Crestline x DJI - RS 181 SPECTRE Edition

[Wah]

I was wondering if he would add an idler like the DH bike, doesn't look like it.

that would be a pretty massive change... I think there are just tweaks on the v2.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Looks like the delivery date for the next model moved back to Early 2026 I recall it being Feb, which could mean it lines up with the release of the rumored Avinox M2 motor or it doesn't mean that at all?

EDIT: Also, 181.2, "Plaid Edition" is new info and that rendering is different than the 181 with the chainring... is that white-ish?

 

[MetroNeck]

Looks like the delivery date for the next model moved back to March/April. I recall it being Feb, which could mean it lines up with the release of the rumored Avinox M2 motor or it doesn't mean that at all?

Based on chats with my LBS, looks like March, however if I read the tea leaves, the M2 is a lower price point option, and not for high-end bikes.

I think we’ll be getting an ‘improved’ M1 on the next batch of Spectre’s

I imagine all will become apparent early January.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

What is he hiding behind that sweatshirt?

View attachment 171643

Doesn't look like too much is hiding other than a rerouted rear brakeline and charge prot. The biggest news would be appareal that's in stock!

 

[sethimus]

Looks like the delivery date for the next model moved back to Early 2026 I recall it being Feb, which could mean it lines up with the release of the rumored Avinox M2 motor or it doesn't mean that at all?

EDIT: Also, 181.2, "Plaid Edition" is new info and that rendering is different than the 181 with the chainring... is that white-ish?
View attachment 171681

plaid edition = ludicrous speed = new avinox motor?

 

[Highland Wheels]

plaid edition = ludicrous speed = new avinox motor?

I heard someone mention 150nm

 

[John_likes_bikes]

plaid edition = ludicrous speed = new avinox motor?

Great movie.... Tesla was my first throught with the "plaid"

 

[John_likes_bikes]

I heard someone mention 150nm

I have boost at 105nm for fun, but it's too much for most "standard" single track-ish type bike trails. I'm in Auto 90% of the time at 75nm and that's plenty. Trail is at 90nm and that's a handful to manage. 150nm I just going to spin out and suck battery for the unskilled and the skilled will just detune.

 

[Wah]

Where was this image from? Website still says Jan for preorders and delivery now says March/april (think it said just March before)

I was told Alpine White and Gloss Raw Carbon were the options…. And sold as a frame set again (yes!!!).

Looks like the delivery date for the next model moved back to Early 2026 I recall it being Feb, which could mean it lines up with the release of the rumored Avinox M2 motor or it doesn't mean that at all?

EDIT: Also, 181.2, "Plaid Edition" is new info and that rendering is different than the 181 with the chainring... is that white-ish?
View attachment 171681

 

[sethimus]

Great movie.... Tesla was my first throught with the "plaid"

that’s just sad

 

[Highland Wheels]

I have boost at 105nm for fun, but it's too much for most "standard" single track-ish type bike trails. I'm in Auto 90% of the time at 75nm and that's plenty. Trail is at 90nm and that's a handful to manage. 150nm I just going to spin out and suck battery for the unskilled and the skilled will just detune.

Yeah I agree, you don't need that much power or torque but I guess it depends what you want. Folk seem to love it as you can set KOM this and KOM that on the climbs but that's of no interest to me. Mine is waaaay down tuned in all modes to get max range and max amount of descents

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Where was this image from? Website still says Jan for preorders and delivery now says March/april (think it said just March before)

I was told Alpine White and Gloss Raw Carbon were the options…. And sold as a frame set again (yes!!!).

For a small company the economics of frame only make a lot of sense and for the crowd buying these bikes it's probably preferred. Then it seems like there's a small quantity sold by Fanatik Bike, etc as complete if that's your bag.

I would love white but would it kill Troydon to do some colors?!?

It's a pop up on the site...

 

[2supple]

Any idea what the price will be for a frameset? Wonder if it will be more than the last batch. I believe the Spectre was around 7k, right?

