Ampler Curt Electric Bike Review - What is a like a month later?
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- Опубликовано: 21 окт 2024
- I am a big fan of the Ampler Electric Bike - it is a great commuter bike. But what is their new electric bike, the Ampler Curt like to ride? Well, Ampler sent me one to review - and here it is! ***** Find out more about Ampler Bikes at bit.ly/amplerbike
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About this video:
In this video, Matt Edmundson reviews his new Ampler electric commuter Bike - the Curt, answer questions like "What's it like riding an electric bike up a hill?" "Is it is a good commuter bike?" "How does the electric bike actually work?" and 'how to choose the right frame size'
*Love the **Latest.Bike** it's getting warmer here in Minnesota. So I can't go to fast with it yet but once it does I will use it more often and save on gas to work.*
Hey Matt. Thanks for putting this review up! I was doubting wether or not to buy an Ampler on the internet. Your review really helped me making an exiting decision. My bike will arrive in just a couple of days. Thanks again for your nice and complete review!
erik sauer that’s awesome Erik! Well done. I think you’ll love it :-)
how's it going with your Ampler?
Hi Matt, I'm currently in the process of ordering an Ampler Curt but I'm 1.83m and I don't know what to choose between M and L size (Ampler recommends me the M size). I know you're 1.80 and took the M size, does this size fits you? Is it perfect or a little small? Thanks!
Hi Matt, just about to buy a Curt. Maybe it was your riding on the Pierhead that convinced me. Actually, it was your picking up the bike with one hand that did it. I will probably get the 10 gear version. Two things concern me: I have arthritic hands so assembling might be a problem, is there much to do? The lack of service centres in U.K. worries me too.
Anyway, thanks for great vids but get out of my way when I whizz down to Pierhead from Otterspool!
2fallguy hey bud! Noted. Will keep out of the way :-) The bike will practically be build - so no issues. And too be honest, I have never had any trouble with the bike. Any one could do the main bike servicing, it’s just if there are electical issues - but the guys at Ampler are pretty good guys and super helpful. Looking forward to seeing another Ampler in the Pool
Matt Edmundson Thanks mate. So embarrassed that I also asked Ampler the same question. Just realised Brexit might delay that possibility. Deffo buying the Curt, just assessing my escape from Covid shielding before I do. Should be about in early July. I think I might have seen your bike in town. Noticed it was stripped down. Thought it was a knock off repainted black.
Thanks Matt, your nuanced context a month into having the Curt is helpful.
Though it's the Stellar I've got my eye on, the overall details are fairly comparable. I'm a fan of it having gears though, as they can, I imagine, come in handy when going up really steep hills, as I may do when we live in France. But for now, in the Netherlands, I can see it doing fine just about anywhere :) The sloped bar is something that's quite popular with both men and women here in the Netherlands, which while being safer in crashes, also allows them to do that fancy swooping of the leg over bike dismount while still moving thing haha!
The only thing I'd disagree with is their customer service. Yes they're informative but they also come across...paternal. Two different times when I had questions their attitude was basically, we know best, don't do the things you have in mind (change the stem and bar to give it a more upright ride, and give it a wheel lock as a second form of security beyond the TiGr Blue I intend to use, to which they tried to sell me on a different lock and said they intentionally don't provide a space to mount a wheel lock)
Aside from that, the test ride I did in Amsterdam was so much fun! You're right, the brakes are on point, and it overall feels nimble and swift, but not artificially so. It felt like an extension of me rather than a mopedish motorised bike.
Thanks Paul! I feel like i have learned something about the Netherlands today! Liverpool is pretty flat to be fair, so I prefer the curt (and the old hawk). I did do a review of the stellar and really liked it - a friend of mine around the corner got one. Super comfortable and chill to ride. Fair comments about their customer service…but I have always found them to be great. Appreciate your comments bud…much more descriptive than my video :-)
@@mattedmundson You're welcome. And I did as well...I'd no idea Liverpool was so modern in aesthetic! Though you may have cherrypicked those bits for the video :) The Dutch continue to impress me with their commitment to and varied use of bikes. The plain old black bike gets used for quite the range of things, from tag team carrying a table to kids standing on the back rack, hands on parent's shoulders :-0 They learn how to ride at a tiny age, and seem able to ride no handed while doing any number of things.
