The Urbanbiker Dakota is one of the electric mountain bikes I know best. Why is that? I’ve been using it several times a week for over a year and a half.
Is its performance up to scratch? Is it really of good quality? Have I ever had a breakdown with it? Can it really be used for mountain biking? I’ll tell you all about it in this detailed review.
⚠️ Since the Urbanbiker Dakota is not available in the United States, we recommend considering a similar model: the Velowave Ranger.
750W (peak 1000W) brushless Bafang motor. 48V 15Ah LG cells battery. Dual hydraulic disc brakes. Shimano 7 speed. Kenda 26x4 fat tires. Hydraulic suspension fork. 330 lbs load capacity.
Budget: $ | Speed: 28 mph | Range: 50+ miles
IN SHORT, WHAT’S THE URBANBIKER DAKOTA WORTH?
✅ The pros
- Very quiet motor
- Long range (99 miles)
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Suspension forks
- Puncture-resistant tires
- Ride comfort
- Good build quality
- Brand-name components (Shimano derailleurs, Maxxis tires)
- Integrated battery
- Easy assembly
❌ The cons
- For a mountain bike at such an affordable price, I can’t think of any negative points.
The Urbanbiker Dakota is the mountain bike I use most frequently. I use it for commuting to work (commuting), getting around town, and for weekend rides in the woods. Unlike other electric mountain bikes, this one is highly versatile.
Why Choose the Urbanbiker Dakota?
Build Quality
It’s quite impressive for a bike at this price point; the Dakota is a high-quality bike with excellent finishing that looks almost mid-range. The manufacturer has shown exceptional attention to detail in its design, evident from the precise welds.
The paintwork is flawless, without any blemishes or raised areas, which can sometimes be the case with low-budget mountain bikes. Additionally, the bike is equipped with comfort features like ergonomic grips, a padded saddle, and an adjustable fork. It shows a keen eye for detail! Ideal for delivery drivers.
Another key point: the equipment features brand-name components including Shimano derailleurs, tires from the renowned American brand Maxxis (appreciated by enthusiasts), and Samsung batteries known for durability and longevity.
Over the year I’ve been using the bike, I’ve experienced no breakdowns and minimal maintenance, limited to oiling the chain. Despite rigorous usage on roads, dirt trails, forests, and mud… the bike has proven its durability as a true mountain bike that I fully enjoy riding.
Motor and Battery Performance
The Dakota Urbanbiker features a dependable 250 W motor manufactured by UBK Systems, delivering 50 Nm of torque. While it’s not the most powerful mountain bike available, it offers ample performance for recreational use. The bike offers 5 assistance levels. As highlighted in my comparison of the best electric mountain bikes, I frequently utilize levels 4 and 5 (the highest settings). I gradually adapted to these levels and now find level 3 less exciting.
The bike is highly responsive in modes 4 and 5, requiring only light pedaling to activate the assistance. It accelerates to 18 mph quickly. The silent motor is a significant advantage for those seeking a peaceful countryside ride.
The Dakota 250 W’s battery is exceptional, boasting a range of 100 miles—an impressive charging capacity. In comparison, most other electric MTBs typically have a range of 31 miles!
The battery is seamlessly integrated into the frame, providing the bike with a sleek appearance while ensuring optimal weight distribution. Additionally, the removable battery allows for convenient recharging.
The Wheels
The wheels are standard size (27.5″) and equipped with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, ensuring both quality and safety. The mountain bike tires are from Maxxis, designed for optimal performance in off-road conditions and featuring puncture protection.
Dakota Delivery and Assembly
I ordered the Dakota from Urbanbiker on Amazon. It typically arrives within 3 – 4 days in a sturdy cardboard box with protective covers. The bike is delivered partially disassembled, requiring simple installation of the pedals and handlebars.
Assembling the Dakota is straightforward and should only take a few minutes, as demonstrated in the accompanying video.
Check out our review of the Urbanbiker Viena, a fantastic hybrid bike!
Technical Specifications
| Price (Starting at) | $1,930 |
| Motor Position | Rear Hub |
| Motor | UBK Systems 250 W |
| Motor Torque | Nm |
| Max. Speed | 15 mph |
| Assistance Levels | 5 |
| Battery Capacity | 720 Wh |
| Theoretical Range | 100 miles |
| Estimated Recharging Time | / |
| Fork | Suntour XCT |
| Derailleur | Shimano |
| Sppeds | 8 |
| Brake Type | Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
| Brakes | Shimano |
| Display | UBK Systems LCD |
| Frame Type | Closed Frame |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Wheel Diameter | 27.5” |
| Weight | 55 lbs |
750W (peak 1000W) brushless Bafang motor. 48V 15Ah LG cells battery. Dual hydraulic disc brakes. Shimano 7 speed. Kenda 26x4 fat tires. Hydraulic suspension fork. 330 lbs load capacity.
Budget: $ | Speed: 28 mph | Range: 50+ miles
Our Review of the Urbanbiker Dakota
This mountain bike is my favorite. After conducting extensive research, it’s clear that it offers exceptional value in its class. I particularly admire the quality of its components (with a special mention to the Shimano hydraulic disc brakes!), its impressive range of 100 miles, and its versatility across all types of terrain. It’s worth noting that this mountain bike comes with a 2-year warranty.
IN SHORT, WHAT’S THE URBANBIKER DAKOTA WORTH?
✅ The pros
- Very quiet motor
- Long range (99 miles)
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Suspension forks
- Puncture-resistant tires
- Ride comfort
- Good build quality
- Brand-name components (Shimano derailleurs, Maxxis tires)
- Integrated battery
- Easy assembly
❌ The cons
- For a mountain bike at such an affordable price, I can’t think of any negative points.
Hi,
I’m not a very strong man, I’m 79 years old, will I be able to control and ride the bike.
Have tested, but only briefly, ie 10 mins.
Not sufficiently to get a real feel.
Thanks
My family do not have this bike. But similar – Urbanbiker Viena. [ Same engine/drive Different frame style and (manual) gears. Viena is a kilogram heavier (according to specs].
Generally (anyway for any bike) – is set the saddle so that you are able to embark and disembark.
Most difficult situations are:
1. starting off from standstill if on a hill. Solution: learn to use “walk mode”.
2. starting off from standstill if in a crowded environment. Solution: wait for environment to be more spacious (i.e traffic is dispersing) and/or ride without engine assist.
3. already moving and in an environment when you are enforced to go slowly (say human walking pace), use without engine assist.