight of the Carbon Joy; its cockpit is uncluttered, with only a small control panel, bell, throttle lever, and trigger-style shifter. I found the stem-mounted color display appealing, and I liked that its angle could be easily adjusted for visibility. Its color-coded PAS settings were also a nice touch.

Overall, I think the Carbon Joy’s ride quality is solid despite the bike’s sizing limitations, and I believe it has a lot to offer for those who value agility, responsiveness, and overall ease of use.

Urtopia’s ChatGPT-enabled e-bike, the Carbon 1 Pro, earned the company a lot of buzz when it debuted. While I never had the chance to ride it, I saw that model and a few others at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas a little over a year before writing this review. I was intrigued by Urtopia’s approach; it was clear that the brand wasn’t afraid to try new things.

My perspective hasn’t changed now that I’ve had the opportunity to review the Carbon Joy; it’s a utility e-bike that’s unlike most others we’ve tested. In general, I think Urtopia was successful in creating a lightweight, multipurpose cruiser, though the bike is not without its flaws.

The bike had somewhat mixed results in our series of performance tests, but its pros largely outweighed its cons. On the list of commendations, it displayed a responsive and intuitive pedal assist system with approachable power levels. It also had excellent braking power.

On the other hand, the Carbon Joy’s range was somewhat low for the utility category due to its smaller-than-average battery. And while the bike’s motor is not as powerful as those used by many similar e-bikes, it’s capable of helping riders conquer steep hills with active pedaling.

To make the bike more approachable and appealing to its intended audience, we encourage Urtopia to increase the torque on the next iteration of the bike. The current version, however, will likely be ideal for riders of short to medium height who prefer the sense of riding a non-electric bike—one that provides more payoff with less effort.

While not as overtly high-tech as some of the company’s other models, the Carbon Joy prioritizes simplicity, functionality, and, most importantly, a fun user experience. It’s not overly complicated, and it doesn’t need to be; like many of the best cargo and utility e-bikes, we think it would make a solid commuter, errand-runner, leisure bike, or a combination of the three!

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 Joy down in our comments section.