Light, agile, and discreet – Light eMTBs were once considered the ultimate solution for many riders. However, bikes like the Amflow PL Carbon Pro prove that higher torque, bigger batteries, and a lower system weight are no longer mutually exclusive. Discover the reasons behind this shift and why established manufacturers should start rolling up their sleeves.
Range anxiety was one of the key drivers of e-bike motor development for years. And understandably so! Who wants to get stuck in the middle of the woods with a dead battery? The industry’s answer: bigger batteries and more powerful motors. Bikes like the Canyon Spectral:ON and ROTWILD R.X1000, which boast capacities of over 900 Wh, quickly became a trend and a common sight on the trails. However, this came at a cost: instead of getting lighter, many eMTBs became significantly heavier over the years, losing agility and balance in the process.
No trend goes without a countertrend. This pushback started early but took several years to pick up steam. As early as 2016, the first prototypes emerged, all built around the FAZUA motor, the real pioneer in the light-assistance segment. FOCUS were the first brand to bring this concept to the trails with the Raven² Pro in 2017. A year later, Lapierre unveiled the eZesty AM LTD, the first Light eMTB designed specifically for trail riding, thus opening up a new horizon for the bike industry. By 2020, bike colossus Specialized joined the movement with the first generation of the Levo SL – a major step forward for the still-emerging segment.
The concept was clear: less motor power meant less energy consumption. The result? Smaller, lighter batteries and motors, better integration, and sleeker aesthetics. The specs of those early motors? Around 40 Nm of torque and up to 250 watts peak power. The vision? Lightweight eMTBs combining a natural ride feel and sleek aesthetics that would make it hard to distinguish electric bikes from their analogue counterparts.
The Light eMTB trend truly gained momentum in 2022 and 2023 when TQ introduced the HRP50, Fazua launched the Ride 60, and Bosch followed suit a year later with the SX drive. These innovations ushered in a new generation of Light eMTBs in countless different configurations. But what is it that truly defines a Light eMTB? Is it the smaller, weaker motor, the compact and lighter battery, or simply the bike’s overall lighter system weight?
As early as 2020, bikes like the Orbea Rise and ROTWILD R.X375 showed that combining a full-power motor with intelligent battery designs, throttled motor output, and energy-efficient riding profiles could bring outstanding results.
Our comprehensive 2024 Light eMTB comparison test highlights this very transformation: modern designs with powerful motors, sufficient battery capacity, and robust components no longer have to come with a hefty weight penalty. The current Orbea Rise LT has proven exactly that: a low system weight and full motor power are no longer mutually exclusive. Shortly after our test, this shift became even more evident at Eurobike 2024. Newly introduced models, like the Amflow PL Carbon Pro, confirmed our findings and demonstrated that development is not only advancing but reaching entirely new dimensions.
This shift is also evident in our E-bike motor comparison test, where–for the first time in seven years–a clear winner emerged, and for very good reasons. Imagine a motor system that is more powerful than existing full-power drives and yet lightweight and compact enough to compete in the Light eMTB segment. Curtain up for the DJI Avinox M1 motor. Developed by Chinese tech giant DJI, which is best known for their drones, gimbals, and video gadgets, this groundbreaking motor is shaking up the market and offering a glimpse into the future direction of the entire eMTB industry. The question of choosing between light or full-assistance motors is now largely obsolete, with only a few exceptions remaining.
New players like DJI are shaking up the market and heavily driving innovation forward. The DJI Avinox M1 motor, featured in the Amflow PL Carbon Pro, weighs just 2.52 kg, which makes it several hundred grams lighter than comparable motors. For example, the Bosch Performance Line CX motor weighs 2.8 kg. Additionally, the compact dimensions of the DJI Avinox motor give bike manufacturers more freedom with frame designs, thus allowing them to build overall sleekerbikes.
Advancements in cell technology have also made e-bike batteries significantly lighter. DJI’s in-house battery technology achieves an impressively low weight, with their big 800Wh battery tipping the scales at just 3.7 kg– well below the 4 kg mark typical of most competitors.
DJI not only excel in hardware but also stand out with their user-friendly software, which sets them apart from the competition. While many drive systems struggle with complex menus and cumbersome controls, DJI prioritize intuitive operation. Customizable settings, firmware updates, and security features like GPS tracking can all be managed easily through a dedicated app. Additionally, the option to insert a SIM card unlocks features like remote access and bike tracking. This level of user-friendliness elevates the riding experience, making it accessible even to less tech-savvy users. Already with their drones, DJI have proved their ability to make highly sophisticated technology incredibly easy to use. If a company can keep flying objects stable and make them easy to control in the air, they certainly have the skills to ensure excellent handling on the ground, even in slippery conditions. With the Avinox M1 motor, DJI has already established a new benchmark in this regard.
Perfect in every way? Not just yet. Despite the outstanding product features and usability, DJI still have to prove themselves in the eMTB segment in terms of durability and service quality to compete with established players like Bosch. These factors are critical, especially in a product like an eMTB, which has to endure intense demands.
Back to motor development: Full-power motors have held a key advantage over Light eMTBs over recent years– demand. Higher demand translated to significantly larger production volumes, which in turn drove down prices. This puts additional pressure on the Light eMTB segment. Thanks to greater production scales in motor and battery manufacturing, along with bulk purchasing by bike manufacturers, full-power eMTBs are already more affordable than Light eMTBs with comparable specs. And this trend shows no signs of slowing.
In the case of DJI and Amflow, there’s another factor to consider. While DJI aim to primarily position themselves as a motor supplier for established bike brands, their in-house bike brand Amflow gives them a distinct price advantage. Currently available in Germany, the UK, and Australia, the Amflow flagship model, weighing 20.3 kg in size L, retails at € 9,999,which is significantly cheaper than the €14,000+ price tags of many top-tier Light eMTBs. Meanwhile, the entry-level Amflow PL Carbon model, priced at just €6,499, delivers trail and motor performance close to its flagship sibling while maintaining a lightweight 21.2 kg according to the manufacturer. By contrast, with Light eMTBs, you’ll usually have to buy the most expensive spec variant to fully get a superlight bike. With more affordable models, which usually feature heavier components, you’ll quickly find yourself well over the 21 kg mark.
Light systems have driven motor and battery development in many ways. However, therapid pace of innovation has ultimately dug their grave. That said, light systems won’t disappear entirely from the face of the earth, and some manufacturers will continue to rely on them in the future– particularly for XC-specific concepts like the Thömus Lightrider and SCOTT Lumen, and especially in the gravel and road bike sectors. But in the downhill-oriented eMTB category, low-torque Light eMTBs and small batteries are now a thing of the past.
The direction is clear: the next generation of eMTBs unites what were once opposites– power, range, and lightness. While Light eMTBs will retain their place in niche markets, motor systems like the DJI Avinox represent the next big step in evolution. Although DJI still need to prove themselves in terms of durability and service, the future belongs to versatile all-rounders that open up new possibilities. The best news for everyone: the new generation of eMTBs promises to be even more fun!
Motor development is far from over– and the exciting part is that we, as the E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine, and you, as our readers and riders, can influence its future too. Let us know what you want to see in the years to come. What do you think of the current trends? What ideas, features, and requirements do you wish for?
Click here to take part in our survey and help shape the future of E-MTBs!
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Words: Robin Schmitt, Benedikt Schmidt, Mike Hunger Photos: Peter Walker, Mike Hunger, Oliver Graf
