It runs a Bafang M600 mid-drive motor with a torque sensor, originally designed for e-MTBs and cargo bikes, giving it more power than most commuter e-Bikes.
VanPowers UrbanGlide E-Bike Review
Written by: Tom Fortune | August 20, 2026 | Time to read 5 min
A Bafang M600 mid-drive motor built for mountain bikes and cargo bikes, dropped into a step-through city commuter. That’s an unusual amount of motor for this kind of bike.
More about the Author: Tom Fortune
Tom is a Brit living in the French Alps. When he's not creating written and video content for various brands, he's either pedalling or snowboarding around his local mountains. E-Bikes have unlocked the potential for Tom to explore Alpine terrain and get away from the crowded bike parks. He is only too keen to share his knowledge and experience with other riders.
The UrbanGlide is VanPowers’ commuter e-Bike, so it has an upright riding position, a step-through frame, and swept-back handlebars that give it a distinctly Dutch look. It comes in a few trims, with the UrbanGlide Ultra at the top, featuring a notably powerful mid-drive motor more commonly found on e-MTBs than commuter bikes.
VanPowers itself isn’t a Dutch company despite the European styling. It’s a smaller brand based in California, tied to a larger group of Chinese manufacturers, and the UrbanGlide’s look is very much part of the sales pitch.
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VanPowers UrbanGlide Ultra Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motor | Bafang M600, mid-drive, 500W, torque sensor |
| Battery | 690Wh, UL 2271 certified, removable |
| Drivetrain | Microshift, 9-speed |
| Brakes | Tektro hydraulic disc, 180mm rotors |
| Fork | Suspension fork, 180mm travel |
| Wheels | 27.5-inch, Kenda 2.2-inch tires |
| Frame | Step-through |
| Display | Color TFT-LCD with app connectivity |
How It Rides
The Ultra has a Bafang M600 mid-drive motor, which is notably strong for this category. You’ll like how the acceleration comes on fast, and how it climbs hills. It has a torque sensor that reads your pedaling effort directly, so power delivery feels tied to how hard you’re pedaling. For me, this is much better than a bike with a cadence sensor, as I prefer the more natural feeling it gives you.
The suspension fork has 80mm of travel, which works well with the 30mm suspension seatpost to take the edge off rough roads. The step-through frame makes getting on and off simple, and the upright riding position keeps you comfortable over longer commutes.
UrbanGlide has given the Ultra a 9-speed Microshift drivetrain that shifts cleanly. The motor does most of the work regardless of which gear you’re in, which feels like a bit of a waste of a good drivetrain, but no one’s complaining about having too much power.
Motor and Battery
Torque figures for the M600 vary by model year, ranging from around 95 Nm to 140 Nm. Whichever number applies to a specific bike, the outcome is the same: this mid-drive motor has more grunt than most commuter e-Bikes need.
The 690Wh battery uses LG cells and is UL 2271-certified, the safety standard for lithium-ion battery packs. It’s removable for charging off the bike, and a fast charger brings it to full in around 4.5 hours.
Things to Know Before You Buy
- VanPowers lists the UrbanGlide Ultra as a Class 2 e-Bike, but the Ultra trim doesn’t include a throttle, so it works as a Class 1 bike in practice. That labeling bugs me a bit. It’s not a big deal once you know about it, but it’s the kind of thing that should be clearer on the product page. Lower-priced versions do include a throttle, so it’s worth checking exactly which version you’re looking at instead of assuming they’re all the same.
- Assist cuts off at 20mph, a hard stop instead of a gradual fade. Given how much power the M600 has in reserve, that cutoff can feel abrupt, especially on a motor with this much headroom left unused above the limit.
Who Should Buy the Yamaha Civante?
- Commuters who want excellent hill-climbing power and a comfortable, upright riding position should find the Ultra trim delivers well beyond what its price suggests.
- Anyone who wants to ride faster than 20mph on motor assist should look elsewhere, since the cutoff here is firm and there’s no way to adjust it.
Alternatives Worth Considering
- Lower trims within VanPowers’ own UrbanGlide lineup swap the mid-drive motor for a hub motor and add a throttle, worth considering if ease of use counts for more to you than the Ultra’s more powerful, natural-feeling assist.
- Other step-through commuters may not match the UrbanGlide Ultra’s motor power, but they may offer more consistent Class labeling or a wider dealer network for service.
Find a VanPowers UrbanGlide on Upway
A motor this powerful puts serious demands on the rest of the bike, so the drivetrain and brakes deserve as much attention as the motor and battery when buying used. Every e-Bike on Upway goes through a 50-point inspection before it’s listed, covering every aspect.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What motor does the VanPowers UrbanGlide Ultra use?
Does the UrbanGlide Ultra have a throttle?
No. Despite being listed as a Class 2 e-Bike, the Ultra trim doesn’t include a throttle, so it functions as a Class 1 e-Bike in practice. Lower trims in the lineup do include one.
Is VanPowers a Dutch brand?
No. The styling is Dutch-inspired, but VanPowers is based in California and tied to a broader group of Chinese manufacturers.
Key Takeaways
- The UrbanGlide Ultra features a Bafang M600 mid-drive motor, built for mountain and cargo bikes, which delivers more power and hill-climbing ability than a typical commuter e-Bike.
- It’s listed as Class 2 but ships without a throttle on the Ultra trim, functioning as Class 1 in practice. Check which version you’re buying if a throttle is a priority.
- The 690Wh battery and efficient mid-drive combination give it good range for the category, backed by UL 2271 certification on the battery pack.
