Here's my Amflow PL Pro Build

[RickBullotta]

Size M PL Pro. Component changes:
- Swapped OEM wheels for NOBL TR37 + DT240 wheelset
- Mounted Maxxis Forekaster EXO+/MaxTerra tires, 2.4 rear, 2.6 front
- Swapped OEM bars/stem/grips for a RaceFace stem, RaceFace Era bar (40mm rise), and Ergon GA2 Fat grips
- Swapped OEM dropper and saddle for RF Next SL post and WTB Rocket V Titanium saddle
- Removed dropper remove right side remote for Avinox display
- Shimano XTR-M9120 pedals

I'm 5'8" and 170 lbs, for reference.

Total bike weight 44.7 lbs (less than I expected)

Rides and handles extraordinarily well.

And no smartass comments about the dropper. I can probably beat most of you without one.

 

[mtnrider]

Did you weigh it before you changed it up? Given you dropped the dropper I would have thought it would be a little lighter then that? (maybe it's the pedals offsetting the weight?)

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[RickBullotta]

Did you weigh it before you changed it up? Given you dropped the dropper I would have thought it would be a little lighter then that? (maybe it's the pedals offsetting the weight?)

.

It's an 800Wh battery, so it's about what I expected. The pedals are about 400 grams, and the wheelset is 32 spoke. And that's over 5 lbs lighter than my Levo Gen 3 S-Works.

The weight balance on the Amflow is nearly perfect. Jumped it last night like I was jumping my Hightower. Only time I feel the weight is when carrying it over downed trees!

I also felt like the steering/handling was nearly perfect. Most other eMTBs I've ridden or owned always felt like that had a bit of understeer.

 

[RickBullotta]

Oh, and I forgot one thing: no SIM card. Not for weight reasons. ;-)

 

[Brawwp]

No dropper is crazy. Is that just for weight? That’s like the one thing I’d still have on my bike even if it weight 20 lbs lol. And im not trying to be a smart ass, I’m just genuinely curious why you’d go no dropper?

 

[RickBullotta]

No dropper is crazy. Is that just for weight? That’s like the one thing I’d still have on my bike even if it weight 20 lbs lol. And im not trying to be a smart ass, I’m just genuinely curious why you’d go no dropper?

I’ve been MTBing for over 35 years and I use the saddle like I use a motorcycle saddle sometimes. I’ve ridden droppers a dozen times and it didn’t compel me to keep it. A little bit weight, but mostly simplicity. Cleaner cockpit, less shit to break. And TBH it doesn’t slow me down. On bike park days I just drop the saddle. I’m done enduro racing so that’s not a concern. Even with my outdated Luddite seatpost I have quite respectable times on descents.

I really love this bike!

 

[RickBullotta]

No dropper is crazy. Is that just for weight? That’s like the one thing I’d still have on my bike even if it weight 20 lbs lol. And im not trying to be a smart ass, I’m just genuinely curious why you’d go no dropper?

And I knew someone couldn’t resist making a dropper comment.

 

[MeatBike]

And I knew someone couldn’t resist making a dropper comment.

I think because most of us will have become so accustomed to them that seeing a modern bike without one just seems odd these days, like 2x and rim brakes. That's cool if you don't feel the need though... and really nice bike either way

 

[Brawwp]

And I knew someone couldn’t resist making a dropper comment.

So even you know it’s crazy lol. Hey man whatever works for you. I just cannot imagine.

I come from motocross background and it’s not as high as a bike seat. I get you mean maybe gripping it with your legs but downhill proper attack position to me wouldn’t be possible with seat in pedal position. But if you don’t need it and it saves weight then why not I guess

 

[RickBullotta]

I think because most of us will have become so accustomed to them that seeing a modern bike without one just seems odd these days, like 2x and rim brakes. That's cool if you don't feel the need though... and really nice bike either way

It’s funny because I’m usually the first one on my crew with new tech. Disc brakes, tubeless, 29ers, 1x drivetrain, wireless drivetrain, eMTB. This one never clicked.

 

[RickBullotta]

So even you know it’s crazy lol. Hey man whatever works for you. I just cannot imagine.

I come from motocross background and it’s not as high as a bike seat. I get you mean maybe gripping it with your legs but downhill proper attack position to me wouldn’t be possible with seat in pedal position. But if you don’t need it and it saves weight then why not I guess

It’s really about habit. It just feels normal and a dropper doesn’t. Cheers!

 

[jbrown15]

And I knew someone couldn’t resist making a dropper comment.

I was curious too, not to throw shade just wonder the reason behind it. Would you say most of your riding doesn't include a lot of steep technical descents? I would find it a pain in the ass everytime I got to a super steep descent I had to stop to lower the seat post.

 

[Astro66]

And I knew someone couldn’t resist making a dropper comment.

