Crestline x DJI - RS 181 SPECTRE Edition

sweet!!! Looks like I’ve got all I need to build this bike except the Frame that might be cancelled due to DJI leaving the US market 😆
I’m in the same boat……or should I say land.
Parts are anxiously waiting to be secured to a frame.
 
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I’m in the same boat……or should I say land.
Parts are anxiously waiting to be secured to a frame.
I am holding off on ordering parts for now. Luckily, I had some spare parts laying around, so I haven't started ordering yet. I am starting to get a little worried about the whole DJI thing now.
 
From what I'm reading the DJI thing seems to be affecting only drones and how they're categorized in customs paperwork, which determines the tax/import/tariff rate. A bike motor is going to be different... that's the hope I'm holding. And that the frames have already landed in the states if there was talk about shipping right after Eurobike.
 
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From what I'm reading the DJI thing seems to be affecting only drones and how they're categorized in customs paperwork, which determines the tax/import/tariff rate. A bike motor is going to be different... that's the hope I'm holding. And that the frames have already landed in the states if there was talk about shipping right after Eurobike.
I hope that's the case. Commencal announced a spring 2026 delivery but that could be in hopes that the DJI situation will clear by then. I sent an email to troydon, hopefully he can provide some clarity.
 
Supposedly the US does not want all the drone videos and action cam videos with full geotagged locations going on DJI’s Chinese cloud servers in case there is detailed footage of American infrastructure in there.
no worries, they should just buy some $TRUMP and he will extend the deadline indefinitely, like with tiktok
 
Technically only about 22% of Americans voted for Trump, yet here we are.

Either way, I actually support Congress' mandate to not allow China to map our entire country, but they (China) would destroy us in a war anyways, because they build 90% of the world's drones. The Ukraine conflict has shown us what the future of warfare is, and it isn't tanks, billion-dollar ships and the like.

This commonsense Legislative move should not affect DJI motors in bikes in any way.

If the Chinese are reading this, I want to say that you will need complacent individuals not suited for the mines and I'm very docile! All I require is a DJI MTB.
 
What a rocket! 🚀

IMG_6568.jpeg IMG_6566.jpeg IMG_6565.jpeg IMG_6564.jpeg
 
Looks nice in that darker colour, and the gold forks and rocker arm are nice touches that aren’t over done! 👍
 
Weight and riding impressions please!
I’ve only ridden it on basic trails so far. Need to try it on chunk, to work out the suspension performance.

Also to caveat, it’s a Large (485mm reach) and I’ll be swapping to a XL soon. It feels slightly too small for me. Running 460mm chainstay, it turns so quick.

It feels way more nimble than my Bosch version.

It’s noisy though (my DJI motor seems more rattly than I remember) - there’s a bit of motor rattle, that’s annoying.
 
I’ve only ridden it on basic trails so far. Need to try it on chunk, to work out the suspension performance.

Also to caveat, it’s a Large (485mm reach) and I’ll be swapping to a XL soon. It feels slightly too small for me. Running 460mm chainstay, it turns so quick.

It feels way more nimble than my Bosch version.

It’s noisy though (my DJI motor seems more rattly than I remember) - there’s a bit of motor rattle, that’s annoying.

Awesome! I really hope the full production doesn't have rattle o_O
 
I’ve only ridden it on basic trails so far. Need to try it on chunk, to work out the suspension performance.

Also to caveat, it’s a Large (485mm reach) and I’ll be swapping to a XL soon. It feels slightly too small for me. Running 460mm chainstay, it turns so quick.

It feels way more nimble than my Bosch version.

It’s noisy though (my DJI motor seems more rattly than I remember) - there’s a bit of motor rattle, that’s annoying.
I assume you have a 800wh in the s180? Weight reduction will be the key difference in nimbleness.

I really, really enjoy my 400wh battery option s180. When I slap the 600wh in im feel the worse weight distro, I can imagine that the 800hw option would feel full on heavy ebike.
 
I assume you have a 800wh in the s180? Weight reduction will be the key difference in nimbleness.

I really, really enjoy my 400wh battery option s180. When I slap the 600wh in im feel the worse weight distro, I can imagine that the 800hw option would feel full on heavy ebike.
Yes I have both 800 in Bosch and this DJI version. It definitely feels quite a bit lighter riding it, but I think it’s only going to be about 750g lighter!

