Crestline x DJI - RS 181 SPECTRE Edition

[AlumiPro]

I confirmed with troydon the new dji frame is trunnion mount.

Fantastic….means I can NOT swap my E-Storia over… guess I’ll have to spend more $ on a trunnion Telum, which Ive really been enjoying on my MTB……or I guess I could give the VIVID air it comes with a shot.
Anyone interested in a E-Storia that was just professionally completely serviced 3 rides ago!

 

[Biano44]

I'm still curious how can someone get a bash ring installed on a DJI bike?

Anyone?

The problem you have in that scenario is that all the force would go through the ring and into the bearings in the motor.
If bashing is an issue you would be better off sourcing a guard that takes any impact before it connects with the chainring.

 

[mrtrinh]

Fantastic….means I can NOT swap my E-Storia over… guess I’ll have to spend more $ on a trunnion Telum, which Ive really been enjoying on my MTB……or I guess I could give the VIVID air it comes with a shot.
Anyone interested in a E-Storia that was just professionally completely serviced 3 rides ago!

That's where the price difference also comes in between the gen 5 frameset (came with no shock) and the dji frameset. I never tried the vivid air but the the vivid coil is fantastic on the crestline.

 

[Chickon1]

• LIMITED TO 99 UNITS FOR 2025
• COLOR: GLOSS SLATE GRAY
• ROCKSHOX VIVID ULTIMATE SHOCK
• EASILY REMOVABLE 800wh BATTERY
• ADJUSTABLE TRAVEL 161mm to 181mm
• 29/29 OR MX OPTIONS IN ALL SIZES
• ADJUSTABLE DROP OUT OPTIONS CHAINSTAYS FROM 435mm to 465mm (*sold separately)
• 56mm HEAD TUBE ALLOWING ADJUSTABLE REACH CONFIGURATIONS
• 600WH BATTERY OPTION AVAILABLE
• FRAMESET WITH SHOCK $6,999 USD
• PRE-ORDERS START SHIPPING BY LATE JULY 2025

View attachment 161753 View attachment 161754 View attachment 161755

To bad they put some crappy suspension on it. I think most people that would want this bike would just want the frameset.

 

[ShapeThings]

A Vivid Ultimate is far from crappy. I would definitely give it a run out before blindly buying some expensive bike jewelry to replace it.

 

[AlumiPro]

To bad they put some crappy suspension on it. I think most people that would want this bike would just want the frameset.

I asked Troydon if I could get a discount by ordering the frame without a shock…..no go, it’s a package deal. And I wouldn’t say its crappy suspension. But yes, most Crestline owners prefer jewelry suspension

 

[TonTonUB]

wow, dream bike and holy grail : frame set !
But being an aluminium-man, i now cross fingers for such a marvel being released in aluminium. Atherton maybe ?

All in all, i'll read ride reports with interest !

 

[Biano44]

Is this a dig at the Levo Gen4 ?

What?

 

[Rando_12345]

Is this a dig at the Levo Gen4 ?

More like a burial...

Badam tssss

 

[Suns_PSD]

The problem you have in that scenario is that all the force would go through the ring and into the bearings in the motor.
If bashing is an issue you would be better off sourcing a guard that takes any impact before it connects with the chainring.

Hasn't bothered my Relay Fazua 60 any. Been bashing it for 2.5 years.

Here is how Troyden/ Crestline can bypass every other DJI e-bike out there, MOLD SOME STANDARD BASH MOUNT BRACKETS IN TO THE FRAME. Instantly better than every other DJI frame made, including the E-Druid.

 

[Suns_PSD]

Won't it hit the motor bash guard before the chainring? Mine does.

On the Bosch motors, definitely. But not on the DJIs.

It's a fatal flaw and it blows me away that no one else is discussing this issue or trying to create solutions.

 

[pdqmach26]

Right now on the website you can order the Spectre RS181. Only RH2 and Rh3 left in stock Check it out

 

[Ou812]

I’d order one but I need it without the battery, can’t take it on the plane or ship it with the battery. As far as I’m aware you can’t buy the DJI batteries anywhere. I bought my current frame without the battery but Bosch batteries are everywhere.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

I couldn't resist. Had to get one.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

I asked Troydon if I could get a discount by ordering the frame without a shock…..no go, it’s a package deal. And I wouldn’t say its crappy suspension. But yes, most Crestline owners prefer jewelry suspension

I can't imagine there's much out there better than a Fluid Focus tuned whatever, especially a Vivid.

 

[Bigtuna00]

What can we expect the weight to be on this with the 800wh? With a zeb and similar build to the picture on page 1.......

DJI motor is 300g less than Bosch, 800wh battery is 160g lighter, 600wh battery is 130g lighter.

I'm interested to see the longevity of the DJI motor (plastic gears).

Not sure why everyone is so excited about the slim downtube, it just means the center of gravity is higher (the battery is longer). Kind of ironic this was a big part of the marketing for the Bosch-based RS180

 

[Bigtuna00]

I can't imagine there's much out there better than a Fluid Focus tuned whatever, especially a Vivid.

Doesn't have anything to do with quality or performance in this case, it's about import fees and how the product is categorized. Selling frames is way harder than selling a full bike.

 

[Bigtuna00]

One other thing to keep in mind with DJI: no range extender. I'm sure they'll have one some day but it's a big damper (for me) as I'd want the 600wh battery (my current Bosch build is ~46 lbs).

 

[LautSprecher]

i am so happy it’s already sold out.
Anyone interested in a new CX5 RS180 Frame with 800 Battery?

