Earlier this yr, I coated an upcoming e-bike design from one in every of my favourite low-budget manufacturers, none apart from Vanpowers. Nicely, we’re simply days away from the primary shipments hitting US warehouses. That stated, let’s check out what’s in retailer.
Our crew has coated Vanpowers e-bikes on a number of events, and we have even examined a few of their gear. The primary was the Metropolis Vanture, an urban-destined street bike with a body constructed utilizing strategies from the woodworking trade. Then, we wrote in regards to the laid-back and really environment friendly UrbanGlide. However now, it is the UrbanCross’ flip.
Photograph: Vanpowers
In case you ever make it to Vanpowers’ web site, you will see two variations of the UrbanCross: the Professional and Extremely. Simply to get issues on the market, the Professional is priced at not more than $1,900 (€1,750 at present change charges), and the Extremely begins at $2,700 (€2,450). Though they use the identical aluminum frameset, the principle variations, and those chargeable for the value distinction, are discovered within the drivetrain and cockpit.
First, let’s dive a tad deeper into the spine of this lineup: the body. As talked about, aluminum is king right here, and with it, Vanpowers provides start to a fairly squared-off tube design, and dropped seat stays for the correct amount of shock-reducing magic. Since gravel bikes do not usually embrace suspension techniques, frames have been developed to scale back a few of the vibrations roads throw at riders; that is one in every of them.
One other technique to scale back vibrations and shocks is thru the seat submit, and the UrbanCross comes with a carbon fiber tube with a 30.9 mm diameter. The ultimate supply of softness is the tires, and this EV is rocking 40c rubbers with a 700c diameter. However, in accordance with earlier particulars we’ve got on this magnificence, if we go for 650c rubbers, as much as 45c cross-section tires can be utilized. That’ll do it proper there.
Photograph: Vanpowers
Past the body and wheel sizes, being an e-bike, the UrbanCross showcases all of the goodies wanted to supply an electrified kick. Now, it could not seem to be a lot, and that is what I like in regards to the UrbanCross – it nonetheless appears like an actual bike – each variations are geared up with a rear hub-mounted motor with a nominal output of 250 W and a peak torque stage of 40 Nm (29.5 lb-ft). In all, you are assisted all the best way as much as 20 mph (32 kph), so something past that, it is you and your lunch.
Feeling like an actual bike is profit quantity one in every of this motor, however as we dive deeper, we see that weight is one other profit, and so is vary. For instance, a accomplished UrbanCross weighs simply 40 lbs (18 kg), and a part of that’s the smaller motor. As for vary, much less energy means much less expended vitality, so we’re taking a look at a manufacturer-advertised vary of 60 miles (96.5 km) on a full cost. The battery is mounted contained in the downtube, similar to on the Metropolis Vanture, and general, 345 Wh is accessible. You’ll want to look into the vary extenders, wink-wink.
All that sounds fairly dang good, irrespective of which of the variations you find yourself shopping for, nevertheless it’s the Extremely that comes with a top-shelf drivetrain from Shimano. For this model, Vanpowers went all out and threw on a GRX 600 derailleur tuned to run a KMC E11 chain up and down an 11-speed cassette with an 11-42T vary. Flat-mount disc brakes with 160 mm rotors are additionally in place, all managed by GRX triggers. The Professional comes with the contemporary Shimano Cues, tuned to 9 speeds.
Photograph: Vanpowers
As for one closing trick up this electrical two-wheeler’s sleeve, direct your consideration to the picture within the gallery the place we see the UrbanCross packed to the enamel with cargo luggage, panniers, and water bottles. What does this imply for folk such as you and me?
It means a machine that is not solely optimized to get you round city or countryside, irrespective of the street you are on, however if you wish to, you possibly can load this child up with all that you simply see, and take journeys to the sting of city and past. With correct preparations, you possibly can very properly end up a whole bunch of miles away, making an attempt to beat private data.
However, as good as all that sounds, there’s just one technique to actually see if the UrbanCross is match for you: to try it out. To try this, you will have to attend till this e-bike hits US warehouses – a date projected for August 13, 2024 – or just discover the subsequent Vanpowers occasion in your city.
Be warned (in a great way), like numerous different check riders, as soon as you’ve got climbed on, made a couple of turns of the pedal, and actually settled in to hit the street, you might end up driving off into the sundown. As for us, we have reached out to Vanpowers and are ready for his or her reply to take the brand new UrbanCross out for a spin.