At the Eurobike show, Hepha attracted a great deal of curious attention with an eye-catching concept study. Urban X is the name of this futuristic-looking e-bike, which is designed to encapsulate the brand’s vision of urban mobility. The guiding principle behind it is: radically simple. This refers not only to making operation as straightforward as possible whilst riding, but also to ensuring the bike is easy to handle in everyday life. Charging, parking and anti-theft measures should require as little attention as possible – instead, you should simply be able to hop on and set off.
Tomorrow’s technology – with today’s components
What is particularly exciting is that Urban X does not rely on far-fetched future technologies at all. Rather, the concept car is based on components that are already available or will be available shortly. That is precisely why the concept seems surprisingly close to production.
At the heart of the bike is the new Hepha X drive system, a variant of the new Gobao X1 system, which combines the motor and gearbox into a single unit. Instead of traditional gear changes, the system operates with a continuously variable transmission. It also features an automatic function that constantly adjusts the transmission and gear ratio to suit speed, cadence and the terrain. Although individual settings can be adjusted via the app, in everyday use the system makes all the decisions itself.
Consequently, Hepha has therefore almost entirely dispensed with controls on the handlebars. Just a single, centrally positioned button serves as the on/off switch and to display the battery level. The concept of electric assistance is thus reduced to the essentials.
Recuperation with a useful side effect
Hepha has also incorporated a special feature into the drive system. Whilst coasting or riding downhill, the motor can act as a generator and feed energy back into the battery. However, one should not expect significant gains in range as a result – a point Hepha itself acknowledges. The real advantage lies elsewhere: the energy recovery creates a noticeable braking effect, comparable to the engine braking in a car. For example, if you ride with foresight, you can approach a red traffic light whilst the bike brakes in a controlled manner until it comes to a standstill. The conventional brakes are, of course, retained – partly for legal reasons, and partly for situations where rapid emergency braking is required.
Fast charging and security fully integrated
The Urban X also takes an unconventional approach to energy management. The 560 Wh battery is housed beneath the long seat and can be removed from the rear. In everyday use, however, this is unlikely to be necessary very often. Instead of an external charger, the charging system is built directly into the bike. The new Gobao charging system operates at up to 1,500 watts and is said to charge the battery to 80 per cent in just 15 minutes. All you need to charge it is a standard mains cable – there’s no need to carry a separate charger or search for one at home. The Tesla-style charging point at the exhibition stand clearly illustrated this approach. At the same time, it underlines Hepha’s vision that, in future, charging facilities for e-bikes could become a matter of course in public spaces or in supermarket car parks. This would make charging just as straightforward as it already is for electric cars today.
The security system appears equally well thought-out. The front wheel is fitted with a mechanical 2Lock anti-theft device, which locks the wheel and prevents the bike from being pushed away. This is complemented by an alarm function, GPS tracking and smartphone notifications. The seat can also be completely removed to protect it from the elements or vandalism.
Close to production – with a few unanswered questions
Despite making a convincing overall impression, Urban X clearly shows in some respects that it is still a concept bike. For example, the seat height cannot currently be adjusted. Whilst the long seat allows for different seating positions along its length, it can only accommodate riders of different heights to a limited extent. The cockpit is also fixed in position, although height adjustment would seem to be relatively straightforward to implement.
Even more important, however, is the question of transport options. Hepha currently envisages a lockable front box that works in a similar way to a small boot. For a city bike suitable for everyday use, however, an additional and more flexible solution would be desirable – such as the option to fit an additional luggage rack or panniers at the rear.
Nevertheless, Urban X already gives the impression of being remarkably close to production-ready. In fact, according to Hepha, the company is planning to bring it to market, albeit initially as an addition to its existing range rather than as a replacement for its current Urban or City bikes. The targeted price positioning is particularly exciting: despite the innovative technology, the production model is set to be offered for under 3,000 euros. If this plan succeeds, the Urban X could attract attention not only with its unusual concept, but also with its comparatively affordable pricing.
First impressions of the drive suggest great potential
It has already been possible to carry out an initial test ride with the prototype. The Gobao drive’s continuously variable automatic transmission was particularly impressive. The gear ratio adjusts so quickly, smoothly and quietly that it is practically imperceptible whilst riding. Although the bike continuously gains speed, the cadence remains almost constant. At the same time, the background noise hardly changes at all.
The regenerative braking function also proved impressive in actual riding conditions. Braking begins around one second after you stop pedalling. It starts off gently and then builds up steadily until the bike finally comes to a complete stop. This riding sensation feels unfamiliar at first, but after just a few metres you can already sense the potential it holds. You’re likely to appreciate this feature particularly in stop-and-go city traffic, as many braking manoeuvres can be initiated and controlled using the motor brake alone.
Of course, this is merely a first impression based on a few flat test laps with a prototype. Nevertheless, the system has already made a very promising impression. The concerns regarding ergonomics, on the other hand, were confirmed, at least in part. For a rider around 1.85 metres tall, the seat seemed a little too low and also unusually wide. This is unlikely to be a problem for short journeys, but on longer rides, additional adjustment options would be necessary.
Conclusion
With Urban X, Hepha is presenting far more than just a design study. The concept addresses numerous everyday issues and combines automatic gear changes, fast charging and a comprehensive safety concept into a coherent overall package. What is particularly noteworthy is that the underlying technology is, for the most part, already ready for series production. Both the Gobao drive with continuously variable automatic transmission and the fast-charging technology are on the verge of market launch. The safety concept is also already being used in a similar form in the new Hepha Urban 8 Ultra.
The real strength of Urban X therefore lies not so much in individual innovations as in their consistent integration. Combined with its distinctive design, the result is a concept car that seems surprisingly close to a potential production model – and that is precisely why it is so exciting.
