DJI Just Unlocked 1000W. What Now?

One minute you’re talking about the bike (Amflow) and the next you’re saying DJI?

I agree the Avinox motor and system was a good step forward compared to what was out there, if what it brought to the party is of interest to you, but the bike itself is standard geometry, standard materials and uses the same components as any other bike, never mind e-bike.

In my opinion, that means it can’t be ‘next level’ even with the excellent Avinox system, whatever that means anyway. There’s nothing ‘revolutionary’, even 1000w isn’t unique, does that make more sense?



Trust me, I’m old enough not to try to be ‘cool’ about anything, not least when merely expressing an opinion on an e-bike! Besides, nobody is drinking the kool-aid more than Amflow owners it would

By the way, both Amflow bikes were in the EMTB magazine 2025 group test, they didn’t win the best buy, editors choice or the ultimate all rounder awards. Is that next level?
Do you believe everything you read or see?
 
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But the main selling point of the Levo 4 S is that it has a proven track record of durability, ride quality, and performance across the board. In all rider scenarios, and decent after sale support, the full package, etc, whereas the DJI to date does not.

It's all well and good claiming the DJI is a superior product based on the specs on paper, but it doesn't really mean very much until it has been tested over time in the real world by different riders and in real world conditions. To suggest otherwise only a few weeks after release is just speculation.
The Levo has an extremely poor reliability record I am afraid to say. And the gen 4 is shaping up as being no better. Of the 3 sworks I personally know of they are all having issues including one with a failed motor after one week. The other two are battery connection issues
 
The enduro mag's editorial direction changed and seemingly opinions about the amflow changed with all the ZIV power limit stuff

To give the otherside, here's a respected bike tester saying it the bike to buy

 
One minute you’re talking about the bike (Amflow) and the next you’re saying DJI?

If you’re not aware, they are the same company. Amflow is DJI’s mountain bike brand.

Let’s not get started on that German group test recommending a German bike that is more expensive, heavier, less powerful and with more outdated geometry as the ‘best buy’ over the Amflow!

If you care about the Amflow frame having conservative geometry then wait till you see what they recommended instead.
 
If you’re not aware, they are the same company. Amflow is DJI’s mountain bike brand.

Let’s not get started on that German group test recommending a German bike that is more expensive, heavier, less powerful and with more outdated geometry as the ‘best buy’ over the Amflow!

If you care about the Amflow frame having conservative geometry then wait till you see what they recommended instead.

I’m well aware they’re the same company, my question was about whether it’s the ‘bike’ or the motor that you’re claiming is ‘next level’ because as a combo they clearly aren’t. Good, as I keep saying, but next level?

Actually, I don’t care about the geometry on the Amflow compared to any competition, because by and large it doesn’t bring anything new to the party in that regard. It’s derivative, or a photocopy if you like.

I’ve read the group test and watched the video, I’m aware of their ‘best all round’ pick, not something I’d be interested in either to be honest. But, I respect their opinions and testing methodology over a click bait YouTube video or a purchase justification ‘review’ on a forum from an owner.

That’s just me though, and to answer an earlier poster, no I don’t believe everything I read but then I’m blessed with critical thinking skills and a sense of what will work for me or won’t.
 
The enduro mag's editorial direction changed and seemingly opinions about the amflow changed with all the ZIV power limit stuff

To give the otherside, here's a respected bike tester saying it the bike to buy

Yep, collecting differing views of a product is good practice, and it’s also normal for editorial opinions to change based on events, why wouldn’t it?

Again, I’m not sure why Amflow owners are particularly thin skinned about somebody seeing their chosen steed a bit differently to how they do, in fact flip that around and think about how others may feel when the same folks rubbish everything else?
 
I think the avinox setup has genuinely shaken things up…the slim, lightweight battery even at 800 changes what’s an achievable silhouette. Any bike built around it instantly looks less like your typical full-fat eMTB and more like something ‘next level’..

The old Levo for example was still a chunky machine, but it wore it well. It had a visual balance with those clean parallel lines and brace. The new one just looks pregnant. I understand the appeal of a removable battery, but somewhere in the pursuit of function, specialized for me at least seems to have mislaid its sense of form.

Frankly I’d love to see a Levo reimagined with the avinox system..
 
Frankly I’d love to see a Levo reimagined with the avinox system..
I asked Grok.

IMG_9979.jpeg
 
I think the avinox setup has genuinely shaken things up…

You know, I agree 100%. The Avinox system has indeed shaken things up, and I think on balance it will benefit all of us in that it will hasten development of e-bikes going forward.

I agreed months ago that the Avinox was a disruptor product, that doesn’t mean I love it or hate it, it is what it is, and no need for anybody to fall out with anybody over it.

Competition is good, and here’s to the future etc…
 
The Levo has an extremely poor reliability record I am afraid to say. And the gen 4 is shaping up as being no better. Of the 3 sworks I personally know of they are all having issues including one with a failed motor after one week. The other two are battery connection issues
Yes I am also hearing that this Gen 4 SW has very poor build QC, of the 2 I rode both had very loud motors one a lot more than the other, suck it up was the response it within tolerance. If it was my bike I would be putting a re charge through on my c card. On the other side of the fence my AMflow pro has been fault free free over past 8 months.
 
