BMC URS AMP LT Review: The Ultimate Full-Suspension Gravel eBike?

The BMC URS AMP LT breaks away from the typical gravel bike mould.

With front and rear suspension and a seamlessly integrated motor, it’s designed to tackle rougher terrain and steeper climbs – all without compromising the speed and responsiveness you’d expect from a gravel bike.

This in-depth review dives into every aspect of the BMC URS AMP LT, from its suspension design and progressive frame geometry to its on-trail behaviour. I put the bike’s comfort, handling, motor performance and battery range to the test to determine if this top-tier gravel eBike truly lives up to its premium price tag.

Spoiler: it’s ridiculously good.

BMC URS AMP LT: A New Breed of Gravel eBike

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The BMC URS AMP LT is a capable full-suspension carbon gravel eBike that blends impressive comfort with cutting-edge motor technology.

The TQ HPR50 motor is seamlessly integrated into the bottom bracket area, making it barely noticeable as an eBike system. It delivers a moderate yet effective 50 Nm of torque and up to 300 watts of power, all supplied by a 360 Wh battery discreetly hidden inside the down tube.

The bike has a ‘progressive’ frame geometry that ultimately increases the front center length of the frame, boosting stability over rough terrain. This added confidence lets you tackle roads and trails that might otherwise be off-limits.

The frame and fork easily accommodate wide tires (up to 48mm), bringing it very close to the ultimate all-around gravel bike. With mounting points on the MTT fork, it’s also well-suited for bikepacking and adventure riding.

Hidden Suspension

Complementing the stable geometry is a front suspension fork with 20 mm of damped travel. This helps absorb road shock and vibration while keeping the front tire firmly planted to the ground.

If you haven’t seen these forks before, the damper and spring are cleverly integrated into the steerer tube, maintaining a clean and seamless look that complements the bike’s overall design.

Compared to the HiRide Sterra and MTT forks I’ve tested before, the improved version on this bike delivers increased stiffness for more precise steering, improved top-out (or lack thereof), and enhanced damper performance.

At the rear, a compact elastomer spring integrated into the seatstays delivers 10 mm of vertical travel, helping to absorb harsh impacts and minimize lower back fatigue.

This is combined with a D-shaped carbon seatpost that adds an additional 10 to 20 mm of flex, allowing you to stay comfortably seated while pedalling down rough gravel roads.

Component Breakdown

The BMC URS AMP LT comes equipped with a SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission wireless drivetrain, offering 12 gears and a wide 520% range. This setup makes climbing steep hills and descending at speed effortless, even without motor assistance. I found I could still pedal comfortably up to 45 km/h before gravity takes over.

The trade-off with such a wide-range 1X setup is the larger jumps between gears. This becomes most noticeable during group rides, where it’s harder to fine-tune your cadence to match the group’s pace. That said, I’ve found the 1×12 drivetrain works exceptionally well in 99% of riding scenarios – and over time, I’ve become more comfortable adapting to a broader cadence range.

A convenient feature is that the rear derailleur draws power from the bike’s main battery, eliminating the need for separate charging. Even when the main battery is fully depleted, enough reserve power remains for reliable shifting.

Braking is handled by SRAM Force eTap AXS brakes, delivering good braking power in all weather conditions. With a 180 mm rotor up front and a 160 mm rotor in the rear, the setup guarantees consistent and confident stopping power. In my experience, hydraulic systems like this require minimal upkeep – a yearly brake bleed is usually all it takes to keep them performing smoothly.

The bike rolls on CRD-400 Carbon wheels, which are 40mm deep and weigh in at roughly 1600 grams. They’re paired with WTB Raddler tires (review HERE). These versatile gravel tires featuring small, tightly packed center knobs for smooth rolling, and more aggressive side knobs for added grip when venturing off-road.

TQ Motor & Battery

TQ stands for Technology & Quality, and from the first pedal stroke, it’s clear that this is a premium motor. The TQ HPR50 motor is impressively quiet, and its power delivery is so smooth and natural that you can easily forget it’s an eBike.

The unique Harmonic Pin Ring motor design ensures a smaller/lighter build, with fewer moving parts, and a lower RPM for quieter operation. Similar motors are found in robots, satellites and even Mars rovers!

The TQ HPR50 provides up to 300 watts of assistance in the HIGH mode with 50 Nm of torque, which is more than enough to put a big smile on your face. The MID mode generates up to 180 watts, and the lowest assistance ECO mode delivers a maximum of 99 watts. I should also note that via an app you can fine-tune the three assist levels for an optimal ride.