Mooie fiets, wordt zeker mijn volgende fiets......vraagje, kan je er ook gewoon klikpedalen op gebruiken?
Very nice looking bike, to bad they changed boost mode for the 2019 models to 25km, it s a bit slow, 35km boost was the sweet spot! Hope with a future update this will be integrated again.
Can you not change it in the app to 35? It’s a shame if you can’t that is for sure
@@mattedmundson No you can t anymore, with the 2019 models the firmware has been updated, and boost mode changed to 25km, with more support for hill climbing in mind. I live in Belgium where there are no hills present, it s a shame. The funny part is that I had viewed u r review and based upon that made my desicion, not that I am not happy with the bike, but 25km is rather slow. Hope they change the firmware in the future with a 35km option. You can check the website they have changed it. Good review dough.
@@tommystroeckx4617 I think there's some regulation within the EU limiting ebikes to 25km/h assistance
Yes I know but you can call it off road mode or us mode so the costumer is responsible, that is how they dealt with it in the past. Dunno why they removed the option but you are probably right. The bike is build for speed, light weight, and has a sporty position, that s why I think it s a bit strange they changed the top speed to a more sunday drive feeling mode on a "racy looking" bike.
Hello Matt,
Thanks for the thorough review! I have just one more question about the Curt. How rough are very steep hills with the single speed? I live and work in Seattle, and have to cut through downtown, the hills can be brutal. Thanks for any info you can provide!
Hey Drew. The answer depends on how fast you want to go up that hill. If you’re like me, then you’ll be out of breath at the top :-). I like to pedal hard and keep the speed as high as I can. If I went slower - the hill would be easier, no doubt. Steep hills are definitely the place you’ll wish you had the gears, especially if you have a few of those hills on your journey. I, really, only have one long hill, so don’t mind it. You can do hills with the single gear, but they would be easier with gears.
@@mattedmundson thanks man! The gears seem like a good way to go here.
thanks for the content! how has been your experience with the ampler curt ebike? still happy with it?
No worries…and yup, still love the bike. Using it again today :-)
@@mattedmundson I just got myself a stout. Any ideas for good lockers / gps trackers?
@@drmsgp Nice. The stout is a really nice bike! Ampler do a lock that is pretty nice, but I think it is a generic brand you can get online. GPS? No idea bud, sorry - but if you find anything, let me know!
Hi Matt, just ordered a Curt, your review helped so thanks . Quick question: Is that the quad lock or the quad lock pro ?
Any reason you didn’t go for the stem version ? Cheers
Steve Finch hey Steve hope you enjoy the curt bud! In the video I think it was with the iPhone X in the quad lock. I now have the iPhone 11 Pro and it also fits fine. I chose that version as I could mount a GoPro on the front. I haven’t tried it with stem version. Hope this helps!
Hi, super video, congratulations ! Is it possible when you ride to stop the assistance without using the mobile phone (I would just need it for the slopes) ? Is the bluetooth always on or can you stop it somewhere ?
You could just switch it off using the on/off button on the side of the back (just above the pedal). If you look at my unboxing video - I think I show you where the button is.
Actually - just watch this video at 6:53 - I point it out!
Hi Matt. Thank you for this review
:-) My pleasure
Hi Matt, thanks for the very special detailed film of the beautiful Curt. Do you know if this bike still have the 35 km/h option with the app? I can’t find it anymore on the website.
Erik Mollema I don’t think it does. You’d have to get one of the older ones for that now.
Matt Edmundson Thanks for your answer.
Hi Matt nice review, just wondering do you have to stop the bike to alter the power settings.ie pressing the button on the frame.
Hi Brian. Not sure is the answer in terms of the power boost. I have been riding and pressed the button to turn on the lights and it has worked. Not sure if that helps?
I see you have the single speed version. I was wondering what if the battery is empty while you're riding the bike. Isn't it hard to ride without any other gears? Maybe the 10 speed version would be a better option.
