Amflow PL Carbon Review: DJI's Full-Power Trail Weapon Tested

Here's a moment that sums up this bike perfectly. I'm halfway up a brutally steep, loose rock climb outside Moab that's defeated me on every other e-MTB I've tested. My rear wheel is chattering, searching for traction on marble-sized gravel over sandstone slabs. I tap the boost mode button. The Amflow surges forward with such authority that I actually laugh out loud. The climb that usually requires three attempts and strategic line choices? I clear it on the first try, barely breaking a sweat. That's what 1,000 watts feels like.

I tested the Amflow PL Carbon base model (the $7,499 version with 800Wh battery) over 42 days and roughly 350 miles of riding in Colorado and Utah. That included everything from mellow flow trails to gnarly technical descents, punchy climbs to all-day backcountry epics. I wanted to see if DJI's first mountain bike could live up to the massive hype, and more importantly, whether all that power translates to a better riding experience or just bigger battery consumption. What surprised me most wasn't the motor's strength but how refined and natural it feels despite being the most powerful unit on the market.

Unboxing the Amflow, I was immediately struck by how refined it looks for a first-generation bike from a new brand. The full carbon frame (just 5 pounds for the frame alone, according to Amflow) features clean lines and thoughtful details you don't always see at this price point. The headset preload cap is beautifully machined with a mountain landscape etching and uses a lightweight aluminum bolt instead of the cheap steel hardware that rusts on many premium bikes. The paint quality on my Satin Silver test bike was flawless, with no orange peel texture or uneven coverage.

After six weeks of hard riding including multiple bike washes, the frame still looks new. The carbon layup feels stiff where it needs to be without any flex I could detect during aggressive cornering or hard pedaling efforts. However, both wheels de-tensioned after the first few rides (common on new builds), requiring a quick re-tensioning session. Once sorted, they've been rock solid. The integrated battery design keeps the downtube remarkably slim for an 800Wh unit, and the charging port cover on the seat tube clicks shut with satisfying precision. Build quality genuinely feels on par with established brands charging $3,000 more.

Climbing performance is where this bike absolutely shines. On a sustained 8-mile climb gaining 2,100 feet outside of Boulder (mixture of smooth fireroad and chunky technical singletrack), the Amflow maintained 8-10 mph on grades averaging 12-15% without feeling like it was working hard. I'm 185 pounds, and with a hydration pack and tools, we're talking close to 200 pounds of system weight. The motor delivered smooth, surging power that felt completely natural, modulating perfectly with my pedal input. Compare this to my experiences on Specialized Levo and Trek Rail, where similar climbs required more strategic gear selection and careful cadence management. The Amflow just powers through. On shorter, steeper pitches (think 18-22% grades with loose or technical surfaces), I used the Boost mode repeatedly, and that 1,000-watt surge is genuinely transformative. Climbs that previously required perfect technique and multiple attempts became first-try clearances. The motor's responsiveness to pedal input is exceptional, with zero lag between applying pressure and feeling assistance kick in.

Descending reveals both strengths and minor quirks. The 64.5° head angle and relatively short 445mm chainstays make this bike incredibly playful and responsive. It pumps through flow sections beautifully and feels eager to pop off lips and manual through sections. However, you do sit slightly more "on top" of the bike compared to slacker enduro rigs, which takes some adjustment if you're coming from a longer, lower geometry. The suspension performance is good but not exceptional. The FOX Performance-level components handle most trail situations well, with decent small-bump sensitivity and progressive ramp-up. But in really high-speed, consecutive-hit situations (like fast, chunky rock gardens), the suspension can feel slightly harsh and occasionally hangs up. Riders coming from bikes with Factory-level dampers will notice the difference. That said, the frame itself feels incredibly stiff with zero unwanted flex, even during aggressive cornering or hard braking into turns.

Range testing produced impressive results. On my standard 32-mile test loop (3,100 feet of climbing, mixture of singletrack and fireroad, ridden entirely in Turbo mode), I finished with 18% battery remaining. That's the longest range I've achieved on any full-power e-MTB on this exact route. For comparison, the Specialized Turbo Levo (700Wh battery) typically finishes around 8-12%, and the Trek Rail needs the range extender to complete the loop comfortably. However, I noticed the power delivery drops noticeably below 15% battery. Those final miles required significantly more rider input, and the assistance felt more like Trail mode than Turbo. This seems to be a battery management strategy to prevent complete depletion, but it's worth noting for ride planning. On mellower rides using Eco or Trail mode, range extends dramatically. I completed a 48-mile ride with 2,200 feet of climbing in Trail mode and still had 22% battery at the trailhead.

