ebiketips Review: VOLT Urban LS Scores 8/10 for Quality and Performance

Another independent review, another strong showing for the new VOLT Urban LS. This time it’s ebiketips, the dedicated electric bike site from the team behind road.cc, putting our low-step city e-bike through a proper real-world test. 

The review was carried out by Dave Atkinson, one of the founders of road.cc and a rider with more than 20 years of testing experience. He awarded the Urban LS 8/10 for quality and 8/10 for performance. 

Riding it everywhere from busy city streets to rural lanes and light trails, the review offers a very comprehensive and detailed analysis, but if you want to skip to the end… 

By the end of the test, he said he would happily buy one himself and recommend it to a friend.

High Specs meet Sleek Design

Dave was impressed by the build from the start. He found the aluminium frame nicely finished. He also liked that every cable runs internally, entering neatly below the stem for a clean, uncluttered look. Split spacers and an adjustable stem mean you can fine-tune the fit without disconnecting anything.

The spec list got a thumbs up too. The review highlighted good quality SKS mudguards, an integrated lighting system and sturdy wheels built on Alex DP21 rims. The Schwalbe G-One Allround tyres, which Dave rated as excellent, scored 9/10.

Automatic Gears That Simply Work

At the heart of the Urban LS is the Bafang H730 automatic three-speed hub motor, delivering 250W and 50Nm of torque. As the review explains, the big appeal is simplicity. There is no shift lever to think about: you just pedal and the gears take care of themselves. When you stop, the bike drops back into its lowest gear automatically, ready to pull away again. With everything sealed inside the hub, there is no maintenance to worry about.

That single-ratio setup also allows for a clean-running Michelin HT Carbon belt drive. Its chevron-shaped teeth keep the belt tracking perfectly in place. The review awards the drivetrain 9/10 calling it “super straightforward”. He also listed the quiet motor among the bike’s standout qualities.

Confident Performance on the Road

On the flat, the review found that the Urban LS easily pulls you up to the 15.5mph assistance limit. Holding that speed is effortless. On climbs, the reduction gear in the hub keeps the motor spinning faster for extra climbing power, and Dave found the bike pretty capable on 10 to 12% slopes.

The five assistance modes are well spaced and easy to reach using the bar-mounted display and simple remote. The display scored 9/10 for screen quality and the controls 8/10. The Quad Lock mount on the stem was described as a “nice touch” for anyone navigating with their phone.

An e-Ride You’ll Enjoy

Around town, Dave found the Urban LS well-behaved. It has neutral handling and a fairly upright position that makes it easy to keep track of other road users. Head out for something longer and the bike still feels purposeful. The swept-back handlebar gives a more natural wrist position than a straight bar, and he found it comfortable on longer rides. At 1.90m tall, he never felt cramped on the one-size frame. A suspension seatpost smooths out bumps at the back.

With Schwalbe gravel tyres fitted as standard, he also took the Urban LS off the tarmac. For unsurfaced shortcuts and canal paths, the review concluded the bike is plenty capable.

Stopping Power You Can Trust

The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes earned another 9/10. Dave said they do a grand job and that he couldn’t make them fade on descents, even when he was actively trying to.

Quality Battery, Easy Charging

The Urban LS runs on a 360Wh battery built with Panasonic lithium-ion cells. You can charge it on the bike through a port in the down tube, or lift it out and charge it indoors in around three hours. The review also pointed out that a removable battery is handy if you store your bike somewhere without power, and makes the bike less appealing to thieves when you lock up in town.

The Highlights at a Glance

• Quality: 8/10
• Performance: 8/10
• Drivetrain: 9/10
• Brakes: 9/10
• Tyres: 9/10
• Display screen quality: 9/10
• Motor assistance controls: 8/10
• Wheels: 8/10

The Verdict

Dave summed up his time with the Urban LS by saying he enjoyed riding it. He had no doubt it would make a good long-term option for city transport, thanks to its easy-going ride feel and very low-maintenance build.

That’s exactly what we set out to create with the Urban range: a well-built, beautifully simple e-bike that looks after itself and lets you get on with enjoying the ride. It’s hugely rewarding to see independent testers recognise those qualities once again.