why the maxon AIR S bikedrive?
The moment you ride the Ocelot with Maxon AIR S, you feel it from the first pedal stroke. No stuttering motor, no artificial push. Just pure, responsive power that feels like a high-quality analogue mountain bike with a silent boost.
whisper-quiet
This isn’t the typical eMTB motor rumbling away in the background; it’s a whisper-quiet system that wins you over straight away, leaving you wondering why you ever put up with the noise and weight of heavier motors
Our riders are rarely chasing motor output alone. They do not want to ride a small motorbike, they want a platform that climbs with control, descends without compromise, and does not burden the chassis with unnecessary mass or drag. In that context, the maxon AIR S is not just another drive unit. It is a specific answer to a specific brief: full-power assistance in a lighter, more refined package.
Fahrqualität
This system was developed with a clear emphasis on efficiency and ride quality. The motor delivers substantial torque for steep technical climbing, yet it avoids the heavy, overdriven character that can make some full-power eMTBs feel detached from the trail. Instead, support comes on with a measured, highly controlled response.
Add enough weight to a frame and every part of the bike changes – suspension behavior, corner entry, mid-air balance, braking load, and the general sense of agility. The AIR S sits in a very attractive zone because it gives meaningful support without forcing the bike into the deadened feel that some heavier powertrains create. That balance is not a marketing detail. It is the difference between an eMTB that still rides like a great performance mountain bike and one that simply happens to be fast uphill and rides like a small motorcycle.
die natürlichste
Die brandneue maxon AIR S Antriebseinheit fühlt sich an, als würdest du eine analoge bike fahren. Aber er gibt dir bis zu 4 Mal mehr Leistung. In aller Stille.
for us only ride feel matters
Motorvergleiche werden oft auf das Drehmoment und die Batteriekapazität reduziert. Diese Zahlen haben ihren Wert, aber erfahrene Fahrer wissen, dass sie selten die ganze Geschichte erzählen. Was ein gutes Antriebssystem von einem großartigen unterscheidet, ist, wie natürlich es die Eingaben des Fahrers in Vorwärtsbewegung umsetzt.
The maxon bikedrive AIR S has earned attention because its support character feels deliberate rather than abrupt. On loose climbs, that means less wheelspin and less need to modulate your own effort around an overeager motor. On rolling terrain, it means the bike keeps momentum without feeling like it is surging independently of the rider. On longer rides, it means less fatigue from constantly managing excess assistance.
That controlled behavior also affects descending, even when the motor is not the main actor. A lighter, more compact unit gives frame engineers more freedom with kinematics, center of gravity, and packaging around the bottom bracket area. The result is a frame design that feels more composed and more intuitive at speed.
Auch Geräusche sind ein Teil dieser Diskussion. Viele erfahrene Fahrer reagieren überraschend empfindlich auf drivetrain- und Motorgeräusche, vor allem bei Premium-Modellen, bei denen jede andere Komponente auf Raffinesse ausgelegt ist. Ein leiseres System hält das Fahrerlebnis sauberer. Du hörst die Reifen, das Gelände und das Feedback des Trails, anstatt die ständige mechanische Präsenz. Das ist keine Kosmetik. Es verändert, wie verbunden sich das bike anfühlt.
Weltraumtechnologie
Die Antriebe von maxon werden in Robotern, Fahrzeugen und Geräten auf der ganzen Welt eingesetzt - und sogar im Mars-Rover Perseverance der NASA.
about maxon
Maxon Group is a swiss multinational, founded in 1961 and the world’s leading supplier of high-precision drive systems. More than 40 years’ experience, constant innovation, top-quality products and competent customer service make maxon motor a reliable partner in the drive technology sector.
Maxon Group is active worldwide, employing 3,200 people in 41 countries and a yearly revenue of roughly 600 million.
Maxon became popular when its products were chosen by NASA for the Mars rover projects Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, and Perseverance.
Maxon developed also bike drive systems, like the AIR and the AIR S. The AIR S drive unit consists of a BLDC internal-rotor motor and a low-noise performance planetary gearhead. The Q-factor starts at just 155 mm. The integrated electronics and sensors ensure sensitive support in all riding situations. The patented, innovative freewheel has no noticeable resistance, both when backpedaling and when riding without electrical support.
Maxon operates a global service network of over 40 sales companies and 9 production sites, providing local support and technical assistance across the world.
integrierte Batterie
Ein 400-Wh-Lithium-Ionen-Akku von nur 1,8 kg ist im Unterrohr integriert. Mit einer beeindruckenden Antriebseffizienz von 83% ist das genug für große, epische Fahrten.
leistungsstarker Antrieb
90Nm Drehmoment, eine maximale Leistung von 620W und nur 2kg. Jeder Aufstieg macht richtig Spaß.
performance focused
A lighter drive system allows the rest of the bike to stay performance-focused. You are not forced into overbuilt choices everywhere else just to compensate for a very heavy motor-battery package. Wheels can remain responsive. Suspension can be tuned for grip and support rather than simply carrying excess mass. The complete bike feels fast rather than merely powerful.
There is, however, a trade-off. Riders who want the absolute largest battery and the most extreme all-day range at maximum support may find heavier systems more aligned with their priorities. That is the usual compromise. The maxon AIR S makes more sense for riders who care about the total ride package and who understand that usable performance is not the same thing as the biggest possible numbers.
for sporty riders
Nimm einen 250Wh Range Extender oder das 6A Schnellladegerät, um deine Fahrten zu verlängern.
where the maxon air s makes the most sense
This system is particularly compelling for sporty riders who want assistance to extend their range, increase vertical gain, and sharpen repeatability on demanding terrain without giving up the handling standards of a serious mountain bike.
That includes riders who spend time on steep alpine climbs, technical traverses, and rough descents where chassis balance matters as much as motor output. It also suits buyers moving from enduro bikes who want e-assistance but are wary of the cumbersome feel some full-power eMTBs bring with them.
The maxon AIR S offers a more convincing bridge because it supports aggressive riding rather than redefining it.
The system belongs naturally on exclusive, high-end eMTBs where handling precision, low noise, and refined power delivery are part of the brief from the start. On a bike such as the Ocelot, that kind of system choice aligns with a broader engineering philosophy, one centered on ride quality, technical climbing control, and a complete build that feels considered at every level.
