User Review: BMC Alpenchallenge AMP Sport Two.
This edit is an update of my review below...My problem with the computer display has been solved with a recent software update to the display, and I upgrade the rating to to 5 stars!
This is a review of the BMC Alpenchallenge AMP Sport Two. The short version is: 4 stars out of 5 and I really like this bike! Located in Switzerland, BMC is best known for its carbon fiber or aluminum, high end, racing machines. I ended up selecting this bike after some rental riding and lots of on-line research because it was all the things important to me. So while I think it's great, it may not be the cat's meow for others.
My desires were a quiet, lightweight, mid motor, trek bike that would be reliable, low maintenance, easy to ride, easy to transport in my car, and not too expensive. BTW, I ended up adjusting my expectations of "not too expensive!" The list price is $3499 US, although I have seen it on sale for less.
I have a little over 300 miles on it as I write this review and it has performed flawlessly, although it has a minor issue with the computer display that I’m still working to correct. It’s a matter of calibration and I suspect it is related to Shimano’s code that converts km to miles. That's why only 4 stars.
With my water bottle, spare tire, pump, and tools, this aluminum frame ebike weights only 41 lbs. It is easy to remove the front wheel and strap down in the back of my car just like any 10 speed. The way the Shimano E6100 power assist works (torque sensor) makes the bike feel like a normal road bike, but with someone else adding power to the pedals. I have no accurate idea yet what the max range of the 418 wh battery might be, but I suspect it is at least 40 miles in HIGH assist over mostly level terrain with a couple of hill climbs. Two other reduced assist modes will extend the miles even more. And a nice feature of this ebike is there is no drag when turned off. So, if you're on the way home and the battery gives out, you turn it off and pedal home with a 40 lb 11 speed bike.
Unlike some of the hub motor ebikes I've ridden, this bike requires you to apply a small amount of push (torque) to the pedals in order to get any assist. But, I really like this, as it's just like riding a normal bike. The pressure you put on the pedals is simply multiplied, so it feels like you just got stronger. This is a Class 1 ebike, limited to 250 watts and 20 MPH, but being mid-motor, the 250 watts and 16 Newtons are applied to the chain wheel, and through the gear you have selected, to the rear wheel. So, when you start up a steep hill, you naturally shift to a larger sprocket (low gear) and motor power is applied with a mechanical advantage to the rear wheel. The result is an extremely powerful hill climber with the capability to go fast in a high gear on level terrain.
This ebike is very quiet. I cannot hear the motor at all over the normal chain/sprocket sound and wind noise. The pedal assist has 3 settings – ECO (low), NORM (medium), and HIGH (high). I normally start in ECO and then switch up to HIGH, and then control the assist with my pedal force. The 20 mph limit is handled very smoothly with a taper off beginning at about 19.5 mph. There is a really nice sweet spot at about 19.2 -19.5 mph where one achieves maximum speed for minimum effort on level terrain. Once it reaches the limit, it magically disengages without any drag, and it’s no problem to pedal the bike faster than 20 mph or coast downhill at speeds above 20 mph.
The Shimano shifter is indexed and shifts perfectly without any hesitation. This is a “one by” with 11 gears. The hydraulic disk brakes are awesome.
However, one must be careful with these mid-motor machines and remember to down shift (big sprocket) before starting up a hill or stopping. If you start from a stop light in a high gear, or attempt starting up a steep hill on a small sprocket, the torque you apply to the pedals is multiplied, and you risk breaking a chain someday - especially if you pedal hard while shifting. BTW, this can happen with a normal 10 speed bike and a strong rider. So, you need to remember to pedal lightly during a shift change, and anticipate when you will need a low gear to avoid the possibility of breaking a chain. Once appropriate habit patterns are established, this becomes a non-issue.
There are (only) two things I wish were different about this ebike. First, it came with a narrow road bike saddle and I had to purchase a more comfortable “old guy” seat. Second, I wish the front forks had a little more “rake” to them, which would make the steering a little less lively and the ride a little more comfortable. But, its excellent agility helps to avoid pot holes and obstacles, and the light front end is easy to lift up over the bumps.
Sunny days, tail winds, and safe rides to you!
Details:
This edit is an update of my review below...My problem with the computer display has been solved with a recent software update to the display, and I upgrade the rating to to 5 stars!
This is a review of the BMC Alpenchallenge AMP Sport Two. The short version is: 4 stars out of 5 and I really like this bike! Located in Switzerland, BMC is best known for its carbon fiber or aluminum, high end, racing machines. I ended up selecting this bike after some rental riding and lots of on-line research because it was all the things important to me. So while I think it's great, it may not be the cat's meow for others.
