BMC URS AMP LT
Wheel Size: 700c
Travel: 20 mm front and 10 mm rear
Geometry Highlights:
- Sizes offered: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Headtube angle: 69.5°
- Seat tube angle: 75º
- Reach: 420 mm (size Large)
- Chainstay length: 435 mm
Drive System Highlights:
- Motor: TQ HPR 50
- Torque: 50 Nm
- Power: 300 W
- Battery: 360 Wh
- Display: TQ Integrated top tube display
- Remote: TQ Remote
Frame Material: Carbon Fiber
Price: Complete bike: $9,999
Intro
BMC has taken a decidedly offroad approach with their URS line of Gravel Bikes, giving them progressive geometry aimed at all-terrain versatility. The URS AMP LT adds the excellent TQ HPR50 drive system to the mix for an interesting combination of traits that we’re excited to explore.
The Frame
The URS part of the URS AMP LT name stands for Unrestricted, and BMC offers the URS in motorized and non-motorized configurations. The non-motorized URS shares many of its frame features with the URS AMP LT, including the MTT seat stays, MTT suspension fork, and cargo mounts.
So what is MTT? The “Micro Travel Technology” (MTT) for the rear suspension consists of elastomers sandwiched between the seat stays and seat tube to provide a stated 10 mm of rear wheel travel. The elastomers come in different densities, making them somewhat tunable to rider weight and terrain.
The URS AMP LT has plenty of cargo mounts on the frame and fork and a nifty bag strap system incorporated into the seat stay/seat tube junction. Other frame details include a SRAM UDH, fender mounts, hub-dynamo cable routing, and copious rubber and plastic frame protection (especially for a Gravel bike).
Fit & Geometry
BMC offers the URS AMP LT in five sizes; XS, S, M, L, and XL. BMC has eschewed traditional Road-derived numerical sizing in favor of MTB-style nominal sizing. I think that makes sense given the URS AMP LT’s obvious off-road focus that likely will appeal more to Mountain Bikers rather than Road enthusiasts. Should the sizing feel a bit vague, BMC has a fit calculator on their website that asks for body dimensions and riding style to help select a size.
The URS AMP LT’s geometry is on the more progressive side, taking cues from Mountain Bike geometry by incorporating a relatively long reach (420 mm, size Large), slacker head tube angle (69.5º) than many gravel bikes, and steep-ish seat tube angle (75º). The longer reach allows the use of an 80 mm stem, which sounds long in the context of Mountain Bike stems, but is in line with what we typically see spec’d on modern Gravel Bikes with progressive geometry like the URS AMP LT.
Other numbers, like the decently high 610 mm stack height (size Large) and 435 mm chainstays, also speak to the URS AMP’s aggressive off-road intentions.
Drive System
BMC has partnered with TQ for the drive system in the URS AMP LT. The HPR50 is rated at 50 Nm of torque, with 300 Watts of peak power, and a 360 Wh battery. The HPR 50 is one the lightest drive systems available with a claimed weight of 1,850 grams for the motor, combined with 1,830 grams for the battery. We go into detail on the HPR50 drive system and specifically the unique “Harmonic Pin Ring” reduction system in the Trek Fuel EXe First Look if you want more detail on that.
The URS AMP LT uses TQ’s integrated top tube display, which provides battery life percentage, distance, speed, assist mode, and rider/motor power output. I really like TQ’s display for its simplicity while still including must-have information like actual battery percentage. The display also has ANT+ capabilities for connectivity with cycling computers and other devices.
BMC spec’d the URS AMP LT with the TQ handlebar remote, which is a nice addition since you don’t have to take a hand off the bar to change the assist level. The remote also has a walk mode, which may seem a bit out of place on a 32 lb Gravel Bike, but considering all the cargo mounts it’s entirely possible the walk mode could come in quite handy when loaded up with gear.
We have spent time on the TQ HPR50 drive system in the Trek Fuel EXe, Trek Slash+, Canyon Spectral:ONfly, and Scott Solace eRide, and love how smooth and exceptionally quiet it is. We also praise its well-proportioned natural feel in the way it supplements rider power output. We find the battery to be on the small side for Mountain Bike applications, but not surprisingly the Gravel bikes we have ridden have faired considerably better. And while I would call the available 160 Wh range extender a mandatory accessory for the majority of rides I do on Mountain Bikes with the TQ drives system, so far, I don’t think that’s going to be the case for Gravel Bikes.