Hey - to be honest, the battery has never run out for me. I never travel distances that take it beyond the battery limit :-) Agree that the gears would make it easier to ride without the battery...but as I said, it is not an issue. Hope this helps :-)
Nice review!
Thanks
Hi Matt. Thanks for the great video. I have two questions about the bike: I live in Zurich and there are some hills here to cycle on. I am not sure if I need the 10-gear upgrade. What do you think? habe you ridden more or less steep hills? And: Do you have the normal tires? Or the upgraded ones? How well / save are they in rain? How was that with the hawk? Cheers! Lukas
Hallo Lukas,
ich bin aus dem Schwarzwald und habe ein Stout bestellt, dass diese Woche verschickt wird. Bei Interesse erstelle ich ein deutsches Review zum Stout sobald ich es in Händen halte.
Great questions! I haven't tried the bike with the gears and too be honest, Liverpool is pretty flat, so the single speed works well for me. I think the gears with more steep hills could definitely help - but it all depends on how fast you want to go up the hill! The normal tyres I think are fine, it's down to preference - you can always upgrade them after (which is what I did on the Hawk as the tyres we too slick). The Hawk was also amazing...love both bikes!
Hey I have the one with the 10 gears, I can really recommend it as you have a bit more flexibility. The shifter works quickly and great. You can even boost the 250w to 350w via the app. For me on full boost it lasts about 40km on normal boost it lasts 60-80km. Hope that helps. I have the silver one and it looks sooo beautiful.
Marco RiMe Hallo Marco, hast du das Fahrrad schon? Wie lautet dein Urteil? Ich liebäugle sehr mit dem Rad aber habe keinerlei Erfahrung mit Ampler
Michael Linzer also das Curt kann ich nur empfehlen. Die Verarbeitung ist wirklich klasse für ein Ebike in der Preisklasse und es schaut einfach schön aus.
I think that the bike is beautiful.. It would be cool if the battery was external, it seems really small so if it was the size of a water bottle and could be fitted to a bottle cage it would still look like a regular bike and you could take your battery to your desk at work and charge it up, ore even have a back up battery.
Hey Chris..thanks for the comment...and the bike is stunning. If I’m honest, the whole reason I got this is because the battery is hidden...that’s one if it’s key features. It doesn’t look like an electric bike and I don’t have to carry batteries everywhere - so I am fascinated (and a little intrigued) that you want the battery external.
Nice bike, will definitely be my next bike ...... question, can you also just use click pedals on it? Is that possible in connection with the electric motor?
Sp6rt1cus I would think so. The pedals are pretty easy to change out, so you will have no issues.
@@mattedmundson Thanks!
Hello Matt, thanks for the great videos of the Ampler Curt. I was just wondering did you compare or have you ever driven a VANMOOF Electrified S or a WATT Electric?
I live in The Netherlands and I am looking for an electric. This Ampler is for sure one of the favorites.
Just as an indication:
- Watt Electric Male 1350 euro
- Ampler Curt 2490 euro
- VANMOOF Electrified S 3398 euro
Huge price differences!
Let me know what you think.
Thanks
Remco
Hey Remco - thanks for your question. Honestly, I have not ridden either of those electric bike brands so can’t give you a direct comparison. You’re right about the big differences on the prices though. Ampler seems to be a good middle option in terms of price. Is there a way you could ride all of them for yourself? All I can tell you is that I am really pleased with the Ampler, and I enjoy more than the other electric bikes I have ridden. Sorry I can’t be more help!
I bought an ampler curt. Received it. Then got a message that due to technical problems they could not deliver. I already drove the bike with our child on the back for 3,5 hours.
they told me the bike was delivered by mistake. in February they also had a problem with front forks that broke... Not a very good brand in my opinion. still waiting for my money to be returned after 6 weeks of buying the bike.
Sorry to hear that bud...I have to say - my experience with them has always been great, so hope they fix it for you all soon!
Hey, I am already saving for the curt, but now came across the "Cowboy.bike" a new, similar bike. I dont like it as much as the ampler (less distance, not that sleek design..) but its half the price. What do you think?
