Rarely has a newcomer triggered such media hype at a Eurobike as DJI with its drive system called Avinox in Frankfurt am Main in 2024. As the first user of the drive system, bike manufacturer Amflow not only swam in its wake, but also rode its own monster wave through the trade show. In the meantime, Amflow has started to bring the ebike to international markets. Germany and the UK were the first to do so in October. The leap to the fifth continent followed in November with Australia. So, it’s high time to take a closer look at the Amflow PL.
1. What kind of ebike is the Amflow PL?
2. What material is its frame made of?
3. What can be said about the geometry of the ebike?
4. What rear triangle construction does Amflow use?
5. What characterises the DJI Avinox motor on the Amflow PL?
6. Which different riding modes can be used?
7. Can the battery be removed?
8. Why does the ebike have two control units on the handlebars?
9. What equipment options does Amflow offer?
10. How many kilograms is the maximum permitted total weight?
11. How is the ebike protected against theft?
12. How is distribution currently organised in Europe?
13. Are there already accessories for the Amflow PL?
1. What kind of ebike is the Amflow PL?
As a full-suspension e-mountain bike with a suspension travel of 160 millimetres at the front and 150 millimetres at the rear, the Amflow PL falls somewhere in the all-terrain/all-mountain bike category. Thanks to the DJI Avinox with a peak output of 850 watts, it is clearly one of the full-power ebikes with a mid-motor. Together with a maximum battery capacity of 800 watt hours, the result is a decidedly sporty ebike that can even cover long distances with numerous metres of elevation gain. The suspension system is best suited to off-road riding, where climbs and descents alternate again and again and there are not too big obstacles or jumps waiting for you.
Despite the impressive values, the lightest version weighs just 19.2 kilograms. You have to reckon with around two kilograms more on the entry-level model. In return, the manufacturer equips it with the largest battery as standard.
2. What material is its frame made of?
One reason for the low weight is certainly the carbon frame. Including the shock, it only weighs around 2.3 kilograms. As standard, it is designed for a setup with 29-inch wheels. Thanks to a flip chip on the rear triangle, you can also switch to a 27.5-inch rear wheel as an alternative. The geometry then changes accordingly.
3. What can be said about the geometry of the ebike?
Its rather slack head angle of 64.5 degrees is typical of an all-trail e-mountain bike. It gives you more control as soon as you gain a lot of speed or things get rougher. Thanks to the effective seat angle of 77 degrees, the Amflow PL is predestined for very steep, even longer climbs. It puts you in a position from which you can really transfer your power effectively to the pedals.
Based on the available frame sizes M, L, XL and XXL, it sounds as if Amflow has built a bike for tall people. In the respective frame size, however, a rather smaller reach tends to signalise that this is not the case. In comparison with the categorisation of other manufacturers, it ranks at the lower end. This means that, by European standards, the frame sizes S to L are covered and you could reach for the larger size in the Amflow table. Basically, the bikes are suitable for people between 162 centimetres and 201 centimetres tall.
In other details, such as the bottom bracket height of 345 millimetres and a constant chainstay length of 445 millimetres, Amflow is in the same range as many e-MTBs these days. As far as riding characteristics such as manoeuvrability, stability at high speeds and ground clearance are concerned, you can count on what other manufacturers offer with comparable models. You shouldn’t expect any major outliers at the top or bottom.
4. What rear triangle construction does Amflow use?
The rear triangle, designed as a classic four-bar linkage with a Horst link, ensures balanced handling on the trails. It is very similar to the design that Specialized, for example, has been using for years. A characteristic feature of such a four-link is a wheel lift that noticeably minimises pedal kickback, especially in the first third of the suspension travel. At least when you compare it to a single pivot. Of course, it’s not completely gone. But sometimes you only notice it at a time when you’re no longer pedalling anyway, because you’ve long since just let the bike run.
The shock offers the aforementioned 150 millimetres of travel. Amflow has placed the flip chip on the yoke, with which you can adjust the geometry to the size of the rear wheel if you change from 29 inches to 27.5 inches.
5. What characterises the DJI Avinox motor on the Amflow PL?
There’s so much to say about the Avinox motor that it’s best to take a look at our detailed portrait from the summer. What is certain is that it is in a league of its own. No other motor from Bosch, Shimano, Brose, Yamaha and others can match its overall package of compact dimensions, low weight and enormous power. In terms of individual characteristics such as the weight of around 2.5 kilograms, a competitor like the Shimano EP801 can keep up. But overall, none of them manage to do so.
