The Urbanbiker Dakota is one of the e-MTBs I know best. Why ? I have been using it several times a week for over a year. Are the performances there? Is it really good quality? Have I ever had trouble with it? Can you really use it for mountain biking? I tell you everything in this detailed test.
⚠️ As the Urbanbiker Dakota is not sold in the United States, we propose a similar model: the Velowave Ranger.
My opinion on the Urbanbiker Dakota (250W)
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
The Dakota Urbanbiker is the mountain bike I use most often. I use it to get to work (commuting), to travel around town and for weekend walks in the forest. Unlike other e-MTBs, this one is truly versatile:
- He is light.
- Excellent autonomy : 99 miles.
- Solid equipment and hydraulic disc brakes.
Why choose the Dakota Urbanbiker (250W) ?
Manufacturing quality
It’s pretty amazing for a bike at such a low price, but the Dakota is a very good quality bike with an excellent finish which almost looks like high end. The manufacturer has really been particularly careful in the design, as can be seen in particular in the welds which are very neat. The paint is perfect, there is no defect or relief, as is sometimes the case on budget mountain bikes. The bike is also equipped with comfort features like ergonomic grips, a padded saddle and an adjustable fork. A real sense of detail! A perfect bike for delivery people.
Another important point: the equipment is brand name parts. Shimano derailleurs, tires from the famous American brand Maxxis (connoisseurs will appreciate) and Samsung battery, components made to last and that last. For more than a year that I use the bike, I had no breakdown and no maintenance except to put oil on the chain. And yet I don’t spare the bike: roads, land, forest, mud… It’s a real mountain bike and I don’t hesitate!
Motor and battery performance
The Dakota Urbanrider has a very reliable 250W motor built by UBK Systems, with a torque of 50 Nm. It’s not the most powerful mountain bike in the world, but for pleasure use, it’s more than enough. There are 5 levels of assistance. As I pointed out in my comparison of the best electric mountain bikes. I mostly use levels 4 and 5 (the most powerful). I got there gradually but now I get a bit bored if I go back to level 3.
The bike is really responsive in modes 4 and 5, you just have to give a little pedal stroke to activate the assistance.We quickly reach a speed of 18 mph. The motor makes no noisea big positive point if you like to walk in peace in nature.
The Dakota 250W battery is one of the best around. It has a range of 99 miles, a pretty crazy load capacity. Most other electric mountain bikes are more like 31 miles away! About the design of this battery, it is perfectly integrated into the frame. This gives a very clean side to the bike and above all allows the weight to be better distributed. The battery also has the advantage of being removable, which is great for recharging the bike.
Wheels
The wheels are standard size (27.5 inches) equipped with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. A guarantee of quality and above all safety. The tires mounted on the mountain bike are Maxxis (well suited to all terrain) with anti-puncture.
Delivery and assembly of the mountain bike
I ordered my Urbanbiker Dakota on Amazon. It is usually delivered in 3 – 4 days in a solid box filled with protections. The bike is delivered in 3 days, partly disassembled. You just have to reinstall the pedals and the handlebars. Assembly of the Dakota is really simplified and shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes as you can see in the video above.
Conclusion
This mountain bike is my big favourite. After all my research, it turns out to be the best value for money in its class. I appreciate the quality of the parts (special mention to the Shimano hydraulic disc brakes!), its enormous autonomy of 99 miles and above all the fact that it can be used on all types of terrain. Note that this mountain bike is guaranteed for 2 years. Check out my review of the Urbanbiker Viena, a good all-road ebike !
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
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.