A great feature of the TQ motor is that it experiences very little drag when it’s switched off. This allows you to ride relatively efficiently without using any battery power.

Additionally, the motor’s width between crank arms (q-factor) is significantly narrower than most mid drive motors. It feels just like you’re riding a regular gravel bike.

Geometry & Handling

The non-electric BMC URS LT was one of the best gravel bikes I’ve tested, offering an outstanding mix of comfort, grip and handling, largely due to its well-designed geometry (full review HERE).

The URS AMP has a similar off-road gravel frame geometry. It essentially borrows frame design principles from the mountain bike world, integrating a slacker head tube angle, a steeper seat tube angle, a longer frame reach, and a shorter stem length than you’d typically see in gravel bikes.

This geometry results in a longer wheelbase and enhanced stability on rough terrain. By positioning the front wheel further out in front, it also helps reduce the likelihood of being pitched forward during hard front impacts, ultimately improving overall bike control.

With all its high-tech features, the real question is: how does the URS AMP LT actually ride?

Ride Impressions

Riding the BMC URS AMP was an absolute blast. Right from the first pedal stroke, it felt intuitively dialled in. The steering was sharp and responsive, and the bike was impressively stable.

One of the first things I noticed was how effective the suspension system was. The MTT fork combined with the rear elastomer effortlessly absorbed bumps and vibrations, delivering a smooth, comfortable ride that’s ideal for long days on gravel roads.

Compared to the BMC URS LT I recently tested, the added weight from the motor and battery actually worked in the bike’s favour, offering improved traction and a more planted feel on rough terrain.

The bike’s even slacker head tube angle and longer wheelbase further enhanced stability and control, especially when descending or tackling steeper sections. I can confidently say the AMP is more fun to ride than the non-electric version!

I added a Redshift PRO Endurance suspension seatpost to see if I could enhance the comfort even more, and the difference was immediately noticeable. You’ll see how the D-shaped carbon seatpost fared against the suspension seatpost in my vibration tests below.

TQ Motor Impressions

The URS AMP truly comes to life when the motor is switched on.

This is undoubtedly the most natural-feeling motor I’ve ever used, mimicking my pedal strokes with great accuracy. Its super-smooth power delivery enhanced my ride experience in almost all scenarios, with snappy acceleration on steep climbs, compared to the rear hub motor I’m used to.

In the MID or HIGH modes, the motor comfortably offsets the additional weight of the motor and battery. The cutoff at 25 km/h is smooth, and the motor whine is rarely noticed.

To get the most out of the TQ HPR50 motor, you’ll need to put in a bit more effort compared to some other systems. I found that maintaining an input of around 150 watts at a cadence of 90 RPM triggered the motor to deliver its strongest support.

While I generally appreciated the performance of the TQ HPR50, there are a few drawbacks worth noting.

TQ Motor Drawbacks

Firstly, the motor only kicks in above roughly 5 km/h. This feels a bit delayed, especially when compared to the Mahle X20 system on my Mondraker gravel eBike, which delivers assistance from very low speeds.

The TQ HPR50 can also hesitate when modulating its power, occasionally disrupting its otherwise smooth performance. This was particularly noticeable in the 20 to 25 km/h range, where support would taper off unless I maintained a cadence around 90 RPM. While downshifting would bring the support back, a truly seamless system would ideally maintain assistance at lower cadences.

There are some limitations to the motor’s performance in HIGH mode too.

A motor lab test by Test My Bike reveals that the TQ HPR50 will “derate” in this setting to avoid overheating, reducing its output to levels comparable to MID mode. In extreme cases, such as a heavier rider tackling steep climbs on a hot day, this derating could occur in as little as 20 minutes. It’s a consideration for riders who regularly push their equipment hard.

Finally, there’s a minor but noticeable clicking sound as the motor engages and disengages at the 25 km/h speed limit (in Europe). While not a dealbreaker, it’s a clear audible cue that you’ve reached the end of motor assistance.

Battery Range

To give you a sense of the 360 Wh battery’s real-world range, I rode a 21 km gravel loop with 460 metres of elevation gain (13 miles and 1,500 feet), using the motor in HIGH mode. My heart rate was above 124 BPM for about half the ride, and I weigh approximately 87 kg / 192 lb.

By the end, the battery still had 54% remaining, suggesting a total range of around 45 km on similarly hilly terrain. That’s a bit lower than I’d expect from a battery of this size.

For comparison, when I rode the same route with a gravel eBike equipped with the Fazua Ride 60 motor, I achieved about 25% more distance per watt-hour. And I could get even more distance per watt-hour using the Mahle X20 motor.

