The Avinox MG (Motor-Gearbox) Concept has debuted today. It is still just that: a concept, but it shows the brand's intention to continue pushing the boundaries of what a modern e-bike drivetrain can be. Created in partnership with Canyon, Commencal, Forbidden, and Mondraker, this new unit claims to handle shifting and power delivery, and offers a list of other cutting-edge features, including the possibility of regenerative braking to charge the battery...With EuroBike serving as the jumping-off point for this project, Avinox is partnering with some major players in the eMTB market to bring this new endeavor to the public eye.ForbiddenWhat is the Avinox MG Concept?It's not a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) for a mountain bike, and it's essentially a gearbox, but not in the traditional sense. There isn't a wide range of gear steps physically inside the unit; instead, they exist only virtually, and the gear steps and shifting parameters can be tuned by the rider. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Avinox MG is claimed to be in the 3.5-2.7 kg range (~7.5 - 8 lbs), so a similar weight to a motor and traditional drivetrain, but repositions the mass to keep weight low on the bike, which better manages unsprung mass and suspension performance. Even with all the integration, the power figures remain similar to those of the M2S motor.MondrakerWhat makes the MG Concept really stand out is its use of "virtual gearing," which means riders can customize gearing options. This means that if you want fewer steps between gears, you can set it up that way, or tune it to feel more like a modern 12-speed drivetrain, with greater ratio tunability by using different cogs and chainrings. Avinox is also offering an Auto mode with the MG, which essentially lets the user define the cadence, and the MG will do the rest to keep riders in that "sweet spot". Regenerative braking is also on the table with the Avinox MG Concept, which would be a massive industry shift if it all comes together, and they claim that it could be possible with the MG unit. This is still very much a concept, and the specifics are likely to change as the unit nears production, but it's exciting nonetheless. A complete breakdown of features is not yet available; Avinox has shared some details about what to expect from this conceptual project.MondrakerFeaturesSmooth gear shifting: Promising uninterrupted power delivery and a shift time of less than 0.1 second, the MG Concept supports shifting during high-torque pedaling as well as while stationary.Fully customizable gear shifting: Riders have many options. They can shift one gear at a time or multiple gears at once, and can shift gears manually or automatically, with cadence-based auto mode or AI+ auto mode for speed riding.Little to no maintenance: The internal derailleur unit requires no maintenance over its lifespan, while using a single-speed chain or belt eliminates the need for a rear derailleur or a multi-speed cassette.Smaller and lighter platform for all e-bike types: Adopting a completely new system design, the new platform's drive units can be easily adapted to eMTB, eTrekking, eSUV, eGravel, and other bike models.Natural riding: Riders with equipment and a load of over 150kg won't feel any spongy feelingIntelligent anti-theft technology: The new system offers real-time locking of the motor and use of the anti-theft function even without powerThis story was originally published by BikeMag on Jun 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add BikeMag as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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