What do satellites from the US space agency NASA, a modern passenger aircraft and your car’s fuel injection pump have in common? All three can be powered by a Maxon motor. But what does this have to do with ebikes? Well, based on this technology, the company introduced its first e-drive, the Bikedrive Air, four years ago. Now, the Bikedrive Air S, the successor to this system, is here.
1. Double the power for Maxon Bikedrive Air S
2. Batteries permanently integrated
3. Chargers: a duo of new and old
4. Proven display and control unit
5. These ebikes come with the Maxon Bikedrive Air S
6. What will happen to the Bikedrive Air?
1. Double the power for Maxon Bikedrive Air S
Therefore, it was probably not a lack of technical know-how or innovative strength that led to the rather modest success of the Bikedrive Air since 2021. As a mid-drive motor with a maximum power output of 280 watts, a torque of 40 Newton metres and a system weight of just 3.5 kilograms, we believed it offered an exciting profile. At the same time, however, such systems, often referred to as ‘light assist’, are still a niche product that is only suitable for integration into selected ebike models. When you’re a newcomer knocking on the doors of well-known bicycle manufacturers who first had to contend with delivery problems and then with the consequences of overly optimistic economic planning, it’s hardly surprising that Maxon didn’t get the break it wanted.
Still, the Swiss manufacturer has clearly not lost its courage. Instead, it drew on its experience from integrations such with the Thömus Swissrider and continued to develop the drive. The result is a full-power drive that is one of the lightest we have ever reported on. Weighing just two kilograms, the motor delivers the usual 250 watts in continuous operation, which can be increased to 620 watts at peak. Given its torque of 90 Newton metres, the drive should be very energetic and lively. Especially since the 400 percent assistance is on a par with that of a Bosch Performance Line CX-R. As expected, the motor assistance is limited to speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour.
Perhaps even higher values would have been possible. However, Maxon has apparently deliberately refrained from such an attempt and stopped at the values mentioned. ‘There is no point in having a very powerful motor if the battery overheats or the mechanical interfaces cannot transmit the torque. Only when everything is coordinated – motor, battery, software, mechanics – does the system deliver what the driver really needs,’ explains Stefan Müller, CTO of the Maxon Group.
Visual parallels to Fazua
As mentioned, the new Bikedrive Air S is based on the principle of the Bikedrive Air. Consequently, a brushless EC internal rotor motor and a planetary gearbox are arranged one after the other in a magnesium housing. In terms of structure, this is similar to the technical approach that Fazua has been pursuing since the Evation drive and is currently also using on the Ride 60. Sensors for torque and cadence are integrated into the motor. The drive can handle cadences of 130 revolutions per minute. This highlights its sporty character and explains, among other things, why we can imagine it not only in sporty e-mountain bikes, but above all in e-gravel bikes and e-road bikes. Integration into urban ebikes and trekking ebikes also seems entirely conceivable.
In addition to the high efficiency of 85 percent, the manufacturer emphasises how quiet the motor is. We cannot comment on this at present. This will only become clear during test rides. What is certain is that Maxon is sticking to the three support levels for the Bikedrive Air S. The ‘Cruise’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Blast’ modes can be individually adjusted in Maxon’s Connect app.
Maxon Bikedrive Air S motor at a glance
- Rated continuous power: 250 W
- Maximum power: 620 W
- Assistance up to: 25 km/h
- Maximum torque: 90 Nm
- Maximum assistance: 400 %
- Weight: 2.0 kg
2. Batteries permanently integrated
According to Maxon, there were intensive discussions about the integration of the batteries. The manufacturer weighed up the pros and cons of permanent integration and the option of removable batteries at length. In the end, the decision was made in favour of permanent installation. According to reports, the weight advantage of this option was the deciding factor, as it allows the Bikedrive Air S to be clearly positioned as a lightweight drive.
Only one intube battery with a capacity of 400 watt hours will be available at launch. A further intube battery with 600 watt hours is to follow later. This represents a significant leap forward compared to the previous system, which offered batteries with only 250 watt hours and 360 watt hours respectively. The increase in performance of the Bikedrive Air S naturally also means higher energy requirements. The switch to larger batteries is therefore entirely understandable.
