Review

AMPLIFI E-Track Review – the World’s First E-MTB Backpack

23.11.2016
by Manne Schmitt

Now that the very first E-bike-specific backpack has landed on our shores, it has thrown up the question of whether such a backpack is worth the purchase or is the AMPLIFI E-Track just trying to ride the wave? After raking in 250 kilometres of test riding with this on our backs, it’s time for the first conclusion.

With the E-MTB boom showing absolutely no sign of slowing down, it’s generating a just demand for specific products – just look at FOX’s e-bike specific forks and SRAM’s EX1 groupset and Guide RE brakes. Optimised for the heavier and more powerful bikes, these irrefutably create a significant benefit for E-MTB riders. And now they’re joined on the scene by the world’s very first backpack specifically for E-MTBing. Designed by the Bavarian brand AMPLIFI based in Tutzing, this backpack boasts a special compartment in its centre where you can stow a spare battery.

amplifi-e-track-der-erste-e-mtb-rucksack10

Aesthetically not dissimilar from a regular riding backpack, the AMPLIFI E-Track bears the subtle EPACK 23 branding, which hints at its internal feature – the extra compartment for a spare battery.

The big pocket on the AMPLIFI E-Track is fairly spacious, with room for tools, tire levers, spare tubes and the like. Open it up fully, and there are relevant emergency procedures and numbers printed on its inside. There’s also a small external pocket designed for goggles or glasses with a watertight zip closure, however, we’d have appreciated one more additional inside pocket.
The big pocket on the AMPLIFI E-Track is fairly spacious, with room for tools, tire levers, spare tubes and the like. Open it up fully, and there are relevant emergency procedures and numbers printed on its inside. There’s also a small external pocket designed for goggles or glasses with a watertight zip closure, however, we’d have appreciated one more additional inside pocket.
We really rated the presence of a fixing for your mini-pump, and there are two deep open pockets on the outside of the main pocket where you can stow two bike bottles, safe in the knowledge that they won’t budge and they’re in easy reach.
We really rated the presence of a fixing for your mini-pump, and there are two deep open pockets on the outside of the main pocket where you can stow two bike bottles, safe in the knowledge that they won’t budge and they’re in easy reach.
The specific compartment intended for the spare battery is right in the middle of the AMPLIFI E-Track, and serves as the ultimate cocoon for the Bosch Powerpack 500, which weighs in at 2.5 kg. There’s an integrated flexible SAS-TEC backpack that can be easily removed, although it’s definitely wise to keep it in place when you’re carrying a spare battery.
The specific compartment intended for the spare battery is right in the middle of the AMPLIFI E-Track, and serves as the ultimate cocoon for the Bosch Powerpack 500, which weighs in at 2.5 kg. There’s an integrated flexible SAS-TEC backpack that can be easily removed, although it’s definitely wise to keep it in place when you’re carrying a spare battery.
The hip belt also has two additional side pockets. There’s a reflective neon rain cover stowed away at the bottom of the backpack.
The hip belt also has two additional side pockets. There’s a reflective neon rain cover stowed away at the bottom of the backpack.
Well padded and wide, the hip belt and shoulder straps have a perforated design to aid breathability. After making sure we’d correctly tightened the hip, shoulder and chest straps the AMPLIFI E-Track kept securely in place throughout all of our testing, regardless of speed, gradient or terrain.
Well padded and wide, the hip belt and shoulder straps have a perforated design to aid breathability. After making sure we’d correctly tightened the hip, shoulder and chest straps the AMPLIFI E-Track kept securely in place throughout all of our testing, regardless of speed, gradient or terrain.
Sitting close to your back, the AMPLIFI E-Track is incredibly comfortable. If the padding on the sides of the rear was thicker, we think it would eliminate any detection of the protector (we sensed some slight pressure from the spare battery and back protector). A thicker design would also help improve how the air circulates during warmer months of riding.
Sitting close to your back, the AMPLIFI E-Track is incredibly comfortable. If the padding on the sides of the rear was thicker, we think it would eliminate any detection of the protector (we sensed some slight pressure from the spare battery and back protector). A thicker design would also help improve how the air circulates during warmer months of riding.
Known as the AMPLIFI E-Track Hydration Ready, this basically means that you can fit the backpack with a drinking bladder. Both shoulder straps are kitted out with clasps to keep the tube in place. On the chest strap there’s a whistle in case of an emergency.
Known as the AMPLIFI E-Track Hydration Ready, this basically means that you can fit the backpack with a drinking bladder. Both shoulder straps are kitted out with clasps to keep the tube in place. On the chest strap there’s a whistle in case of an emergency.
The AMPLIFI E-Track has a 23 litre volume and offers a ton of attachments and fixings for full-face helmets and a rear light, etc.
The AMPLIFI E-Track has a 23 litre volume and offers a ton of attachments and fixings for full-face helmets and a rear light, etc.
The ability to securely stow a spare battery so centrally into the backpack serves as a real benefit in terms of safety and comfort.
The ability to securely stow a spare battery so centrally into the backpack serves as a real benefit in terms of safety and comfort.

Weight: 1.640 g
Volume: 23 l (58 x 27 x 18 cm)
Price: € 200 (inc. protector)
Availability: Februar 2017
More info: AMPLIFI Sports

+ Special compartment for a spare E-bike battery
+ Sits well & comfortable to carry
+ Stable design
+ Stylish, well thought-out design
– An additional division in the goggles pocket would be good
– Rear padding could be thicker

Conclusion

If, as an E-MTBer, you’re toying with the idea of investing in a new backpack then the AMPLIFI E-Track should definitely be on your radar. Other than our gripe with the thickness of the side bits of padding on its rear, this backpack satisfies every other demand we’d put on such a product. Quite aside from its great design with a host of appreciated features, superb manufacturing and a comfortable fit, surely the special battery compartment is enough to win you over with the AMPLIFI E-Track?

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Words: Manne Schmitt Photos: Valentin Rühl

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About the author

Manne Schmitt

As the proud father of Robin and Max-Philip, Manne has been there from the start and is the wise elder of the editorial team. He won his first cycling race in elementary school at a school sports day. After less successful attempts at football, he found his passion for cycling via endurance racing in 1989! The world of racing still consumes him and no one in the team knows the EWS pros better than Manne. As a former head analyst of a state agency, he knows how to do proper research and finds exclusive news that no one else has. He supports his sons in day-to-day business dealings as the authorised signatory for 41 Publishing – viva la familia!