Ampere Deluxe Pro 26 Light Blue 17.5AH

The Ampere Deluxe Pro 26 takes the bestselling Deluxe step-through and gives it a proper mid-drive motor, a suspension fork and a wider spread of gears. It is built for smaller riders, roughly 4ft 11 to 5ft 4, who want an electric bike that climbs like a much more expensive machine without a tall, awkward frame to swing a leg over.

The big change from the standard Deluxe is where the motor sits. Instead of a hub in the rear wheel, the Pro uses a 250W, 36V mid-drive unit at the cranks, producing up to 90Nm of torque. That is serious pulling power for a compact step-through, and because a mid-drive works through the bike's own gears, the assistance feels more natural and stays strong on steep ground. If your ride home from Southville involves the climb up through Totterdown or Windmill Hill, or you live anywhere near Dundry, this is the Ampere that makes those hills a non-event.

Gearing comes from Shimano CUES, Shimano's newest hard-wearing drivetrain range, with 9 speeds, a rapid-fire shifter and a CS-LG300 cassette. It is designed to last longer and cope better with the extra force an e-bike motor puts through a chain, which matters on a bike that will be doing daily miles. Stopping is handled by Shimano MT-200 hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors front and rear, so you get consistent, light-lever braking in the wet as well as the dry.

Comfort is where the Pro pulls further ahead of the Deluxe. A SR Suntour NEX suspension fork with lockout takes the sting out of potholes, speed bumps and rougher towpaths, and you can lock it out on smooth tarmac. The 26-inch alloy wheels run on sealed-bearing hubs and wear Kenda 26 x 1.95 puncture-resistant tyres, wide enough to feel planted on gravel paths such as the Festival Way out of Long Ashton, and tough enough for everyday commuting on city streets.

The frame is 6061 aluminium with internal cable routing and a battery integrated neatly into the down tube. The battery is removable, so you can charge it indoors or at your desk, and it takes around six hours from empty on the supplied 2A smart charger. Ampere quotes a range of up to 80 miles with the largest battery option; real-world range always depends on the assist level you use, the hills and your own weight, so talk to us about what to expect on your regular routes. A large colour display in the centre of the bars shows speed, assist mode, distance and battery level, and a 4mph walk-assist mode helps when pushing the bike up a ramp or out of a bike store.

It comes ready for real life, not just weekend rides. There is an alloy pannier rack for shopping or a work bag, full metal mudguards, integrated front and rear lights, an alloy kickstand, a comfort saddle and Velo all-weather ergonomic grips. At around 24kg it is a solid, well-equipped bike, and the low step-through makes getting on and off easy whether you are in work clothes or stopping at every junction. Choose from Stone Blue or Light Blue.

Ampere is a UK brand, and every bike carries a 2-year warranty on the key electrical parts (battery, motor and display) plus the core mechanical components. Buying from us adds local back-up on top: we set the bike up to fit you, and our workshop can look after servicing, brake bleeds and drivetrain wear for the life of the bike.

Try the Deluxe Pro 26 in Bristol

The best way to judge a mid-drive against a hub motor is to ride both back to back, and you can do exactly that at Bristol Bikesmiths. Pop into our Southville shop on Myrtle Street or our Long Ashton shop on Lovelinch Gardens and we will set up a test ride, check the fit and talk through battery options. We also stock the standard Ampere Deluxe and the Deluxe 700C if you want to compare.

Every Ampere we sell is built, checked and ridden by one of our mechanics before it goes anywhere. Collect it free from either shop, fully built and ready to ride, or let us hand deliver it to your door in Bristol. We also deliver across the UK mainland, free on this bike, boxed after the workshop build with just the handlebars, front wheel and pedals to fit. Ask us about cycle to work schemes too, which can bring the cost of an e-bike down considerably.