BMC Fourstroke AMP LT: Lightweight e-bike with TQ motor

Thomas Weschta

, Florentin Vesenbeckh

· 15.10.2022

BMC Fourstroke AMP LT: Lightweight e-bike with TQ motor

Photo: Thomas Weschta

BMC follows up - the Fourstroke family gets electric support. With the BMC Fourstroke AMP LT, the Swiss company presents a light e-MTB with TQ HPR50. The e-bike has the same racing genes as the other members of the Fourstroke family. Target weight: under 16 kilos!

Fast trail bike or pimped-up race bike? Down-country is the name of the trendy category that lands right between fun trail speedsters and fast cross-country racers. And this is exactly where BMC places the brand new Fourstroke AMP LT. 120 millimetres of suspension travel and 29er wheels are practically a given in this category. The e-drive is rather unusual. But with the emerging wave of light and quiet e-motors à la Fazua Ride 60 and TQ HPR 50, down-country e-MTBs are also getting a boost. With its latest addition, BMC is presenting one of the first bikes ever with the very compact HPR 50 from TQ before.

TQ builds the smallest and quietest e-bike motor in its class. The HPR 50 weighs 1.89 kg.

The TQ display is nicely integrated into the top tube and is easy to read even while riding.

The range extender of the TQ drive (250 Wh) can be attached quickly and easily with Fidlock magnetic holders. It is also locked to prevent annoying noises and rattling. This works reliably even on rough terrain.

The range extender is plugged into the charging port of the e-bike using a cable.

5 Images

Photo: Thomas Weschta

The details of the TQ drive at a glance.

TQ-HPR50 - Technology & quality made in Germany

At first glance, the TQ drive system is barely visible in the design of the down-country e-bike. Only the slightly thicker down tube and the 2-inch display in the top tube hint at the power hidden in the frame. The motor delivers a maximum of 300 watts of extra power and works particularly quietly and smoothly. With a capacity of 360 Wh, the battery is firmly integrated into the frame and can be extended by 160 Wh with a range extender if required. This is simply attached and locked to one of the two bottle cage positions using FidLock. In addition to the battery level, the display also shows general information about the ride and can be customised using a smartphone app.

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Photo: Thomas WeschtaBMC Fourstroke AMP LT ONE: 9999 Euro // 120 mm // 29 inch

The facts about the BMC Fourstroke AMP

Motor: TQ HPR 50, max. torque 50 Nm
Battery 360 Wh, permanently installed
Optional range extender: 160 Wh
Wheel size: 29 inch
Suspension travel: 120 mm
Weight: from 15.9 kilos (manufacturer's specification)
Four sizes: S, M, L, XL
Four equipment variants from 6899 to 13999 euros
First models available from December 2022

Interested in light e-MTBs? We have extensively tested the most exciting light drives in the lab and in practice. <a href="https://www.delius-klasing.de/emtb-05-2022-emb-2022-05" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read eMTB 5/2022 now! </a>

Photo: EMTB MagazinInterested in light e-MTBs? We have extensively tested the most exciting light drives in the lab and in practice. Read eMTB 5/2022 now!

The geometry of the Fourstroke AMP LT

The Fourstroke AMP LT adopts 95% of the new, even more aggressive geometry of its predecessor. non-motorised brother Fourstroke LT. The chainstays have been lengthened by 3 mm to accommodate the electric motor and continue to guarantee manoeuvrability. The shorter reach and more stack make it even more suitable for touring. At 15.9 kg (in the top version), the 120 mm fully is still easy and precise to control for an e-bike. The long front and the 66.5° flat steering angle ensure a sufficiently smooth ride.

Photo: Hersteller The geometry of the BMC Fourstroke AMP LT at a glance.

As is usual in the cross-country family, an integrated fork stopper is also installed here. The 60 millimetre tyre clearance makes it possible to fit modern 2.4 XC tyres.

The shift cable and brake line run cleanly into the frame in the head tube area. The Swiss company BMC has dispensed with a complex routing through the headset.

Photo: Thomas WeschtaThe shift cable and brake line run cleanly into the frame in the head tube area. The Swiss company BMC has dispensed with a complex routing through the headset.

Although two water bottles (or a water bottle and a range extender) are provided, in reality the upper water bottle is a little tight on a medium frame.

Photo: Thomas WeschtaAlthough two water bottles (or a water bottle and a range extender) are provided, in reality the upper water bottle is a little tight on a medium frame.

Variants, availability and prices

The BMC Fourstroke AMP LT is available in four sizes (S, M, L, XL) and four models: Fourstroke AMP LTD and the AMP ONE will be available from December 2022 and cost € 13999 and € 9999 respectively. The TWO and THREE models will go on sale from February 2023 at the earliest and cost €7999 and €6899 respectively.

The top model Fourstroke AMP LTD costs an impressive 13999 euros. Fox Factory suspension and wireless Sram AXS components add the necessary glamour.

The Fourstroke AMP ONE with Rockshox suspension and Sram Eagle AXS drivetrain is available for 9999 euros. It also comes with carbon wheels from DT Swiss.

The Fourstroke AMP TWO with Rockshox suspension from the Select+ range and Shimano SLX/XT drivetrain costs € 7999.

The Fourstroke AMP Three starts at 6899 euros. For this, you get a cheaper Rockshox suspension, Shimano Deore/SLX gears and affordable aluminium wheels. The model does not have a dropper post. The entry-level version will not be available until May 2023. The e-drive, i.e. battery and motor, is identical for all equipment variants.

4 Images

Photo: Hersteller

The model variants of the BMC Fourstroke AMP LT at a glance.

The BMC Fourstroke AMP on the trail

Lots of suspension travel, lots of battery capacity, lots of motor power - that's how you can describe the fundamental development of the E-MTB market in recent years. The Fourstroke AMP LT goes in a completely different direction for all three factors. Anyone who likes to be pushed up the mountain in turbo mode and then thunder down the trail into the valley with the somnambulistic confidence of a bulldozer is certainly not the right candidate for the slim BMC speedster. The bike is aimed at sporty bikers for whom a low level of assistance is sufficient. The motor is very discreet and pleasantly quiet, but still offers plenty of thrust.

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Photo: Maxime Schmid

The lively character of the bike makes it ideal for undulating, not too wild trails. The Fourstroke AMP also cuts a fine figure on extended tours in moderate terrain. The bike is sporty, but the riding position is not too extreme for touring bikers.

Our author and photographer Thomas Weschta is a passionate marathon racer and rarely rides with e-assistance. However, the light concept of the Fourstroke AMP clearly made the fit biker happy.

Photo: Maxime SchmidOur author and photographer Thomas Weschta is a passionate marathon racer and rarely rides with e-assistance. However, the light concept of the Fourstroke AMP clearly made the fit biker happy.

Conclusion from Thomas Weschta

A fat e-bike is not for me. I was therefore very excited to test the Fourstroke AMP. The riding position is more upright than its non-motorised counterpart, but it still remains a sporty e-MTB. Its riding behaviour is very similar to that of its brother, even if you can of course feel the higher weight. However, at 16 kilos, it is not comparable to a full-power eMTB. The bike remains super manoeuvrable and doesn't push over the front wheel. It's also easy to pull onto the rear wheel. On descents, it's much more pleasant and less strenuous than a big hulk. However, I would have liked a little more travel, at least 130 millimetres on the fork. I would find that more suitable on an E-MTB. I found the smooth thrust of the motor extremely positive. Very natural and intuitive. In Eco mode, you hardly notice that you're riding an e-bike.

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