Hercules Urbanico One: Brand-name e-bike with a belt drive – just 1,999 euros

​With the Urbanico One, Hercules is launching a minimalist e-bike for the 2027 model year that does away with unnecessary frills – whilst offering an attractive entry-level price of 1,999 euros.

Urbanico One: Editorial review

Already the Urbanico’s top-of-the-range F3 model with automatic gearbox It was a really good-value bike. Now the specialist retailer is taking it a step further with the Urbanico One, priced at 1,999 euros. With no gears and a 400-watt-hour battery, it’s really only suitable for city use. However, high-quality everyday components and a low-maintenance belt at this price make the bike an attractive option. - Adrian Kaether, Test & Technology Editor

Anyone looking for an e-bike suitable for everyday city use, with a clean, uncluttered design that focuses on the essentials, is likely to take notice of the Urbanico One. Hercules has opted for a single-speed design: you won’t find a gear system here. Instead, a Gates CDN toothed belt provides the drive – a drive system that’s considered particularly low-maintenance and durable, and which really comes into its own in everyday urban life.

Motor and battery

The drive unit is a Bafang H410 hub motor, which delivers a maximum torque of 45 Nm. One notable feature is the ‘Boost’ mode advertised by Hercules: at the touch of a button, it is said to provide an extra burst of power for 30 seconds – a feature which, according to the manufacturer, is particularly useful at traffic lights or on short inclines.

Power is supplied by a Bafang Intube battery with a capacity of 417 Wh, which can be easily removed from the top of the frame. It’s no range wonder, but it’s more than enough for everyday journeys of up to 50 kilometres. It is charged using the supplied Bafang charger, which delivers a charging current of 2 amps. This is relatively slow for an e-bike, but certainly sufficient for urban use. A full charge is likely to take around 6 hours.

Frame and geometry

The frame is made from AL6061 aluminium alloy and is part of the company’s own eTrekking R25 range. The Urbanico One is available in two frame designs: as a classic diamond-frame model (D) in sizes 53 and 58, and as a wave-frame variant (W) in sizes 48 and 53, each with 28-inch wheels. The available colours are Evergreen Matt (colour A) and Ivory Glossy (colour B).

Features in detail

When it comes to the suspension, Hercules has opted for a Suntour NEX suspension fork with 63 millimetres of travel, a steel spring and a lockout function. You shouldn’t expect miracles here. The suspension fork offers a little more comfort over kerbs, but is likely to be the bike’s Achilles’ heel when it comes to durability.

The hydraulic disc brakes, on the other hand, are tried and tested and are made by Shimano (MT200 with BL-MT200 levers); the discs measure 180 millimetres at both the front and rear. Sufficient grip and puncture protection are provided by Schwalbe Motion Fat Frank tyres, which are 50 millimetres wide and feature K-Guard puncture protection.

Display integrated into the stem

One design feature is the Bafang C400 display integrated into the cockpit, which is seamlessly embedded in the adjustable Hercules stem. This keeps the cockpit tidy and emphasises the bike’s minimalist design aesthetic. The handlebars are Hercules aluminium riser bars, with grips supplied by Herrmans.

The lighting is permanently fitted and consists of the Hercules FS-50 EB headlamp, providing 50 lux, and the Hercules RZ-20 EB rear light. Standard everyday equipment also includes high-quality aluminium mudguards from Curana (C-lite 55), a Racktime SnapIT 2.0 luggage rack and a Pletscher Comp Flex 40 kickstand. So Hercules certainly doesn’t skimp on the everyday components.

Weight and price

Hercules states the weight as from 22.0 kilograms (excluding pedals) – a thoroughly respectable figure for a fully-equipped everyday e-bike. The starting price is 1,999 euros (RRP), making the Urbanico One very competitively priced. By way of comparison: for under 2,000 euros, you’d otherwise only find bikes from dedicated budget brands such as Tenways (CGO Compact reviewed here) or from discount retailers such as Decathlon. Even at Cube, e-bikes don’t really start until 2,500 euros. The Hercules is a real coup in that respect.