DJI Avinox Drive System: Revolutionizing the eMTB Market

The DJI Avinox Drive System represents a bold leap into the electric mountain bike (eMTB) world by DJI, a brand best known for its cutting-edge drones. Unveiled in July 2024, this system has quickly made waves with its lightweight build, exceptional performance, and forward-thinking features. Boasting 105 N·m of torque (with a boost up to 120 N·m) and a peak power of 1000 W, the Avinox Drive System is redefining what’s possible in e-bike technology. This blog post dives deep into its standout specifications, its growing popularity among top e-bike manufacturers, and the buzz it’s generating from users and critics alike. As of April 2025, with accolades like the Design and Innovation Award 2025 under its belt, DJI’s Avinox is poised to challenge giants like Bosch and Shimano. Could this be the future of electric mountain biking? Let’s find out.

Key Points

The DJI Avinox Drive System is a new e-bike drive system launched in July 2024, primarily for electric mountain bikes (eMTBs).
It seems likely that it offers high torque (105 N·m normal, 120 N·m boost) and power (800 W peak, 1000 W boost), with lightweight design (2.52 kg).
Research suggests it’s being adopted by multiple brands like Forbidden and Unno, with positive reviews for climbing and handling.
There is some controversy about its long-term reliability and suitability for aggressive riding, given its recent market entry.

Overview

The DJI Avinox Drive System is DJI’s entry into the eMTB market, launched in July 2024. Known for drones, DJI has expanded to offer a drive system that powers electric mountain bikes, focusing on high performance and lightweight design.

Specifications

It features a drive unit weighing just 2.52 kg, with a continuous rated power of 250 W and maximum torque of 105 N·m, boostable to 120 N·m. Peak power reaches 800 W, with a boost to 1000 W. Batteries come in 600 Wh and 800 Wh options, both with fast charging, reaching 75% in 1.5 hours for the 800 Wh model.

Adoption and Reviews

As of April 2025, brands like Forbidden and Unno have integrated it into their e-bikes, such as the Forbidden Druid E and UNNO MITH. Reviews praise its power for climbing and dynamic handling, but there are concerns about durability for heavy or aggressive use, with reliability still uncertain due to its newness.

Market Impact

The system won the Design and Innovation Award 2025, indicating industry recognition. It’s seen as a competitor to established systems like Bosch, with potential to disrupt the market, though long-term performance remains to be seen.

Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis of DJI Avinox Drive System

The DJI Avinox Drive System represents a significant expansion for DJI, traditionally known for its dominance in the drone industry, into the electric mountain bike (eMTB) sector. Launched in July 2024, this drive system has quickly garnered attention for its innovative approach, combining lightweight design with high performance, and is now being adopted by multiple e-bike brands as of April 2025. This note provides a detailed examination of its specifications, market adoption, reviews, and potential impact, based on available information up to the current date of April 15, 2025.

Introduction and Background

DJI, a global leader in civilian drones and camera technology, unveiled the Avinox Drive System on July 3, 2024, at Eurobike 2024, marking its entry into the e-bike market. The system is designed to redefine the eMTB experience, leveraging DJI’s expertise in battery and motor technology from its drone operations. This move is seen as a strategic diversification, especially in light of potential regulatory challenges for its drone business, such as the proposed US ban under the Countering CCP Drones Act.

Detailed Specifications

The Avinox Drive System comprises several key components, detailed as follows:

Component	Specification
Drive Unit	Continuous Rated Power: 250 W
	Maximum Drive Torque: 105 N·m (Normal), 120 N·m (Boost)
	Torque Density: 42 N·m/kg
	Maximum Cadence: 150 rpm
	Protection Rating: IP66
	Weight: Approx. 2.52 kg
Battery	Types: 800 Wh, 600 Wh (Li-ion)
	Voltage: 35.9 V
	Capacity: 22.3 Ah (800 Wh), 16.7 Ah (600 Wh)
	Protection Rating: IP56
	Weight: Approx. 3.74 kg (800 Wh), 2.87 kg (600 Wh)
	Charging Time (168W charger): 5 h 50 min (0-100%, 800 Wh), 4 h 45 min (0-100%, 600 Wh); 4 h 28 min (0-75%, 800 Wh), 3 h 3 min (0-75%, 600 Wh)
	Charging Time (508W charger): 2 h 25 min (0-100%, both), 1 h 30 min (0-75%, both)

The system’s lightweight design, at just 2.52 kg for the drive unit, is notable, especially when compared to competitors like Shimano EP801 (2.7 kg) and Bosch Performance Line CX (2.9 kg), which offer lower torque and power. The Avinox’s use of compound planetary gears and polymer gears ensures a balance of size, weight, and power output, contributing to a quiet ride. It offers four standard riding assist modes—Auto, Eco, Trail, and Turbo—along with a Boost mode for additional power, and includes a walk assist mode for ease of use.

