With the Uty, Cooper has realized an exciting concept that not only transports BMX vibes and should therefore be a lot of fun, but should also be suitable for every driver. We tried out whether “One Size Fits All” works and how much fun the cool little electric speedster is.
Cooper designed the Uty as a compact bike specifically for the demands of the modern world. In urban areas, where e-bikes really do Mobility turnaround drive forward, a versatile, compact bike with a wide range of uses actually makes a lot of sense.
Cooper promises:“Not only does it offer a wide range of uses, but also lots of driving fun! Our goal was to build an agile compact bike that exudes the fun vibes of a BMX bike.”
That sounds good at first and we have taken a liking to the lively bike, so much in advance.
Cooper Uty – One for All?!
According to Cooper, the Uty should fit drivers between 140 and 190 cm tall. Yes, the wheel certainly covers a wide range, from small or young people to most adults. We might not unreservedly recommend the Uty to every person who is 140 cm or 190 cm tall. Ultimately, it also depends on the body size and the length ratio of the torso, legs and arms to each other. If you subtract 5 centimeters from both ends of the scale, you're definitely on the right track and feel comfortable on the bike.
"One for all..." also in terms of the area of application? It should also be particularly versatile, the Uty. Well, it's not a cargo bike and it's not a mountain bike. The bike is really versatile for commuters, the environmentally conscious, city cyclists and, thanks to its cool look, also for hipsters and trendsetters. The design not only makes the bike handy and manoeuvrable, the steel frame and fork and the small 20-inch wheels also ensure a high level of robustness. Small wheels with thick tires bring comfort and increase puncture resistance. The steel frame can take it if the bike is knocked over in front of the university or if the neighbor in the hallway kicks the stroller against it. Incidentally, the manageable dimensions are a real relief if you want to take the Cooper to the first floor, the basement, the elevator or even the subway.
Thanks to Shimano motors – the Steps E5000 is used in the entry-level model and the Steps E6100 in the two high-quality bikes – and a 504 watt-hour battery, you’re on the road quickly and can also take a family trip to the beer garden on Sundays. By the way, I'm a fan of both engines, they are quiet, drive intuitively and harmoniously. It is simply unnecessary, in my opinion even nonsensical, to install the sporty top engines in urban bikes. The power is easily enough for such an agile bike with the small wheels and the external battery placed on the down tube also has advantages. It can be easily removed for charging or storage and is also cheaper to replace in an emergency.
Matching the drive, Cooper also uses gears from the market leader Shimano. There is a 7-speed hub gear, an 8-speed hub gear or a 9-speed derailleur. The derailleur gears may be a bit sportier, but I think the hub gears fit the concept better because they are more robust and less maintenance-prone. Braking is always done with hydraulic disc brakes, which is basically tried and tested and reliable technology. We didn't know the models installed on the test bike beforehand, but they do their job inconspicuously in the best sense of the word. Whether it's a coincidence that we can only distinguish them from Shimano brakes by the lettering... who knows!
Of course, you also need light in the city and therefore on the road. Lezyne headlights and taillights are used, which of course comply with the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) and the look and, above all, the brightness and illumination give no cause for complaint. The Selle Royal Essenza saddle is comfortable and beautiful, the grips are comfortable to hold, the mudguards don't rattle and the side stand feels really solid. Radlerherz, what more do you want?
Oh yes, a luggage rack is missing... no, not really, you can get it for 69 euros. Practical, as the name suggests, on the front luggage rack: you can keep an eye on your belongings, even at traffic lights or in the pedestrian zone.
Our verdict on the Cooper Uty
Did we like the Uty? Yes, we did. For a fairly fair price between €2.599 and €2.999 The three versions are available for €3. The permissible total weight is 130 kg, which means the Cooper is not only suitable for a wide range of body sizes, but also for slightly heavier bike enthusiasts. Does the Cooper really have BMX genes? Well, it rolls very lively and agile and has a high coolness factor, so it definitely appeals to similar people. Perhaps the Uty is the right bike for all those who used to ride BMX and have now grown up... but not only for them... The concept completely convinced me and the handling is great. This is probably partly due to the use of steel as the frame material, and it is simply the most sustainable frame material you can choose. That's got me hooked anyway, the Cooper people.