My desires were a quiet, lightweight, mid motor, trek bike that would be reliable, low maintenance, easy to ride, easy to transport in my car, and not too expensive. BTW, I ended up adjusting my expectations of "not too expensive!" The list price is $3499 US, although I have seen it on sale for less.
I have a little over 300 miles on it as I write this review and it has performed flawlessly, although it has a minor issue with the computer display that I’m still working to correct. It’s a matter of calibration and I suspect it is related to Shimano’s code that converts km to miles. That's why only 4 stars.
With my water bottle, spare tire, pump, and tools, this aluminum frame ebike weights only 41 lbs. It is easy to remove the front wheel and strap down in the back of my car just like any 10 speed. The way the Shimano E6100 power assist works (torque sensor) makes the bike feel like a normal road bike, but with someone else adding power to the pedals. I have no accurate idea yet what the max range of the 418 wh battery might be, but I suspect it is at least 40 miles in HIGH assist over mostly level terrain with a couple of hill climbs. Two other reduced assist modes will extend the miles even more. And a nice feature of this ebike is there is no drag when turned off. So, if you're on the way home and the battery gives out, you turn it off and pedal home with a 40 lb 11 speed bike.
Unlike some of the hub motor ebikes I've ridden, this bike requires you to apply a small amount of push (torque) to the pedals in order to get any assist. But, I really like this, as it's just like riding a normal bike. The pressure you put on the pedals is simply multiplied, so it feels like you just got stronger. This is a Class 1 ebike, limited to 250 watts and 20 MPH, but being mid-motor, the 250 watts and 16 Newtons are applied to the chain wheel, and through the gear you have selected, to the rear wheel. So, when you start up a steep hill, you naturally shift to a larger sprocket (low gear) and motor power is applied with a mechanical advantage to the rear wheel. The result is an extremely powerful hill climber with the capability to go fast in a high gear on level terrain.
This ebike is very quiet. I cannot hear the motor at all over the normal chain/sprocket sound and wind noise. The pedal assist has 3 settings – ECO (low), NORM (medium), and HIGH (high). I normally start in ECO and then switch up to HIGH, and then control the assist with my pedal force. The 20 mph limit is handled very smoothly with a taper off beginning at about 19.5 mph. There is a really nice sweet spot at about 19.2 -19.5 mph where one achieves maximum speed for minimum effort on level terrain. Once it reaches the limit, it magically disengages without any drag, and it’s no problem to pedal the bike faster than 20 mph or coast downhill at speeds above 20 mph.
The Shimano shifter is indexed and shifts perfectly without any hesitation. This is a “one by” with 11 gears. The hydraulic disk brakes are awesome.
However, one must be careful with these mid-motor machines and remember to down shift (big sprocket) before starting up a hill or stopping. If you start from a stop light in a high gear, or attempt starting up a steep hill on a small sprocket, the torque you apply to the pedals is multiplied, and you risk breaking a chain someday - especially if you pedal hard while shifting. BTW, this can happen with a normal 10 speed bike and a strong rider. So, you need to remember to pedal lightly during a shift change, and anticipate when you will need a low gear to avoid the possibility of breaking a chain. Once appropriate habit patterns are established, this becomes a non-issue.
There are (only) two things I wish were different about this ebike. First, it came with a narrow road bike saddle and I had to purchase a more comfortable “old guy” seat. Second, I wish the front forks had a little more “rake” to them, which would make the steering a little less lively and the ride a little more comfortable. But, its excellent agility helps to avoid pot holes and obstacles, and the light front end is easy to lift up over the bumps.
Sunny days, tail winds, and safe rides to you!
Details:
| FRAME | Alpenchallenge AMP, Flat Mount, 12x142mm thru-axle |
| TUBING | Al-13 Premium Hydroformed, Smoothwelded Aluminum |
| DRIVE UNIT | Shimano STEPS E-6100 250W, 60Nm output |
| BATTERY PACK | Shimano STEPS BT-E8014 418Wh |
| FORK | Alpenchallenge AMP Premium Aluminum, Flat Mount, 12x100mm thru-axle |
| GEARS | 1×11 |
| CHAINWHEEL | Shimano 105 |
| CASSETT | Shimano 105, 11-34T |
| CHAIN | Shimano HG-601 |
| REAR DERAILLEUR | Shimano 105 |
| SHIFTERS | Shimano RS700 Rapidfire Plus 105 |
| BRAKES | Shimano MT500 (180/160) |
| HANDLEBAR | BMC LSB 02 |
| STEM | BMC RSM 01 |
| SEATPOST | BMC LSP 03 |
| SADDLE | Selle Royal 2043HRN |
| HUBS | Formula, Thru Axle (12mm) |
| RIMS | DT Swiss R500 |
| TIRES | Vittoria Rubino Pro, 30mm |
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