Of course, many variables can affect range, but one takeaway is clear: if you plan to ride more than 60 km on hilly terrain in MID or HIGH mode, the 160 Wh Range Extender will likely be a worthwhile addition.

The Range Extender is cleverly designed to resemble a standard 500 ml water bottle. When mounted, it blends in seamlessly with the bike’s aesthetic and can be charged simultaneously with the main battery, all without needing to remove it from the frame.

It’s now time to move on to my vibration comfort tests.

Test Bike and Comfort Test Method

I tested the vibration damping of the BMC URS AMP LT Two using WTB Raddler 700C x 44 mm tires set to 27.5 PSI.

For comparison, I benchmarked it against my Mondraker Dusty R gravel eBike, which was equipped with a Challenge Gravine 40 mm front tire at 30 PSI and a Challenge Getaway 45 mm rear tire at 25.5 PSI. These pressures are different to the BMC to account for tire volume differences, ensuring similar casing tension across both setups.

Both bikes shared the same 20mm suspension fork, however, my Mondraker also had a Redshift Suspension Stem fitted with very stiff elastomers to prevent any movement.

To evaluate rear-end compliance, the Mondraker used a Redshift PRO Endurance suspension seatpost with 35mm of travel. This allowed me to assess whether the combination of the BMC’s rear elastomer and carbon seatpost could match the performance of probably the highest-performing suspension seatpost available.

The test procedure included a standard combination of high-frequency gravel chatter (a long plank) ridden at 25 km/h and a single big-hit scenario over a 3 cm-high wooden plank at 20 km/h.

You can read more about my testing methodology HERE.

Vibration Test Results

Big Hit Test

	Average Acceleration (G)	BMC URS AMP vs Mondraker
BMC URS AMP – Front	2.13	–
Mondraker Dusty – Front	2.20	3.3% More Vibration
BMC URS AMP – Rear	0.99	–
Mondraker Dusty – Rear	0.87	12% Less Vibration

In terms of front-end vibration absorption, the BMC outperformed the Mondraker, even though both bikes were equipped with the same HiRide suspension fork. This difference is most likely due to the tires – the Challenge Gravine outperformed the WTB Raddlers by a similar margin in my recent gravel tire test.

At the rear, however, the BMC’s MTT seatstays and carbon seatpost couldn’t match the performance of the Redshift PRO Endurance suspension seatpost. Although both setups offer comparable suspension travel, the dedicated suspension post proved more effective in absorbing impacts, delivering a notable 12% reduction in vibration.

High-Speed Chatter Test

	Average Acceleration (G)	BMC URS AMP vs Mondraker
BMC URS AMP – Front	1.65	–
Mondraker Dusty – Front	1.54	7% Less Vibration
BMC URS AMP – Rear	1.52	–
Mondraker Dusty – Rear	1.12	26% Less Vibration

In the high-frequency chatter test, the Mondraker registered 7% less vibration at the handlebar compared to the BMC. This result is puzzling, as the BMC’s WTB tire outperformed the Mondraker’s Challenge tire in my previous gravel tire tests.

At the rear, the BMC’s MTT seatstays and carbon seatpost delivered solid performance, but the Redshift PRO Endurance suspension seatpost on the Mondraker proved unmatched in this scenario, reducing vibration by an impressive 26%.

That said, the BMC URS AMP is by no means uncomfortable; it’s significantly more compliant than most gravel bikes. However, these results clearly show just how much a suspension seatpost like the Redshift PRO Endurance can enhance ride comfort on any gravel setup.

Summary

Full-suspension gravel eBikes are still a rarity, but if you’re after one of the most capable options available, with the added boost of a premium mid-drive motor, the BMC URS AMP LT should be at the top of your list.

The suspension system stands out, offering strong performance that boosts traction and smooths out big impacts, all while maintaining a well-balanced feel.

The TQ motor does an excellent job of taking the edge off nasty climbs while still letting you get a solid workout. It’s impressively quiet, with a smooth and natural power delivery that never feels intrusive. It will put a big smile on your face.

While the URS AMP’s range is shorter than some other gravel eBikes (expect around 50 km on a hilly route), it will suit many riders’ needs. For longer rides, the unobtrusive range extender is a great option.

The biggest drawback is the price. At €9,999, it’s a serious investment. However, after spending time with the bike, it’s clear that the performance, comfort, and sheer fun it delivers help justify the cost. This is a high-end gravel eBike that’s incredibly capable, fast, and enjoyable to ride.