 

[Plummet]

Yeah I agree, you don't need that much power or torque but I guess it depends what you want. Folk seem to love it as you can set KOM this and KOM that on the climbs but that's of no interest to me. Mine is waaaay down tuned in all modes to get max range and max amount of descents

Yeah, I wonder when the dji honeymood bubble will burst.

I've ridden dji and yeah its grunty and smooth but the algorithm just keeps assisting and assisting even when turned down. Its a nice motor, but its not a step change better and burns more battery than bosch for the same ride meaning ya generally need to upsize ya battery for a similar range.

In all honesty i prefer my bosch gen 5. I don't want all that assist. I want to crank it up for real tech climbs then back it off to lower levels for standard stuff. I have my bosch set up 60nm, 70nm, 85nm and 100nm. I'm mostly flipping between 70 and 85nm and very rarely in 100nm.

I much me a lighter bike with a smaller battery and less assistance with the option to crank up some more nm for the tech stuff.

 

[Plummet]

Any idea what the price will be for a frameset? Wonder if it will be more than the last batch. I believe the Spectre was around 7k, right?

Crestlines have been around the $6.5k to $7K USD for the last few years for a frameset. And those framesets get snatched up fast. I doubt very much it will be any less.

 

[Astro66]

but the algorithm just keeps assisting and assisting even when turned down.

What are your Eco settings ? I've turned my Eco way down, and use it when I ride with my Analogue buddies. We adventure rode 30km and 250m vertical the other day and I only used 15% battery. Took 2.5hrs. Worked my butt off. Really got a sweat going. Felt great.

I mostly use Auto when riding with other EMTBs. Trail for Climbs. Turbo for really gnarly climbs. Never used Boost yet.

I only charge my bike to 80%. Normally have 30-40% left. I do a 100% calibration charge once a month, but make sure to do this the night before riding.

 

[Plummet]

What are your Eco settings ? I've turned my Eco way down, and use it when I ride with my Analogue buddies. We adventure rode 30km and 250m vertical the other day and I only used 15% battery. Took 2.5hrs. Worked my butt off. Really got a sweat going. Felt great.

I mostly use Auto when riding with other EMTBs. Trail for Climbs. Turbo for really gnarly climbs. Never used Boost yet.

I only charge my bike to 80%. Normally have 30-40% left. I do a 100% calibration charge once a month, but make sure to do this the night before riding.

Can't remember what the eco setting was. For the record, i don't have a DJI Crestline. I have the Gen5 bosch S180. My son has a sponsered Teewing with DJI so i get to ride that on occasions. So I have some dji experience. but not my daily ride. I'm guessing you could tweak it to the assist levels you wanted and get it similar to the bosch. For me there isnt a reason to upgrade because im very happy with the bosch gen 5 performance.

 

[BikingBad]

In 3 months of ownership, I mostly ride in Trail mode, sometimes Auto for when bit more range is needed. Only used Eco once, for about 15 miles during a 40 mile group ride. Used Turbo and Boost couple times, briefly, for testing and for giggles.

Eco
Assistance: 5
Max Torque: 40
Max Power: 350
Motor Overrun: 1
Assisted Start: Mild
Continued Assist: Mild

Auto
Assistance Range: 7-9
Max Torque: 80
Max Power: 700
Max Acceleration Level: 2
Motor Overrun: 1
Assisted Start: Mild
Continued Assist: Mild

Trail
Assistance Range: 9-12
Max Torque: 95
Max Power: 900
Motor Overrun: 1
Assisted Start: Mild
Continued Assist: Mild

Turbo
Assistance: 15
Max Torque: 105
Max Power: 1000
Motor Overrun: 1
Assisted Start: Mild
Continued Assist: Mild

Boost
Enable Boost: On
Duration: 60

 

[Astro66]

Can't remember what the eco setting was. For the record, i don't have a DJI Crestline. I have the Gen5 bosch S180. My son has a sponsered Teewing with DJI so i get to ride that on occasions. So I have some dji experience. but not my daily ride. I'm guessing you could tweak it to the assist levels you wanted and get it similar to the bosch. For me there isnt a reason to upgrade because im very happy with the bosch gen 5 performance.