It is unusual. I would just have so many more crashes without the dropper. As soon as I'm going faster on anything even slightly downhill, I want my weight lower. I even just drop 2-3 inches sometimes, just to have a lower centre of gravity.

And technical climbing. You need that thing out of the way. I didn't realise just how much difference it makes. Then I saw some youtube videos, where they were lowering the seat in a technical climb, and I've been a convert ever since.

And on a jump line. Without a dropper, I would get caught up in the seat all the time, putting me off balance, with catastrophic results.

 

[RickBullotta]

It is unusual. I would just have so many more crashes without the dropper. As soon as I'm going faster on anything even slightly downhill, I want my weight lower. I even just drop 2-3 inches sometimes, just to have a lower centre of gravity.

And technical climbing. You need that thing out of the way. I didn't realise just how much difference it makes. Then I saw some youtube videos, where they were lowering the seat in a technical climb, and I've been a convert ever since.

And on a jump line. Without a dropper, I would get caught up in the seat all the time, putting me off balance, with catastrophic results.

In bike parks (or in the handful of enduro and DH races I've done) I do drop the saddle of course - just with a 4mm wrench instead of a lever.

I've been riding so long (on lots of very technical and steep terrain) that it's just second nature to me, and the dropper felt unnatural. Again, all a matter of personal preference and confidence. Does it slow me down a little? Maybe a very tiny bit. But I'm faster also because of just being comfortable on the bike.

To each their own.

 

[Brawwp]

In bike parks (or in the handful of enduro and DH races I've done) I do drop the saddle of course - just with a 4mm wrench instead of a lever.

I've been riding so long (on lots of very technical and steep terrain) that it's just second nature to me, and the dropper felt unnatural. Again, all a matter of personal preference and confidence. Does it slow me down a little? Maybe a very tiny bit. But I'm faster also because of just being comfortable on the bike.

To each their own.

Ok next question haha. How does it make you feel uncomfortable? I just seriously don’t get it. I promise I’m not trying to like argue or completely derail this thread to make it all about droppers. I just am so curious on your reasoning. It seems like it is exactly the same comfort at top position as what you’re on except you don’t need to carry a 4mm Allen when you go down, you just click a button. Idk what I’m missing. And you don’t need a reason, but you’re giving reasons and it’s making me more interested lol.


Anyway, to get off the dropper thing… how do u like those bars and wheels? I’m considering upgrading my amflow. Stock on the base pl is 35mm I believe. I do wish they were a tad higher. And my rear wheel is already bent.

 

[RickBullotta]

I was curious too, not to throw shade just wonder the reason behind it. Would you say most of your riding doesn't include a lot of steep technical descents? I would find it a pain in the ass everytime I got to a super steep descent I had to stop to lower the seat post.

Oh, we have plenty of steeps. Up and down. Plenty of technical terrain. And I've ridden some scary stuff throughout the USA.

Anyway, to get off the dropper thing… how do u like those bars and wheels? I’m considering upgrading my amflow. Stock on the base pl is 35mm I believe. I do wish they were a tad higher. And my rear wheel is already bent.

The PL Pro bar was even lower. Didn't like it at all. I went with a 40mm rise and a different stem and really like the fit and feel now. A low bar on an eMTB feels really strange on jumps and when trying to wheelie over trees.
That sucks about the rear wheel. I thought the OEM wheels were fine, but I didn't want to deal with an unknown brand of hubs and so on. I have DT hubs on all my other wheelsets so I just went for a known quantity. And the NOBL rims have been great. No issues there.

 

[Winford]

I can probably beat most of you

Love the attitude!

 

[Winford]

going faster on anything even slightly downhill, I want my weight lower

100! I peddle with seat in lowest position for miles, just to tune my legs to climb in the lower position. So many changes in our terrain, you would have too constantly move seat up n down.

My thumb press on my droppers took a lot of force to operate, so I got lazy about using it. Anymore its just climbing out of steep canyons in the up position.

Do understand Ricks deal here. I rode a long time before getting a dropper, and did just fine without. You set them lower than perfect climbing position, just not slammed like an old BMX bike

 

[RN611]

Oh, and I forgot one thing: no SIM card. Not for weight reasons. ;-)

Hahaha. Totally understand

 

[Lesdapost]

Size M PL Pro. Component changes:
- Swapped OEM wheels for NOBL TR37 + DT240 wheelset
- Mounted Maxxis Forekaster EXO+/MaxTerra tires, 2.4 rear, 2.6 front
- Swapped OEM bars/stem/grips for a RaceFace stem, RaceFace Era bar (40mm rise), and Ergon GA2 Fat grips
- Swapped OEM dropper and saddle for RF Next SL post and WTB Rocket V Titanium saddle
- Removed dropper remove right side remote for Avinox display
- Shimano XTR-M9120 pedals

I'm 5'8" and 170 lbs, for reference.