I have to be honest - never heard of them or tried their bike so I couldn't comment on their suitability. It looks OK. There are pros and cons to the removable battery. I can tell you that I have never been disappointed with Ampler - I think it's worth the extra, even if it takes a little longer to save for it.
Hello Matt & Johannes, A few weeks ago I tested the Cowboy in Antwerp. Yesterday I and my wife could test ride the Ampler Curt & Stellar for a whole day. The curt was equiped with the single-speed 48/16 and chain, the Stellar had a Shimano Acera 9-speed. Ok, what do I think of the 2 Ampler bikes ? I must say however the the Stellar is heavier it was much more easier to ride for me. And this with and without the e-power turned on. During the 9 speed it is more easy to start on, passing slower bikers and getting to an nice speed. However my wife liked more the single speed. She´s not so familiar with shifting gears so it was more relaxed for her to ride automatic. For her it was the first time on an ebike and so she was a bit nervous.But after one street biking she liked it a lot, totaly in control of the bike. Clearly Amplified she could not stop talking about het Stellar on the way home ;-) For me it was a bit different. It was very clear from the beginnig I was rideig the Curt that I liked the Cowboy more. I found the Cowboy more boosty from to start. Also picking up speed to pass a slower biker feels better on the cowboy even it weights 2kg more. On the Curt I mentioned some lag before you feel some boost. Even its maybe a fraction of a second but I found it a bit annoing. Something I not expected for a more expensive bike compared to the Cowboy. On the other site the Curt gives you more topspeed +3 to 5 km/h. I have to deal with a lot of stoplights and other bikers during my 22km one way to work and therefore I found the Cowboy more refined and propably faster at the end. If I had less traficlights and more fast streath lines I think I would be better with the Curt. I could also take the Curt with the 9 speed, but I really want the belt drive, so therefore my choise will be the Cowboy. Also because of removable battery (easier for me at work), integrated ligts, a good working app (sorry buth the Ampler app is not working very well). The movebility of the Cowboy and Curt is the same. Stopping power on both bikes are super. The ride position on the Curt is slightly sportier. The battery range for my porpose is also enough for each of this bikes. After al these 3 bikes are really greath bikes, well build, nice look and a real joy to ride. So Johannes just test them all and I am sure you gone feel witch bike suits you the best. It just depends of your perose.
Paul Rennen thanks for you in-depth report Paul. It’s cool you could ride all three. We are just finishing a video for the Stout. It’s a great bike, and for me quite different from the Curt. Agree about the belt drive but I have been surprised how much I enjoyed the gears on the Stout.
Curious for your next great video I am already thinking from what I experainced with the Stellar, probably is the Stout with the 9 speed is the better Ampler setup. For sure another cool bike.
@@paulrennen3935 Hi Paul, seems like I oversaw your comments. Thanks a lot for the feedback :)
Hi Matt! Cool review!
About the single speed version:
How hard is it to start after stopping at red lights?
Does it feel effortless with the motor or you first have to give it a good push for the assistance to kick in?
What about on a slightly hilly road?
Thanks Florian. Its pretty easy - the motor helps a lot. You still have to push a lot more when starting, but the motor definitely takes the sting out it!
Thx for the answer ;)
You actually motivated me to book a test ride while I'll be visiting a friend in Berlin. I want to compare it with the vanmoof. I'll try to report here for anyone interested ;)
Florian Kempenich absolutely!
@@ShockN745 Did you test ride it? How does it compare to vanmoof?
@@BartvandenAncker Haha Yep! I had this task in my todo-list to post my mini-review here. I guess now's the perfect time :)
Here it goes:
I had a fantastic time with the Ampler Curt. Let me start by telling you if you're in Berlin, you should definitely go say Hi. The staff is incredibly helpful and genuinely nice. I spent an afternoon test riding it in and out of Berlin, and it really felt great . . . . but!
And here is the thing: There is a but! While being a fantastic ride, the only thing, in my opinion, the Ampler Curt does, is to allow you to ride at 25km/h with the same level of effort as if you were riding 10km/h. Good enough you might think? And yeah! If that's what you're looking for, it's an incredible ride!