The combination of the motor and the smaller of the two batteries results in a system weight of approximately 3.8 kilograms. On this basis, it should be possible for ebike manufacturers to build ebikes that weigh significantly less than 16 kilograms. In the case of e-road bikes or e-gravel bikes, this figure could even be significantly lower.
Bikedrive Air S 400 Wh battery at a glance
- Operating voltage: 36 V
- Capacity: 400 watt hours
- Weight: 1.8 kg
- Compatible with range extender: yes
Bikedrive Air S 600 Wh battery at a glance
- Operating voltage: 36 V
- Capacity: 600 watt hours
- Weight: 2.8 kg
- Compatible with range extender in the future: yes
In addition, ebike manufacturers can approve their models with Maxon’s drive for expansion with a range extender. This follows the now established pattern and is modelled on the shape of a water bottle. Weighing 1.6 kilograms, it provides an additional 250 watt hours of capacity. The range extender is designed to be compatible with both main batteries.
Bikedrive Air S range extender at a glance
- Operating voltage: 36 V
- Capacity: 250 watt hours
- Weight: 1.6 kg
3. Chargers: a duo of new and old
In addition to the two main batteries, Maxon’s range also includes two chargers. To our knowledge, the first of these is a new development. The powerful 6A charger charges both main batteries to 80 per cent within around three hours. According to the manufacturer, it takes around four hours to fully charge the 400 watt-hour battery. For the larger battery, you need to add another hour. The range extender charges to 80 percent in around two hours and to 100 percent in three hours.
Maxon 6A charger at a glance
- Charging current: 6A
- Weight: 700 g
Smaller and lighter, the second charger is a good companion for cycling trips. However, the compact 2A charger offers a significantly lower charging current, which extends the charging process accordingly.
Maxon 2A Charger at a glance
- Charging current: 2A
- Weight: 500 g
4. Proven display and control unit
Some developments from the Bikedrive Air have been incorporated directly into the Bikedrive Air S. These include the control unit that can be integrated into the top tube. Maxon calls it Powertab. Thanks to its Bluetooth and ANT+ interfaces, the ebike system can be connected to your smartphone and other external devices such as computers from Garmin, Wahoo or Sigma. Visually, the display looks a little outdated. At least you can easily see the remaining battery capacity thanks to seven bars. The assistance levels can be changed by pressing one of the two arrow keys.
Maxon has announced at Eurobike 2025 in Frankfurt am Main that it plans to follow up with a full-featured display with a TFT screen next year. This will be able to display riding data more comprehensively and clearly than the current, relatively simple HMI.
Rocker switch as control unit
The small shifter on the handlebars has also made the leap from Bikedrive Air to Bikedrive Air S. With the help of the inconspicuous narrow ring and the protruding nose, you can select the desired assistance level. To do this, tap the nose up or down with your thumb. A simple solution that is used in a very similar form by Fazua and Pinion, for example.
5. These ebikes come with the Maxon Bikedrive Air S
At Eurobike 2025, the following five brands were exhibited at the Maxon stand, all of which already have a series model equipped with the Bikedrive Air S:
- CDur
- Goobz
- Instinctiv
- Thömus
- Transalpes
Bikelab and Spherik, which we did not see on site, will also be joining them. At least six of these seven manufacturers have put an e-mountain bike on the road. It will be exciting to see when other brands and, above all, other types of ebikes will join this list.
6. What will happen to the Bikedrive Air?
As things stand at present, the Bikedrive Air seems to have served Maxon in a way as a kind of technical precursor to the Bikedrive Air S. Volker Stützinger, Head of Ebike at Maxon, confirmed to us in conversation that the predecessor is regarded as exactly that and will not be pursued further. Maxon has gained valuable insights with it. Perhaps also with a view to which features will be in greater demand on the market in the coming years and which will be less popular. The focus in future will be solely on the new system. Let’s see how it will hold up against competitors such as the TQ HPR60, DJI Avinox, Fazua Ride 60 and ZF Bike Eco System.
Pictures: Maxon International Ltd.