Bafang Announces Two High-Power eMTB Mid-Drives, Orange County DA Hosts an E-Bike Buyback Event, Trek Launches the District+ in Europe │ TWR Ep 98

Bafang plans to reveal two new mid-drive motors at this year’s International Bike Festival in Misano, Italy, which runs from September 4–6. Ahead of that, the company issued a press release with the details. The M510RS is built for performance mountain bikes and tuned for precise control, with 110 Nm of torque and 1,100W of peak power on 36V systems or 1,300W on 48V systems. The M560RS targets extreme mountain bikes and the steepest terrain, offering 120 Nm of torque and 1,400W peak on 36V or 1,700W peak on 48V.

Both motors also feature Boost-to-Limit, a short-term maximum output mode with one-touch activation that provides up to 800% support. With it engaged, the M510RS climbs to 120–130 Nm and the M560RS reaches 140–150 Nm. The two share a Sport+ mode with adaptive assistance up to 500%, an integrated 6-axis IMU for real-time terrain and 3D motion sensing, Hill Hold, and Walk Assist 2.0. Both use the same mounting interface as the existing M510 and M560 mid-drives.

Bafang says it spent over 4,000 hours fine tuning these motors on race tracks, and claims a 50% faster response speed and 33% more sensitivity compared to its older mid-drives. The two were first shown as concept motors at Eurobike in 2025, with production models planned for Q4 of this year.

Our Take:

On paper, both of these motors compete with the power levels of Avinox’s M2S mid-drive, and in some cases exceed them. The M2S has been controversial, but it has also been extremely popular, and that popularity has clearly gotten the attention of other motor manufacturers. Riders want this kind of power, so it’s no surprise to see companies building products to meet that demand. We haven’t tested the latest Avinox motor yet, but we’re hoping to get our hands on the M2S along with bikes running both of these new Bafang models.

Comodule is a Dutch company specializing in Internet of Things technology that’s currently being implemented in some e-bikes. We reported last October that Comodule was partnering with Bafang to include electronic motor locks, motion detection and alarm systems, and over-the-air update capabilities.

An Amsterdam-based company called Christiania Bikes has also partnered with Comodule to add IoT connectivity and security features to its e-bikes. The bike company’s app lets riders lock their bikes, track location, and receive notifications if the bike is moved.

Comodule reports that only around 35% of Christiania’s bikes have this technology, and many owners have yet to pair their bikes with the app. Of the group that has, 90% either prevented a theft after getting a notification or recovered the bike after it was stolen.

Our Take:

This is one case study, but it lines up with what we’ve seen. Roughly half of the e-bikes we test now have some level of location tracking built in. Aventon’s bikes are probably the most robustly equipped at the moment, with the brand’s smart ACU module, electronic locks, and GPS tracking over 4G networks. Velotric is a step down, with both Apple and Android Find My compatibility plus NFC security cards. Brands like Ride1Up that offer Apple Find My are the next rung, and the lowest level is a security passcode for the pedal assist system. None of this replaces a good lock, and a lock is still better than nothing. The best setup is a lock used in combination with any of the above. We’re looking forward to testing Bafang and Comodule’s systems, and we’d encourage more brands to build similar technology into their bikes.

Trek has launched the District+, a step-thru city bike available in Europe across seven spec tiers. Every version gets a Bosch mid-drive and an MIK-compatible cargo rack, with buyers choosing between the Active Line Plus motor at 60 Nm of torque and the Performance Line motor at 75 Nm. Battery options include 360 Wh, 540 Wh, and 600 Wh packs.

Drivetrain choices cover a Shimano CUES 9- or 10-speed chain drive along with 5- or 7-speed Shimano Nexus gear hubs in either belt or chain configurations. All models feature an adjustable stem, a 63mm Suntour suspension fork, Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes, and a removable, lockable battery.

The lineup comes in four frame sizes and three color options, with integrated lights and fenders across the board. The Bosch systems bring motor tuning, navigation, and other connected features. Pricing ranges from 2,300 pounds to 3,000 pounds.

Our Take:

These bikes are encouraging on two fronts: adaptability and affordability. Trek is clearly trying to appeal to consumers by competing more directly with direct-to-consumer companies, and that’s a good thing for buyers. The District+ also fills a real void. Trek’s urban lineup has been somewhat lacking since the company discontinued the Allant+ line, so it’s good to see the category getting attention again. We just hope to see these bikes here in the US.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer is hosting an e-bike and e-moto buyback event on Sunday, September 13th at Angel Stadium. Residents who surrender bikes will receive gift cards from stores including Target, Walmart, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, with amounts varying by vehicle type. Pocket bikes and homemade miniature bikes get $200, Class 1 e-bikes get $300, Class 2 gets $400, Class 3 gets $600, and e-motorcycles get $1,000. The first 75 people to turn in a bike also receive tickets to a Los Angeles Angels game, and there will be giveaways and e-bike safety information available to the public.

Residents can turn in bikes anonymously, the bikes can be in any condition, and no questions will be asked. According to a press release, the gift cards are funded through asset forfeiture funds, meaning money seized by law enforcement from criminal enterprises. The stated goal is reducing injuries and deaths among kids in Orange County, as incidents have risen by 430% over the last four years in Southern California.

The buyback is one of several approaches the DA’s Office is taking. It established an e-bike and e-moto task force called RIDE SAFELY, which has filed child endangerment charges against four parents who allowed their kids to ride illegal e-motos. It also filed involuntary manslaughter charges against another parent whose son hit and killed an 81-year-old Vietnam veteran while riding an e-moto. Spitzer has sent formal warnings to over 80 businesses about the legal requirements for selling e-bikes and electric motorcycles, and those businesses now face periodic inspections. Citing the California Statewide Integrated Traffic Record System, the DA’s press release notes that children between the ages of 11 and 14 account for 61.7% of e-motorcycle crashes, despite the fact that children under 16 are legally prohibited from riding them.

Our Take:

We understand what the DA’s Office is trying to do here, and the crash numbers are hard to argue with. Our concern is the scope. We’d like to see the focus stay on illegal vehicles rather than legal e-bikes that follow the 3-Class system, since those two categories aren’t creating the same problems. If you own a legal e-bike you no longer want, there might be some benefit in turning it in for a gift card. We’d just suggest selling it on Facebook Marketplace or a similar platform instead, since you’ll almost certainly come out ahead.

The Po Campo Vernon MIK Bike Trunk Bag is an MIK-compatible bag that locks into place on an MIK cargo rack. It’s sized for a change of clothes on a day trip, a lunch on the way to work, or a few groceries on the way home.

The bag is made from waterproof materials, with the liner made from recycled plastic bottles. It holds 15.7L and has 10 pockets total, some with zipper closures and others with elastic. With an optional shoulder strap, it converts into a wearable cross-body bag. There are two patterns available: we have the Tropical Nights version, but a plain Black Ripstop option is also offered.

The MIK version runs $160. If your rack isn’t MIK compatible, Po Campo also sells a universal version for $99.

Image Source: Po Campo

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