Light ebikes

Looking to make your ride faster, easier and more exciting, without the bulky downside? Try these stealth ebikes

- Nicholas Odantzis

When is an ebike not totally an ebike? When other riders can’t actually tell you’re riding one, but you’re able to sail past them like you’ve got your own personal tail wind. Here we have three of the best undercover ebikes; with integrated batteries and low-key controls, you wouldn’t be able to tell they’ve got a little extra oomph under the hood.

Which makes them great for people who want the benefit of power assistance that goes with having an ebike, but feel, maybe, that there’s a little bit of a stigma attached with owning one. Two of these bikes, for instance, are designed for riding fast on the drops — an area of cycling where super athletic purists may turn their nose up to ‘cheating’, as if an ebike is one rung down from doping pros. But you could rock up to a Sportive on the Ribble or Pinarello and most people wouldn’t notice.

In the city, image is arguably an even bigger deal – discerning types probably wouldn’t be seen dead with a massive battery externally strapped to their frame like those ebikes of old, which is why Ampler’s urban ebike looks like a commuter’s dream.

These stealth ebikes don’t just look good, though, they’re also some of the lightest in their class too, making them easier to ride when you’re not getting electric assistance, and easier to move around when you’re not riding them. But which of them is the best bike for your kind of riding? Let’s find out.

WHAT’S ON TEST…

1 Ampler Curt

More a city cruiser than racer, though it’s quite capable of turning its hand to any task, with gearing options for all types of terrain plus extra smarts for year-round riding.