Review Ahooga Urban

The Brussels-based brand has been in the news a lot lately. The launch of the latest Ahooga Max, the story of assembly in Brussels, and the recruitment of new funds. The Belgian bicycle maker is doing well. In this article, we take a look at the Ahooga Urban. A very affordable electric singlespeed for the city.

Earlier, we were able to test the Ahooga Modular. A versatile and affordable e-bike aimed at a wide audience. The Ahooga Urban is its sibling. Technically, it’s the same bike, with the same motor and electric components, but with a redesigned look aimed at a different target audience.

Design and Weight

The Ahooga Urban does not have luggage racks and is therefore slightly less versatile. It is a simplified model suitable for use as an electric singlespeed.

The simplified design looks sleeker and sportier. Ahooga describes the Modular as “3 bikes in 1: a trendy commuter bike, a shopping bike, and a cargo bike for transporting children.” With the Urban, the latter two options are eliminated.

This has advantages. The bike is lighter and more maneuverable to ride. Handy in the city, hybrid riding is also possible due to the low weight. The disadvantage is that you cannot carry cargo, but if you choose this bike, you are not looking for cargo options.

Although most electronic components come from Asia, the bike is assembled in Brussels. In this way, Ahooga wants to take full control of quality, logistics, and after-sales service.

Motor and Battery

The rear-wheel motor is sufficiently powerful and offers 60 Nm, which is good for flat rides and small inclines. Thanks to the light weight, we were able to reach 30 km/h on flat roads. The battery is preserved at speeds above 27 km/h.

We should also not forget that we are talking about an inexpensive electric bike. We tested the Ahooga Urban with a belt drive. This costs (with a 300 Wh battery) 2000 euros. Opting for the chain with derailleur makes the e-bike only cost 1800 euros.

An upgrade to the better 400 Wh battery costs an additional 200 euros. Recommended if you want to be able to do slightly longer rides.

Fully Testing the Ahooga Urban

During our test ride, we cycled from Brussels back to the Pajottenland. A slightly hilly landscape with many flat open roads through forests and fields.

The Urban cycles easily. Power is present, and at the highest setting, the bike accelerates fairly quickly. Mild inclines were no problem, but on steep hills, you do lose some speed. Especially if this incline lasts too long, you notice that you really have to pedal hard to reach the top.

Downhill, we reached a top speed of 48 km/h and were able to test the brakes thoroughly. These are better than before, Ahooga now uses quality Shimano brake components. Not the most powerful, but sufficient for an electric city bike. The wide handlebar is convenient and makes the bike easy to steer.

The battery is not very powerful. Fortunately, you can upgrade it for a small additional cost. During our test, with a full battery (300 Wh), we could cover just under 30 km. The motor was used at the highest power setting. If you ride in eco mode, you can cover more kilometers.

There is no ‘pedal sensor’, only a rotation sensor (cadence sensor). This sometimes makes the electric assistance feel a bit unnatural. Something that will change in the Ahooga Max, but not in the Modular or Urban. Keep in mind that this is one of the reasons why the e-bike can be sold at this price.

The comfort was not great. It is advertised as a city bike, but if your city has many cobblestones, we still recommend a suspension seat post. Without additional suspension, you can only rely on some suspension from the wide Schwalbe tires. Potholes or cobblestones will be felt, and with Belgian infrastructure, you can always count on this.

Ahooga vs Cowboy

In the Belgian e-bike market, there is another notable player. Cowboy is a trendy brand known for their urban singlespeed with a sleek design. Although Ahooga is also trendy, they target a lower price segment.

Now that the brands have been around for several years, Ahooga is looking up with the Ahooga Max, a clear injection of quality. While Cowboy, which only sold expensive bikes, now offers a cheaper option (around 2500 euros). This makes the cheap Cowboy and the Ahooga Urban direct competitors. The difference is that the cheap Cowboy has a derailleur and less intelligent software, while the Ahooga Urban at 2500 euros is fully equipped.

Our Opinion on the Ahooga Urban

With a large budget, you won’t immediately think of the Ahooga Urban. There are better electric city bikes that offer more comfort and performance.

However, if you do have a limited budget and are looking for a good but affordable electric bike, then the Ahooga Urban is an excellent choice. If you live in the city and are looking for a bike that rides well, is agile, and lightweight, then the Urban should be on your shortlist. Keep in mind the battery required for your route and whether you want extra suspension in the form of a suspension seat post.

Due to its light weight, this e-bike also performs well as a hybrid bike. These bikes, focusing on low weight, are often more expensive. With the low purchase price of the Ahooga Urban, you also have an affordable option within this segment.