 

[AlumiPro]

Or a Copper RS75/50 (180mm link currently installed) Bosch Race frame?
I’ll post up an add soon, so it can be test ridden as a complete bike.

 

[Astro66]

Look at the images on the first page. The chainring on the DJI is well below the motor/bash guard because of the small motor size.

On my Amflow the chainring is about 30mm below the bashguard. So you definitely hit your chainring first.

I spoke to Amflow. They said to fit a chainring protector, to the chainring. The only issue is, I couldn't fit it, without rubbing on cranks, or chain guide, or altering the chainline. So I fitted an alloy chainring, that I'm not too concerned about bending. Sure it won't last as long as the Eagle Transmission chainring. But it's a fraction of the cost. So far it's working perfectly.

In 300km of riding, far I've rubbed the chainring 2 times, dropping off steep ledges. It hasn't caused any issues. There does seem to be more BB clearance than my previous EMTBs. I bashed my bashguard far more times on the previous EMTB, which had identical travel.

 

[pdqmach26]

i am so happy it’s already sold out.
Anyone interested in a new CX5 RS180 Frame with 800 Battery?

Size?

 

[AlumiPro]

Im getting my shopping list together and I’m curious what other RS181 buyers or DJI users have for a chainring?
I’m currently running a 36t on my Bosch Race.
I’m also curious about crank options, I’m running 145mm PNND arms on the Bosch Race and really like them for the type of terrain I ride.

 

[mrtrinh]

Im getting my shopping list together and I’m curious what other RS181 buyers or DJI users have for a chainring?
I’m currently running a 36t on my Bosch Race.
I’m also curious about crank options, I’m running 145mm PNND arms on the Bosch Race and really like them for the type of terrain I ride.

I assume we need a 104 bcd chainring given a spider is provided? Im curious about cranks too (my gen 5 is my first emtb). Will any ISIS crank work? Only companies I found that advertise dji compatibility are ethirteen and praxis.

Can anyone shed some knowledge?

 

[Astro66]

Im getting my shopping list together and I’m curious what other RS181 buyers or DJI users have for a chainring?

I run the MOTSUV Alloy chainrings. Have done on my last 3 EMTBs. At AUD$9 delivered, I just change them when I change the chain. So normally around the 1000 - 1500km mark, but none have actually been badly worn when I change them.

I get nothing but grief when I tell people what I pay for these chainrings. But they have been bulletproof for me. And I love my technical climbing, so they get a serious workout.

Not expecting anyone riding a Crestline to fit these. But they do work well with the DJI and SRAM Eagle Transmission Systems in my experience.

 

[Astro66]

Can anyone shed some knowledge?

I don't know the specs of a standard ISIS crank. All I can tell you is the retaining bolt is about 15mm in diameter. But all documentaion I have read seems to suggest the Amflow Crank is just a standard ISIS spec.

 

[Plummet]

DJI motor is 300g less than Bosch, 800wh battery is 160g lighter, 600wh battery is 130g lighter.

I'm interested to see the longevity of the DJI motor (plastic gears).

Not sure why everyone is so excited about the slim downtube, it just means the center of gravity is higher (the battery is longer). Kind of ironic this was a big part of the marketing for the Bosch-based RS180

There is potential that the frame is slightly lighter with a smaller down tube od.

But you are right about c of g being lower. My gen 5 with 400wh will still likely be the superior handling solution compared to dji higher of g and heavier battery.

 

[James_MTB]

I’d order one but I need it without the battery, can’t take it on the plane or ship it with the battery. As far as I’m aware you can’t buy the DJI batteries anywhere. I bought my current frame without the battery but Bosch batteries are everywhere.

I'm in the same boat

Crestline press release on Pinkbike

 

[slickrock]

…I was really telling my self to hold out on my next eMtb purchase until a long travel gearbox emtb was released.

I'm basically in a similar boat in wanting my next bike to be long travel MGU, with you most likely influenced by your belt drive, gear-boxed Cavalerie Anakin. I'm basically done with derailleurs, pedal kickback, and chain whip, so consequently outfitting my current downduro bike with a Gates + geared hub as an interim solution, which would otherwise not be possible with a unified rear end like VPP.

Troydon mentioned Bosch has pushed there gearbox motor out to 2030 DJI gearbox bring it sooner?

This is the first inside info I've heard that Bosch is actually planning to release an MGU, which is tremendous news, albeit so freaking far out into the future. We witnessed the agility of DGI and like you I hope that they push the envelope and come out with a forward thinking, streamlined, lightweight MGU (i.e. something like the defunct CVT Revonte) soon. Who knows, if Crestline keeps up their high iteration, low volume, sell out in heartbeat shoe-drop scheme, we might see a Crestline drop a model as soon as one of those MGU's is announced.

Regarding the bike though, kudos that you nabbed one. I've seen both the Unno and E-Druid up close and it seems any bike brand that DGI blesses produces full power bikes that look like svelte mid-power models that put all those other models to shame (e.g. the new Yeti just begs to have a DJI, but is stuck with a TQ). The Crestline is no exception, but in this case mating the the svelte and powerful DJI with "long-travel done right". A dream come true for us folk.

 

[MTB_MIKE]

DJI motor is 300g less than Bosch, 800wh battery is 160g lighter, 600wh battery is 130g lighter.

I'm interested to see the longevity of the DJI motor (plastic gears).

Not sure why everyone is so excited about the slim downtube, it just means the center of gravity is higher (the battery is longer). Kind of ironic this was a big part of the marketing for the Bosch-based RS180

This is why on the RH2 size with 450mm reach and 440mm CS makes sense as the shorter CS helps to better pick up the heavier front end. On the R180, the CS was 445mm on size medium.