Fair enough. You don't need the DJI Motor in an enduro that is going be predominantly ridden downhill quickly. Nothing wrong with your existing bike. Would be a waste to upgrade.

I just wondered why you were concerned about too much assist when running in Eco. I certainly haven't experienced this. And for the record. I did cheekily sometimes switch to Auto when riding with the Analogues. Those guys come from road cycling and are beasts.

I am choosing DJI in my Enduro, to run all the same equipment on my Trail and Enduro build. Motor and transmission will be identical. So will wheels and hubs. Same front end. The only exception will be the brakes, because I can get Shimano components so much cheaper than Magura. And the Magura, whilst brilliant brakes, are a bit of a faff to setup. Even when just removing a wheel for cleaning and putting them back.

 

[Plummet]

Fair enough. You don't need the DJI Motor in an enduro that is going be predominantly ridden downhill quickly. Nothing wrong with your existing bike. Would be a waste to upgrade.

I just wondered why you were concerned about too much assist when running in Eco. I certainly haven't experienced this. And for the record. I did cheekily sometimes switch to Auto when riding with the Analogues. Those guys come from road cycling and are beasts.

I am choosing DJI in my Enduro, to run all the same equipment on my Trail and Enduro build. Motor and transmission will be identical. So will wheels and hubs. Same front end. The only exception will be the brakes, because I can get Shimano components so much cheaper than Magura. And the Magura, whilst brilliant brakes, are a bit of a faff to setup. Even when just removing a wheel for cleaning and putting them back.

I think the biggest issue was the motor cut out at 45kph. Its fun, but it just keeps pulling to 45kph. I understand there's a setting to turn it back down to 32kph.

 

[Onetime]

I think the biggest issue was the motor cut out at 45kph. Its fun, but it just keeps pulling to 45kph. I understand there's a setting to turn it back down to 32kph.

That is an awesome feature! Who wouldn’t want that? I just wish it was the default speed and you didn’t have to input it every time you ride. I wouldn’t buy a new bike without it. Didn’t you complain before about your bike cutting out too soon? And it’s a problem at the bike park when you need the speed to properly clear some jumps?

 

[Plummet]

That is an awesome feature! Who wouldn’t want that? I just wish it was the default speed and you didn’t have to input it every time you ride. I wouldn’t buy a new bike without it. Didn’t you complain before about your bike cutting out too soon? And it’s a problem at the bike park when you need the speed to properly clear some jumps?

Yes I did complain about motor cut when I had the heavy as shit pole. It was a dog above 32kph.

But then I got the Crestline and it's light and poppy and I pretty much am not disadvantaged above motor cut on the Crestline.

The big disadvantage of 45kph cut out is it just keeps assisting and burning battery when most of the time you dont need the assist at that speed. The result is less exercise and more battery burn.

It would be cool if you could set one mode to 45kph and the yest to 32.

 

[2supple]

I have the s180 Bosch. Biggest things I’m interested in the new version are the updated geo. Ability to swap chainstay lengths pretty easily is underrated. Also the higher stack is a big plus in larger sizes. Even with 50 rise bars I struggle to get my hands where I want them.

Finally the power and looks. More power and relatively same efficiency is a big plus. Most the time I’m climbing in boost just to get to the bottom. If time isn’t an issue I’ll ride my Bronson. Finally the DJI looks a lot better

My wallet doesn’t want to upgrade but idk if I’ll be able to stop myself when they drop. If I can sell the s180 frame for ~70% cost it’s not a big deal.

 

[2supple]

Can anyone confirm if pedal kick devices are a game changer on these frames? I’ve been riding flats on the s180 and pretty tempted to get an o chain or sidekick hub. With clips I don’t care as much as the feet are locked in, but I’ve been preferring flats on the ebike.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Can anyone confirm if pedal kick devices are a game changer on these frames? I’ve been riding flats on the s180 and pretty tempted to get an o chain or sidekick hub. With clips I don’t care as much as the feet are locked in, but I’ve been preferring flats on the ebike.