Market Adoption and Integration

Since its launch, the Avinox Drive System has been integrated into DJI’s own Amflow PL e-bike, with the Amflow PL Carbon Pro being a flagship model. As of April 2025, several other brands have adopted the system, including Forbidden, Unno, Smartmotion, Megamo, Paprika 53, and Teewing. For instance, Forbidden released the Druid E series in April 2025, available in Druid LitE and Druid CorE models, both equipped with the Avinox system. The Druid LitE features a 600 Wh battery and weighs 45.9 lbs, while the Druid CorE has an 800 Wh battery and weighs 49.8 lbs, both leveraging the system’s 105 N·m continuous torque and 120 N·m boost torque.

UNNO’s MITH, also launched in April 2025, switched to the Avinox system late in development, citing its superior performance over other options, with assist modes ranging from 70 N·m in Eco to 120 N·m in Boost, and a peak power of 1000 W. This adoption by multiple brands suggests a growing acceptance and potential market disruption, positioning Avinox as a competitor to established systems like Bosch, Shimano, and SRAM.

Reviews and User Experiences

Reviews of the Avinox Drive System have been largely positive, focusing on its power and lightweight design. A review from MBR.co.uk, dated October 4, 2024, described the Amflow PL Carbon Pro with the Avinox motor as a “hot rod” e-bike, noting its extreme power (850 W, 105 N·m, boostable to 1000 W, 120 N·m for 30 seconds) and lightweight 20.6 kg frame (size L, 800 Wh battery). It excels in climbing, flattening gradients with speed, and offers dynamic descending, feeling like a trail bike rather than an enduro. However, the review highlighted potential issues, such as chassis flex for heavier riders and battery mount loosening, with reliability and after-sales care still unknown.

E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine, in a review dated November 12, 2024, placed the Avinox at the top of motor charts, praising its 120 N·m torque and 2.52 kg weight, suggesting it promises stellar performance in real-world and lab conditions. Another review from Velomotion, dated November 4, 2024, emphasized the system’s fast charging, with a 600 Wh battery reaching 50% in under an hour using a 12A charger, significantly faster than competitors like Bosch. However, it noted uncertainty about long-term battery health after 500 charging cycles, with DJI claiming at least 80% capacity retention.

User experiences on platforms like X are limited, likely due to the system’s recent introduction, but industry discussions, such as an X post from @djirumor on April 10, 2025, highlight its 1000 W motor and 120 N·m torque as a challenge to Bosch, suggesting strong initial reception (X post).

Industry Recognition and Potential Impact

The Avinox Drive System’s impact is further underscored by its winning the Design and Innovation Award 2025, announced on January 21, 2025, by DJI. This award, involving real-world testing and evaluations by international journalists and experts, reinforces its technological excellence and DJI’s commitment to innovation in the e-bike market. An article from ebike-mtb.com, dated February 14, 2025, noted its victory in a 2025 motor comparison test, further solidifying its position.

The system’s compact design and high power output are seen as setting new standards, potentially disrupting the eMTB market. However, there is some controversy around its suitability for aggressive riding, with reviews suggesting it may not be built for enduro-level abuse, and concerns about proprietary systems versus universal standards, as discussed in a Pinkbike article from July 3, 2024.

Conclusion

As of April 15, 2025, the DJI Avinox Drive System is a promising innovation in the eMTB sector, offering high performance, lightweight design, and fast charging. Its adoption by multiple brands and industry awards indicate strong market potential, but uncertainties around long-term reliability and durability for heavy use remain. For enthusiasts, it offers a powerful and technologically advanced option, though careful consideration of riding style and after-sales support is advised.