The URS AMP LT utilizes the SRAM AXS Extension Cord to plumb the SRAM X0 Eagle Transmission derailleur directly into the main 360 Wh battery, negating the need for its own battery — and making for one less battery to charge. And because the derailleur battery has such little overall battery draw, it has a claimed inconsequential effect on range. If you do run the battery out of power and have to ride without motor support, the system hides some reserve battery power so the derailleur will still shift. Just how long it will continue to shift isn’t clearly defined, and it is designed to get you home and not something to rely on for long rides after you’ve run out of power to the motor.
The Builds
With just one build for the URS AMP LT, BMC has kept things simple. BMC opted for a SRAM AXS hybrid setup, which I think is a good call given the URS AMP LT TWO’s more versatile offroad focus. The hybrid setup is a combination of SRAM Force AXS drop bar levers with a SRAM XO Eagle Transmission Mountain Bike cassette and derailleur. Tying it all together is a Praxis eCrank Carbon Road crankset with a 40T chainring. I’m a fan of the mix-and-match compatibility of SRAM’s AXS components, especially for drop bar bikes that like to tackle more technical terrain and can take advantage of the lower gearing made possible by the 10-52T cassette.
The highlights of the build spec are as follows:
URS AMP LT TWO ($9,999):
- Drivetrain: SRAM XO Eagle Transmission with SRAM Force eTap AXS shifters
- Motor: TQ HPR 50
- Battery: 360 Wh
- Fork: BMC MTT suspension fork
- Brakes: SRAM Force eTap AXS shifters w/ 180 mm front and 160 mm rear rotors
- Wheels: CRD-400 Carbon
- Seatpost: URS AMP Premium Carbon D-Shaped Seatpost
One particularly nice spec decision is the 180 mm front brake rotor—Gravel bikes often come with 160 mm front rotors, so it’s nice to see a bigger rotor on the URS AMP LT.
Interstingly, given that BMC claims the URS AMP LT has clearance for 47 mm wide tires, they’ve opted to spec 44 mm WTB Raddlers. I’m a fan of the widest tires that will fit when it comes to gravel bikes like the URS AMP LT, especially given its potential for tackling more challenging terrain.
Some Questions / Things We’re Curious About
(1) With front and rear suspension, progressive Gravel geometry, and a Gravel/Mountain Bike hybrid drivetrain, just how much will the URS AMP LT comfortably handle when venturing off gravel roads into more challenging Mountain Bike terrain?
(2) BMC states the URS AMP LT has room for 47 mm tires, yet they spec’d it with 44 mm tires — will its technical offroad performance be compromised by the tire choice?
(3) Do adventure-focused Gravel Bikes actually benefit from having a motor, or does it take away from their overall capability by limiting their range?
Bottom Line (For Now)
In a lot of ways, the BMC URS AMP LT looks like a cross between a Mountain Bike and a Gravel Bike. Throw in the excellent TQ HPR50 drive system and ample cargo mounts, and the URS AMP LT certainly looks to have the chops to tap into its “Unrestricted” description.
Deep Dive Comparisons
BLISTER+ members and those who purchase our Digital Access Pass can check out our Deep Dive comparisons linked below. Get our Digital Access Pass to view all our Deep Dives and Flash Reviews, or become a BLISTER+ member today to get access to that and a LOT more, including the best worldwide Outdoor Injury Insurance, exclusive deals and discounts on skis, personalized gear recommendations from us, and much more.
Flash Review — BMC URS AMP LT
BMC has added the TQ HPR50 motor to their off-road focused URS LT Gravel Bike, check out our early impressions of the BMC URS AMP LT.
Blister’s Flash Reviews and Deep Dives are accessible to those who purchase one of our paid subscriptions
To get our comprehensive Deep Dives and our initial, unfiltered reports on new gear, become a member and receive many other services, deals, and discounts.
If you’re already an active member, please log in.
(If you’re already logged in and a member in good standing and seeing this message in error, please refresh this page in your browser.)