No wonder. The figures for the DJI Avinox always sound amazing. Continuous rated power of 250 watts. Ok, maybe not that yet 😉 But a peak power of 850 watts. A torque of 105 Newton metres. Maximum support of 800 per cent. In boost mode, which can be activated for a short time, the data even increases to an output of 1,000 watts and a torque of 120 Newton metres.
6. Which different riding modes can be used?
In addition to the obligatory off mode, there are four ‘real’ riding modes: Auto, Eco, Trail and Turbo. These are largely designed in the same way as you would expect from other e-drives.
- Off: support deactivated
- Auto: automatic adjustment of assistance depending on the riding situation in real time, medium power level to generate a greater range, assistance at a maximum of 400 per cent
- Eco: Start-off with gentle acceleration, then assistance at a low level, suitable for long distances on flat terrain, focus on economical use of capacity, assistance at a maximum of 150 per cent
- Trail: starts off with medium acceleration, then provides more support, suitable for more technically demanding terrain with a cross-country character, support at a maximum of 600 per cent
- Turbo: maximum support for steep climbs, support at a maximum of 800 per cent
You can determine which riding mode you use with the arrow buttons on the left-hand control unit and by pressing the power button on the display.
Extra boost mode
DJI has given the Avinox a boost mode as a kind of bonus. This allows you to try your hand at climbs that you would rather stay away from with any other motor. Be prepared for a rocket to ignite beforehand. As already mentioned, 1,000 watts, 120 Newton metres, 800 percent support. You start the mode, which is limited to 30 seconds, by pressing and holding the upper arrow button on the left-hand control unit. A corresponding countdown appears on the display. Five seconds before the end of the countdown, an acoustic signal informs you that you will soon return to the original riding mode. If you want to cancel the boost mode prematurely, simply press any button on the left-hand control unit or the power button on the display. The boost can actually be recalled countless times in succession. Early riding tests show that you sometimes have to take a short break of four or five seconds in between.
7. Can the battery be removed?
Avinox has provided two intube batteries for the Amflow PL. Both are designed exclusively for being charged in the frame. They can of course be removed for servicing or to replace them with a new battery. However, the motor must be removed first. The manufacturer does not categorically forbid doing this yourself in your own workshop. However, they do recommend that you visit an authorised workshop.
The smaller of the two batteries weighs around 2.87 kilograms and has a capacity of 600 watt hours. This results in a maximum range of around 117 kilometres. At 3.75 kilograms, the larger battery weighs almost a kilogram more. With a capacity of 800 watt hours, it supports you for up to 157 kilometres. As always, the ranges stated by the manufacturer are accompanied by corresponding footnotes. In this case, we learn that Amflow’s tests in Eco mode on a flat road were carried out at a constant speed of 21 kilometres per hour at a cadence of 65 revolutions per minute. The rider weighed 80 kilograms and the motor setup was in the factory setting. Why do we say that? Because the range depends on these and many other factors. That’s why it may deviate noticeably from these predictions in your case.
Short charging time
You can charge the batteries via a charging port that Amflow has integrated at the bottom of the seat tube of the Amflow PL. The port features a GaN fast-charging connection. Using this technology, the 600 battery charges from zero per cent to 75 per cent in around 90 minutes. The 800 battery only needs five or six minutes longer. In view of the charger’s charging current of twelve amps, these figures seem easy to understand. Incidentally, both batteries should be fully charged after around two and a half hours.
8. Why does the ebike have two control units on the handlebars?
The Amflow PL also breaks new ground with its operating concept as well. There are two wireless controllers on the handlebars, which are connected to the ebike system via Bluetooth. You can customise their buttons using the Avinox app.
Both control units each serve a very specific purpose. You use the left-hand control unit to control the drive’s riding modes. Its two arrow buttons allow you to switch forwards and backwards through the support levels. You can also use the upper button to activate boost mode and the lower button to activate walk assist.
With the right-hand control unit, you can scroll through the screens on the display integrated in the top tube without taking one hand off the handlebars. If you press the top button, the screens switch to the right; if you press the bottom button, the same happens in the opposite direction.
Single solution with display as an alternative
As practical as this may seem to you, the e-drive can surprisingly also be operated without both controllers. Or optionally with just one. Then everything is centred on the display. Its two-inch OLED display impresses with its clear, vibrant colours and is easy to read even in bright sunlight. Thanks to its touch screen, a quick swipe to the left and right is all it takes to display further information away from the home screen. Swiping up on the display, on the other hand, opens various settings for the display and the ebike in general.
If you use the Avinox app, you can customise the content of the screens. This also includes adding new screens and deleting existing ones. Only the home screen cannot be deleted.
