2014 Haibike XDURO AMT RX Review

The Haibike AMT RX is an “all mountain” full suspension electric bike with Bosch drive systems that are capable of powerful ascents and impressive range. It’s a step up from the Haibike FSRX which also offers full suspension but doesn’t include the CTD (climb, trail, descend) adjust from Fox, opting instead for a simple remote lockout. Haibike is a premium bicycle brand from Europe that has fully embraced electric assist and it really shows on their frame designs. You’ve got a 6061 aluminum alloy frame here with a tapered head tube and four bar linkage system on the rear swing arm to reduce bob but maintain traction over rough terrain. There is very little unsprung weight thanks to the well positioned centerdrive motor and downtube battery pack. Several upgrades caught my attention and performed well during my ride tests including a Crank Brothers Kronolog seat post with 125 mm of travel and remote drop switch on the right bar, oversized Shimano Deore hydraulic disc brakes with 203 mm front and 180 mm rear rotors and a fancy sprocket equalizing system that elevates the chain and reduces kickback over rough terrain. The front sprocket also includes an aluminum guide to reduce chain drops and the teeth alternate from narrow to wide. This “NW” tooth pattern reduces chain slip and overall, the bike and drive system feel extremely fast and responsive. The top assisted speed is 20 mph and the cutout is smooth and natural feeling.

Driving this bike is a 350 watt geared mid-drive motor from Bosch. It offers 60 newton meters of torque and responds to the rear wheel speed, pedal cadence and pedal torque to switch on and off. While many other mid mounted electric bike motors use traditional sized sprockets, Bosch systems use smaller chainrings that rotate about 2.5x for every pedal stroke. This allows the motor to operate at a higher RPM and gain a mechanical advantage while pulling the chain. These front sprockets come in three sizes including 18T, 19T and 20T which the bicycle manufacturer actually producing the sprocket (which is how Haibike was able to do the narrow wide thing with the teeth) and the XDURO AMT RX has opted for the off-road chainring size with 18T for the most leverage. As shown in the video, at higher RPMs there is a distinct whining noise produced by the motor but that is somewhat masked by the sound of your tires rolling over dirt, sticks and rocks off-road. Note that I was in the highest level of assist for most of my ride tests. The outer casing on the motor is purely aesthetic and designed to protect the metal-encased drive which bolts directly to the motor plate (joining the downtube, seat tube and chain stays).

Powering the AMT RX is a Bosch Powerpack 400 battery pack that resides just above the motor, mounted to the downtube. It’s positioned well for both weight distribution and protection in the event of a crash and is removable for transporting or charging off of the frame. You get 36 volts of power and 11 amp hours of capacity here which is a touch above average in terms of size but the way this power is used and the quality of the cells inside is quite impressive. The cells are made by Samsung and consist of a Lithium-ion chemistry designed to be light weight and long lasting. The pack only weighs ~5.5 lbs so you could conceivably buy a spare and toss it into a backpack… the charger only weighs ~1.5 lbs and is fairly small as well so brining it along would be easier and much less expensive than buying a second battery. I like that the pack has an LED readout on the side for showing your current battery level (handy if you’ve got the pack inside and can’t remember if it has already been charged) and that it includes an ABUS locking core for security. The pack also has a sort of built in handle that makes it easier to carry around, dropping it could crack the case and potentially damage the connections inside. To really care for this pack and help it reach 1,000+ charge cycles I recommend storing in a cool, dry environment and maintaining a 20% to 80% fill at all times. If you haven’t used the bike in several months, top off the battery.