The battery placement is different (DJI runs higher) and that makes it feel a bit different / more forward weighted.
 
I’ve only ridden it on basic trails so far. Need to try it on chunk, to work out the suspension performance.

Also to caveat, it’s a Large (485mm reach) and I’ll be swapping to a XL soon. It feels slightly too small for me. Running 460mm chainstay, it turns so quick.

It feels way more nimble than my Bosch version.

It’s noisy though (my DJI motor seems more rattly than I remember) - there’s a bit of motor rattle, that’s annoying.

I just, have so many questions:

1) Weigh it please. I'm guessing 52#s.
2) Interested in your CS choice. I like long CS, I really do. But 460 CS on a 485mm reach with that 800w battery weighting the front end, seems excessive.
3) It would only be more responsive because it's too small for you. At best it's 1# lighter, and the CS's are longer and the battery further forward, all things that reduce responsiveness.
 
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I’ve only ridden it on basic trails so far. Need to try it on chunk, to work out the suspension performance.

Also to caveat, it’s a Large (485mm reach) and I’ll be swapping to a XL soon. It feels slightly too small for me. Running 460mm chainstay, it turns so quick.

It feels way more nimble than my Bosch version.

It’s noisy though (my DJI motor seems more rattly than I remember) - there’s a bit of motor rattle, that’s annoying.
I was a bit surprised you chose a large over XL frame. Aren’t you over 6’-2”?
That’s a bummer to hear that the DJI has a noticeable rattle! One of the reasons I’ve been wanting to move on from the Bosch Gen4 is the rattle! Though before I pulled the trigger on the RS181 I asked Troydon many questions; he did mention it has a little rattle, but much less than the Bosch Gen4.
 
I was a bit surprised you chose a large over XL frame. Aren’t you over 6’-2”?
That’s a bummer to hear that the DJI has a noticeable rattle! One of the reasons I’ve been wanting to move on from the Bosch Gen4 is the rattle! Though before I pulled the trigger on the RS181 I asked Troydon many questions; he did mention it has a little rattle, but much less than the Bosch Gen4.
If you ride faster than the sound of the rattle, no rattle.
 
I was a bit surprised you chose a large over XL frame. Aren’t you over 6’-2”?
That’s a bummer to hear that the DJI has a noticeable rattle! One of the reasons I’ve been wanting to move on from the Bosch Gen4 is the rattle! Though before I pulled the trigger on the RS181 I asked Troydon many questions; he did mention it has a little rattle, but much less than the Bosch Gen4.
Even more reason to get an Ochain or E13 sidekick hub. Better suspension feel and less noticeable rattle
 
I just, have so many questions:

1) Weigh it please. I'm guessing 52#s.
2) Interested in your CS choice. I like long CS, I really do. But 460 CS on a 485mm reach with that 800w battery weighting the front end, seems excessive.
3) It would only be more responsive because it's too small for you. At best it's 1# lighter, and the CS's are longer and the battery further forward, all things that reduce responsiveness.
1 - Yeah probably.
2 - better to compare CS length to wheelbase, it’s actually quite a long bike - I think I measured it at 1320 wheelbase. So front centre to rear centre ratio is pretty balanced. But actually I’ll be getting the XL frameset and will run these 460 dropouts on that 👍
3 - i can actually ride 480 reach to 520+ fine, but prefer longer reach as I’m quite lanky :-) Depends on what you mean as responsive. Personally I find proportional chainstays way more responsive.
 
It barely even looks like an ebike, other than the motor area. I’ll weigh it asap. I have Ohlins fork and shock incoming to fit, then I’ll be making a YouTube video on the bike.
I was thinking the exact same thing, I was looking at some side view pictures of a Santa Cruz Megatower and comparing it to the Crestline, and you can barely tell the Crestline is an ebike now with the slime DJI battery.
 
does anyone know if other DJI bikes have rattles or is it more dependent on the frame? I will say I love that the Gen5 bosch motor is rattle free.
I clearly hear my EP801 rattle in my Merida. I have never heard any rattle from my DJI motor in my Amflow. Caveat ...... I'm 60 and my hearing isn't what it used to be ...... 🤭
 
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