Test Cooper Bikes UTY 8: As a steel compact bike with British roots, the Shimano bike with the classic cross frame is a very unique creation. You have to like its shape, its function is always top-notch. And the UTY 8 is currently being offered at such a low price that it is hard to resist if you are looking for a 20-inch bike...
20-inch e-bikes have it tough: some people still say that they are less stable than bikes with large wheels, and that you can only cover short distances with them. Which is of course not true - in terms of stability, compact bikes are by no means inferior, and well-designed models with optimal geometry and a high level of smoothness are a good choice even for long distances. The lack of suspension components can be compensated for by the large-volume tires. The 20-inch bikes also have another advantage: they are usually three to five kilos lighter than an e-bike with 28-inch wheels; together with their compact dimensions, they are ideal for anyone who has to carry their e-bike into the basement or park it in the hallway.
Relatively low weight despite steel frame
The Cooper Bikes UTY 8 also adheres to this rule, weighing around 24 kilos. This is surprising, because the bike from the British manufacturer from the Eifel region is based on a steel frame, which should actually add extra weight. More on that later - the first thing that makes this bike interesting is its history. The makers of Cooper Bikes are Mike and Charlie Cooper, son and grandson of the racing car manufacturer and mini tuner John Cooper. And Eifel because Technibike from Daun became the Coopers' development partner after they met Technibike boss Peter Lepper at the Nürburgring.
With its steel cross frame, the UTY 8 does indeed look "very British", and with the saddle and handlebars clearly raised, it also looks quite sporty. As shown, the saddle height is set at around 77 cm, which is suitable for a body height of 184 cm. This is almost the maximum, especially since the manufacturer specifies a height range of 140-190 cm. Since the handlebars are not height-adjustable, taller riders have to stretch a little, while shorter riders sit more upright. The classic frame shape also means that you don't even have to think about lifting your foot over the engine to get on and off - here, aluminum 20-inch bikes with a low step-through have the edge.
Front luggage rack for retrofitting
On the other hand, there is no rear carrier to get in the way of the small rear wheel; if you want to transport luggage, you have to buy the front carrier mounted here for 69 euros. A frame lock and a very bright Lezyne spotlight on the stem are already mounted, and there is also a small, somewhat exposed rear light. Shifting is done with the tried and tested Shimano Nexus 8, and braking is provided by well-functioning disc brakes.
Clearly visible drive system
The UTY 8 does not hide its additional drive - with such a slim frame, that would be difficult, especially since a powerful mid-engine with a large 500 Wh battery is installed. Cooper Bikes relies on the Shimano Steps E6100 with 60 Newton meters of torque, which is at its best on the small steel wheel. Anyone who is prepared to support the motor with a slightly higher speed (i.e. a faster cadence) can easily crank up gradients of up to 20%, which e-bikes with low-torque rear motors have to capitulate to. The Shimano unit is also extremely quiet. Anyone who tries out riding without support will notice that this is definitely possible here - with the Cooper you can even travel faster than 25 km/h. There is no need to worry about the battery weakening: experience has shown that the 504 Wh battery from Shimano is good for ranges of between 60 and 70 kilometers. The display on the left side of the handlebars is not very large, but it is easy to read and shows basic driving data.
The UTY 8 may not look very luxurious, but it is good for a lot of riding fun. Strong on the hills and fast on the flat, yet handy and stable, its classic look makes it the British sports car among compact e-bikes, without having the same price tag. After a drastic price reduction of 50%, Cooper Bikes is offering the bike on its website for 1.499 euros; after being redirected to the TechniSat online shop, it costs just 1.199 euros. This also gives it a special position among the 20-inch bikes. This low price is definitely not due to a lack of quality - the only thing that could be criticized about the black steel bike is the simple steel headset, which is, however, quite easy to replace. If you are looking for a compact e-bike, you don't have to think twice here.
