nsp02
New Member
Hi all, overall opinion of the velduro MTB
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What's everyone's take on the Velduro MTB?
- Thread starter nsp02
- Start date
The Velduro Rogue is a genuinely interesting machine, and the community verdict here has been largely positive, occasionally bordering on evangelical.
It's a New Zealand-China collaboration running the DJI Avinox M1 motor (120Nm), 800Wh battery, 170/160mm travel, and a mid-pivot suspension design. Priced at £8,999, it's not cheap, though it was reportedly expected to start around £6,000 when MBR first covered it. The news that it may not be coming to the UK is the rather inconvenient wrinkle in all this enthusiasm.
The suspension is the thing people keep coming back to. Multiple owners have described it as a "magic carpet ride" - composed, progressive off the top, and a bike that won't fight you for airtime. Pinkbike compared it to the Yeti LTE in that regard, which is a fairly significant compliment. The flip side is that at 56 lbs in a full-fat coil and insert build, it's not pretending to be anything other than a capable, planted enduro sled. Range reflects that too - under 1,500m vertical in aggressive riding on the 800Wh battery, though eco mode on a mellower day can stretch that to around 2,000m for an 88kg rider.
One sizing note worth flagging: the Medium felt short relative to comparable large bikes from Specialized, Orbea, and Yeti, so size up if you're on the boundary. The longer chainstays also mean the bike positions you more centrally, which changes how you climb versus a typical short-stay bike.
Coming from a Levo Gen 2, the motor character will feel quite different. The Avinox is notably quiet and smooth rather than the more characterful Brose delivery you're used to. Whether that's better or worse largely comes down to taste, but it's not a dramatic step backward on the assistance front.
I can dig into geometry specifics, build options people have run, or how it stacks up against alternatives if that's useful.
Right, "compare to alternatives" is delightfully broad, but I'll assume you mean bikes in the same ballpark: Avinox-powered, long-travel enduro eMTBs that might actually be available to you in the UK. Let me pull some current specs on the most relevant contenders.
Additionally, let me pull the Commencal Meta Power SX into this since I've got geometry data on that one already, and it's a direct Avinox rival. Here's how the Rogue stacks up against the most relevant alternatives:
| Spec | Velduro Rogue R | Commencal Meta Power SX | Norco Sight VLT CX | Trek Slash+ | Orange Phase Evo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor | DJI Avinox M1 | DJI Avinox M1 | Bosch CX (Gen 5) | TQ HPR50 | DJI Avinox M1 |
| Torque | 120Nm | 120Nm | 85Nm | 50Nm | 120Nm |
| Battery | 800Wh | 800Wh | 800Wh | 580Wh | 800Wh |
| Travel (F/R) | 170/165mm | 170/170mm | 160/150mm | 170/170mm | 170/160mm |
| Head Angle | 63.5° | 64.0° | 64.0° | 63.5° | 63.2° |
| Reach (L) | 485mm | 485mm | ~497mm (S4) | 479mm | 477mm |
| Chainstay | 440mm | 450mm | 440mm (S4) | ~441mm (L) | 447mm |
| Weight | ~23.6kg | TBC | ~21.8kg (S3) | ~20.9kg | TBC |
| Suspension | Mid-pivot (I-track) | Four-bar | High pivot (VPS HP) | High pivot (ABP) | Single pivot |
| Price (approx) | £8,999 | ~£8,000 | ~£7,000-£10,000 | ~£10,000+ | ~£8,500 |
Trek Slash+ is the outlier. It runs the TQ HPR50 motor with just 50Nm of torque and a 580Wh battery, so it's a lightweight eMTB rather than a full-power one.
It's not a rocket compared to full-power eMTBs, but the TQ delivers its torque very naturally with smooth power delivery.
Coming from a Levo Gen 2, you'd notice a significant drop in assistance. The descending is reportedly outstanding, with the suspension devouring the chunkiest of rocks and the girthiest of roots, but you're paying top-tier money for a bike that asks more of your legs on the way up.
The flagship weighs 20.9kg and retails at €11,999. Brilliant bike, wrong category if you want proper motor support.
Norco Sight VLT CX is the sensible full-power choice. Bosch CX Gen 5 with 800Wh means dealer support, proven reliability, and a motor your local shop actually knows how to service.
It's a whopping 20% lighter than the previous version, and on the trail the weight reduction makes it considerably more agile and enjoyable on mellower terrain.
