Test / E-Bike: The days when step-through e-bikes had a purely functional but staid image are long gone. Modern urban mobility demands bikes that allow for easy mounting for everyday errands, while also offering stable handling and an attractive design. The Crivit Urban Y.3 makes precisely this promise. We tested whether this smart, budget-friendly e-bike could withstand the rigors of everyday use.
Elegance and functionality in urban spaces
With its curved frame and no top tube, the Crivit Urban Y.3 makes a great first impression. Available in stylish black, beige, and pink, this bike looks great parked outside any café. According to the specs, the frame is designed for riders between 1,60 m and 1,90 m tall. The riding position is comfortably upright, and the wide step-through frame makes getting on and off the bike incredibly easy – an invaluable advantage when the bike is heavily loaded.
Solid basic framework
The bike's foundation is remarkably high-quality. Step-through frames, lacking a top tube, often tend to feel soft or even wobbly in the bottom bracket area. The Y.3, however, is torsionally stiff and tracks perfectly. Weighing in at just 23,5 kilograms (without pedals), it also ranks among the lightest city e-bikes. The maximum permissible weight of 140 kilograms allows the rider approximately 116 kilograms of payload capacity.
Tires and transport
The Y.3 offers excellent features, especially for everyday transport. A high-quality AtranVelo rear rack boasts an impressive 27-kilogram load capacity, making the bike ideal for mounting a child seat. Schwalbe Big Ben tires ensure a comfortable ride. With a width of 50 millimeters, they effectively absorb shocks and cobblestones, eliminating the need for a heavy, maintenance-intensive front suspension fork.
The Crivit Urban Y.3 in practice
You feel comfortable in the saddle of the Urban Y.3 right from the start. Our practical tests showed that the optimal height for this frame is between 1,65 m and 1,85 m – within this range, the bike unfolds its full ergonomic potential. The handling is smooth, safe, and yet agile enough to make quick progress in rush hour traffic.
Motor and operation
The Mivice hub motor in the rear wheel delivers 40 Nm of torque, which is perfectly adequate for flat and undulating city terrain. The real star of the drive system, however, is the integrated torque sensor in the bottom bracket. It precisely measures the pressure on the pedals and controls the motor smoothly. The bike doesn't lurch forward uncontrollably, but rather harmoniously supports the rider's pedaling effort. Operation is via a minimalist control unit on the left handlebar grip. Instead of a dominant display, one of the three assistance levels is selected using plus and minus buttons. A clever feature: A long press of the plus button activates a boost mode for 20 seconds – a real boon when starting on a hill or with a fully loaded child seat on the rear rack.
gears and brakes
Power is transmitted via a Shimano CUES 4000 9-speed derailleur. Thanks to e-bike-specific LinkGlide technology, gears shift smoothly even under tension, while significantly minimizing component wear. The Shimano MT200 brake system ensures reliable stopping power. As this is a standard brake from a reputable manufacturer, maintenance will continue to be easily handled by any local bike shop.
Smart extras
Lidl has equipped the Y.3 with some clever features that enhance everyday use. The lighting system not only offers excellent illumination of 180 lux, but also integrates a high beam function that can be activated with the thumb. An SP Connect phone mount on the stem, a magnetic Fidlock water bottle holder on the downtube, and a hidden mounting point for a GPS smart tag complete the package.
Conclusion
The Crivit Urban Y.3 impressively demonstrates that a modern e-bike for the city doesn't have to cost a fortune. It combines a high level of comfort with useful everyday features and a drive system whose torque sensor is unparalleled in this price range. Anyone looking for a reliable, low-maintenance companion for daily commutes to work, kindergarten, or the supermarket will find outstanding value for money here.