Offering an e-mountain bike with an Avinox motor is no longer a unique selling point. By the time Sea Otter Europe rolls around at the end of September, every bike manufacturer – no matter how small – will have an Avinox bike in its range. Mountain bikers stand to benefit: because when the question is no longer ‘Avinox or not?’, the focus returns to the bikes themselves. However, this respite may be short-lived. With Gobao and Avinox’s eCVT concepts, the next big trend in e-bike motors is already in the starting blocks. - Adrian Kaether, Test & Technology Editor
Bikes fitted with DJI/Avinox have long been the highlight of every showroom, trade fair and bike expo. DJI made a surprise announcement at Eurobike 2024, unveiling the M1 motor and has thus revolutionised our understanding of what an e-bike motor is capable of. Since then, almost every manufacturer has been keen to offer an e-mountain bike fitted with this drive system.
There are always new fads – but here’s why Avinox still stands out
This is quite a common development. At the previous Eurobike, the Pinion MGU and the new Bosch CX were the highlights. Before that, perhaps the TQ HPR 50 motor, the Bosch SX and the Fazua Ride 60; and before that, the then-new Shimano EP8 and Bosch’s CX 4. And because drive technology naturally plays a major role in e-MTBs, bikes fitted with these motors also attract a great deal of attention. Nevertheless, the hype surrounding Avinox really stands out. No single component has ever dominated mountain bike innovations so aggressively, for so long and so unrivalled over several years.
Back to normal?
But everything comes to an end. Sea Otter Europe, at the very latest, marks the turning point at which the Avinox story begins to lose momentum and impact. Only a handful of manufacturers had an Avinox e-MTB in their range at the outset, which is why DJI decided to decided to enter the market with its own bike brand, Amflow. A clever move, which also made headlines with bikes weighing less than 20 kilos.
However, we have long since reached the point where an Avinox motor is no longer a unique selling point. Whilst in the first few months you could still count the number of Avinox bikes on two hands, almost all manufacturers now offer a similar bike. This became abundantly clear at Sea Otter Europe in Girona, Spain, at the end of September, where even small XC and road bike brands with a more regional presence, such as Massi, Berria and Rali, displayed their own Avinox bikes as eye-catchers in the entrance area of their exhibition space - or a 32-inch bike.
Why we should be talking more about the bikes themselves again
For mountain bikers and bike manufacturers alike, this could be a breath of fresh air. Avinox will, of course, remain highly relevant thanks to its qualities. But the hope is that, in future, we’ll talk less about wattage and maximum torque, and more about what really matters when it comes to enjoying a ride on the trail. Namely, the bikes themselves.
What use is the best motor if the bike then handles like a lorry on rough terrain and the suspension is stiff and unresponsive? Especially on descents, it’s the geometry and design details that determine whether the bike is a joy to ride or simply gets in the way. Steep trail climbs, where the motor can really show off its strengths, may sometimes feature on the itinerary, but they certainly only make up a small part of the ride. That’s precisely why we focus on these aspects – beyond components and spec lists – in our BIKE tests.
Is the next motor hype just around the corner? eCVTs on the horizon
However, things might turn out differently. Gobao had already unveiled its innovative X1 and X1P eCVT gear motors at Eurobike 2026. Like the Pinion MGU, it eliminates the need for a rear derailleur and, at 1,500 watts, is said to be very powerful. With this, Gobao even put Avinox under pressure, prompting them to showcase their own eCVT motor as a concept at the trade fair. So the next motor hype is already on the horizon.
The first bikes fitted with the Gobao motor are expected to be unveiled by early 2027 at the latest. Prototypes featuring Avinox’s eCVT motor have already been showcased by well-known brands such as Canyon, Forbidden, Mondraker and others. It is quite possible that the race to incorporate the latest motor into bikes will then begin anew.
Adrian Kaether
Editor