Comprehensive UrbanGlide Ultra Review

This review offers an in-depth analysis of the UrbanGlide Ultra ebike, covering its design, performance, battery life, and user experience, along with comparisons to similar models.

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Vanpowers UrbanGlide Ultra Key Features

The Vanpowers UrbanGlide Ultra is a powerful and comfortable commuter e-bike with a 500W mid-drive motor, excellent acceleration, and a versatile, ergonomic design.

Powerful Motor

Bafang 500W mid-drive motor for strong acceleration and hill-climbing capabilities.

Responsive Ride

The torque sensor ensures immediate and proportional assistance for a natural riding experience.

Comfort and Ergonomics

Features Suntour suspension fork and Zoom suspension seatpost for a smooth ride.

Battery and Range

A 48V, 690 Wh battery provides a solid range of 37–51 miles on a single charge.

Braking System

Equipped with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and 180mm rotors for reliable stopping power.

User-Friendly Design

The step-thru frame design allows for easy mounting and dismounting, making it ideal for commuters.

Powerful Motor

Bafang 500W mid-drive motor for strong acceleration and hill-climbing capabilities.

Responsive Ride

The torque sensor ensures immediate and proportional assistance for a natural riding experience.

Comfort and Ergonomics

Features Suntour suspension fork and Zoom suspension seatpost for a smooth ride.

Battery and Range

A 48V, 690 Wh battery provides a solid range of 37–51 miles on a single charge.

Braking System

Equipped with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and 180mm rotors for reliable stopping power.

User-Friendly Design

The step-thru frame design allows for easy mounting and dismounting, making it ideal for commuters.

Customization and Fit

Available in two frame sizes with an adjustable stem for personalized comfort.

Comprehensive Features

Includes fenders, lights, a rear cargo rack, ergonomic grips, and a color display.

Safety and Accessibility

Front and rear lights for visibility, and the Vanpowers app for additional features like navigation.

Customization and Fit

Available in two frame sizes with an adjustable stem for personalized comfort.

Comprehensive Features

Includes fenders, lights, a rear cargo rack, ergonomic grips, and a color display.

Safety and Accessibility

Front and rear lights for visibility, and the Vanpowers app for additional features like navigation.

Vanpowers UrbanGlide Ultra Speed Test

In our Speed Test, I pedaled the UrbanGlide Ultra along a predetermined course on local bike paths to determine its speeds in various pedal assist settings. With a 500W mid-drive motor and torque sensor, the bike’s speeds are capped only at the Class 2 limit of 20 mph. Without motor assistance, I measured 11.8 mph; in PAS 1, the motor engaged immediately, boosting speed to 14.2 mph with casual pedaling. PAS 2 brought me to 15.9 mph, PAS 3 hit 18.3 mph, PAS 4 reached 19 mph, and PAS 5 topped off at 20 mph. The torque sensor allows the bike to adapt to the rider’s effort, making it feel powerful and responsive. The 48V, 500W motor, originally designed for electric mountain bikes and e-cargo bikes, provides more power and punch than typical commuter e-bikes, which usually have 250W or 350W mid-drives. This increased wattage enables the UrbanGlide Ultra to accelerate quickly and make pedaling easy, offering a fun and natural riding experience.

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Speed without motor assistance

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Speed in PAS 1

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Speed in PAS 2

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Speed in PAS 3

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Speed in PAS 4

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Speed in PAS 5

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Speed without motor assistance

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Speed in PAS 1

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Speed in PAS 2

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Speed in PAS 3

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Speed in PAS 4

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Speed in PAS 5

Vanpowers UrbanGlide Ultra Specifications

The Vanpowers UrbanGlide Ultra features a 48V, 690 Wh LG cell battery, a color LCD display, and a Bafang M600 500W mid-drive motor. It includes a headlight and taillights, with pedal assist levels from PAS 0–5 and a claimed range of 65–70 miles. The bike does not include a throttle but connects to the Vanpowers app. It weighs 70.6 lbs, fits rider heights from 5’-1” to 6’-3”, and supports a maximum rider weight of 330 lbs with a 55 lb rear rack load capacity. Components include Tektro E350 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors, front and rear fenders, a Zoom 862 air fork with hydraulic lockout, a 6061 aluminum frame, a 9-speed Microshift drivetrain, ergonomic rubber grips, a Velo saddle, a Zoom suspension seatpost with 30mm travel, a Zoom adjustable stem, a 710mm handlebar, Gineyea pedals, and Kenda 27.5×2.20” tires.

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Experiencing the Vanpowers UrbanGlide Ultra

UrbanGlide Ultra

Pros and Cons

Pros

A responsive and natural ride! The bike uses a torque sensor to deliver assistance immediately in proportion to the rider’s level of effort.

Awesome acceleration and hill-climbing ability! A Bafang 500W mid-drive motor designed for eMTB and cargo bike use packs a serious punch.

A supremely comfortable ride! The UrbanGlide Ultra has great ergonomics and both a suspension seatpost and suspension fork to soak up bumps.

Easily mount and dismount the bike with an accessible step-thru frame! This makes the bike perfect for commuters in business attire.

Solid range with a 48V, 690 Wh battery. We measured between roughly 37 and 51 miles in our Range Tests.

Good stopping power with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.

Great rider fit customization! The bike comes in two frame sizes, each with an adjustable stem with 90 degrees of adjustment.

The UrbanGlide comes in three trim options to fit your needs and budget.

Cons

No Throttle
Brake Light Needed

We thoroughly enjoyed the motor’s power, quick engagement, and acceleration, but we’d love to see a throttle included in the future.

While we appreciate the basic commuter features like the cargo rack, fenders, and lights, we’d also like to see a brake light for safety when riding alongside traffic.

Vanpowers UrbanGlide Ultra Review: Summary / Where to Buy

When considering our experiences on the bike – including its test performance – the Vanpowers UrbanGlide Ultra proved to be an impressive commuter! Its speed, power, comfort level, and handling were all top-notch; those elements combined to create a surprisingly fun and capable machine.

Truthfully, this was one of those bikes that we found difficult to critique. The two flaws we found are minor, but they are honest and relevant for a commuter. Most of the other commuter e-bikes we’ve tested have included both brake lights and throttles; these are appreciated features that increase safety, visibility, and overall functionality. We’d like to see Vanpowers include both on the UrbanGlide Ultra in the future.

Otherwise, we think riders seeking a great all-around e-bike with daily-use potential will likely enjoy the same highlights that stood out to us. The UrbanGlide Ultra is a well-specced, solidly-performing, and good-looking e-bike with a cool and fitting name. We highly recommend it!

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