At the top of the display you will find a USB-C socket. This interface can be used to charge external devices with a maximum of 65 watts using the fast charging function. With 65 watts! This detail also puts into perspective what other manufacturers sometimes advertise as a major advantage of their system.
9. What equipment options does Amflow offer?
Amflow is presenting the Amflow PL in various configurations at the market launch: Amflow PL Carbon 800, Amflow PL Carbon Pro 600 and Amflow PL Carbon Pro 800. Both Pro models differ only in their respective battery, which has either 600 watt hours or 800 watt hours. In terms of price, this results in a difference of 200 euros. Given the prices of 9,799 euros and 9,999 euros, this could be a sum that will ultimately see many people opt for the most expensive model with the larger battery. More significant differences to the entry-level model are the paintwork – Cosmos Black for the Pro models compared to Satin Silver – the wheelset with carbon rims, the carbon handlebars, the electronic shifting, the factory suspension system from Fox with Kashima coating and the higher-quality brakes.
Nevertheless, the Amflow PL Carbon 800 is likely to find just as many potential buyers. After all, the centrepiece with motor, battery and control units is at the same level as the Pro models. In addition, the rest of its equipment can be described as more than solid with high-quality suspension components from Fox, the manual derailleur system with twelve gears from Sram and the Magura MT5 brakes. Yes, the total weight increases by two kilograms to around 21.3 kilograms. However, the price drops by more than 3,000 euros to 6,499 euros.
10. How many kilograms is the maximum permitted total weight?
Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not state the maximum permitted total weight on its website. However, it does state the maximum load capacity of the Amflow PL. This weight is 125 kilograms. The calculation includes your weight, additional luggage and any accessories attached to the frame.
11. How is the ebike protected against theft?
In the Avinox app, you can choose between several levels of theft protection and activate them separately. You get the most comprehensive protection if you insert a SIM card into the ebike display. This can be used to determine the position of the ebike, even if it is outside the Bluetooth range of the smartphone connected to it. The potential of the app is currently still limited by one important detail. Only smartphones from Apple and Huawei or that support the Google framework can receive messages indicating a possible theft.
Theft protection level 1: Unlock the ebike with a code
Enter a four-digit number combination. Once this has been entered, the drive is deactivated. It will only be reactivated once the code has been entered correctly in the app.
Theft protection level 2: Mobile Key Unlock
Mobile Key Unlock automatically locks the ebike when you switch off the drive. When you return to the ebike with your smartphone, the ebike system registers the link with the device and is automatically unlocked.
Theft protection level 3: Theft detection
If the ebike is moved while locked, the system reacts. An alarm appears on the display and it also sounds an alarm tone. At the same time, you will receive a message on your smartphone informing you of the potential theft attempt. You can then view the current location of the ebike in the app and check whether this is the place where you left the bike. If it is a false alarm, you can cancel the alarm via the app.
Important: All electronic precautions are of course no substitute for a conventional bike lock.
12. How is distribution currently organised in Europe?
At the moment, Amflow has only delivered its first ebikes to dealers in Germany, Great Britain and Australia. For the rest of the world, the only way to order is via the manufacturer’s online shop. At the time of writing, the dealer directory for Germany comprised around 50 stationary bike shops. These act as points of contact for a test ride.
If something breaks on your Amflow PL, any online shop will of course also take care of the necessary repairs. Provided they have their own workshop like Elektrofahrrad24. In the event of certain damage, the ebike may still have to be sent to the manufacturer.
13. Are there already accessories for the Amflow PL?
Similar to the business with complete bikes, the trade in individual parts for the Amflow PL is just starting. In the future, components such as the batteries, the control units, the display and the charger will also be available separately. This also applies to accessories that Amflow could introduce in the future. We are thinking of a range extender, for example.
Amflow PL at a glance
- Variants: Amflow PL Carbon Pro 800, Amflow PL Carbon Pro 600, Amflow PL Carbon 800
- Frame: Carbon
- Suspension fork: Fox 36 Float Factory, Fox 36 Float Performance
- Motor: DJI Avinox M1
- Battery: DJI Avinox battery 800 Wh, DJI Avinox battery 600 Wh
- Control unit: DJI Avinox Controller
- Display: DJI Avinox Display
- Drivetrain: Sram X0 Eagle Transmission, Sram GX Eagle
- Brakes: Magura MT7 Pro, Magura MT5
- Weight: from approx. 19.2 kg
- Maximum payload: 125 kg
- Colour: Cosmos Black, Satin Silver
- Price: from 6,499 euros
Pictures: Amflow Bicycles Co., Ltd.