Have you ever wanted an electric bike that easily transitions from the drudgery of urban asphalt to adventures in gravel and dirt? That’s what a subclass of so-called “electric SUV” (eSUV) e-bikes claims to do, with their wide, all-terrain tires and front and rear suspension, plus practical accessories like fenders and racks.
After a month of testing in the heart of Amsterdam, including a three-day bikepacking trip along coastal bicycle superhighways and single-track forest routes, I can confirm what you might already expect: there are compromises. But for €3499 / $3,899, you do get a crossover e-bike that can help you fetch groceries during the week and conquer trails on the weekend.
The Good
Bombs down trails and carries a kid to daycareA true off-road sport utility vehiclePowerful yet compact Avinox drive systemExcellent rangeThe Bad
More at home on trails than the cityCity accessories make it a compromised eMTBThief magnetThe Amflow TL Carbon is built upon the same Avinox drive system that threw the electric mountain bike (eMTB) industry into a tizzy two years ago. The TL Carbon is a bit less powerful, sporty, and springy than the impressive Amflow PX Carbon Pro I tested over the summer, but its eMTB roots are undeniable.
