We Tested the Velduro Rogue R with DJI Avinox

There’s a palpable buzz in the mountain biking world right now around e-bikes that genuinely blur the line between pedalling efficiency and electrified, ascend-and-descend dominance, and the Kiwi-born Velduro Rogue R is very much at the centre of that conversation.

Velduro launched in 2025, and the brand’s first enduro offering – the Rogue R – is the kind of bike that promises not just assistance, but transformation. It’s a bike that turns familiar trails into a new experience – lighting a fire to ride your regular trails in a completely new way.

The Rogue is a bit of a chameleon. We tested the bike with a mixed-wheel setup in Standard mode (170mm/170mm). The Rogue, however, can also be configured as an All Mountain machine (160mm/160mm) or set up in Enduro mode (180mm/170mm) – making it a versatile frame option for someone who may be looking for a bike capable of days filled with blue flow descents or big hits on the downhill track. The Rogue is available in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra large. As a side note, the Rogue has passed internal testing for category 5 rating ( downhill certification), meaning you can feel confident getting your jollies at your local downhill race if that’s your jam. Note this does not mean dual crown forks but the frame is built to take big hits.

To unlock the extra modes, Velduro has specced the Rogue with a flip chip at the top of the seat stay and on the shock. Simply flick the chip at the shock mount to alter rear travel and progressivity. The Standard mode prioritises pedalling efficiency with 165mm, while you can flip the chip to unlock an extra 5mm of travel (up to 170mm with a 27.5″ wheel and 172mm with a 29″ wheel). The seat stay flip chip allows use of a 27.5” or 29” wheel without changing geometry.

Riding this carbon-bodied, high-tech machine through the dusty, raw, and punchy terrain of Brisbane’s Gap Creek Trails reveals a bike that’s far more than just another e-mountain bike. This is a trail-devouring platform that feels alive under power, constantly encouraging you to ride harder, climb further, and push deeper into terrain that would normally sap your energy.

From the first few metres of trail, it becomes clear that the Rogue R isn’t trying to imitate a regular mountain bike with a motor bolted on. Instead, it feels purpose-built around the idea of maximising what an e-bike can be: efficient on climbs (no doubt aided by 120% odd anti squat in the earlier part of the travel), composed under load, and seriously capable when gravity takes over.

First Impressions on Velduro Rogue R

Out of the gate, the Rogue R presents a clean, purposeful aesthetic. The carbon enduro frame carries aggressive angles and muscular lines that hint at its intentions long before the trail begins. It looks fast standing still, and once rolling, that impression comes alive underneath you.

A pretty standard 466mm reach is paired with a 634mm stack in our size medium demo: a skerrick longer than recent test bikes like the Santa Cruz Vala and the Specialized Turbo Levo (albeit with the Rogue sporting 10mm more travel), and longer still than the similarly equipped Trek Fuel EX. Despite the small difference, the length of the bike is something immediately clocked out on the trail, but more on how that translates to ride feel later.

A 78º effective seat tube angle allows for centred and composed climbing on even the steepest of trails, while the 1255mm wheelbase keeps things tidy and in control when things get steep and deep.

In terms of the build, premium componentry adorns the Rogue, reinforcing the sense that this is a no-compromise machine designed for serious riding, and at $15,469, it’s what I would expect.

The Fox Factory suspension stack immediately stands out. Up front, the 170mm Fox 38 Grip X2 fork delivers immense stiffness and small-bump sensitivity, while the Fox X2 Factory shock at the rear balances that travel with a calm, controlled feel. Together, they provide plush movement without ever feeling wallowy or compromising small-bump sensitivity. Whether launching into a berm, compressing into a G-out, or threading through Gap Creek’s tighter, more awkward sections, the bike remains composed and confidence inspiring.

The four-bar, mid-pivot i-Track suspension differs from some high-pivot options we have seen on the market by locating the idler on the chainstay, meaning that its position changes as you progress through the travel. This allows for higher anti-squat and pedalling efficiency early in the travel but reduced anti-squat and suspension performance unaffected by chain tension deeper into the travel.

Mounted up for the ride with the OneUp dropper set at 210mm (perfect for my 173cm height and trail-oriented riding style), the cockpit feels immediately dialled. The geometry strikes a rare balance between sprint-friendly efficiency and gravity-ready stability. The SRAM GX AXS Transmission shifts crisply even under load, eliminating hesitation on steep pinches, while the SRAM Maven Silver four-piston brakes paired with massive 220/200mm rotors deliver authoritative stopping power with excellent modulation. When the terrain steepens or the surface turns loose, you always feel in control, never rushing or grabbing for a last-minute eke of braking power when things get too spicy.