That being said, for a 3000e e-bike I was expecting something else. My main interest in e-bikes isn't the cruise speed, but the boost that's provided when starting from a full stop. This makes stopping at red-light and passing dangerous intersection a breathe. Unfortunately, the Ampler bikes do not, in my opinion, provide that. I tested both the single speed as well as the 10-speed version and in both scenarios, the energy required to start the bike was not incredibly lower when compared with a normal 200e-400e bicycle. That extra cruise speed isn't worth for me the extra 2600e.
That feeling of start boost, which really is what made me an e-bike believer, isn't a product of my fancy imagination. It exists! I originally discovered this incredible feeling riding a MTB with a Shimano mid-drive. But... who wants to ride this in a city? The thing is 25kg!! Let alone that a bike looking like this is screaming "STEAL ME".
Now !!!! Here's is the good news! All hope is not lost for awesome looking e-bikes with a hub drive. As mentioned in my previous comment, right after the Ampler, I went and spent an afternoon with the Vanmoof (Electrified X) this time. After my first experience with the Ampler, I figured hub-drive just weren't powerful enough for what I was looking for. But heck, the vanmoof trial was booked, and I gave it a shot without much hope.
And: OH-MY-GOD!!!The Electrified-X has a 2-speed hub that feels supernatural, and as clean, if not cleaner with the fully enclosed chain, as a single speed. Now, don't ask me how they did it . . . but they did! When you start pedaling on the bike, it moves effortlessly! And here is the even crazier thing . . . they have this boost button! You press it and the thing f****** flies !!! We're talking the same experience, if not more nervous, as Shimano-mid drive on a low gear! It's fan-tas-tic! After a green light, a press of the button and the road is free for me, I feel safe. The only vehicles passing the intersection quicker than me were small motorbikes, fair enough. Then, of course, it won't go over 25km/h, but that's totally fine with me (although you can technically change that in the App, for both the Vanmoof and Ampler ;) ). Similarly, when a truck blocks the road or something fishy is happening and you just need to get off this congestion, a press of the button and it's over, right behind you, and you feel free again. That feeling of freedom, the mix between bicycle and motorbike, I could only find in the vanmoof (as well as with mid-drive ebikes ofc).
I know this ends up sounding like an advertisement for vanmoof, but google me, I have 0 affiliations with this brand. I literally just loved the experience !!!!
Any questions, AMA ;)
Hi, how is it after 3 years? I have just bought one, can't wait to receive it... In September :(
I love it. Still ride it all the time. Shame you have to wait so long for yours - but you'll enjoy riding it when you get it :-)
@@mattedmundson thanks I am glad to hear that you're still riding it. Impatiently waiting for it to arrive.
Hi, I am John from the Netherlands and I am also interested in this ampler curt. I am 1.71 myself. Would you also go for the size M or in my case size S? Thank you for your response. With kind regards, John
Personally I'd go medium - I like it. That said, when I went to buy the Hawk - Ampler suggested the medium for my height (my default is large). They were right. Best advice is to contact Ampler through the website - they are pretty good at coming back to you with an answer, and they will be right.
I am also 171cm. Which size did you get John?
I have a question concerning the single-speed. My daily trip has two hills (750m 5% and 900m 7.5%) and I am 183cm/110kg. Single speed is enough? I am moderated trained, during weekend I use a Levo SL and I don’t need a much powerful e-bike.
sometimes I use a public e-bike (24” single speed) for reaching the office.
You would find it easier with gears no doubt. It all depends how fast you want to go up the hill. We have 700 meter hill that I ride up with the single speed, but I like to go fast so my legs are burning at the top (worth it). If the two hills are closer together you might feel it a bit. That said, I like the fact that the single speed is a lot simpler! And I love the carbon drive.
Thank you for the answer. One hill is in the morning and one in the afternoon so I should be ok. I’m not scared about legs but I would like to avoid to be sweaty in the office so if assistance is enough i will proceed with carbon drive. Much lighter and easier. 👍
For me I’d go single speed and carbon. I like that combo and the hills are ok.
could you put something on it to have a bike-bag!? this is obviously not a standard, but maybe a very suttle rack or somehting
denns0r yup. I had a pannier rack on my Hawk.
