When the Avinox M1 dropped in 2024, it made everyone else look slow. A 1,000W mid-drive in a 2.5kg package — with better software integration than Bosch had managed in a decade — it genuinely changed what people expected from an eMTB motor. Brands rushed to adopt it. Riders lost their minds over it.
Now Avinox is back with the M2S, and the headline numbers are even more absurd: 1,500W peak power and 150Nm of torque. That’s 50% more power than the M1 in the same compact form factor. On paper, it sounds like an instant winner.
But is it? Let’s dig in.
Quick Spec Comparison
| Avinox M1 | Avinox M2 | Avinox M2S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Power | 1,000W | 1,100W | 1,500W |
| Continuous Torque | 105Nm | 110Nm | 130Nm |
| Peak Torque (Boost) | 120Nm | 125Nm | 150Nm |
| Weight | 2.52 kg | 2.65 kg | 2.59 kg |
| Motor Efficiency | 82% | 83% | 84.5% |
| Wire Type | Round | Round | Flat |
Avinox M2S motor. Image: Amflow
A few things jump out here. First, the weight is basically identical across all three — Avinox managed to stuff 50% more peak power into nearly the same package. That’s impressive engineering. Second, there are now actually two new motors: the M2 and the M2S. The M2 is the more affordable option, sitting between the M1 and M2S in power. Most of the buzz (and most of the new bike launches) is around the M2S, so that’s what we’ll focus on.
What’s Actually New on the M2S
The headline numbers are easy to fixate on, but the more interesting changes are under the hood.
Flat wire windings. This is the key differentiator between the M2S and the standard M2. Flat copper windings pack more conductor material into the same space, which is how Avinox squeezed the extra power density out without adding meaningful weight. It also improves efficiency — the M2S is rated at 84.5% vs 82% on the M1. Not a huge jump, but real.
Better thermal management. New cooling fins, a temperature sensor, and an updated gear mesh design all work together to reduce heat buildup. Heat has always been the enemy of sustained high power output — motors that get hot start throttling back. Avinox is clearly thinking ahead here given the power levels they’re playing with.
The 1,500W is battery-dependent. Worth knowing: you only hit true 1,500W peak if you’re running the new 700Wh RS battery. With the standard 800Wh internal battery, peak power in Boost mode is 1,300W. Still more than the M1, but not the full headline figure. Torque output is the same regardless.
Boost mode is time-limited. The 150Nm / 1,500W peak is available in Boost mode, but only in short bursts — around 60 seconds. Normal riding in Turbo mode gives you 130Nm and 1,300W, which is still plenty.
Same mounting standard. Bikes designed around the M1 can use the M2S without a frame redesign. That’s a smart call by Avinox and it means the M2S will show up as a spec option on existing platforms quickly.
On the Trail: What Reviewers Are Saying
Early press rides have started coming in, and the consensus is interesting — and probably not what you’d expect given the spec sheet.
Most reviewers are reporting that the M2S doesn’t feel dramatically different from the M1 in everyday riding. BikeRadar, Bikerumor, and Flow Mountain Bike all noted the same thing independently: at trail speeds and on typical singletrack, the extra power headroom isn’t something you consciously feel. Both motors deliver smooth, linear power delivery that doesn’t feel artificial or twitchy.
Where reviewers do notice the M2S is in the situations that actually stress a motor — steep, loose climbs, sustained technical ascents, anywhere you’d be hammering in Turbo for extended periods. The thermal improvements mean it doesn’t back off as early, and the extra torque ceiling gives it more to work with when traction gets tricky.
The “bigger engine you never fully use” analogy keeps coming up across reviews, and it’s apt. Having 150Nm available means the motor isn’t working as hard to deliver 100Nm — which shows up as smoother sustained output rather than a raw power sensation. It just feels unstressed.
The efficiency bump from 82% to 84.5% is too small to feel directly, but over a long ride it adds up to slightly more range for the same effort. Not a headline feature, but real.
Who Should Actually Care About the Upgrade
New buyers: If you’re shopping for an eMTB right now and your shortlist includes Avinox-powered bikes, there’s no reason to deliberately seek out an M1 model. The M2 and M2S are the same price tier (depending on build), same weight, more power, and better thermal management. Go for the newer motor.
Current M1 owners: Don’t worry about it. The M1 is still an excellent motor that beats most of the competition. You’re not being left behind. Unless you’re specifically chasing the absolute limit of eMTB performance — or are buying a new bike anyway — there’s no upgrade path here and no reason to feel like you’re riding outdated tech.
Performance-focused riders: If you’re doing proper enduro terrain, racing, or riding the kind of sustained technical climbs where a motor actually gets taxed, the M2S’s thermal improvements and sustained power delivery are meaningful. The extra headroom isn’t just for spec bragging — it matters when conditions get hard.
Bikes You Can Get It On
The M2S is launching with a massive partner roster — Avinox announced 60+ brands at launch. Some of the notable ones:
- Amflow PX Carbon Pro (~$10,200) — M2S equipped, carbon frame, 160/150mm travel, Fox Factory suspension
- Amflow PR Carbon (~$5,000) — M2 motor, removable 800Wh battery, the most accessible entry point into the ecosystem
- YT Decoy X (~$10,500) — aluminum frame, 170/160mm travel, 800Wh battery, strong spec across five sizes
- Commencal Meta Power SX (~$7,500) — aluminum, 160mm travel, proven enduro geometry, M2S
- Mondraker Zendit (from ~$8,000) — carbon frame, 165mm travel, designed around the M2S from the ground up
- Forbidden Druid E (from ~$12,700) — top two tiers run M2S, proportional sizing across the range
- Pivot Shuttle AMP’d — high-end build, M2S spec
- Atherton S.170E — limited launch, M2S equipped
For a deeper breakdown of each bike and which one fits your budget and riding style, check out our full Avinox buyer’s guide.
The Honest Verdict
The Avinox M2S is a genuinely impressive piece of engineering. Fitting 50% more peak power into basically the same weight and form factor as the M1, while also improving efficiency and thermal performance, is not easy. The flat wire windings and updated cooling design are meaningful advances, not just spec inflation.
But here’s the thing: the M1 was already so good that “better than the M1” is an incremental win, not a revolutionary one. The M2S is the right choice for new builds and performance-focused riders who want every bit of capability the platform offers. For everyone else, the M1 set a bar that plenty of great bikes are still being built around, and those bikes aren’t suddenly worse because Avinox released a new flagship.
1,500W sounds insane. In practice, it’s headroom — and headroom is worth having. Just don’t expect it to feel like riding a rocket ship compared to the M1. It feels like riding a very, very capable eMTB with a motor that never seems stressed. Which is exactly what you want.
Have questions about eMTB motors or the Avinox ecosystem? Drop them in the comments.