Wilier's Urta Hybrid is an Electric Downcountry Bike
When Fazua released their new Ride 60 motor system earlier this year it ushered in a new wave of lightweight eMTBs, the majority of them aimed at trail riders looking for a little extra boost. Wilier has taken a slightly different approach – the Italian company is targeting the downcountry demographic with their new Utra Hybrid. The Urta Hybrid is claimed to weigh in under 16 kg (35.2 lb), making it one of the lighter electrified options in this travel bracket.
The Urta Hybrid's carbon frame has 120mm of rear travel that's delivered via a flex stay suspension layout. According to Wilier, they based the bike on the Urta SLR, the bike that Simone Avondetto piloted to a win at this year's U23 XCO World Championships. The overall frame shape is similar, although the downtube has grown to accommodate the 430 Wh battery. It's also possible to add a 210 Wh range extender to get even more run time.
The Urta Hybrid's carbon frame has 120mm of rear travel that's delivered via a flex stay suspension layout. According to Wilier, they based the bike on the Urta SLR, the bike that Simone Avondetto piloted to a win at this year's U23 XCO World Championships. The overall frame shape is similar, although the downtube has grown to accommodate the 430 Wh battery. It's also possible to add a 210 Wh range extender to get even more run time.
Urta Hybrid Details
• Carbon frame
• Wheel size: 29"
• 120mm travel
• Fazua Ride 60 motor
• 430 Wh battery
• Head angle: 66.7°
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Price: 7,000 - 12,500 Euro
• wilier.com
• Carbon frame
• Wheel size: 29"
• 120mm travel
• Fazua Ride 60 motor
• 430 Wh battery
• Head angle: 66.7°
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL
• Price: 7,000 - 12,500 Euro
• wilier.com
As for the geometry, those numbers sit on the more conservative side of the XC / downcountry spectrum. With a 120 mm fork the bike has a 66.7-degree head angle, a 74 degree seat angle, and a reach of 458 mm for a size large.
There are four complete models, with prices ranging from 7,000 to 12,500 Euro. The two highest end versions receive Wilier's integrated bar / stem combo, which is 760mm wide and available with a 60, 75, or 90 mm stem length, once again reinforcing the XC nature of this bike.
Bonus points for not routing the cables through the headset.
The top tube display indicates the ride mode and the amount of battery remaining.
Personally, the concept of a motorized XC machine still leaves me scratching my head. I understand the push for lighter e-bikes, since not everyone wants to muscle around a 55-pound beast, but I can't say that I've ever been on a 120mm bike and thought, “I really wish this had a motor.”
Again, maybe that's just me, but given how light and capable modern short-travel bikes are it seems sort of strange to rush to electrify them. Is that additional complication really worth the hassle? Extra travel doesn't usually add that much weight, even when factoring in the additional heft of a beefier fork and wheels – I'm more intrigued by the concept of a sub-40 pound eMTB that's able to hold its own in rough terrain rather than a motorized marathon bike.
Who knows, though, there could be a contingent of retired XC racers who are looking to relive their glory days with a little less effort. If so, the Urta Hybrid could be the ticket.
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I can only imagine being always at the cut off speed except on some punchy climbs especially in Europe where you have the cut off at 25km/h.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/23552098
Thank you.
This bike erodes the fitness requirement that XC bikes are designed for (yes, I understand - some would argue that you can cover more miles in the same time, but to what end?) while offering none of the comfort and descending performance of a more trail-oriented design.
Planning on "taking it easy" (think 100-200 watts at the pedals + ebike motor input) on the ascents? You'd probably be a more capable climber on all but the smoothest trails with more trail-bike geometry. Planning to use the platform to rip extra miles and get extra descents? Again, you'll be more comfortable, capable and safer on modern trail bike geometry. This bike is better at nothing than virtually an other design - unless your trails are flat, smooth and straight.
