[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] An assessment has said electric mountain bikes (e-MTB) are evolving not as equipment that substitutes for a rider's fitness, but to help riders ride longer and more often. In particular, analysis says a new motor from Avinox, a startup brand affiliated with DJI, is creating new competition in the existing market by combining strong output with a natural ride feel.

According to IT outlet The Verge on July 18 local time, the Amflow PL Carbon Pro e-mountain bike fitted with Avinox's M2S motor was assessed as offering a riding experience different from existing e-mountain bikes.

The core is not higher output but a natural assist feel. The Verge assessed that the M2S motor delivers strong output while maintaining a small size and light weight, makes up for riders' mistakes in technical sections and keeps the flow going naturally. It said it does not simply make riders faster, but helps them ride stably without losing speed on climbs and rough trails.

A long-running debate around e-mountain bikes was also mentioned again. In the mountain bike industry, criticisms that new technologies such as full suspension, disc brakes, dropper posts and 29-inch wheels "make it too easy" have been repeated whenever they appear, and electric assist motors are also an extension of the same controversy, it said.

But in actual riding, The Verge explained that an electric motor is closer to reducing fatigue and helping riders repeat more courses than replacing their effort. It said riders can climb more easily in turbo mode, or maintain heart rate in eco mode to increase training effect, meaning the rider still decides the final exercise intensity.

Contrary to market perception, e-mountain bikes are not always faster. Under European regulations, e-mountain bikes operate only with pedal assist without a throttle, and the assist function is limited at 25 kph. Continuous output is also around 250 watts. Meanwhile, many skilled conventional mountain bike riders can maintain more than 30 kph on flat or gentle sections, so in terms of top speed alone, e-mountain bikes are not always ahead, it said.

Instead, the difference showed up in control. Even if speed was reduced too much before entering a corner, the bike could accelerate quickly after exiting, and the motor's torque provided stable propulsion even when the riding flow risked being broken on rough terrain. The Verge assessed that the M2S motor's power delivery is intuitive and predictable, reducing situations where riders lose balance or have to dismount and walk. It added that it played a "counterweight" role, keeping riders from falling far behind from the start even when riding with experienced riders.

Performance figures also drew attention. The Avinox M2S motor supports up to 150 Nm of torque and up to 1,500 watts of boost power momentarily. The Amflow PL Carbon Pro, which uses a carbon-fiber frame, weighs 20.6 kg, lighter than the typical e-mountain bike average of 22 to 27 kg. But it was cited as a limitation that such performance was implemented on a high-priced model that costs about $10,000.

Avinox said it is currently working with more than 60 bicycle brands worldwide. The cheapest model mentioned with the M2S motor is the Cruysys e-Hard 11.11 hardtail at about $4,000. E-mountain bikes from Ride1Up and Aventon, which offer lower performance but emphasize price competitiveness, are also broadening market options.

The Verge assessed that the competitiveness of e-mountain bikes lies not in top speed but in the experience of enabling longer and more frequent rides. It said the motor does not suddenly make a rider an outstanding mountain biker, but reduces fatigue and enables repeat riding, ultimately leading riders to spend more time on the bike.