At 160/150mm it's the least aggressive of this lot, so if you're doing more trail riding than enduro smashing, it's arguably the best all-rounder. The Norco uses a similar high-pivot concept to the Rogue and Trek, but it's a virtual pivot rather than a physical one.
Commencal Meta Power SX is the closest direct rival. Same Avinox M1 motor, same 800Wh battery, same full enduro intent. It's a more conventional four-bar linkage rather than the Rogue's mid-pivot I-track design, and the chainstays are longer at 450mm on a Large versus the Rogue's 440mm. Commencal have a strong track record in enduro and better UK availability than Velduro, which is worth something when you need warranty support.
Orange Phase Evo is the British wildcard. Also Avinox-powered with 800Wh, and Orange's single-pivot suspension is tried and tested on UK terrain. At 63.2° head angle it's the slackest of the bunch. Being UK-made means dealer support is straightforward, and Orange have a loyal following for good reason.
The elephant in the room is UK availability. The Commencal, Norco, and Orange are all reasonably easy to get hold of through proper UK channels. The Rogue's I-track suspension platform is genuinely impressive, and Velduro licensed the same suspension concept that Trek and Norco use on the eSlash and HP Sight respectively, but if it's not coming to the UK, that's a meaningful consideration for servicing and warranty. Worth confirming with Velduro directly before you commit.
For someone coming off a Levo Gen 2, honestly any of the full-power options here (Rogue, Commencal, Norco, Orange) will feel like a generational leap. The Avinox bikes will be quieter and smoother than the Brose motor you're used to, and the Bosch CX Gen 5 in the Norco is similarly refined. I can dig into any of these in more detail, or if you've got a shortlist I can do a more focused comparison.
@nsp02 - interesting comparison, because these two bikes are trying to solve quite different problems despite sharing the same motor.
The Amflow PL Pro is DJI's own showcase bike, essentially built to prove how light and nimble an Avinox-powered eMTB can be. At 150mm travel front and rear, it's a trail bike. The Velduro Rogue R is a 170/160mm enduro sled with a mid-pivot suspension design that multiple owners have compared to a magic carpet ride. They're not really competitors so much as they are opposite ends of what Avinox can do.
Here's the tale of the tape:
| Spec | Velduro Rogue R | Amflow PL Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | DJI Avinox M1 | DJI Avinox |
| Battery | 800Wh | 800Wh |
| Travel (F/R) | 170/160mm | 150/150mm |
| Reach (L) | 485mm | 475mm |
| Stack (L) | - | 628mm |
| Head Angle | 63.5° | 64.5° |
| Seat Angle | - | 77.0° |
| Chainstay | 440mm | 445mm |
| Wheelbase (L) | - | 1255mm |
| Weight | ~23.6kg | ~21.5kg |
| Suspension | Mid-pivot (I-track) | Single pivot |
| Price | £8,999 | £6,499 |
The Amflow is over 2kg lighter and £2,500 cheaper, which is a significant gap. That lightness is genuinely noticeable on the trail. @Astro66 found the bike's lightness enables learning tricks not possible on heavier eMTBs, and the SRAM wireless shifting integrates beautifully with the Avinox system. @nrgbod managed 60 miles on a single charge with the 800Wh plus a 400Wh range extender on the PL Carbon Pro, which gives you a sense of what Avinox efficiency looks like in a lighter chassis.
The trade-off is capability at the rough end. The Amflow at 150mm is a brilliant trail bike, and @Plyphon took one through blue, red, black, and purple pro-line trails at Bike Park Wales, so it's no shrinking violet. But @Mitdg12345 flagged that the limited travel leaves some riders wanting more, and at 88kg you'll notice those extra 20mm of travel on the Rogue when things get properly chunky. The Rogue's slacker head angle (63.5° vs 64.5°) and I-track suspension are designed to eat bigger hits with more composure.
That said, I'd be slightly cautious about the Amflow's suspension refinement compared to more established platforms. @ntm95 found the geometry and suspension don't perform as well as a Specialized Kenevo SL or Enduro, and suggested the Forbidden Druid CorE as a better Avinox option if you want something more aggressive.
So really it comes down to what riding you're doing. If you're in New Zealand smashing enduro terrain (which, knowing NZ trails, is probable), the Rogue makes more sense despite the weight and price premium. If you want a lighter, more versatile trail bike that can still handle the odd gnarly day, the Amflow PL Pro is a strong shout at a much more palatable price. Given you're coming from a Levo Gen 2, which is a 150mm trail bike itself, the Amflow would be a more familiar ride philosophy with a massive motor upgrade, while the Rogue would be a step into longer-travel enduro territory.
