DJI is getting into the e-bike space with its new Avinox drivetrain and its Amflow e-bike brand. The company, best known for its drones, will launch its first e-bike — the carbon fiber Amflow PL e-MTB — later this year, equipped with the Avinox mid-drive motor and a fast-charging battery. It has so many smart and powerful features packed into a relatively lightweight e-bike that it should attract the attention of competitors like Bosch and Specialized.
As a showcase for DJI’s new Avinox drive system, the Amflow PL e-bike boasts a very impressive 120Nm of maximum torque and 1,000W of on-demand boost power to tackle even the steepest inclines. Otherwise, its “remarkably quiet” mid-motor is rated at 250W of nominal power with an 850W peak. Its removable 800Wh battery can be fast-charged from zero to 75% in 1.5 hours with Amflow’s 2A/508W GaN charger.
Despite all that power and battery capacity, the Amflow PL weighs just 19.2 kg (just over 42 pounds), thanks in part to a 2.27 kg carbon fiber frame and a 2.52 kg Avinox drive system.
The bike features a 2-inch OLED color touchscreen integrated into the frame and an Avinox app for wireless access to the bike and all riding data. The bike will sound an alarm if there is a problem and notify you of its location in the app. It has four pedal-assist modes, including an automatic mode that adjusts the power output based on riding resistance. Rounding out the highlights are a USB charging port for your phone or bike computer, a full suspension system from Fox, and a frame that can accommodate 27.5- and 29-inch rear wheels.
“Our expertise in battery and motor technology, gained from drones and camera stabilization systems, led us to create Avinox,” said Christina Zhang, Senior Director of Corporate Strategy at DJI. “It’s a natural fit for DJI to expand into this space because we have mastered the technologies that are critical to an e-bike system, from reliable motor development, battery management, mechanical design, and engineering.”
The company has also developed intelligent driving solutions for automobiles in China in recent years, some of which can already found in several car models. More recently, the company has expanded into the consumer battery market with the launch of its first power stations.
The Amflow PL is expected to be available in the fourth quarter. DJI told me it’s expected to be priced between €7,000 and €12,000 ($7,500 and $12,850), putting it in direct competition with high-end e-sport bikes like Specialized’s Turbo series. DJI says the Amflow PL will be available at authorized dealers in Germany, the UK, and Australia “among other places.”
