Bicycles

Ampler Bikes takes to the street with second generation stealth ebikes

Ampler Bikes takes to the street with second generation stealth ebikes
The Juna (pictured) and Axel lightweight city ebikes are the first models in Ampler's second generation lineup
The Juna (pictured) and Axel lightweight city ebikes are the first models in Ampler's second generation lineup
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The Juna (pictured) and Axel lightweight city ebikes are the first models in Ampler's second generation lineup
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The Juna (pictured) and Axel lightweight city ebikes are the first models in Ampler's second generation lineup
The power button under the top tube also controls the frame-integrated display
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The power button under the top tube also controls the frame-integrated display
The Juna features a low-step frame, 250-W rear-hub motor with torque sensing and a 336-Wh frame-integrated battery
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The Juna features a low-step frame, 250-W rear-hub motor with torque sensing and a 336-Wh frame-integrated battery
All of Ampler's second generation ebikes, such as the Axel pictured, include built-in mobile connectivity for GPS tracking via an app and more
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All of Ampler's second generation ebikes, such as the Axel pictured, include built-in mobile connectivity for GPS tracking via an app and more
The 2022 Juna and Axel models sport a Gates Carbon belt drive and Ampler's own 250-W rear-hub motor
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The 2022 Juna and Axel models sport a Gates Carbon belt drive and Ampler's own 250-W rear-hub motor
The Axel features 27.5-inch wheels with Continental puncture-resistant tires, hydraulic disc braking and integrated LED lighting (with the rear module also serving as a brake light)
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The Axel features 27.5-inch wheels with Continental puncture-resistant tires, hydraulic disc braking and integrated LED lighting (with the rear module also serving as a brake light)
View gallery - 6 images

Cycling to where you need to be with some electric motor assist is proving popular among commuters, but not everyone appreciates the bulked out look common to many ebikes. Estonia's Ampler Bikes has just announced two lightweight city rides that have the stealthy look of non-electric bikes.

Ampler says that it's essentially gone back to the drawing board and started afresh for its second generation ebikes, reworking or redesigning most of the components and technology that make up these lightweight stealth city rides. For the moment, Ampler has detailed two models from its 2022 range but more are on the way.

First up is the 16.5-kg (36.3-lb) Ampler Juna, which features a low-step aluminum alloy frame to make it accessible for more riders – with two sizes available for users ranging in height from 150 to 174 cm (59 to 68.5 in). Riders of this ebike adopt a relaxed, upright stance.

The top bar is home to an integrated display that shows key metrics like remaining charge and cycling speed, and is controlled by a multifunction power button located under the tube for ease of access and to maintain the ebike's clean look.

The 2022 Juna and Axel models sport a Gates Carbon belt drive and Ampler's own 250-W rear-hub motor
The 2022 Juna and Axel models sport a Gates Carbon belt drive and Ampler's own 250-W rear-hub motor

The proprietary 250-W rear hub motor produces 45 Nm (33 lb.ft) of torque and offers a top pedal-assist speed of up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph), in line with European regulations, and is reported to dynamically double user input at the pedals courtesy of a torque sensor. And maintenance tasks are kept to a minimum thanks to the single-speed Juna sporting a Gates Carbon belt-drive.

The 336-Wh battery is integrated in the downtube, and is removable but only really to meet servicing needs. Riders can expect a real-world average per-charge range of 70 km (43.5 miles), though up to 100 km is possible.

Rounding out the key specs are 27.5-inch wheels wrapped in puncture-resistant Continental tires, hydraulic disc braking, included fenders and integrated LED lighting, and buyers can option in a rear carrier rack too.

Interestingly, all of Ampler's new ebikes will come with a mobile connection for GPS tracking, remote lock/unlock and deep dives into stats via a smartphone app.

The Axel features 27.5-inch wheels with Continental puncture-resistant tires, hydraulic disc braking and integrated LED lighting (with the rear module also serving as a brake light)
The Axel features 27.5-inch wheels with Continental puncture-resistant tires, hydraulic disc braking and integrated LED lighting (with the rear module also serving as a brake light)

The Ampler Axel shares much of the same feature set as the Juna, but is slightly lighter at 16.3 kg (35.9 lb), has a step-over frame in medium or large for rider heights between 172 and 200 cm (67.7 to 78.7 in) and offers a more aggressive lean-forward riding stance.

Either model will cost you €2,590 (about US$2,820), which makes them pricier than the recently-announced Babymaker II but nowhere near a Ducati road bike. The video below starts with a factory tour, and then showcases the new ebike additions.

Take Your Commuting to the Next Level: Meet The New Generation of Ampler E-bikes. Part 1/2

Product pages: Juna, Axel

View gallery - 6 images
5 comments
5 comments
Hasler
We are given the claimed range when new, but nothing about the reduction in capacity of the battery due to recharging. We need an estimate of the 'battery half-life', when the range will be down by 50% or 35km. If, say, the battery could be recharged for 600 times, the average range would be 300 times the average of 70 and 35, or a theoretical 15.750 km. This gives an equipment cost of €0.16 per km if the cycle were to be scrapped at this point. But obviously this is just conjecture without better information on the battery.
michael_dowling
I like a bike that has electric assist,but doesn't broadcast it. It is a bit pricey,but not outrageously so. I want to have a way to commute to the office without arriving sweaty,and needing a shower before I head for my desk.
WB
These stealth ebikes are bought typically by the biggest D-bags around. First they have this smug hipster grince on their face - thinking they are so much more fit than everyone else.. when anyone can see from a mile away that it's an ebike. Even take this bike... the lights, the hubs, the thicker pipel give it away instantly, and why is that even a thing... trying to fool anyone like it's a normal bike when it's an ebike - what's the purpose of that other than attracting the world's biggest douche bags?
ljaques
$2,820, yet it has no suspension, front OR rear? Nah.
glickmich
I bought a 10 speed Ampler bike two years ago and find it very well made and useful. It is by far lighter than my girlfriend´s Bosch midmotor bike and much easier to carry up to the apartment. There is no difference in speed or range compared to her model that was 1500€ more expensive. On longer trips I set the motor assist to 20 km/h. That increases the range considerably and on flat terrain I go faster than 25 km/h anyway since it is as light as a regular bike. As soon as speed drops below 20 km/h the motor kicks in and helps me to go uphill or accelerate. The longest trip was 80 km that way with 30% charge left at the end. Even running out of juice has never been a problem since it rides like a regular bicycle that doesn´t need motor assistance to keep moving.