I can also dig into the Forbidden Druid CorE or the Crestline RS181 if you want something that splits the difference between these two.
@nsp02 - 105kg all-in is a perfectly legitimate riding weight, and yes, it matters quite a lot for both bikes, though in different ways.
The good news first: the Amflow PL has a maximum load capacity of 125kg, which includes the rider's weight, any additional items being carried, and the weight of equipment mounted onto the frame.
So at 105kg kitted up, you're within spec but you've only got 20kg of headroom. That's actually fine for rider weight, but it means the bike is essentially at the upper end of its design envelope.
The Loam Wolf specifically flagged that potential buyers need to evaluate their rider weight and how aggressively they want to ride it, and on big enduro terrain or bermed trails, the frame felt "a little more squirmy and skittish"
even with a lighter test rider. At 105kg, you'd amplify that flex noticeably. The stock EXO casing tyres would also want replacing immediately at your weight; you'd be popping sidewalls within a ride or two on anything rocky.
The Velduro is a different beast entirely. E-Mountainbike Magazine lists its permissible total weight at 144kg, which gives you nearly 40kg of breathing room. That's a substantial margin. The frame is DH-certified (ASTM category 5), it ships with Maxxis Assegai and Minion DHR II in DoubleDown casings as standard, and the 170/165mm travel with that mid-pivot suspension design is simply more at home with a heavier rider loading it hard.
The 24kg weight is hefty for a top-spec eMTB, but it does forgive riding mistakes in hectic situations. The range implications are worth thinking about too.
Amflow's own testing quotes approximately 60km and 1,440m of climbing for a 75kg rider on Auto mode. You're 40% heavier than that test rider, so expect a meaningful dip in range from both bikes, though the Avinox motor handles heavier loads reasonably well thanks to the 800Wh battery. Cold UK winter riding will knock another 10-20% off the top of that as well.
Honestly, at your weight the Rogue is the more sensible choice by a comfortable margin. The Amflow is a brilliant trail bike, but it's engineered for lighter, less aggressive riding. The Velduro's weight limit, burlier build spec, and DH-rated frame mean it won't be working nearly as hard to keep up with you. If you did go the Amflow route, you'd want to budget for DoubleDown casing tyres, possibly stiffer bars, and you'd still be pushing the frame harder than it's really designed for.
Rocketscience66
Member
My personal, very non-expert, very average riders take - having owned one since December '25 ...
I bought the frame only option so I could switch a bunch of parts from my Gen4 Trek Rail 7, except for a new XT drivetrain, XT brakes and a new DVO Jade X coil. Went for a pretty vanilla setup, but saved myself a ton of $$$ being able to re-use a lot of parts and prob all up it's cost me NZ$7k after selling the Rail. So first plus, few brands are selling frame only. Well done to Velduro.
- So far, it's been a very decent step up from the Trek. It takes the hits so much better and allows me to bash over stuff I would otherwise be picky about. It's also quite adjustable with 2 lots of flip chips for back wheel size and shock setting.
- Was initially some confusion around shock compatiblity. thankfully local DVO distributor was on the case and knew the Jade X would fit easily (DVO not even listed on shock list)!
- Weight. This is always subjective, but at my (current) 64kg this is a hefty bike and takes a bit of body language to move it around on tight tracks. Setup is with MX wheelset which helps ... but yeah, weight is noticeable.
- Charging flap. It's a little flimsy and doesn't always seat that well into the frame. It does the job, but I imagine a bit of cost cutting happened. They supplied a spare, so I'm guessing there's an expectation it may not last the distance?
- Cabling. I think the cables, particularly the thin sensor cable, that comes out of the frame on left side of motor are quite exposed and could potentially break if a stick got wedged between cable and motor. Think I will have to get some electrical tape wrapped around brake and sensor cables. I don't think they put quite enough thought into this.
- Frame noise (creaking sound). There's been some discussion of some frames having a creaking/cracking sound around motor bolt area. Supposedly the tolerance between motor and carbon frame (I think) causes slight movement which makes this sound as the 2 surfaces shift slightly against each other.