I've run an ochain and sidekick for a while and I'm a big fan. Some people don't believe kickback is real even with factual evidence, so YMMV but if you can swing the cost I would suggest to anyone it's worth a try. It's certainly not snake oil.

I've only ridden my Spectre with a sidekick. On my 4 bar I have ridden with and without, they have a lot less kickback than VPP and it was noticeable. Even with clips they will lessen the feedback to you feet through the pedals, which smooths out the trail and really helps handling/carrying speed.

 

[2supple]

I've run an ochain and sidekick for a while and I'm a big fan. Some people don't believe kickback is real even with factual evidence, so YMMV but if you can swing the cost I would suggest to anyone it's worth a try. It's certainly not snake oil.

I've only ridden my Spectre with a sidekick. On my 4 bar I have ridden with and without, they have a lot less kickback than VPP and it was noticeable. Even with clips they will lessen the feedback to you feet through the pedals, which smooths out the trail and really helps handling/carrying speed.

Makes sense appreciate the feedback. You think it makes any difference going Sidekick vs Ochain on the Crestline?

 

[Onetime]

Yes I did complain about motor cut when I had the heavy as shit pole. It was a dog above 32kph.

But then I got the Crestline and it's light and poppy and I pretty much am not disadvantaged above motor cut on the Crestline.

The big disadvantage of 45kph cut out is it just keeps assisting and burning battery when most of the time you dont need the assist at that speed. The result is less exercise and more battery burn.

It would be cool if you could set one mode to 45kph and the yest to 32.

Luckily my Pole is deresticted and not heavy as shit, (47lbs with 500w battery and 50lbs with the 750). But I just might be getting a V2 181 when they’re available!

 

[Plummet]

I have the s180 Bosch. Biggest things I’m interested in the new version are the updated geo. Ability to swap chainstay lengths pretty easily is underrated. Also the higher stack is a big plus in larger sizes. Even with 50 rise bars I struggle to get my hands where I want them.

Finally the power and looks. More power and relatively same efficiency is a big plus. Most the time I’m climbing in boost just to get to the bottom. If time isn’t an issue I’ll ride my Bronson. Finally the DJI looks a lot better

My wallet doesn’t want to upgrade but idk if I’ll be able to stop myself when they drop. If I can sell the s180 frame for ~70% cost it’s not a big deal.

Fair enough. My S180 geo is almost back on. I don't need the adjustable chainstays or higher stack. I also wouldnt be displeased if i owned a dji bike if it could be fitted with a 600wh battery.

 

[Plummet]

Luckily my Pole is deresticted and not heavy as shit, (47lbs with 500w battery and 50lbs with the 750). But I just might be getting a V2 181 when they’re available!

Yeah, Your build spec is light af but doesn't meet my grade. You can take 1kg off that weight if you go to crestline with the same build spec.

The crestline is a far far better machine than the lumbering pole. The pole was good in a straight line and super steep ups. The crestline kicks its arse in every other area. Leo's geo really is sub-optimal.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Makes sense appreciate the feedback. You think it makes any difference going Sidekick vs Ochain on the Crestline?

I don't believe there's currently an ochain for Avionix, with SRAM buying them I doubt that'll change. Rimpact is working on one, which would be your other chainring style kickback device. Otherwise you're looking at hub style like kickback and DT Swiss. The latter have more degrees of "float," is easier to inter-change between bikes and maintenance is a little simpler. Where I prefer the ochain is its more natural/softer engagement with their elastomers (more maintenance is required) while the sidekick and I hear the Ratchet DEG is similar too, the engage with more of a clunk.

I've also read that E13 is releasing a lighter weight sidekick, maybe the reason they were just 50% off. That's where I would go unless you already have DT Swiss hubs, then that's by far the simplistic and least expensive way to try it out.