DJI Officially Makes a Surprising Move into E-Bikes – Here’s What You Need to Know
So the rumors were true: DJI has announced that it is officially entering the e-bike market by supplying a so-called “groundbreaking e-bike drive system” for a new electric mountain bike brand called Amflow.
The maker of the world’s best drones says the move into e-bikes is a “natural move” given the battery and motor technology in its drones and gimbals. DJI’s powerful Avinox Drive System will debut in the new Amflow PL, an e-MTB (electric mountain bike) set to ship later this year.
So, what’s so special about this new Avinox system? It’s packed with tech you’d normally only find on drones and smartphones. For starters, the frame features a 2-inch OLED color touchscreen that provides real-time riding data, estimated range, and setup options.
You can also connect to the bike via the Avinox app, which allows you to set an anti-theft mode and check your real-time location. Here you can also adjust settings such as power, torque and cadence to suit your riding style. Of course, the bike can also provide your phone with some emergency power.
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But there’s also some handy software on board to help with the driving experience. DJI says its Smart-Assist Algorithm uses various sensors to automatically adjust the amount of electric driving assistance it provides based on your current driving resistance.
There are four driving modes – Auto, Eco, Trail and Turbo – plus a Boost mode for an emergency burst of power. Like a drone or smartphone, the two battery options (600Wh or 800Wh) feature the latest fast-charging technology, meaning the 800Wh battery can apparently be charged from empty to 75% in around 90 minutes.
The Amflow PL itself is shaping up to be a pretty high-end electric mountain bike, though we don’t have a price tag yet. The carbon fiber bike tips the scales at 19.2kg – impressive, but not quite as light as the Specialized Levo SL Expert Carbon (our current top pick for best e-MTB).
Still, the Amsive PL’s power-to-size ratio is as good as any. It delivers 105Nm of torque with a peak power of 850W, a pretty monstrous combination that will help riders scale the toughest trails. The frame is also compatible with both 27.5-inch and 29-inch rear wheels.
Amflow and DJI say the three versions of the bike – the PL Carbon (800Wh), PL Carbon Pro (600Wh), and PL Carbon Pro (800Wh) – will be available from dealers in Germany, the UK, and Australia in Q4 2024. There’s no word yet on US availability or pricing, but we’ve asked DJI and will update this story if we hear back.
What’s the problem with DJI and Amflow?
We asked DJI if it owns new electric mountain bike brand Amflow. A spokesperson told us that Amflow was “founded by DJI” and that the team is “a combination of former DJI engineers and experts from the cycling industry working together.”
While DJI is helping Amflow get off the ground, the drone giant says that as it grows, the brand will “become increasingly independent.” DJI isn’t new to supplying its technology to new startups — its drone tech is in the Ryze Tello, one of the best entry-level drones available, while new brand Anzu Robotics is also licensing DJI drone technology.
This could become an increasingly common approach for DJI as the Chinese brand faces the very real threat of a US ban – a move DJI has branded “a dangerous precedent of allowing unsubstantiated accusations and xenophobic fears to flourish.”
Yet that American bill is the Countering the CCP Drones Actso it’s unclear whether it would affect Amflow, which sells an electric mountain bike with DJI technology in the US. The move into electric mountain bikes is refreshing given DJI’s troubles with drones, and one that makes a lot of sense given the impressive motor and battery technology.
DJI is no stranger to jumping into new tech spaces. It’s dominated camera gimbals, launched the impressive DJI Mic 2, and taken on GoPro in the battle to make the best action cameras. The combination of the new Avinox system with Amflow’s debut motor looks exciting for riders, and is one we’re excited to try out when it launches later this year.