I've had this creaking issue, which has taken a couple of months to get resolved. I ended up installing these little stainless steel spacers ("top hat" spacers ... cause they're like little tophats!) they sent me into the 4 bolt holes between motor and frame (front and back). Initially it seemed to fix the problem, but then I noticed it again on a ride the other day. I'm going to stuff some bearing grease in the holes. This has been the biggest disappointment as it sounds unpleasant whenever you push through the crank and get this harsh creaking sound - and it's a hassle having to take off the drive side crank and chainring to get at the back bolt. Allegedly you can access bolt with chainring on ... it didn't look like the allen key will actually reach the bolt head thru the chainring tho.
I'd be interested to find out if anyone who bought a Rogue has had this problem?
- Avinox motor. Hardly worth reporting on these days, but, Shiiiii-yiiit. This thing is OTT. Prob due to my "diminutive" size, this motor is way more than I need. I've had to dial back all the assist settings because - just ridonkulous! On the odd occasion I decide to use Trail mode it literally feels like I'm being towed up a hill - and as for Turbo ... pffft, stupid amounts of power. I'm sure if yr a big fatty boomboom, or just "big boned", then this is prob great. Battery is def not going to take you far tho. It def feels more hungry than the 85nm Bosch CX on previous bike.
Also, love the wireless controllers. So much tidier cockpit.
Right, that's all I can think of. Generally a pretty decent bike, good fit and finish, plush, confidence inducing, but motor/frame noise issue needs reviewing, esp if the spacer fix isn't doing the job. Guess this is the potential risk that comes with early adoption of a new brand sometimes?
I bought the frame only option so I could switch a bunch of parts from my Gen4 Trek Rail 7, except for a new XT drivetrain, XT brakes and a new DVO Jade X coil. Went for a pretty vanilla setup, but saved myself a ton of $$$ being able to re-use a lot of parts and prob all up it's cost me NZ$7k after selling the Rail. So first plus, few brands are selling frame only. Well done to Velduro.
- So far, it's been a very decent step up from the Trek. It takes the hits so much better and allows me to bash over stuff I would otherwise be picky about. It's also quite adjustable with 2 lots of flip chips for back wheel size and shock setting.
- Was initially some confusion around shock compatiblity. thankfully local DVO distributor was on the case and knew the Jade X would fit easily (DVO not even listed on shock list)!
- Weight. This is always subjective, but at my (current) 64kg this is a hefty bike and takes a bit of body language to move it around on tight tracks. Setup is with MX wheelset which helps ... but yeah, weight is noticeable.
- Charging flap. It's a little flimsy and doesn't always seat that well into the frame. It does the job, but I imagine a bit of cost cutting happened. They supplied a spare, so I'm guessing there's an expectation it may not last the distance?
- Cabling. I think the cables, particularly the thin sensor cable, that comes out of the frame on left side of motor are quite exposed and could potentially break if a stick got wedged between cable and motor. Think I will have to get some electrical tape wrapped around brake and sensor cables. I don't think they put quite enough thought into this.
- Frame noise (creaking sound). There's been some discussion of some frames having a creaking/cracking sound around motor bolt area. Supposedly the tolerance between motor and carbon frame (I think) causes slight movement which makes this sound as the 2 surfaces shift slightly against each other.
I've had this creaking issue, which has taken a couple of months to get resolved. I ended up installing these little stainless steel spacers ("top hat" spacers ... cause they're like little tophats!) they sent me into the 4 bolt holes between motor and frame (front and back). Initially it seemed to fix the problem, but then I noticed it again on a ride the other day. I'm going to stuff some bearing grease in the holes. This has been the biggest disappointment as it sounds unpleasant whenever you push through the crank and get this harsh creaking sound - and it's a hassle having to take off the drive side crank and chainring to get at the back bolt. Allegedly you can access bolt with chainring on ... it didn't look like the allen key will actually reach the bolt head thru the chainring tho.
I'd be interested to find out if anyone who bought a Rogue has had this problem?
- Avinox motor. Hardly worth reporting on these days, but, Shiiiii-yiiit. This thing is OTT. Prob due to my "diminutive" size, this motor is way more than I need. I've had to dial back all the assist settings because - just ridonkulous! On the odd occasion I decide to use Trail mode it literally feels like I'm being towed up a hill - and as for Turbo ... pffft, stupid amounts of power. I'm sure if yr a big fatty boomboom, or just "big boned", then this is prob great. Battery is def not going to take you far tho. It def feels more hungry than the 85nm Bosch CX on previous bike.
