Few products in the mountain bike industry have been the subject of as much hype as the DJI Avinox drive. Despite impressive performance values (987 watts, 107 Nm, 2.57 kilos), the Chinese drone specialists were unable to find an e-MTB manufacturer as a launch partner for the market launch of the motor last year.
So with the Amflow, they first launched their own e-MTB on the market. After the first test rides and tests in the specialised media with the DJI Avinox, some of the manufacturers who had been approached by the Chinese as partners will have bitten their fists in anger afterwards.
And the question was all the more exciting: Which manufacturers would be the first to come around the corner with the new super drive in 2025? It is now clear that three manufacturers are presenting their DJI bikes today, and they are certainly not among the industry giants: Unno, Forbidden and Megamo.
The Spanish manufacturer Megamo is entering DJI territory with the Reason. The new model should be able to cover both trail and enduro applications thanks to a modular concept. At the heart of the system is a flip chip that allows the geometry of the frame to be adapted to different suspension travel and purposes.
Drive & battery
At BIKE, we have tested the DJI Avinox more extensively in practice and on the laboratory test bench than probably any other specialised medium. In boost mode, the power unit produced a peak output of 987 watts and a maximum torque of 107 Nm on the engine test bench of our competence partner PTlabs.
This puts the Chinese drive unit well above the Bosch Performance CX with 536 watts of peak power and 77 Nm of torque. With a weight of 2.57 kilos, the drive unit is also comparatively light. The Bosch Performance CX, the reference on the market, weighs over 300 grams more.
The DJI Avinox is powered by an 800 Wh battery, which is also relatively light at 3.74 kilos. A lighter 600 Wh version is also available as an option. The DJI control centre was also impressive in the BIKE test: crisp, sharp, stylish look, intuitive touch operation and a wide range of functions.
Frame & Geometry
The Reason is available in two basic versions: as an enduro version with 160 mm front and rear suspension travel and as a trail version (Reason Air) with 140 mm each. The frame is available in both carbon and aluminium. The integrated flip-chip allows the geometry to be adapted to the respective application. In the low position, the bike is designed for aggressive descents, while the high position offers a more efficient geometry for climbs.
In size L, the frame is strikingly expansive. According to the manufacturer, the reach of the enduro frame is 500 mm, the stack is 653 mm and the wheelbase is 1317 mm. The M dimensions seem to correspond more to the usual L dimensions in this suspension travel class (470/635/1274 mm). The steering angle is modernly slack at 63.5 degrees, while the seat angle is rather steep at 77 degrees.
Equipment, weight & price
Megamo offers the Reason enduro model in four different carbon and three aluminium versions, while the Reason Air trail version is available in three carbon and two aluminium versions.
The enduro models weigh between 20.3 kilos for the top model Megamo Reason Cr 01 and 22.6 kilos for the cheapest aluminium model Reason AL 07, while the trail bike Reason Air weighs between 17.9 and 22.1 kilos.
Prices start at 4999 euros and end at 11,999 euros. Depending on the model variant, different suspension forks and shocks from Fox are used. The top models are equipped with suspension elements from the Factory series, while the more affordable variants come with Performance or Rhythm versions.
Kinematics & driving characteristics
Megamo emphasises the sophisticated kinematics of the rear triangle. The characteristic curve combines good sensitivity at the beginning of the suspension travel with an increasingly strong progression towards the end.
For the specialists, there is also information on the influence of the drive: according to Megamo, the anti-squat value of 108% to 104% in the sag range ensures efficient power transmission when pedalling, while the progressive drop to 65% at full compression should guarantee traction in demanding situations.
Availability and colour options
The Megamo Reason is available in three basic colours: black, orange and blue for the carbon models and dark grey, raw and green for the aluminium versions. The special colours orange and blue for carbon and raw and green for aluminium are available for an extra charge of 100 euros.
Megamo Reason: Technical specifications, details & price
Top carbon enduro model: Reason Crb 01
- Motor: DJI M1, 105 Nm, 800 Wh battery
- Fork: Fox 36 Factory Kashima 160 mm
- Damper: Fox Float X2 Kashima
- Circuit: Sram XX Eagle AXS
- Brakes: Shimano XT 4-piston 203/203 mm
- Impellers: DT Swiss HXC 1501 30
- Weight: 20.3 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Price: 11,499 Euro (RRP)
Top enduro model aluminium: Reason AL 03
- Motor: DJI M1, 105 Nm, 800 Wh battery
- Fork: Fox 36 Kashima 160 mm
- Damper: Fox Float X Kashima
- Circuit: Shimano XT
- Brakes: Shimano XT 4-piston 203/203 mm
- Impellers: DT Swiss M 1900
- Weight: 21.9 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Price: 6999 Euro (RRP)
Top trail model Carbon: Reason Air Crb 00 600
- Motor: DJI M1, 105 Nm, 600 Wh battery
- Fork: Fox 36 SL Factory Kashima 140 mm
- Damper: Fox Float Factory Kashima
- Circuit: Sram XX Eagle AXS
- Brakes: Shimano XTR 4-piston 203/203 mm
- Impellers: DT Swiss HXC 1200 30
- Weight: 17.9 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Price: 11,999 euros (RRP)
Top trail model aluminium: Reason Air AL 04
- Motor: DJI M1, 105 Nm, 800 Wh battery
- Fork: Fox 36 SL Kashima 140 mm
- Damper: Fox Float Kashima
- Circuit: Shimano XT
- Brakes: Shimano XT 4-piston 203/203 mm
- Impellers: DT Swiss M 1900
- Weight: 20.5 kg (manufacturer's specification)
- Price: 6999 Euro (RRP)
Josh Welz
Editor-in-Chief
