Avinox MG Concept at Canyon and others: 5 e-MTBs featuring the new Avinox drive system

Even though it is officially ‘just’ a concept at this stage, Avinox’s new drive system has been the number one talking point in the cycling market since Eurobike. To ensure it made a real impact, however, Avinox did more than just showcase the motor at its stand. No fewer than five prototypes from well-known manufacturers were on display. The message from China: this isn’t just an exciting concept. There will also be high-quality e-mountain bikes from top brands featuring this drive system.

There isn’t much information available yet on these upcoming bikes, and according to the manufacturers, some of them are still at a very early conceptual stage. The future remains uncertain. Nevertheless, we would like to share these concepts here. A key consideration in the design of the frames is the chain tensioner. From e-bikes fitted with Pinion’s MGU, we know that this can be a decisive factor in terms of performance and durability when riding off-road. Interestingly, four of the five concepts rely on a robust single-speed chain, whilst only one frame was fitted with a carbon belt.

Canyon

It was only at the trade fair that it was officially announced that Canyon would be working closely with Avinox in future. And already, the Koblenz-based company not only has an e-MTB featuring the Avinox M2S ready, but also a prototype with the MG Concept. The concept is an e-enduro with 170/160 mm of travel, so it could be a potential successor to the Strive:On CF. The design featuring an upright shock absorber is striking, as Canyon’s current e-MTBs are exclusively fitted with a horizontal shock absorber beneath the top tube. The battery is permanently mounted in the down tube of the prototype frame. Visually, the chassis already looks quite clean and well-developed. There was also at the trade fair to see a prototype featuring Canyon’s Avinox M2S – presumably the successor to the Spectral:On.

Commencal

Naturally, the next iteration of the Meta Power is made of aluminium, and naturally it looks like a frame with Gravity DNA. That is, quite simply, the very essence of the Andorran brand. Essentially, the prototype looks very similar to its siblings in the Meta Power series. We’re also familiar with the VCS rear triangle design – where the one-piece rear triangle is connected to the main frame via two separate rocker arms – from other Commencal bikes. The chunky shock suggests plenty of travel, though we don’t yet know the specifics. The Commencal also comes fitted with a robust single-chainring drivetrain.

Forbidden

Forbidden recently made a name for itself with the Dreadnought E. The brand’s latest Avinox bike features radical geometry and plenty of suspension travel. This prototype appears to follow suit. The carbon frame has been designed around Forbidden’s iconic suspension design with a high-pivot layout. There’s also a steel coil shock housed within the frame. The battery cannot be removed from the prototype’s chassis. The thick single-speed chain also screams ‘heavy-duty’.

Megamo

At first glance, Megamo’s concept bike looks the most ‘trail-oriented’. With its Float-X shock and slender frame, it appears to be a little sleeker than the competition’s gravity-focused concepts. Overall, the chassis resembles that of the Avinox-Bikes Megamo Reason CRB (reviewed here!) Quite similar. It was designed as an all-mountain bike and offers 160 mm of suspension travel.

Mondraker

The Spanish brand Mondraker has produced a truly futuristic frame. The concept bike features a thick shock and a mass damper on the rear triangle, with a clear focus on downhill riding. An interesting feature is that this is the only prototype to have a belt drive instead of a chain. The theoretical advantages are a quieter ride and even less maintenance. Here, too, there is no provision for removing the battery. There’s even a camera fitted in the head tube, but Mondraker isn’t revealing what it’s all about. Is it just for show, or is there more to it?