We ride DJI's mind-blowing Amflow PL Carbon e-bike, but is it any good?

When DJI launched its Amflow e-mtb brand at Euro Bike earlier this year it sent a seismic shockwave through the bike industry.

No one saw it coming, and with the Amflow PL Carbon boasting 1,000 watts of peak power while cranking out 110Nm torque from the compact DJI Avinox motor in Boost mode, no one seemed to have an answer to it either. At least not yet.

The geometry looked dialled, the full carbon frame looked sleek and with 29in wheels paired with 160/150mm travel, the Amflow PL instantly had all the hallmarks of a sorted e-mtb trail bike.

Factor in the claimed 19.2kg weight of the top-end Pro model, with the lighter 600Wh battery fitted, and Amflow appeared to simultaneously redefine the meaning of full power and lightweight e-mtbs in one fell swoop.

So to say that DJI and Amflow caught the e-mtb establishment completely off guard, ourselves included, is something of an understatement. We politely refused the chance to ride the Amflow PL Pro around a car park at Euro Bike, because, let’s face it, that tells you very little about how a mountain bike actually rides.

But two short months later, we had the opportunity fora first ride review of the Amflow PL Pro with the bigger 800Wh battery fitted, for just one day. Okay it’s not a proper test, but at least it was on our local trails in the Surrey Hills so we could get a good feel for the bike and actually weigh it.

On the scale, the size large Amflow PL Pro, with the 800Wh battery, weighs in at just under 20.6kg. Now just let that sink in for a minute.

As such, it rides very much like a competent trail bike, and let’s face it, that’s exactly what it is. Because if we strip away all of the electronics that make it a high powered e-bike, you’re basically left with a sub 14kg trail bike.

The power and control of the DJI Avinox motor are both impressive and addictive. And while we only had one day on the Amflow PL Pro, it’s crystal clear that it could easily be the new benchmark to which all other e-bike are measured.

And while all of Amflow's numbers and metrics are very impressive, it’s probably the pricing that has other brands quaking in their boots. The top-end Amflow PL Pro with a Fox Factory build and 800Wh battery costs £8,999, or £8,849 with the 600Wh battery. Then the entry-level Amflow PL, which boasts the exact same carbon frame and power numbers comes in at £5,999 with the 800Wh battery fitted.

What’s most impressive though, is that in the two months that have passed since we first saw the Amflow PL at Euro Bike, DJI has already updated the Avinox motor and eliminated the annoying freewheel rattle that early testers complained about. Which shows that DJI and Amflow can move every bit as quickly as the bike itself.

The bike in the video is the Amflow PL Pro £8,999, with the 8000Wh battery

Amflow PL Pro - Specification:
Frame: Amflow PL Carbon, 150mm travel
Shock: Fox Float X Factory
Fork: Fox 36 Factory Grip X2, 160mm travel
Motor: Avinox M1, 105Nm (110Nm in Boost)
Battery: Avinox Integrated, 800Wh or 600Wh
Display: Avinox 2in OLED Control Display
Controllers: Avinox wireless, Left and Right
Wheels: Amflow Carbon 29
Tyres: Maxxis Assegai EXO 29x2.5in/Dissector EXO+ 29x2.4in
Drivetrain: SRAM X0 Eagle AXS, with DJI Avinox alloy chainset
Brakes: Magura MT7 Pro, 203mm rotors
Handlebar: Amflow Enduro Carbon 800mm
Stem: Amflow Enduro 35mm
Seat post: Fox Transfer Factory 155-180mm
Sizes: M, L, XL, XXL
Actual weight: 20.59kg (without pedals)

Chapters:
00:30 Introduction
01:27 How much does it weigh?
02:37 Climbing speed Vs Shimano EP801
03:08 Hillclimb challenge
05:43 How noisy is it?
07:30 How does it ride? Is it any good as a mountain bike?
09:01 How powerful is it?
12:51 Outro

#mtb #mtbtech #mountainbike #emtb #emtblife #ebike #dji

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[badbattleaxe]

I hope all the other motor manufacturers take note and start increasing their power and making the price point more competitive.

[eddymqu]

11:06 “The motor does the torque-ing” my favorite quote of the day.

[johnhouston]

This will push the industry in the right direction. Looking forward to what specialized has coming with the Gen 4 levo, Ive seen Brose has an updated motor coming with more power and no belt.

[Twentykixx]

Waiting for the 170+… THEN it’ll be right! 😀👍🏼

[nickclarkuk]

The extra control offered by the hall sensor on the rear wheel and power control seems a big part of the innovation.

I would like to see a longer travel version with burlier suspensions for enduro-freeride

[pablojmcglynn]

Mid 2025 - 2026 is where we will see a massive reaction from other brands and even pinion. 2024 models come down in price to make way for 2025 versions, and we all get a great deal lol this is definitely a game changer, and the basic build is a good price. Shame its not been offered with an enduro/ dh frame or 180 /190 front and rear. It's good to see this on the market. Hopefully, other brands are concerned, and the consumer gets the best tech and deals going forward.

[fisher.mans_friends-fugt]

Very nice interview/discussion, touching the important issues!

[GiveItaGo]

I'm on the waiting list for the PL Pro... can't bloody wait ❤

[Codeset]

Be good to see a test on the lower spec bike as i haven't seen anybody cover it yet.

[FritzPhoto]

Filming on my local trails, well done!

[EndoMTB]

Finally getting good tech on mountain bikes. Let’s hope reliability is good and to see this motor and battery on other bikes!

[trevorfields]

Thank you for pointing out the fundamental fact that this bike is trail geometry. I think other reviewers have gotten their hands on it, and throw out terms such as enduro or all mountain, but these other reviewers aren't familiar with the geo changes that have affected what modern MTB categories actually are.

Yes, this bike has generic, middle of the road trail geometry. Which is not a bad thing, modern trail bikes shred. I hope they execute the details well, and I hope they develop a partnership with Santa Cruz or. Pivot or ibis!

[massimogelio]

It would be interesting to do a range test vs Orbea Rise in RS+ mode to understand which of the two bikes is more efficient

[Evo]

Will wait for the warranty and etc for UK original buyer motor replacement etc.

[AnthonyMcCulley]

If this platform had more travel, I'd be all over this. This is already a better bike / deal than my Levo SL Gen2 S-Works... for nearly $4k less. I want a frame-only option of this platform with more travel.

[jameslines]

I have the privateer e161 ebike. Its a heavy, brute of a beast, long travel and totally planted i dont care much for powerful motors etc i just want to get to the top and bomb it down. I think a longer travel version would be a lot of peoples dream bike

[scottbagley]

It’s literally left every other other brand in the dust

[graham]

Could it be too powerful, and then damage the cassette, chain, derailleur

[graham]

I hired the cheapest trek fuel exe. Which is currently on sale for less than €5000 It had way less torque and a much smaller battery, but it was absolutely perfect for trails where I ride. It lasted about 2.5hours in turbo mode with 80% of the riding being up hill.