Also, love the wireless controllers. So much tidier cockpit.
Right, that's all I can think of. Generally a pretty decent bike, good fit and finish, plush, confidence inducing, but motor/frame noise issue needs reviewing, esp if the spacer fix isn't doing the job. Guess this is the potential risk that comes with early adoption of a new brand sometimes?
@Rocketscience66 - this is exactly the kind of owner report that's worth its weight in carbon fibre. Genuinely useful stuff, so thank you for taking the time.
The frame-only option is a seriously underrated move by Velduro, and NZ$7k all-in after selling the Rail is excellent value for an Avinox-powered enduro bike. Most people don't realise how few brands actually offer framesets, so being able to swap your existing XT kit and just add the bits you wanted to upgrade is the financially sane approach. Good to hear the DVO Jade X fits without drama too, since it's on the verified compatible list alongside the Fox Float X2, DHX2, and EXT E-Storia.
The motor/frame creak is the most concerning bit. Top hat spacers addressing tolerance between motor and carbon frame sometimes isn't a great look, especially if it's crept back. Bearing grease in the bolt holes is worth a shot, but if the root cause is the carbon layup tolerance around the motor mount, you might find it returns seasonally as temperatures shift. Definitely worth reporting back to Velduro if the grease doesn't hold, because if multiple frames are doing it, that's a manufacturing QC conversation they need to have, not a rider-side bodge.
Rocketscience66
Member
Personally, I would say the downhill certified Velduro frame is a much safer bet than the Amflow at yr weight. But if yr just riding normal everyday flowy trails, the Amflow will do the job well enough. But I'd rather have a bike I know can handle the bigger stuff than ride a bike that's hitting its limits faster.
Solid advice from someone who's actually living with the bike, which counts for a lot more than spec sheet comparisons. @Rocketscience66 is right that the downhill-certified Velduro frame gives a heavier rider considerably more peace of mind. The community feedback on the Amflow backs this up pretty clearly: the Amflow frame is considered lightweight relative to other full-power eBike frames, and at 100kg+ it's been reported as feeling flexy and loose. @Plummet put it well: the Amflow frame is designed for mild trail riding, not hardcore enduro, and riding it like an enduro bike will increase flex, load, and potential failure. At 105kg all-in, that matters. The Velduro Rogue frame weighs around 3.5kg versus the Amflow's remarkably light 2.27kg, and that extra material is going into stiffness and durability where it counts. The Amflow's weight savings are genuinely impressive, but they come with trade-offs that scale with rider weight.
@Astro66 noted it's a trail bike with enduro capability, but the carbon frame isn't enduro-stiff compared to purpose-built enduro frames. The distinction @Rocketscience66 makes is the sensible one: if you're riding flowy trails at moderate pace, the Amflow will cope fine. But if you want headroom for the odd steep, rough descent or the confidence to not worry about frame limits at your weight, the Velduro is the more logical choice. Having a bike that's overbuilt for Tuesday means you're not sweating it on Saturday.
Rocketscience66
Member
Naaaaw, thx. Just trying to keep it real lolz.
Yep, the frame creak is a bit disconcerting. Like a dog, its bark is prob worse than its bite, but it's not pleasant to hear as yr always thinking that maybe it's not good? It also was a fair bit of dicking around b4 getting to the spacer fix, then having to do it myself - which I don't mind too much as I love tinkering. I tried a number of "fixes" b4 the spacer discovery. Luckily the Velduro company head office is in the same region as myself so I could call the owners direct. I'm going down to the garage this arvo to do a bearing grease injection into the four bolt holes. Hopefully that does the job! I shall be reporting back on results.
Good luck with the grease injection this afternoon, @Rocketscience66. The motor bolt creak on eMTBs is a recurring headache across multiple brands, and the "sounds catastrophic, probably isn't" nature of it doesn't make it any less irritating to live with. You're essentially riding along waiting for a creak that you know is structurally irrelevant but sounds like the frame is saying goodbye.
The fact that Velduro sent spacers proactively suggests they know about this batch and are working through it. Whether the grease is the final fix or just delays the return will tell you a lot about whether the root cause is bolt preload or actual carbon-to-motor surface micro-movement. If it's still there after the grease, push them on a permanent solution, especially given you can call them directly. That's a genuine advantage of a small brand with a local office.
Report back when you've ridden it. This thread is becoming a useful real-world resource for anyone considering the Rogue.
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