1st ride on my Crestline RS 181.1 DJI

[GeorgesEBike]

1st ride on my 2025 Crestline RS 181.1 with DJI motor. All I have to say is this bike has far exceeded all of my expectations! I rode it in Turbo (105nm/800watts) 100% of the ride. Was able to do 14 miles, 2,420ft elevation and had 51% battery left.

Motor Noise Climbing: About the same as the Bosch Gen 5. Just a different tone which is not annoying.

Motor Noise Descending: About the same as the Bosch Gen 4. I'm used to it. This is probably my only complaint.

Geometry: I love it! I feel more upright which gives me confidence on the descents. I'm sticking with the RH-3/29er/450 chainstay.

Suspension Kinematics: Each version Crestline feels better and better. LOVE the pop even with my coil. Bike has so much traction now.

Bosch Gen 4 Race Mode vs DJI: The Bosch Gen 4 Race Mode is still more lively on the pedals than the DJI BUT I now prefer the DJI settings because it's a smoother transition into the power and once the power kicks in it blows the Gen 4 Bosch out of the water. (This is with default DJI settings. I just turned up the overrun and assist to max and will run it again today.)

LOVE having the option to set the bike in class 3.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Very nice! Was the software updated already or did it prompt you too at initial setup? I keep checking my emails for a shipping notice....

 

[GeorgesEBike]

Very nice! Was the software updated already or did it prompt you too at initial setup? I keep checking my emails for a shipping notice....

All I had to do was register with the DJI app. I heard Crestline is ahead of schedule so you should receive your bike any time now. It's sooooooo gooooood!

 

[JP-NZ]

Motor Noise Climbing: About the same as the Bosch Gen 5. Just a different tone which is not annoying.

Motor Noise Descending: About the same as the Bosch Gen 4. I'm used to it. This is probably my only complaint.

Nice! Looks good.

Just on motor noise I thought reviews said the Avinox was silent on the downs? The bosch G4 was notoriously clacky, do you mean its the same as the Gen 5 on the downs?

 

[GeorgesEBike]

Nice! Looks good.

Just on motor noise I thought reviews said the Avinox was silent on the downs? The bosch G4 was notoriously clacky, do you mean its the same as the Gen 5 on the downs?

It rattles kinda like the Bosch Gen 4 Race motor. The Bosch Gen 5 is silent. Kinda "clacky".

 

[Astro66]

Can you confirm or deny the chainring protrudes beyond the Bottom Bracket guard ? Thx.

 

[Suns_PSD]

The DJI is a bit loud. Well documented.
I'm curious if a set of Sidekick hubs would cure that.

 

[GeorgesEBike]

Can you confirm or deny the chainring protrudes beyond the Bottom Bracket guard ? Thx.

It does cover a 36t chainring.

 

[Bluedirtz]

What the weight of your bike? Congratulations

 

[GeorgesEBike]

What the weight of your bike? Congratulations

Not sure. Forgot to weigh it at the bike shop. I know it's about 1 .1 pound lighter than a Bosch Gen 5 with 800wh battery.

 

[GeorgesEBike]

Just completed my 2nd ride on the bike. I love it! I set the bike to Class 3 for real this time and set everything in Turbo to max like the assist and overrun. I was able to ride 23 miles and 3,750ft elevation running 100% Turbo (105nm/800watts) and had 22% battery left. I'm liking the range!

 

[Bikeflog]

The DJI is a bit loud. Well documented.
I'm curious if a set of Sidekick hubs would cure that.

Curious to hear about the Sidekicker hubs, I'll be investing on my V3 Bullit

 

[BikingBad]

Congrats! Which length AXS dropper do you have installed? I see it’s slammed all the way down.

 

[GeorgesEBike]

Congrats! Which length AXS dropper do you have installed? I see it’s slammed all the way down.

It's the AXS 175mm slammed in a RH-3.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Curious to hear about the Sidekicker hubs, I'll be investing on my V3 Bullit

I've asked in a few places, I don't think anyone with an Avinox has experience? I can tell you with my ep801 it made a huge difference in motor and chainsaw noise so I have to think it'll do the same for any motor/frame. And my current frame has low pedal kickback numbers so I started from a mild point.

 

[BikingBad]

It's the AXS 175mm slammed in a RH-3.

Thanks! One more question, what is your chain length? Did you use SRAM chain length recommendation? I understand they just recently added RS181 to their list but I’ve heard it’s inaccurate.

 

[GeorgesEBike]

Thanks! One more question, what is your chain length? Did you use SRAM chain length recommendation? I understand they just recently added RS181 to their list but I’ve heard it’s inaccurate.

I'm not sure. I had a local bike shop build the bike up.

