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Megamo, known in the mountain bike world for its XCM race team and their Cape Epic exploits, have introduced what is believed to be the first third-party bike using the lightweight, high power, DJI Avinox motor.
The Reason, launched in 140mm and 160mm travel options, is positioned by the brand as “Laying the foundation for a new era of MTB”.
Bold statement, for sure.
For context, consider the race pedigree of the brand’s XCM team – stage wins at the Cape Epic, with programme manager Pau Zamora having raced XC and wrenched on the UCI DH World Cup circuit before hanging up his bike and turning to leading the brand’s next generation of pro racers.
Clearly, there’s no shortage of knowledge residing within the business to turn that bold claim into a bike which hopefully lives up to its billing. At launch, the brand points to ‘the evidence’ – geometry and suspension kinematics – as means to show the Reason is every bit a modern rig, irrespective of travel option.
We’ll have to wait for the likes of Drew Rohde (The Loam Wolf) and Rob Hancill (Rob Rides eMTB) to ring the Reason’s neck before we really find out how/if that translates into a real world riding experience consistent with expectations of a modern Trail and Enduro bike.
Reason: One frame, four geometry options.
The Reason uses a Flip Chip system, enabling straightforward changes to the steering and rear triangle angles. Frame geometry changes with the Flip Chip mean riders can adapting their Reason to suit terrain type or riding style.
Reason 160/160 (Enduro) – equipped with a 160 mm fork and shock – comes with the Flip Chip in the LOW position, ideal for aggressive descents and maximum stability.
Reason 140/140 (Trail) – a lighter and more versatile setup – comes with the Flip Chip in the HIGH position, enhancing pedaling efficiency and performance on climbs.
The Flip Chip system ensures riders can customize their rig based on their preferences or the route of the day.
Carbon or Alloy?
At launch, Megamo will offer bikes in both carbon and alloy (AL), spanning both 140mm and 160mm. Regardless of frame material, the shorter travel bike is named ‘Reason Air.
- Identifying spec-related pecking order, Megamo calls the 160mm carbon framed models Crb 01, 03, 05, 07.
- The show-stopping headline-grabbing Crb 01 is kitted out with SRAM XX AXS, Fox 36 Kashima 160 fork and Fox Float X2 Kashima shock, with DT Swiss 1501 HXC 30 wheelset.
- 140mm travel bikes – identified by the ‘Reason Air’ name – are model designated Crb 00, Crb 00 600, Crb 10
- Alloy bikes are Reason AL for 160mm bikes, with model designations 03, 05, and 07, and Air AL for 140 mm, using 04 and 15.
Does weight matter (if it does, read on)?
Weight might be a thing for some, but not for all, when talking about bikes with a motor as powerful as the DJI Avinox.
That hasn’t stopped Megamo dialling in on a lightweight 140mm travel bike, with the The Reason Air Crb 00 600 – the lightest Reason in the line up – reportedly weighing 17.9 kg. Naturally enough, there are lighter 140mm travel bikes on the market, but none will have DJI Avinox levels of power.
What of the base model, Reason Crb 07?
The heftiest 160mm carbon bike in the range tips the scales at a brand stated 21.4 kg.
For context, the newly launched Specialized S-Works Levo (160mm/150mm), in size S4, reportedly weighs in at 23.58kg.
Battery size on these bikes:
- Megamo Reason: 800Wh
- Specialized S-Works Levo: 840Wh
What does any of that mean for AL frame’d Reason?
The brand states the two 140mm travel Air AL bikes weigh 20.5kg and 22.1 kg, whilst the 160mm travel AL bikes – spec depending – come in at 21.9 kg, 22.4Kg, and 22.6 kg.
One point that does definitely deserves praise: Megamo have equipped every bike – bar the weight weenie Air Crb 00 600 – irrespective of frame material or component level, with the 800Wh battery.
It would have been reasonable to expect that Megamo would have chosen the DJI 600Wh battery for the base model Reason – bikes sporting a XT / Deore or SRAM Eagle 90 drivetrain.
But no: these bikes also get the 800Wh battery.
That, plus DJI Avinox power, will likely make a lot of riders take note of the Reason.
How much will it cost to make a Megamo Reason your new rig?
At launch the range topping Reason Air Crb 00 has an RRP of €11,999 with its longer travel Crb 01 sibling at €11,999. The 17.9Kg Reason Crb 00 600 is priced at €11,699. Both the 140mm and 160mm carbon bikes start at €5,999
Top of alloy tree are the Reason AL 03 (160mm) and 04 (140mm) – both retailing at €6,999.
Riders are able to get on a DJI powered Reason AL 140mm or 160mm bike for as little as €4,999.