Total bike weight 44.7 lbs (less than I expected)

Rides and handles extraordinarily well.

And no smartass comments about the dropper. I can probably beat most of you without one.

View attachment 170665

It's not a dropper!

 

[Deleted member 19064]

Love the attitude!

Not only beat you, but do it downhill with the seat up in full lock position.
Droppers are overrated.

I can't imagine how this looks in real life, but as the OP said, to each his own.

 

[RickBullotta]

Not only beat you, but do it downhill with the seat up in full lock position.
Droppers are overrated.

I can't imagine how this looks in real life, but as the OP said, to each his own.

It looks fast.

 

[WasBXT]

I really don't get the build, not really XC, definitely not Enduro....kinda reminds me more of a short travel down country bike except with more travel LOL .... each to their own I guess, at the end of the day it's your money.

Could you not at least run a quick release seat post clamp?... would save the fumbling around with a 4mm Allen key at the top of the trails.

 

[RickBullotta]

I really don't get the build, not really XC, definitely not Enduro....kinda reminds me more of a short travel down country bike except with more travel LOL .... each to their own I guess, at the end of the day it's your money.

Could you not at least run a quick release seat post clamp?... would save the fumbling around with a 4mm Allen key at the top of the trails.

Jeez I hate all the imaginary bike categories.

 

[Four Flusher]

PLS help? I'm 75, 6', live where most trails are lite enduro. I'm on a '23 Levo Expert S5, not a finesse rider more a plow through guy. I was planning on my next Levo to be an S4, but now I'm jump ship for the amflow. According to their sizing I could go L or XL. Being as old as dirt and definitely not a "poppy" ride, I'm leaning toward the XL. Thoughts?

 

[Winford]

6'

62 and 6' 190lbs and a large is perfect. It never once entered my mind I needed a bigger frame. The 29 rear tends to have these bikes go a hair wide exiting a corner, an XL would make that worse. 27.5 does correct that.

 

[Plyphon]

 

[Tilt]

Size M PL Pro. Component changes:
- Swapped OEM wheels for NOBL TR37 + DT240 wheelset
- Mounted Maxxis Forekaster EXO+/MaxTerra tires, 2.4 rear, 2.6 front
- Swapped OEM bars/stem/grips for a RaceFace stem, RaceFace Era bar (40mm rise), and Ergon GA2 Fat grips
- Swapped OEM dropper and saddle for RF Next SL post and WTB Rocket V Titanium saddle
- Removed dropper remove right side remote for Avinox display
- Shimano XTR-M9120 pedals

I'm 5'8" and 170 lbs, for reference.

Total bike weight 44.7 lbs (less than I expected)

Rides and handles extraordinarily well.

And no smartass comments about the dropper. I can probably beat most of you without one.

View attachment 170665

Great bike, well done! My Amflow has also undergone some modifications to make it lighter, more responsive, and more maneuverable on technical sections. It weighs 19.5kg with the original telescopic seatpost, but I'm going to replace it with a vertical Helium seatpost, and also replace the 800Wh battery with a 600Wh one. That will make it the perfect bike for me.

 

[dreys]

Great bike, well done! My Amflow has also undergone some modifications to make it lighter, more responsive, and more maneuverable on technical sections. It weighs 19.5kg with the original telescopic seatpost, but I'm going to replace it with a vertical Helium seatpost, and also replace the 800Wh battery with a 600Wh one. That will make it the perfect bike for me.

View attachment 173091

Never understood dudes who get full suspension bike, and remove dropper. Might as well attach reflectors to the wheels that came with the bike, that'll do it.

You also got wrong rotors. Magura needs 2mm thick rotors, and Hope's are 1.8mm. You effectively decreased your stopping power.

There is nothing wrong in working with your bike shop and ask them for proper advice, these amateur "upgrades" such as rigid seat post on full suspension bike are pretty stupid.

 

[RickBullotta]

Never understood dudes who get full suspension bike, and remove dropper. Might as well attach reflectors to the wheels that came with the bike, that'll do it.

You also got wrong rotors. Magura needs 2mm thick rotors, and Hope's are 1.8mm. You effectively decreased your stopping power.

There is nothing wrong in working with your bike shop and ask them for proper advice, these amateur "upgrades" such as rigid seat post on full suspension bike are pretty stupid.

Hey sh*tbrain. Highly likely I can outride you 8 times out of 10, dropper or not. And my bike has Magura Storm HC rotors - a better choice than the MDPs. I’m a Magura brand ambassador. I have a full shop and know more about building, servicing and tuning bikes than you ever will. Merry F*cking Christmas you angry twat.