There is a big difference between bikes like the Transition Spur or other, "recreational" XC-style bikes and this bike, which is my point. I am not arguing that a shorter travel, steeper, mountain bike is not well suited to many trail systems - I am arguing that THIS bike is closer to the XC-race/gravel side of the geo equation. Look at the bar-to-saddle position - this bike is not going to excel on even "mild" trails compared to other designs.
WHO is buying shit like this?? What is the target audience?
If this exists why cant I have a long travel 27 option besides the clash and spindrift.
So what does this category of bike actually do better? In my mind this is still vanilla, just low fat and sweetened with aspartame - the water is going to crystallize out, and the aspartame will leave a nasty after-taste, so what's the point if you actually have no need to diet?
I have a 120/100mm travel xc/down country bike, which is perfect for my trails. For "rest days" or days where I want to do multiple loops or riding the 15-25 miles to a trail this seems perfect. Still light-ish so should be easier to jump and maniver. (and easier to put on the bike rack if I am not riding to the trail)
I totally understand that this won't fit the bill for some. But as a consumer having options is nice.
Even on taking-it-easy, "rest" days, this bike is going to increase your average speed dramatically - why carryover suspension and geometry design that is purpose built for lower speeds and designed to sacrifice capability for efficiency?
Keep in mind that jump worthy bikes, i.e those that won't eventually crack the frame or some components, are 30+ lbs. If an ebike weights 35 lbs, and battery and motor make up a good bit of that weight, I would have second thoughts about jumping it, just like you wouldn't really jump a dedicated xc race bike.
The argument against this type of bike is that its possible to spec DH capable bike with dual crown fork and 200 mm of travel, big motor and battery, and do the same riding as you would on this. If you wanna jump, simply put it in the highest power mode and put in a few cranks in the top gear, and instead of popping you will just ride it more like a motocross bike and use speed to get height/distance. And, unlike the lighter Ebikes, it will withstand all of the abuse.
I can buy in to 20000km a battery, but how the bike is used matters. There is a huge difference between flat roads and a 5% dirt climb that lasts 7 miles.
Yes I ride and do all my sports as my job. I am lucky but it does not change the fact of what I do and how long things last. Come join me and see for yourself. I am in Squamish, BC
The ethics of the whole thing is what bothers me. Riding a bicycle is not the same as riding an e bike. When you say you ride between 800-1000km per month on an e bike it's just not the same achievement as riding a bicycle the same distance. Call a spade a spade and be counted. As in climbing, style is everything.
As an aside. Devinci is on my shit list right now for endorsing a "loaming" video. Good god people. Has it really come down to "Fun at all Costs"? Maybe you could express mine (and other's) concerns.
Ride safe.
I love when someone tells me how my life is, what I do and how and why I do it when they don’t even know me, it means you are replying to how you actually are and think, not me. Work on yourself first bro. It’s also interesting how you are mad at a mtb company that promote loamers when in fact every rider and bike company is looking for and designing their bikes to ride every type of sweet trail. Any way keep the gate high, it’s something that has been taught to you and ingrained early on, fortunately you can fix it , it just takes a lot of work on your part. So a word of advise think more , look at yourself and spend the time, energy and work there instead of ignoring that a spreading your viral spew towards others, your life will get better if you do. I have spend 20 years racing all over the world, 500 races so I am well aware of what it is like to push on a regular bike, and how it compares to the riding I do now. The problem is you have done zero close to the type of racing and at the level I have done it at, as well as you have no experience close to mine on an ebike so, come on up to Squamish and we will take u for an ebike, if you keep up to the pace I will cover you rental for the day that we will provide and address your concerns! Just pm me!
I am a retired federally employed ecologist and I know (not assuming, or guessing) that loaming is terrible for the environment. I don’t care what company or individual supports it, it is a step in the wrong direction. If you want to ride non sanctioned areas in search of “sweet” riding you are part of the problem not the solution. Companies and individuals need to support sustainable riding. As I said “fun at all costs” is not an option.
Be safe.
I keep seeing bikes coming out with this system, but never a review.
Or are these bikes that will be coming out soon, but aren’t available to test ride yet.
Very interested in the Transition Relay.
Which is not available until 2023.
I mean, just why??