Fewer exhibitors. Fewer halls. Far fewer trade visitors. Against this backdrop, the relevance of Eurobike 2026 is certainly open to debate. Avinox is unlikely to be particularly concerned by this discussion. The relatively new giant from China has gratefully accepted the space that has become available and filled it with numerous innovations of its own. One of the most exciting was undoubtedly a project called the Avinox MG Concept. The abbreviation MG stands for ‘Motor Gearbox’ in English. In fact, however, the term actually somewhat misrepresents what the system actually is. We’ve summarised here for you what it actually is and what is known about it so far.
1. What are the fundamental advantages of such a motor-gearbox unit?
2. How does the Avinox MG Concept work?
3. What performance can you expect?
4. How much will an Avinox MG weigh?
5. What conclusions can be drawn about the final unit based on the size of the Avinox MG Concept?
6. How far has development of the drive progressed?
7. Which partners is Avinox working with?
8. Which ebikes might the Avinox MG Concept be suitable for?
9. When will the first models featuring the system be available?
10. How much might production ebikes with an Avinox MG cost?
1. What are the fundamental advantages of such a motor-gearbox unit?
Let’s leave the exact definition aside for the moment. What is clear is that this is a solution which combines an ebike’s mid-drive motor with a gearbox directly within a single housing. Ferdinand Wolf, Product Experience Director at Avinox, describes it as ‘pushing the boundaries of what is possible’.
Other manufacturers have already done this with comparable concepts before Avinox. Examples include the Intradrive GD8, Decathlon’s E2 Drives Owuru, the Valeo Cyclee, the Revonte One and, of course, the Pinion MGU. Essentially, they all share four key advantages with the Avinox MG Concept:
- Unique weight distribution: When the motor and gear system are both located at the bottom bracket, the ebike’s centre of gravity shifts even further towards the centre. This is precisely where it has the most positive effect on control of the ebike.
- Lower unsprung mass: Whether it’s a derailleur or a hub gear system, both add extra weight to full-suspension ebikes that the suspension system has to cope with. If, for example, the rear derailleur and cassette are absent, the suspension has less inertia to overcome and can therefore respond more quickly and sensitively.
- Less maintenance and upkeep: What isn’t there can’t get dirty, break or suffer in any other way. This minimises the costs of replacements and maintenance products and, above all, saves a lot of time that can instead be spent riding. 😉
- Integrated housing: Bundled into a single unit, the drive system can be optimally designed and integrated into the ebike frame, both technically and visually. The entire system is protected from climatic and mechanical influences. Often, no maintenance is required at all.
2. How does the Avinox MG Concept work?
At the moment, the best way to describe the Avinox MG Concept is by stating what it isn’t. This is primarily because the manufacturer has so far remained very tight-lipped about the exact design, which seems entirely understandable. In our research, we haven’t found anyone who has already been able to take a look under the housing and was allowed to talk about what they saw.
The manufacturer has at least hinted to media representatives that two motors are at work inside the system. Working in tandem, these motors achieve the required gear ratio. However, this is not a gearbox of the kind used, for example, by Pinion in the MGU. In contrast, Avinox’s system is said to contain neither a clutch nor gears, nor chains, nor belts. The behaviour of the two motors is controlled by software and algorithms. These enable stepless shifting across the entire gear ratio range.
Define your own gear ratios with the Avinox MG
Alternatively, however, it seems that fixed gear ratios can also be defined. What’s astonishing is that it’s not the ebike manufacturers who set the gears, but you yourself who can configure them in the app. Do you prefer a classic gear range with twelve or thirteen gears on your e-mountain bike? Then simply create it. Are six to nine gears enough for a leisurely ride? Nothing could be easier. Apparently. Want to save both settings for the same bike? That’s probably doable too. In addition, it’s considered that you could alternatively make the changes directly whilst riding, using control units and displays. Oh, and there’s also said to be an auto mode for stepless shifting, where AI provides support and you simply set your favourite cadence as the determining factor. Given the other options, this almost seems like a must-have rather than a nice-to-have.
3. What performance can you expect?
Particularly in light of the performance of its classic mid-drive motors, the question often arises as to how the MG Concept will compare. All fans of ebikes featuring previous Avinox drives can rest assured. Whilst the manufacturer hasn’t yet provided any specific figures, it takes every opportunity to emphasise that everything will be based on the performance data of the Avinox M2S. In terms of peak power, you can therefore probably expect well over 1,000 watts. As for torque, 120 Newton-metres or more seems realistic. And surely very few people would object to 800 per cent assistance. 😉
It’s quite possible that this will turn out to be just one of several versions of the drive system. After all, not everyone needs such a powerful unit, even on an e-mountain bike alone.
4. How much will an Avinox MG weigh?
There was plenty of information about this new product on display at the Eurobike stands. However, no weight specification was ever given. According to consistent reports from several media outlets, the developers have set themselves the target of ensuring that the new Avinox MG Concept weighs no more than an Avinox M2S fitted with a 12-speed SRAM XO T-Type derailleur system.
