State of the art

Want a faster, smarter way to get to work in the city… and beyond? These urban ebikes are built for slicing through gridlock in style

Words: Nick Odantzis

Photography: Neil Godwin

Commuting to work by bike – or indeed, getting anywhere by bike – is one of the most pleasurable, liberating experiences around. No traffic to worry about getting stuck in, as much fresh air as you want, and a boost to your health and wellbeing, too.

You can, of course, get your two-wheeled kicks any way you like – road, gravel, penny farthing (no really, it’s a thing), analogue, battery-assisted, or whatever you prefer – and we salute you no matter how you go about it. But if you want the ultimate mode of urban transport, then let us present three of the most sophisticated, stylish emachines going right now, from three well-established European brands.

Luxuries include integrated batteries – you’ll struggle to tell these apart from unassisted bikes – smart features like GPS tracking and electric locking, auto gear changes, customisable companion apps and, of course, oodles of smooth power assistance to boost your legs so you can arrive at your destination without feeling like you’ve accidentally taken part in the National Hill Climb Championships. And before you ask: yes, they are all legal to ride on public roads.

Ultimately each of these ebikes has the same purpose, but they all go about it in a slightly different way. Which one is right for you? Let’s find out as we head out to explore the big city, and even further!

WHAT’S ON TEST…

1 Ampler Axel

Hand-built in Estonia, the Axel is available in medium and large frame sizes, in a selection of cool matte or glossy colours. Mudguards, lights and a kickstand are included, though the rear rack is £60 extra. With its single speed setup, low weight and minimal smarts, this is the bike to go for if you want the easy life (and your route is mostly flat).

£2,750, amplerbikes.com

SPECS

Motor Rear hub Battery 336Wh Connectivity Bluetooth, GSM, GPS Frame Aluminium 6061 Fork Aluminium Gears Single speed, Gates belt drive Brakes Hydraulic disc, 2-piston calipers Range Up to 62 miles Weight 16.3kg

2 Vanmoof S5

After a brief hiatus, Amsterdam-originated Vanmoof is back in new (and safe) hands thanks to its acquisition by UK-based McLaren Applied, offering an ebike like nothing else. The S5 is only available in one size, though there’s a smaller A5 variant with a step-through frame. Extras include front and rear carriers and matching bags.

£2,998, vanmoof.com