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.