 

[volts]

The DJI is a bit loud. Well documented.
I'm curious if a set of Sidekick hubs would cure that.

It doesn't. I was hoping it would so i got sidekick hubs and the motor rattles like an MF. Im used to an exe with tq motor so this was quite a negative surprise just how loud it is. Going up, it's fine. It's not annoying like ep8. It's a rather low buzzing, not bad at all imo. But down it rattles a huge amount. It tried a bunch of things in vague hopes that it was cables but im convinced it's the clutch now.

Edit: this is with hub set to 18 degrees (max).

 

[sethimus]

It does cover a 36t chainring.

can you take a photo of the bottom? on the website it doesn’t look like it is enough

 

[GeorgesEBike]

can you take a photo of the bottom? on the website it doesn’t look like it is enough

 

[sethimus]

would be even better if the mould of the bottom part would have 2 laminated threads you could just screw a iscg bash guard on

 

[Suns_PSD]

It doesn't. I was hoping it would so i got sidekick hubs and the motor rattles like an MF. Im used to an exe with tq motor so this was quite a negative surprise just how loud it is. Going up, it's fine. It's not annoying like ep8. It's a rather low buzzing, not bad at all imo. But down it rattles a huge amount. It tried a bunch of things in vague hopes that it was cables but im convinced it's the clutch now.

Edit: this is with hub set to 18 degrees (max).

That's a pretty big bummer honestly. Thanks for the clarification though. I'm actually not that sensitive to bike noise, not sure if it's even a factor for me.

Bosch Gen 5 CXR Pros: considerably more efficient, included bash guard coverage, no rattle noise
DJI Pros: better integration especially with the 800w battery, even more power, can derestrict to 28 mph, technically 1# lighter but in light of the less efficiency, it's maybe not really.

There is already a review that says that the Gen5 CX 600w with the 100NM upgrade can climb very nearly the same meters as a DJI 800w.

 

[Suns_PSD]

would be even better if the mould of the bottom part would have 2 laminated threads you could just screw a iscg bash guard on

Or the bash guard quick released and you had some handy dandy storage down there.

 

[G.M.]

It doesn't. I was hoping it would so i got sidekick hubs and the motor rattles like an MF. Im used to an exe with tq motor so this was quite a negative surprise just how loud it is. Going up, it's fine. It's not annoying like ep8. It's a rather low buzzing, not bad at all imo. But down it rattles a huge amount. It tried a bunch of things in vague hopes that it was cables but im convinced it's the clutch now.

Edit: this is with hub set to 18 degrees (max).

You are right. In regards to TQ or Fazua the avinox rattles, not so bad like shimano or older cx, yamaha etc., and it will get a bit worse over time riding it. High engagement hubs will make it worse though.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

The rattle is real is real sadly and by far the most irritating thing on the bike / DJI motors.

 

[Suns_PSD]

The rattle is real is real sadly and by far the most irritating thing on the bike / DJI motors.

Let's assume the Bosch Crestline offered the adjustable CS length.

Would you still choose the DJI version for the power/ integration/ looks/ etc?
Or instead the CX-R for the low noise, high efficiency, etc?

From what I've read (not personally experienced) I LOVE many features about the DJI for sure (especially the integration and looks) but I keep thinking that the Bosch is just an overall better unit. I think if Bosch offered a slim 800w battery it would be check mate.

I look forward to a proper efficiency test of the 100 NM Bosch (preferably the CX-R as the ceramic bearings should improve efficiency further) vs. the DJI.

 

[Biano44]

The rattle is real is real sadly and by far the most irritating thing on the bike / DJI motors.

I've done over 2000 miles on my DJI/Amflow and can honestly say I've never heard or noticed a rattle.

How bizarre!

 

[AlumiPro]

I’m super bummed to hear about the downhill rattle! One of the reasons I pulled the trigger on the RS181 and sold my Crestline Bosch Gen4 was to reduced the downhill rattle. I’m glad I’ve never ridden a silent Bosch Gen5….. sounds like I’d be even more bummed with the DJI.
The SideKick hubs that were on my previous Crestline are going on my RS181 regardless.
Just finished fully Ride Wrapping my RS181 frame, including some custom cut pieces for places Ride Wrap doesn’t cover. She’s well protected.

 

[drocho]

Not sure. Forgot to weigh it at the bike shop. I know it's about 1 .1 pound lighter than a Bosch Gen 5 with 800wh battery.

you mean compared to previous crestline with bosch?

 

[John_likes_bikes]

FWIW, the motor guard on the 181 looks like it has a lot of internal space, perfect for amplifying motor rattling. Amflow is more tailored. I wonder if some foam in the motor cover might quiet things down? Though it's odd to hear such contrary experiences. Maybe you ride faster you'll outrun the noise!?