Bicycles

70-mile commuter ebike designed to conquer the concrete jungle

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The UrbanGlide commuter ebike comes with a 70-mile battery and 500-W motor for pedal-assist up to 20 mph
Vanpowers
The UrbanGlide commuter ebike comes with a 70-mile battery and 500-W motor for pedal-assist up to 20 mph
Vanpowers
The UrbanGlide Ultra and Pro models are each offered with a small or large step-through frame, while the Standard edition comes in small only
Vanpowers
The UrbanGlide Ultra features a 500-W Bafang mid-drive motor with responsive torque sensing
Vanpowers
The UrbanGlide Ultra's rear cargo rack is rated to haul up to 25 kg (55 lb) of gear
Vanpowers
The UrbanGlide commuter ebikes each come with a large Bluetooth-enabled TFT display and can be paired with a companion app "that tracks every ride you take and monitors the condition of your ebike in real-time, helping you get an optimal cycling experience"
Vanpowers
The included rear rack has a built-in braking tail-light
Vanpowers
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California-based ebike maker Vanpowers – the company behind the novel City Vanture and the capable fat-tire Manidae eMTB – has announced the UrbanGlide, a 70-mile commuter pitched as "a precision-built, high-torque, smooth-powered bike."

"We created UrbanGlide specifically for commuters navigating the concrete jungle," said the company's Darik Duan. "This is their tool – and toy. Every component – from the hydraulic brakes, powerful motor, the suspension fork, the ultra-comfortable suspension seatpost and saddle, the long-range battery, etc – was carefully considered. We are proud to have created a safe, reliable, cutting-edge ebike that city dwellers will prefer to their cars."

The new commuter ebike is available in three variants, with the UrbanGlide Ultra model claiming the top spot in the range. It rocks a 500-W Bafang M600 mid-drive motor for 95 Nm (70 lb.ft) of torque and pedal-assist to 20 mph (32 km/h) over five power modes. There's an onboard torque sensor that responds to input at the pedal for more responsive assistance from the motor, and a nine-speed Microshift RD-M26L derailleur for ride flexibility.

The UrbanGlide Ultra features a 500-W Bafang mid-drive motor with responsive torque sensing
Vanpowers

The 6061 aluminum alloy step-through frame is available in small or large, and is home to a 690-Wh (48-V) downtube battery that's reckoned good for up to 70 miles (112.6 km) of per-charge riding. A Zoom hydraulic suspension fork with 80 mm of travel and a Zoom suspension seat post are onboard to help smooth out uneven terrain.

The ebike rolls on 27.5-inch double-wall alloy rims wearing 2.2-inch Kenda tires rocking reflective sidewalls, and stopping power is provided by Tektro HD-E350 hydraulic brakes with 180-mm rotors.

A 3.5-inch color LCD display with adaptive brightness and cooked-in Bluetooth is mounted to the Urban Cruiser handlebar secured to an adjustable stem, the Ultra includes an 80-lux headlight and braking tail-light built into the 25-kg-capacity rear rack, and like all of the models in the range, it works with a companion mobile app.

The UrbanGlide Ultra's rear cargo rack is rated to haul up to 25 kg (55 lb) of gear
Vanpowers

The UrbanGlide Pro shares much with the Ultra, but Vanpowers has swapped the mid-drive motor for a non-Bafang hub motor and treated this model to a thumb throttle in addition to torque-sensing pedal-assist. The ebike also loses a gear, sporting an eight-speed Microshift derailleur instead of nine, and it features a different cassette and chain. And unspecified hydraulic brakes replace the Tektro stoppers.

The cheapest of the trio is the UrbanGlide Standard, which appears to ride with the same hub motor as the Pro, and also rocks a thumb throttle, but it features a speed sensor in place of a more responsive torque sensor. This flavor rolls with a Shimano TZ-500 seven-speed derailleur, and again the cassette/chain differ.

The battery is the same as the other two models, as are the TFT display, rims and tires (though it does have a solid-axle front hub, where the other ebikes have thru-axle), and the handlebar trickles through but the stem isn't adjustable.

The frame is available in small only, the suspension fork is not hydraulic, and the ebike features mechanical disc braking instead of hydraulic.

The UrbanGlide Ultra and Pro models are each offered with a small or large step-through frame, while the Standard edition comes in small only
Vanpowers

The UrbanGlide Ultra has a list price of US$2,499, but riders can take advantage of a $300 pre-order discount promotion until July 14. The UrbanGlide Pro comes in at $1,899 ($250 discount until July 14), and the UrbanGlide Standard model lists at $1,299 (or $200 off until July 14).

"In addition to building the most comfortable commuter bike on the market, we’ve also created the industry’s best warranty and repair system," added Duan. "We don’t think our riders will need it; but, in case they do, we’ve made getting help as accessible as possible. Vanservice, our upgraded after-sale program, has your back. When you want help from Vanpowers, it’s a hassle-free experience. You schedule repairs online. We can even come to your home to fix your bike."

Riders in Denver this weekend can stop by the company booth at the National E-Bike B2B2C Trade and Consumer Show at the Colorado Convention Center to see the UrbanGlide range in person. For the rest of us, the promo video below has more.

Product page: UrbanGlide

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3 comments
TechGazer
I'm not sure what sort of problems in urban biking that this is supposed to "conquer". What are the main reasons that people don't bike to their destination? I expect that bad weather, bad drivers, and clothing limitations (don't want to damage a nice suit, and skirts/dresses are right out) would top the list. An electric scooter would probably solve those problems better. Unless your urban travel involves steep hills, I don't see the need for electric assist.
PAV
Most comfortable is simply a judgement call. Not sure why they would not make this a belt drive with internal rear hub gearing if they are trying to make it commuter optimal. Perhaps they were trying to keep cost down, which they appear to have done with the pricing shown here.
Karmudjun
Nice write up Paul, and it looks like E-bikes may conquer the urban commuter who wants to do their part for global warming (although no mention of the carbon footprint for production and shipping). But no mention of the type/height of rider that the small frame or large frame will accommodate. Being a large man long in years, were this a little less expensive or were I still working, it would be a feasible commuter bike for me. But the 80 lux headlight (lux = 1 lumen/meter2) should be adequate without blinding others en route. There are many like me who would like to keep their weight down without depositing themselves in a gym daily - I always found bicycling more fun even in the rain than working out in a gym.