SRAM’s rumoured eBike motor to come courtesy of Amprio buyout

Long rumoured to be testing out electric bike motors, SRAM has confirmed this week the buyout of Amprio, a division of the Rheinmetall Group.

Amprio produces a made in Germany eBike motor system that has an established European servicing base. The system has got off to a slow start with OEMs, but with Sram’s network that could soon change. The Amprio research and development centre and test centres are based in Düsseldorf.

The pictured Rmag magnesium bodied drive unit is the firm’s flagship motor and boasts a compact package weighing in at just 2.85kg. This drive system is capable of an adaptive assistance range of up to 420% and delivers a seamless delivery of power coordinated to the rider’s input. The torque delivery packs a 75 to 90Nm punch.

Alongside the drive unit, Amprio also delivers on a range of IP65 class batteries, as well a pair of display units with remote functionality. As is generally the case, the software links up with iOS and Android phones via Bluetooth, enabling the end user to fine tune functionality and pull up things like navigation.

SRAM has a history of flirting with the electric bike motor and like its rival Shimano achieved long ago, a market entrance. Previously patent applications have been spotted, suggesting in-house development, but ultimately the group has opted to buy in the experience from an existing and proven systems maker.

When pressed about the development by CI.N in January of this year, SRAM were tight lipped and unwilling to comment on unlabelled prototypes spotted at race events. That said, it became evident on the back of Eurobike whispers that something was in the pipeline and indeed at least two OEMs are to carry the drive system from MY23.

Neither party has yet officially commented, but an Out of Office reply received when emailing Amprio confirms an ‘operations transfer, with email formats turning to xxx@sram.com. This was first revealed by Bike-EU.