Hey Mat where is the sensor on the bike to regulate the speed?
I don't actually know. I know the assist cuts out at certain speeds, but other than that I am not sure. Sorry :-(
Hi Matt, is the 2018 model still available? I mean with a maximum speed of 35km/h
Psyco friend goof question. I don’t actually know.
hay matt, about the speed cap, from the ampler site:
"Can I change the speed limit?
You have the option to change the motor parameters from the smartphone.
You can lift the max speed up to 35 km/h and nominal power to 350 W, but by doing that you will be taking the full responsibility for using the bike on public roads."
try it and let me know how was it.
They are right - you can do that - but you should only do it on private land ;-) and if you do - you will definitely enjoy the faster speeds
@@mattedmundson I heard that with the updated app in the UK it is now not possible to lift the limit up to 35km/h (for private land of course.....) as before. Is that the case?
grafton2011 good question. I don’t know. I’ve not updated the app :-). I know it’s not possible on the new model bikes.
@@mattedmundson did you end up updating the app? What happened to boost mode?
@@flapcats Honestly, I have never really used the app. My phone auto-updates so assume the app is up to date, but I don't think I have opened it in the last year. I don't' really use it's features as you can do most things on the bike.
Hi ! I wonder what bike would be best for me ? I like the curt alot but don’t know if the small would fit me. I’m 156cm small is the small still to big for me you would say ? Don’t know if you can answer tha question but still thanks for checking it ! :)
Great question - if you are unsure, the best thing to do is to email Ampler directly (check out their website at AmplerBikes.com) - that’s what I did. I was unsure on the right size, so I emailed them my questions and they answered really quickly. The frame they chose for me is the perfect size
Go Pro Hero ? how about mirrow? It's works allways, no accu, no energy, much cheaper, easy to install, eary to replace if damage.
Rose Physigeobas very true. But I like gadgets. And I can record :-)
Hi Matt, do you remember what size (S/M/L) of the curt you have driven? It looks a bit small.
Andreas Patock I have the medium frame. It’s actually a good size for. Pretty comfortable. I haven’t tried the large though so I can’t compare. I’m 180cm. Hope this helps :-)
Thank you, for the information.
What did you do with your old hawk?
Great question. At the moment it's a with a friend while I test the Curt. Ampler have just sent me the Stout to test too...so going to be filming a video for that soon!
What mudguards are they?
They are the ones that came with the bike...not sure of the brand.
I think I would miss a front suspension.
I thought the same - in fact when I got the hawk - I asked if they could add suspension to it as I have an injured wrist. I have not added front suspension to the bike yet as it hasn’t really aggravated that injury. The only time it happened was on a long ride over difficult terrain, but that kind of made sense.
That's interesting, thanks.
It blends in with all other normal bikes, which still get stolen. It would just be a surprising bonus for the thief ;)
Very true! Although they might find it a bit tricky getting away if they don't turn it on first!
Can’t buy it in the us though
TT Smasher yeah. It’s a shame that you can’t. The US is ideal for the bike.
Will you get the 2019 version?
Johannes grma i don’t think so bud. I’m super happy with the 2018 version :-) if ampler send one though, I’ll happily do the review ;-)
@@mattedmundson I can imagine, not much difference. I applied for the challenge of ampler, have you heard of it? wish me luck :)
Johannes grma what’s the challenge?
@@mattedmundson www.cyclingweekly.com/news/product-news/ampler-e-bike-1000km-test-ride-challenge-423575
A 10 km/u support difference for the 2019 models.
How do you soup it up?
Hey Willi - I just added the mud guards (essential for the UK), the lights and the carbon drive. Beyond that - I also add the GoPros to the bike, especially the rear-view one mounted under the seat. You can also change the speed of the bike through the app.
Oh wow, you can change the speed through the app? I don't know any other ebike, which enables you to become illegal so easily! lol
No gears?
not for me - prefer it without them!
To much cuts in the scenes