On the trail with Velduro Rogue R

Powering the Rogue R is the Avinox M1 mid-drive system paired with a substantial 800Wh battery, a combination that delivers assistance that feels both smooth and potent. The motor produces strong, immediate torque of up to a whopping 120Nm that becomes especially noticeable on Gap Creek’s punchy climbs. Even at my modest 68kg rider weight, the assistance felt natural and intuitive, with minimal lag and none of the abrupt surging that can plague lesser systems. With a peak continuous burst power of 1000W, the Avinox never leaves you wanting – it’s impressively capable and beyond the needs of many riders. But if you can, then why not? Right?

The OLED display and wireless controllers provide clean, intuitive control over power modes, keeping the cockpit uncluttered while offering a wealth of information.

I was genuinely blown away not just by the Avinox M1’s output, but also by how responsive this motor is, and by the depth of data it provides: torque output, human power contribution, and real-time feedback. The information and motor feedback on the trails make the ride feel interactive rather than automated. It doesn’t just push you uphill; it feels like it’s working with you.

What stood out most on the trails was how seamlessly the bike handles transitions. The patented i-Track suspension kinematics with the mid pivot allow the rear wheel to track uneven roots and rock gardens with impressive composure, reducing chatter and preserving momentum. Instead of braking excessively through rough sections, you find yourself staying light and flowing forward. Even sprinting out of tight, technical corners, the Rogue feels planted and eager, constantly encouraging you to accelerate rather than hesitate.

Again, the application of the i-Track system allows tuning of anti-rise at different points in the travel. From the start of the travel to the sag point anti-rise varies from 108% to 104%, this means the bike will pull into its travel slightly under braking, preserving geometry and reducing any tendency to pitch the rider forward. Further into the travel the anti-rise decreases to around 100%, this means when the suspension is working the hardest it is unaffected by braking.

The geometry sits on the progressive end of the enduro e-bike spectrum, slack enough to inspire confidence at speed, but not so extreme that it becomes unwieldy in tighter terrain. At Gap Creek, where lazy switchbacks meet fast chunder and awkward off-camber sections, the Rogue strikes a sweet spot between agility and stability, though as a caveat I found the Rogue more difficult to manual than some other bikes, likely due to the longer frame size, wheelbase, and overall mass.

But manualing qualms aside, the mullet wheel setup, with a 29″ front and 27.5″ rear, enhances the balanced ride quality of the Rogue. Up front, the larger wheel smooths out trail chatter and provides confident rollover on roots and rocks. At the rear, the smaller wheel keeps the bike nimble, making it easier to snap through tighter corners and adjust lines mid-section. The result is a bike that feels both grounded and playful – something not often seen on a 170mm platform.

The rear suspension’s mid-pivot layout contributes significantly to the Rogue’s composure. Under both power and braking, the behaviour remains predictable, reducing pedal kickback and keeping the rear wheel engaged through steeper, rougher pitches. Combined with the relatively low centre of gravity created by the integrated battery, the bike feels connected to the trail rather than simply being propelled across it. You’re not riding on the terrain; you’re embedded within it.

Our take on the Velduro Rogue R

With its intelligent suspension design, highly capable motor system, and genuinely high-end component package, the Velduro Rogue R stands out as a seriously capable enduro e-bike, particularly in the demanding mix of flow, roots, and punchy climbs that define Gap Creek. For riders like me who value both trail confidence and uphill punch, it delivers a balanced, engaging ride from start to finish.

Whether you’re carving through flow trails, grinding up technical climbs, or pointing it down full-on downhill tracks, the Rogue R feels ready for anything you throw at it. It doesn’t just expand where you can ride, it expands how you ride, turning every lap into an invitation to go harder, faster, and further.

Velduro Rogue R Specs

Brand: Velduro
Model: Rogue R Complete
RRP: $15,469 AUD
Weight: ~23.6 kg
Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Frame Material: Carbon fibre

Suspension
Fork: Fox 38 Factory Grip X2, 170mm
Shock: Fox X2 Factory, 205×65mm

Drivetrain & brakes
Shifter: SRAM AXS Pod
Derailleur: SRAM GX AXS Eagle
Cranks: Avinox SL Crank 155mm
Chainring: SRAM 34T
Chain: SRAM GX
Cassette: SRAM XS-1275
Brakes: SRAM Maven Silver
Rotors: 220mm front, 200mm rear (SRAM HS2)

Rolling
Wheels: Velduro e-Enduro Carbon EC-30*
Rims: Carbon, 30mm
Hubs: Alloy, 28H
Spokes: Sapim
Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 29×2.5″ / Maxxis Minion DHR II 27.5×2.4″

Cockpit
Handlebars: OneUp Alloy 35D 800mm
Stem: OneUp 42mm
Seatpost: OneUp Dropper V3 31.6mm
Saddle: Fizik Terra Aidon X5 145mm
Dropper Lever: OneUp Dropper Lever V3.1
Grips: Velduro Enduro grips

Motor
Motor: DJI Avinox M1
Battery: DJI Avinox 36V 800Wh
Display: DJI Avinox 2 OLED
Controller: Wireless left & right controllers
Charger: DJI Avinox 4A 168W