Experience with Urb-E trailer ebike?

Posted by Bkbear135@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 15 comments

Anyone ever hear or have one of their bikes?

Saw this listing and I like the concept. Could maybe use as a mobile business or something.

Anything fundamentally wrong with their bikes? They’ve shut down so don’t know if there just wasn’t any demand or if their bikes suck.

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Connect-Sir-9805@reddit

Also: can anyone provide photos and dimensions of the roll-on containers? Specifically, the location and details of indents on the rear of the sides where the spring pins from the base trailer would grab, and the latch at the front center that the trailer base grabs to? I’d like to fabricate my own roll-on electrician workstation and I want the base to lock in according to plan.

In case I run into more trailers, I might want to make up my own roll-on carts and/or offer them pre-made to others.

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Connect-Sir-9805@reddit

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deleted_by_reddit@reddit

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mbelcher@reddit

Just looked them up, this concept seems pretty cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhfglopYLvo

Looks like they changed their name right before going out of business.

https://llamacargo.com/

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Bkbear135@reddit (OP)

Did not realize the trailer itself has 2 1400watt motors. Makes sense why the offering comes with 3 batteries probably needs all 3 at once.

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Connect-Sir-9805@reddit

The URB-E trailers are in use by DutchX on Manhattan NYC as of a few weeks ago. I had just picked up one used from a lucky auction purchaser and saw one in the wild and chatted with the rider who liked it. He had the same non-powered version I got. I think the llamacargo brand launched the powered version, though URB-E account on YouTube does have a video featuring the dual 1400W design.

I see that they also have a lot of vids up on YouTube for maintenance, including replacement of the master cylinder for the trailer hydraulic brakes system, which seems like it would be a very rare task unless there are known defect/failures of the master cylinder (as mine may have, see below).

The system is pretty smart with an actuator built into the tow arm that would prevent overrun by trailer. I spent a lot of time thinking through this design approach trying to upgrade the 300lb capacity of the Carla Cargo, and was all but gave up when I saw this one advertised — all designed and built! trailer+ebike for under $1000.

The URB-e trailer I bought used, has an issue with its brakes, and someone tagged it “checked brake bleed”, so I’m gonna have to learn about hydraulic brakes and the T’d brake lines to the two rear wheels of the trailer and more…

In spite of this, it tests well loaded with 20lbs of solar panel tossed on top, at 5mph on the flat. Steering was even better than I expected based on nimble Carla Cargo videos.

I expect that when properly functioning, the brakes work great 99% of the time but in my own similar design I was concerned about the rare case of decelerating through a sharp turn or downhill, with a trailer that weighs more than the pilot vehicle+rider having momentum at some angle different to the pilot vehicle’s momentum. There could be instances where the trailer wants to go more straight than the pilot vehicle and then torques over or lifts the rear wheel of the pilot vehicle. The tow arm tracking a front steerer on the trailer to the direction of the pilot vehicle rear wheel should eliminate most or all of that situation, keeping trailer momentum very nearly identical in direction to pilot vehicle at all times, and therefore providing for proper brake activation whenever the pilot is decelerating for any reason, but I’ve not tested it at speed, loaded, or decelerating rapidly while in a turn. Vids of the Carla cargo are quite convincing on the overall workability and nimbleness of this basic design.

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Connect-Sir-9805@reddit

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PHDMAM11783@reddit

I have several of these bikes. They are the best built bikes I have ever ridden, with the best components. Made to be used like a taxi cab daily. Anyone that finds a problem with them does not know the bike. Range - phenomenal, power- phenomenal, speed - They come set at 15 mph, but can be adjusted.

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Connect-Sir-9805@reddit

Have you had to maintain the trailer brakes? Mine purchased used, has no brake function when I actuate the tow arm master cylinder hammer. Someone before I bought it has it tagged “checked brake bleed” so either that’s not the issue or that’s the first thing to check. The reservoir is 2/3 full. I see URB-E has a vid on YouTube how to replace the master cylinder, so I presume these fail from time to time— I’m surprised that in two years that would have come up yet, but I suppose 8hrs /day braking heavy loads, maybe it’s a lot of wear.

My lighting system also doesn’t work. I do see a tiny 3-pin connector on the steerer headset has been disconnected and I figure maybe someone disabled the lighting due to battery drain or a short circuit somewhere?

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Connect-Sir-9805@reddit

Turns out my brakes work fine. Just needed to really jam the hydraulic actuator compressed.

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Connect-Sir-9805@reddit

Also YT @inklipMedia I have a pedacycle playlist following URB-E and would love to network with other URB-E owners, enthusiasts, and maybe bike shops and mechanics who know or will know these systems and parts well.

This equipment is robust enough and I hope there are enough out there that fabricating and sourcing parts for this network will be worthwhile, over years and decades (after we make our own, too!).

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