Ampler bikes are a startup based in Estonia and they're raising the cash for their first two e-bike models via the crowdfunding site Indiegogo. So far they've amassed $114k in orders, well over they $100k they were aiming for.
The bikes are designed to be as clean-looking as possible; save for a larger rear hub housing the motor, and a charging port on the down tube, you wouldn't really know they were e-bikes at all. The electronics are all built into the frame. There's a 278Wh battery giving a claimed range of 70km on one charge, although as usual that's a best-case scenario.
The bike has a 250W motor with a bottom-bracket-mounted torque sensor and is limited to 25km/h, although you can apparently up that assistance limit to 35km/h using the Ampler app on your smartphone. The app can control the motor settings and update the bike's firmware, as well as allowing you to contact the manufacturer directly, but the ability to exceed the 25km/h limit would, we think, make it technically illegal in the UK.
There are two models for launch and both are available as either a standard diamond or a step-through frame. The Hawk is a singlespeed city bike, and with a claimed weight of 14kg it's certainly a lightweight as city e-bikes go. It's an alloy frame with a carbon fork, and you get a simple one-speed transmission and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes for stopping. The list price is $2,490 but there are still some available at $2,290 on Indiegogo.
The Bilberry uses a 9-speed derailleur setup. It's priced more keenly than the Hawk ($2,290 full retail, $2.090 on Indiegogo) and has a steel fork rather than a carbon one; overall it's a bit heavier at 17kg (claimed). The motor and integrated battery are the same and both bikes use a magnetic charge plug that's located on the seat tube. It's neat but does mean you can't take the battery inside for charging and leave the bike in the shed.
The bikes certainly look very classy and with funding now exceeding the goal it's a certainty we'll be seeing them out on the roads soon.
