In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
Data and facts about the Ampler Nova Pro
| Weight | 18.12 kg |
| Fork | 28" Alu-Starrgabel |
| Drivetrain | Shimano Deore |
| Motor | Ampler 250W Hinterradnabenmotor |
| Battery | Ampler integriert |
| Front brake | Shimano BR-MT 410 |
E-bikes used to be built like this: Take a normal bike, attach a battery and motor, fit a Shimano XT rear derailleur and there you have it - a big seller. Many bike manufacturers have now realised that this is not always the best tactic for e-bikes.
The Estonian manufacturer Ampler is at the forefront of rethinking e-bikes. The company from Tallinn specialises in urban solutions that are designed to be stylish, light and practical without costing the earth.
The latest addition, the Nova Pro (>> available here), you can even charge it with conventional USB-C power adapters and use it as a power bank. Let's take a look at whether the smart bike is also a good bike in its own right.
Instead of a power arms race: visually and acoustically discreet
You won't find excessive power and large batteries on the Ampler. The bike has to make do with 336 watt hours, which are permanently integrated into the down tube. This means that the bike has to be parked next to a power socket for charging.
Propulsion is provided by a hub motor in the rear wheel. It pushes gently, but supposedly offers up to 400 watts of peak power. You shouldn't expect acceleration miracles or a powerful mid-motor boost, but the power is always sufficient for practical use.
Our test bike with derailleur gears can even conquer gentle inclines. For city use, this means: hook it up. However, the Ampler, which is clearly geared towards city traffic, is not a mountain goat.
The clear advantage of the hub drive is that the motor is barely audible during operation. And because the motor power does not run via the chain, the filigree drive is not subjected to so much strain. This all fits in well with the concept of the urban runabout.
The Nova is available in two versions. Our test bike is the slightly higher quality Pro version. It not only comes with expensive equipment from the brakes to the gears, but also with the option of the Active add-on with a slightly more sporty riding position. The Nova Pro is also available as a singlespeed with a Gates belt and as a more relaxed comfort model.
The cheaper Nova model without the Pro add-on costs 400 euros less. The equipment here is much simpler with Tektro brakes and micro-shift gears. The sporty orientation and the version with single speed and belt are omitted. All models are also available with a trapezoidal frame.
Charging via USB-C
However, at a price of at least 3000 euros, even with favourable parts, it is also clear that the Ampler is not necessarily a super bargain. What's more, many things on our test bike, such as the lock or even the charger, cost extra.
The smart features clearly take precedence over the desire to build a bike that is as affordable as possible. And the Ampler actually has a lot of smart features. The most striking feature is the USB-C charging port, which is installed on the Nova for the first time in an e-bike. This means that the Ampler can be charged using a standard mains adapter, for example from a laptop.
But it must be at least 30 watts. So it won't work with a small mobile phone plug. Conversely, the Nova can also be used as a power bank to supply empty mobile phones or other smart devices with fresh power from the e-bike battery. GPS tracking via a GSM module is also part of the package and is intended to provide additional theft protection.
How the Ampler rides
The question remains as to how the bike actually functions as a bike. We think so: The Ampler has hardly any weaknesses here. The Deore 10-speed gears are crisp. With its short stem and slightly forward leaning riding position, the Ampler steers very directly and nimbly. The deliberately compliant handlebars actually provide good comfort even without suspension. The hydraulic brakes from Shimano's mid-range segment bite hard, even with small discs.
The motor always remains in the background. Just two support levels, adjustable via the app, are just as minimalist as the display. During the ride, the screen even switches to standby mode. Basic tour data and the time are only displayed at the touch of a button. There is no speed display. The biggest drawback: more than 50 kilometres on a single charge is hardly realistic.
With its sporty and crisp handling, the Ampler is a great bike for commuting and city traffic and can also be taken on a short trip. However, the centre-mounted kickstand often locks up when pushing backwards.
In the generally successful app, some functions still overlap on Android. Activity tracking and determining the bike's location do not always work reliably. And in cold weather, our bike sometimes refused to charge - a fault that is probably shared by many of the first Nova Pro test bikes.
The problem was quickly solved in our warm workshop. However, if you park the Ampler outside in winter, you could get into real trouble. After all, the battery cannot be removed. Here, as with the small bugs in the app and the tracking, the designers should definitely make improvements.
BIKE review of the Ampler Nova Pro
Strengths
- Lively driving behaviour
- Low weight
- slim look
- smart functions ...
Weaknesses
- ... the functions still have the odd bug here and there
Adrian Kaether
Editor