In fact, you can assume that this will correspond fairly closely to the eventual production model. After all, a significantly higher weight would considerably reduce the system’s appeal and rob it of some of its advantages.
5. What conclusions can be drawn about the final unit based on the size of the Avinox MG Concept?
One thing that was fairly easy to gauge at the exhibition stand was the volume of the drive unit. It appeared quite compact and is likely to be only slightly larger than an Avinox M2 motor. In terms of width, however, the two differed more markedly. Clearly, more components need to fit into the housing than with a conventional mid-drive motor.
6. How far has development of the drive progressed?
To temper your expectations somewhat, it’s worth emphasising once again that what was showcased at Eurobike was really just a concept. Neither the design nor the integrated motors represented the final version. Please bear this in mind when considering all the information you’ve read in this article so far.
Gear changes in a fraction of a second
You’ve already learnt a few things about the technical background to the gear-changing system. The actual gear-changing process is said to take less than 0.1 seconds. Gear changes can be made both when stationary and under load. The latter is said to work smoothly even when riders apply a torque of up to 300 Newton-metres to the pedals. When operated, the shift lever can change exactly one gear or, it seems, skip several gears.
We’ve also touched on some of the unique features of the virtual gearbox. Its gear ratio range is said to be a maximum of 520 per cent. It therefore still falls a little short of the 600 per cent offered by a Pinion MGU. By contrast, it outperforms solutions such as the Valeo Cyclee and Intradrive GD8. If specific gears are defined, the ratio of the individual gear ratios, the step size and the number of gears can be adjusted as desired. But who would want to set 22 gears themselves when the automatic mode can, all by itself, always shift you into the appropriate gear ratio across the entire range?
Avinox promises to develop an exceptionally quiet drive unit. First tests with the production model will later reveal whether this proves successful.
From mechanical anti-theft protection to reverse gear
There are further announcements on this front, some of which may remain just that, whilst others will be put into practice. It is highly likely that the new system will be capable of mechanical locking. This feature is intended to significantly enhance anti-theft protection. Once you’ve locked the drive unit, the cranks cannot be moved. This would still leave criminals with the option of carrying the bike away. But riding off, even without assistance, would then be impossible.
Avinox is also venturing into the field of energy recovery. This means that if you simply let the ebike coast or apply the brakes, the energy generated in the process could be recovered via the system and fed back into the ebike’s battery. Hmm, we’ll have to wait and see if – and, if so, how soon – this feature actually arrives. At the trade fair, in any case, this was only teased. There was no further information explaining the conditions under which recuperation can take place. For example, how long or steep does a suitable descent need to be? How long does a braking manoeuvre need to last? What percentage of energy could be recovered?
Patience also seems to be required for the implementation of a reverse gear. Yes, technically it has already been implemented. Our scepticism stems from the partners with whom Avinox jointly presented the MG Concept at Eurobike. Without exception, they showcased models for full-suspension e-mountain bikes. These don’t need a reverse gear. That’s more of an application for three- and four-wheeled e-cargo bikes.
7. Which partners is Avinox working with?
Exactly, the partners. As expected, these are five ebike manufacturers, all of whom already offer models featuring Avinox’s mid-drive motors. Admittedly, the quintet boasts a prestigious line-up: Canyon, Commencal, Forbidden, Mondraker and Megamo. They are presenting designs for full-suspension e-mountain bikes – optionally fitted with a belt or chain. In most cases, additional tension pulleys were fitted to prevent the belt or chain from coming off whilst riding. Thanks to the straight chain path on the Avinox MG Concept, chains could indeed be used more frequently in future. Think, for example, of extremely robust specialist chains such as the Enduo from New Motion Labs.
8. Which ebikes might the Avinox MG Concept be suitable for?
According to Avinox itself, its new virtual gearbox could be fitted to almost any type of ebike. Of course, the full-suspension e-MTB is definitely on the cards. From there, it’s not far to a trekking ebike or an SUV-style ebike. The sheer power also leaves the door open for e-cargo bikes. The fact that Avinox is bringing e-gravel bikes and urban ebikes into the mix suggests that there could indeed be slightly less powerful versions that would be better suited to such models.
One limitation could be the maximum rider weight. For the time being, Avinox is working with a maximum of 150 kilograms, including kit and luggage. Whether, and if so by how much, this limit will be exceeded in future is currently unclear.
9. When will the first models featuring the system be available?
At present, everything points to the first production ebikes featuring an Avinox MG appearing by the end of the year. Presumably, the latter will then be given a different name rather than ‘Concept’. But please don’t hold it against us if December 2026 turns out to be January 2027. 😉
10. How much might production ebikes with an Avinox MG cost?
That leaves the question of all questions: what might the price of an ebike with the Avinox MG be? An answer that’s as accurate as it is non-committal: it depends on the ebike. Alex Boyce, aka Alex Bike Tester, seems to know more. On his YouTube channel, he mentions a figure that could potentially be between 7,000 and 8,000 euros. Sounds like a pretty good estimate. From our point of view, it’s leaning slightly towards 8,000 euros.
Pictures: SZ Avinox Innovation Co., Ltd.; Elektrofahrrad24 GmbH