Operating this ebike is very intuitive and comfortable, even while riding, because there’s a large adjustable LCD display mounted the center of the handlebar as well as an independent button pad mounted near the left grip. Once the battery is charged and connected to the frame mount you simply press the power button at the lower left corner of the Intuivia display panel and it comes to life. This display is backlit for use at dusk or dawn (you can turn the light on with the bulb switch at the lower right corner of the display) and it is also completely removable for storage and protection off of the bike… just make sure the set-screw isn’t installed (this is designed for security to make the display more permanent). All of the plastic buttons on the display and button pad produce a light “click” when activated which provides a bit of confirmation while riding (if you can’t look down at the display) and they have tested well for me in wet conditions. The Intuvia display panel actually uses its own small battery and can be switched on even while not mounted to the bike. When it is attached however, the display charges off of the main battery pack. Near the top right corner of the display there’s a micro USB port (under a rubber flap) that is used for firmware updates and off-bike charging. This port may also be used while the display is mounted to the frame for charging your portable electronics like an MP3 player or smart phone but does have limited voltage (500 ma at 5 volts). So the basics of operation here are on/off and up/down to navigate through four levels of assist. The highest level offers the most power for climbing and speed but uses significantly more power. I find myself using the two lowest levels of assist most frequently and have been able to reach 50+ miles per charge on relatively flat, smooth terrain. In addition to pedal assist, there is also a “zero” mode which lets the bike ride without power while still keeping the display on like a traditional cycle computer. There are several different readouts that the display can show if you press the little “i” icon including trip distance, max speed and range (among others). I like range because it actually calculates your “estimated range” on the fly using the remaining battery level and your current assist setting as input.

There are many Haibikes to choose from but the AMT RX and FSRX are my two favorites because they are more affordable and versatile than the others. This thing is capable of downhill riding, cross country or cruising around town thanks to the CTD setting on both suspension elements. It’s relatively light weight at ~49 lbs and the warranty is solid with five years on the frame and two on the motor and battery. I love that the frame comes in four sizes for improved fit and that the wheels offer quick release (for easy transport and maintenance) paired with thru-axles for a stiff and rugged operation. The paint job is pretty cool and the angled top tube makes this bike easier to stand over and handle for shorter riders. My only real complaint is the lack of a water bottle cage mounting point which is common on many full suspension bicycles and especially ebikes. Consider a CamelBak so you don’t get too thirsty out there. For a truly capable off-road electric assist experience, the Haibike XDURO AMT RX is one of the best options available right now.

Pros:

• High quality air suspension by Fox (front and rear) that are light and rugged with great adjustability (climb, trail, descend CTD on both)
• Proprietary Sprocket Equalizing System (SES) reduces chain kickback, keeps the chain from slapping the rear stay when riding on rough terrain and reduces drops, the chain itself has teeth that alternate from narrow to wide which helps reduce slipping
• The hydraulic disc brake rotors are enormous with 203 mm in the front and 180 in the rear for improved leverage, stiffer thru-axle design keeps brakes and wheel aligned under pressure
• Seat post dropper with remote activation is perfect for on the fly body position adjustment, drop the seat when bombing downhill sections so you can use your legs as shock absorbers then raise it instantly for climbing and spinning on flats
• Quick release on front and rear wheel makes the bike easier to break down when transporting it in your car and comes in handy for trail maintenance, also makes the bike less intimidating to work on
• Excellent range thanks to the efficient centerdrive motor that leverages the rear cassette and high performance Lithium-ion 396 watt hour battery
• Great torque output, this bike can climb very well in Turbo mode when you’re pedaling with a lower gear
• Battery pack locks to frame for security using a quality ABUS core, it can be charged on or off the frame for convenience or to reduce weight if you’d like to ride this as a normal bicycle, pack also includes an LED charge level indicator
• Intuitive display panel is large, easy to read and removable – the stand alone button pad is easy to reach without taking your hand off the left grip and “clicks” when pressed for tactile feedback (you don’t have to look down when riding)
• Stiff cranks, peformance wheelset, decent aluminum alloy XLC platform pedals, rigid frame for good power transfer when riding, tapered head tube for strength
• Great customer support and warranty from Currie Technologies in the US (part of Accell Group which owns Haibike)
• Four frame sizes offer better fit for a wider range of riders (40cm, 44cm, 48cm, 52cm)
• Shift detection helps reduce wear on the chain and sprockets, the bike experiences less mashing and is easier to ride as a result
• Beautiful paint job, brushed aluminum with fluorescent green and gray accents, all cables and wires are routed through the frame which reduces the potential for snags when riding or hauling this bike

Cons:

• The battery pack takes up the space where a water bottle cage might otherwise mount and there isn’t one on the seat tube due to the rear suspension setup, consider and aftermarket accessory for the saddle rails or grab a CamelBak
• No throttle mode, this bike only offers pedal assist (like all Bosch powered systems) but will get a better range than if it did, top speed is limited to 20 mph
• The brake levers do not include a motor inhibitor but the drive system is more responsive than others I’ve tested so it hasn’t been an issue