Over the years, the e-bike business has seen its share of surprise players, but now the drone giant DJI makes its US debut, making it one of the most intriguing newcomers to date. DJI has formally introduced its first e-bikes in the US market, the Amflow PL Carbon and Amflow PL Carbon Pro, through its subsidiary Amflow, which specialises in electric bikes, and they’re not playing around.
The two new models are high-performance, full-suspension electric mountain bikes that are shockingly tech-heavy, lightweight, and agile. That final point shouldn’t be shocking to anyone familiar with DJI.
Both bikes are powered by DJI’s own propulsion system, called Avinox. This mid-drive motor architecture was created by DJI and is determined to compete with companies like Bosch, Shimano, and Brose. And the figures support it: a little 2.5-kilogram (5.5 lb) device with 105 Nm of torque and a maximum power output of 850 watts. Not to mention all the extra equipment it must transport; that’s a significant punch for a bike that, in its lightest configuration, weighs only 19.2 kg (42.3 lb).
A clever 2-inch colour OLED touchscreen display that displays your speed and ride data is included with the Avinox driving system. Additionally, DJI added Bluetooth connectivity, enabling riders to customise their ride via the Avinox app.
With the help of a strong 500W fast charger, the big 800Wh battery can be charged from 0% to 75% in just 90 minutes, which is significantly faster than the norm for eMTBs.
The bike is also not a slouch. The Amflow PL Carbon and Pro models are capable all-mountain or enduro-style rigs since they are constructed on a carbon fibre frame and have 160 mm of travel up front and 150 mm in back. The bikes roll on tiny wheels (29″ up front, 27.5″ out back) for optimal agility and rollover performance, while Fox handles suspension responsibilities.
DJI is showcasing their new Amflow brand, which is a quite ostentatious demonstration, even though they are obviously presenting the Avinox motor system as a stand-alone product that other OEMs will use in the future. The integration of DJI’s technological know-how is evident, the design is elegant, and the weight is remarkably light for a full-suspension eMTB.