Regardless of what side of the fence you sit on this statement by DJI is the biggest middle finger to the entire industry:

"1. The proposed restriction of 750 W does not appear to have a clear theoretical foundation justifying why this specific limit has been chosen. We believe it is essential for the industry to engage in more thorough and comprehensive discussions to determine an appropriate power limit."

So DJI, aren't you part of the industry? And if so what research or discussions did you have before you decided to unlock the 1000watts? Now I could pick apart everyone one of their statements they made but they themselves don't consider themselves part of the industry..

I personally am a fan of DJI, they have always produced quality products especially in the drone markets that really paved the way to the commercialization of the industry. However, like may have already pointed out it was this fast paced saturation of the market that lead to regulation after regulation, licenses, testing, and enforcement. I was at the forefront of FPV, when you had to build the aircraft / quads from scratch. It was an amazing time, I spent countless hrs building / experimenting and flying aircraft. When these Chinese companies started mass producing platforms that a child could fly and well the hobby I loved turned into a heavily regulator industry over night.

Make no mistake the push for more and more power in eMTB will lead us down the same familiar roads as drones, Regulations. With DJI making counter statements for additional power like "vulnerable groups", "E-Cargo bikes ", and "adaptable solutions", I have to ask you DJI where are they implementing these solutions? I see 3-4 trail /DH capable eMTB bikes advertising on POWER! You see any person that has really ever Biked (road or MTB) knows that 750watts of power is a S-Ton of power for an average rider, let alone a rider with below average riding skills (that whole safety part). I personally am new to eMTBs and found my way there due to injury on MTBs and road bikes, and I would like to continue to be allowed to ride on trails with them.

At the end of the day DJI can make all the statements they want, they really are only Motor company and not a Bike company, and so should their product really speak for a entire industry. Counter to their statements Bosch did offer some excellence research / insight into the use of current power in eMTBs for a 750watt limit. I wasn't 100% sold myself but it was actual an effort to quantify / rationalize. DJI has offered nothing but opinion to bolster continued sales of their product in the hopes of gaining increased profits and market share all based on one claim "more power".

Be certain the increasing road to power for normal eMTBs only leads to increased regulation, and if the "vulnerable groups", "E-Cargo bikes ", and "adaptable solutions need more power (whoever they are), let them deal with those problems.
 
It’s interesting that in the drone world DJI are pretty compliant, ie sub 250g drones are allowed to be flown in more places with fewer restrictions so they brought to market excellent 249g drones to fit within the legislation.

They also offer higher weight drones and whilst anybody can buy them, they can only be flown by suitably qualified/licensed people in appropriate areas. Perhaps regulation and user base impact is somebody else’s problem? As @Power1tobe pointed out, anybody could fly a drone without registration and regulation until DJI changed the drone market.

Whilst they’re a ‘disruptor’ in the EMTB market, not sure why they’ve decided to push the boundaries of what’s legal other than to differentiate themselves from the rest and/or have a USP.

To be fair to them, even if the Avinox was limited to 750w as well, with the compact motor, controller and slim batteries they’d still be amongst the leaders.

I wonder which, if any, of the ‘big beast’ bike manufacturers will do a deal with them and take Avinox mainstream?

Or is it own brand Amflow bikes and so called boutique brands for the foreseeable?
 
Maybe I'm naive, but I think DJI would be a contender even with the same power as the new Bosch update. Might just be me, but I have no intention of spending much, if any, time in the highest modes of my new Avinox bike when it finally arrives.
 
Maybe I'm naive, but I think DJI would be a contender even with the same power as the new Bosch update. Might just be me, but I have no intention of spending much, if any, time in the highest modes of my new Avinox bike when it finally arrives.
Oh make no mistake DJI would be more than a contender as there motors are top notch, they will improve on each redesign which is almost yearly, and they will incorporate all the features the users want/ask. There game is not the bike design (not yet) and it shows in the Avinox, its good, what makes ppl love / game changer is its weight, the look (looks like a normal MTB), and the POWER! As I said I've said I like DJI, and unlike drones that were a uncharted territory, bikes and bike companies have been long established with eMTBs being the newest kids on the block. My point is yes DJI has been disruptor in the eMTB industry (that's great), but them leading a conversation about why eMTBs need to push power limits is a joke at best (vulnerable groups & E-Cargo bikes REALLY) . There are already laws and regulations in place around the world for this industry and last I checked what makes law makers even happier is ignoring those laws. There were eMTBs (petal assist) that go 40+ mph, but DJI was the first to pack a powerful motor into a refined package. If you think this was ground breaking.. your right... but I also believe since they were not part of the industry it was much easier for them to think outside the box and build a "Bigger Badder mouse trap"... At a 1000watts of power eMTBs have reached a limit that will cause a community somewhere issues that will result in limiting access to trails. I feel old when I say this but the cycling industry needs to work with the law makers to move forward for existing laws... sad but a reality
 
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