E-Bike Motor Comparison Review

DJI enters the EMTB market with the Avinox motor, challenging the existing performance standards. While Bosch, Shimano & Co. operate with around 600 watts and 85 Nm of torque, DJI sets new benchmarks. But how much more power does the Avinox really deliver? In the third part of our direct comparison with six current full-power motors, we tested its performance.

We conducted all our tests in real-world conditions to provide the most realistic assessment possible. To ensure an objective evaluation, we performed all tests under the following conditions:

To determine the performance in the strongest support level of different motors, we pedaled all bikes up our standardized test climb with an input power of 150 watts at 85 RPM. We calculated the motor’s performance by deducting the rolling resistance of the tires and other losses (air resistance, drivetrain friction…). Besides the pure performance in watts, we also provide the ride time for our test climb of 122 vertical meters and the time required for 1000 vertical meters as a reference. This allows many e-bikers to assess whether the performance difference is truly relevant for them personally.

With the Boost function that can be triggered with the DJI Avinox System, the power then explodes. The Boost function lasts for 30 seconds after activation. During these 30 seconds, the motor delivers significantly more power. And after those 30 seconds, you can trigger the function again immediately. So the time limitation is more or less an alibi function.

With this Boost function, the DJI Avinox delivers the following values:

During the 1000-meter elevation test with the boost function, the motor casing reached a surface temperature of 50 degrees Celsius. We measured this with a laser thermometer. However, the performance was never reduced. The 1000 meters were completed in intervals of 122 meters with a descent in between. By increasing the input power from 150 watts to 250 watts, the DJI Avinox motor with boost function even managed 880 watts of power.

Many riders rarely use the maximum assist level. During the test of the weaker ride modes, it was particularly interesting to see that Bosch reduces its power in the EMTB mode, which sits below the Turbo mode, more significantly than all other systems.

While the Shimano or DJI motor reduces power by about 25% in the second assist level, Bosch cuts power by approximately 40% in our relatively static test with the new 5th generation CX motor. In dynamic riding situations (keyword: terrain), the motor certainly delivers a bit more power. This means, in terms of time, it no longer takes just 3:40 minutes to climb our reference ascent; it takes almost 6 minutes. The motor then provides only about 260 watts of support.

We always stayed with the factory settings of the motor in all our tests. However, what’s interesting is: Those who throttle the DJI Turbo mode to the maximum in all respects via the app can adjust it to match the performance of other manufacturers—ideal for group rides.

In all previous tests, we kept the input power constant. However, in many cases, such as when riding in a group, external factors like the time it takes to climb are dictated by group dynamics. Therefore, you have to adjust the input power according to the group’s pace.

That’s why, in one test, we turned the tables and looked at what needs to be put into a system when you need to produce a significant but constant output. In short, how much harder do you have to pedal if you have a weaker motor than your buddies.

In this test, we wanted to provoke an extreme situation. After all, whether you have to pedal at 120 or 140 watts can be compensated quite well. It was important to us to push the motor to its performance limit. Below the motor’s performance limit, I could simply say, one could vary with the support level.

We tackled a designated climb with 31 meters of elevation over a length of 210 meters with all bikes starting with a flying start, completing it in exactly 1 minute and 5 seconds. To push the motors to their maximum limit, we added a trailer weighing 48 kilos to the system weight of the rider plus bike of 100 kilos and maintained a speed of 12 km/h.

That the DJI completed this test scenario with only 170 watts surprised us. This is a value that even untrained bikers can easily deliver for over a minute.

With the Bosch CX of the 5th generation, you have to pedal almost twice as hard with 316 watts, and the Bosch CX Gen 4 is exactly on this level as well. With the Yamaha motor, you really start to break a sweat with almost 380 watts in this test.

The Shimano motor is just under 300 watts, putting it roughly on par with the Bosch motors. We were somewhat surprised by the Brose motor in this test. It completed the test with just slightly less than 270 watts. So, power-wise, this aggregate has a bit more in reserve than Bosch, Shimano, and Yamaha motors. However, this motor does not reach the power dimensions of the DJI motor.