Daily usability is generally excellent, with a few notable quirks. The integrated touchscreen is genuinely useful and far better than I expected. Checking battery percentage mid-ride is effortless (just glance down), and the estimated range calculation seems reasonably accurate based on your current power usage. The wireless controllers feel natural after a day or two, though I did accidentally activate Boost mode a few times when adjusting my grip. The walk assist mode works brilliantly with intelligent features like auto-hold (prevents rollback on slopes) and hill start assist that I used regularly when navigating tricky technical sections or pushing through gate barriers. One minor annoyance is the lack of a standard water bottle mount. The shock reservoir interferes with bottle placement, and while Fidlock mounts work, I found the bottle rattled against the shock during rough descents.

Setup and maintenance have been straightforward. The bike arrived mostly assembled, requiring only handlebar and front wheel installation plus basic setup (shock pressures, cockpit adjustment). The internal cable routing uses proper headtube inlets instead of the nightmare-inducing headset routing many modern bikes employ, which makes any future maintenance or component swaps much easier. I've performed two full services over six weeks (chain lubrication, brake checks, suspension maintenance) without any issues. The motor requires no regular maintenance, and firmware updates happen automatically via the app when connected to WiFi. My only real complaint is wheel spoke tension. Both wheels needed re-tensioning after 50 miles, and I checked them again at 150 miles. Once properly tensioned, they've been perfect, but this initial settling is annoying on a $7,500 bike.

Against premium competitors like the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo ($14,000) or Trek Fuel EXe 9.9 XX1 AXS ($13,000), the Amflow offers genuinely comparable performance at nearly half the price. Yes, you sacrifice some suspension refinement (Factory vs Performance FOX components), brake quality (Magura MT5 vs SRAM Code RSC), and that last bit of frame stiffness optimization. But the motor is actually more powerful than either competitor, the battery capacity matches or exceeds them, and the weight is competitive despite the price difference. For riders who value raw climbing performance and range over ultimate descending refinement, the Amflow might actually be the better choice even if budget isn't a concern.

Compared to direct price competitors like the Canyon Spectral:ON ($7,699) or Trek Rail 9.7 ($7,500), the Amflow's advantages become even clearer. The DJI motor is significantly more powerful and refined than the Bosch Performance CX in those bikes, the 800Wh battery offers more capacity than most alternatives, and the weight is 2-4 pounds lighter despite more power and battery. The component spec is competitive across the board. The main trade-offs are Canyon's more aggressive geometry (if you prefer slacker, longer bikes) and Trek's more refined suspension kinematics. But for pure climbing performance per dollar, nothing else comes close.

The wildcard comparison is against lightweight e-MTBs like the Specialized Levo SL or Orbea Rise. These bikes weigh 35-38 pounds and offer less power (around 50-60Nm) but feel more like traditional mountain bikes with a helpful boost rather than motors with pedals. The Amflow splits the difference, offering full power (105Nm+) at weights closer to SL bikes (47 pounds) than traditional full-power rigs (50-55 pounds). For riders who want maximum power without the penalty of extreme weight, the Amflow occupies a unique position. However, if you value a natural pedaling feel and don't need massive power, the SL bikes still have appeal despite less climbing capability.

After six weeks and 350 miles of testing, I'm genuinely impressed by what DJI achieved with their first mountain bike. The motor is the star of the show with industry-leading power and refinement, but the complete package holds up remarkably well. Build quality exceeds expectations for a first-generation product from a new brand, the geometry works for aggressive trail riding and technical climbing, and the integrated tech (touchscreen, wireless controls, smartphone connectivity) feels genuinely useful rather than gimmicky. The compromises are real but minor: slightly more motor noise, decent-but-not-amazing brakes, and some suspension firmness in extreme situations. For most riders, these trade-offs are easily justified by the exceptional climbing performance, outstanding range, and remarkable value.

I'd recommend the base PL Carbon model ($7,499 with 800Wh battery) over the Pro for most buyers. You get the same frame and motor, and the 800Wh battery is essential for taking full advantage of the power on big mountain days. Use the $2,700 savings to upgrade tires (go with tougher casings and grippier compounds) and perhaps add a better dropper post if sizing allows. If you're a serious rider who values ultimate suspension performance, the Pro's Factory-level FOX components and carbon wheels justify the upgrade. Either way, this bike represents exceptional value in the full-power e-MTB category and genuinely delivers something different from what's currently available. DJI's entry into mountain biking is shaking up the establishment, and that benefits everyone.