Avinox's new M2S and M2 motors are causing a stir in the e-MTB world, and for good reason. With a focus on power, efficiency, and innovation, these motors offer a compelling alternative to established players like Bosch. But what does this mean for the future of e-bikes? Let's dive in and explore the details, along with my personal thoughts and insights.
Power and Performance
Avinox's M2S and M2 motors pack a serious punch, with the M2S delivering up to 1,300 W and 130 Nm continuously, or 1,500 W and 150 Nm in 30-second bursts. This is a significant upgrade over the M1, which already offered impressive power and torque. But what does this mean in practice? Well, it means that e-MTBs equipped with these motors can easily hit European speed limits, even on steep inclines. And that's a game-changer for riders who want to push the boundaries of what's possible on an e-bike.
Efficiency and Range
One of the most intriguing aspects of the M2S and M2 motors is their efficiency. Avinox claims that the M2S achieves an impressive 84.5% efficiency, which is a significant improvement over the M1's 82%. This means that for every 1000 W of electrical power from the battery, the M2S motor could theoretically provide up to 845 W of assistance. While this doesn't directly translate to increased range, it does suggest that the motors are designed to be more efficient, which is a good thing for riders who want to maximize their time on the trail.
However, it's worth noting that the efficiency drops at high power outputs. When the motor is providing its maximum sustained mechanical power of 1300 W, the battery power draw is 1700 W, resulting in an efficiency of 76.5%. This is a tradeoff that many e-bike manufacturers have to make, and it's something to keep in mind when considering the M2S and M2 motors.
Noise and Drag
Another area where Avinox has made significant strides is in noise reduction and drag minimization. The M2S and M2 motors use a dual-gear meshing design to eliminate the clacking noise that can be heard on rough descents, and they employ helical gears to reduce knocking or rattling sounds. This makes for a much smoother and quieter ride, which is a welcome improvement over many competitors.
In terms of drag, Avinox has replaced a high-resistance oil seal with a low-resistance sealed bearing, which reduces pedalling drag by 41% while maintaining the same level of protection. This is a significant improvement, and it's something that riders will appreciate, especially on long-distance rides.
Batteries and Charging
Avinox has also introduced a new 700 Wh battery option with a svelte cylindrical form factor. This should be popular among brands that want to maintain a slim downtube with an integrated battery. The battery has a claimed weight of 3.18 kg, giving it an excellent energy density of 220 Wh/kg. This is higher than the existing 600 Wh and 800 Wh integrated batteries from Avinox, which is a significant improvement.
In addition, Avinox is offering its first removable batteries, with 600 or 800 Wh capacity. These aren't quite as energy-dense, weighing 2.96 kg and 4 kg, respectively, but that will be a worthwhile tradeoff for those who want off-bike charging or to travel with their e-bike. The 600 Wh battery can also be mounted externally above the downtube as a range extender, offering 1,200 to 1,400 Wh of energy to compatible bikes.
Display and App
The 2-inch Avinox display can now import routes from third-party navigation apps like Komoot, showing turn-by-turn directions. It's also possible to pair a heart rate monitor and have the system adjust the assistance level to maintain a pre-set heart rate range. This is a great feature for riders who want to stay within a specific heart rate zone while riding.
The app allows granular control of all the assistance modes, start assist, overrun, and max torque. It can also set a charge limit of 70-100% to help maintain battery health. And via a Bluetooth connection, it can be set to automatically unlock the bike on approach and send a notification in the event of an 'abnormal bike movement'.
Initial Ride Impressions
I've had the opportunity to ride the M2S motor on a Propain Ekano and an Atherton S.170E. While the peak power and torque are arguably overkill for most situations, easily hitting the 25 KPH European speed limit unless it's very steep, my main takeaway is that the system is surprisingly refined. It's got brains as well as brawn.
The power is intuitive and easy to control, especially in the Automatic mode, which adjusts assistance to your power output and speed. It's also very quiet, with only a subtle whir when the motor is producing close to its maximum power. I didn't notice any clacking from the internal gears on the descents either, though the same could be said for many competitors these days.
It's so stealthy and easy to control that you only really notice the power when breezing past somebody who's riding another motor. That said, I barely used the most powerful Boost mode, as I didn't find many hills steep and grippy enough to take advantage of it.
I also noticed the Atherton and Propain's 700 Wh and 800 Wh batteries, respectively, draining fast when using Trail or Turbo mode. I'm looking forward to doing a proper range test, but unsurprisingly, the powerful motor can drain the battery pretty fast. That's physics.
Conclusion
Avinox's new M2S and M2 motors are a significant step forward in e-MTB technology. With their impressive power, efficiency, and innovative features, they offer a compelling alternative to established players like Bosch. But what does this mean for the future of e-bikes? Well, it's clear that Avinox is pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and that's a good thing for riders who want to experience the latest and greatest in e-bike technology. So, if you're in the market for a new e-MTB, be sure to keep an eye out for bikes powered by Avinox's M2S and M2 motors. They just might be the next big thing in e-bike technology.
