AMZcycle Paladin Electric XC Mountain Bike

The Paladin is AMZcycle's XC mountain bike, and it's the only one in the lineup built around a full suspension fork from RockShox. That changes the use case significantly compared to everything else they make. You can take this bike places that would be uncomfortable or outright sketchy on a hardtail gravel bike — rooted singletrack, chunky trail descents, loose rocky climbs. It's still Class 1 (pedal assist, 20 mph cap), which keeps it legal on most trail systems where motor-assisted bikes are permitted.

It's also the most reviewed bike in the AMZcycle lineup, with real riders testing it on everything from Route 1 coastal roads to Laguna Beach mountain climbs to San Francisco hills. That feedback pattern tells you something — this is a bike people are actually riding hard, not just commuting on.

The Motor

Bafang M560. 48V, 500W continuous, 750W peak, 120 N·m of torque. This is a step up from the M820 used in the Ranger APEX — more power, more torque, built for the harder climbing demands of trail riding. The M560 runs a torque sensor setup that reads your pedal input rather than just cadence, so the assist is proportional and natural rather than on/off. On steep technical climbs where you're pushing hard, the motor scales with your effort. That's the difference between a system that helps you and a system that takes over.

For XC trail use, 120 N·m on a mid-drive is enough to tackle sustained grades with a full pack. The 48V system gives you more headroom for peak demand than a 36V setup — relevant when you're hitting a steep section repeatedly on a long trail day.

Battery

LG 21700 cells — 48V 15Ah, 720Wh. UL2271 certified, IPX5 rated, DC2.1 charging. LG 21700 is a high-tier cell, closely competitive with Samsung 21700 in energy density and cycle life. Realistically, 62–75 miles on mixed trail terrain with moderate assist. Push harder on steeper grades with full assist and you'll see the lower end of that range. On a trail bike where you're not necessarily going 75 miles in one session, a 720Wh pack typically means you finish the day with charge left. The 3.5" Bafang LCD display shows battery level, speed, and assist settings clearly.

The Fork: RockShox 35G

This is the detail that separates the Paladin from everything else in the AMZcycle catalog. RockShox 35G — 29", 15×110mm thru-axle, 120mm travel. The 35G is RockShox's trail-capable fork, stiffer than their entry-level options and designed for the lateral loads of actual trail riding. 120mm of travel is right in the XC/trail crossover range — enough absorption for rough terrain, not so much that you're wasting energy on climbs. The 15mm thru-axle provides significantly better stiffness and wheel tracking than a QR fork in rough terrain.

If you've ridden an XC bike with a quality suspension fork on technical trails versus a rigid gravel bike on the same trail, you already know what 120mm buys you. Less arm pump, more confident descending, better traction on loose surfaces.

Brakes: MAGURA MT5

MAGURA MT5 hydraulic disc, 4-piston. Front: 180mm MAGURA STORM MDR-C rotor, 6-bolt. Rear: 160mm. MAGURA is a German manufacturer with a long MTB pedigree — the MT5 is their mid-tier trail caliper, significantly more powerful than 2-piston flat mount calipers. Four pistons give you more stopping force and better modulation under sustained braking on long descents. The 180mm front rotor is the right call for a loaded trail e-bike — more rotor surface means better heat dissipation on extended descents. The lever specs differ front and rear: SRAM Matchmaker mount up front, Shimano I-Spec EV in the rear, which integrates with the Shimano M6100 shifter.

Drivetrain

Shimano M6100 Deore 12-speed. Shifter, rear derailleur, cassette (10–51T), chain. Deore M6100 is a well-regarded mid-tier MTB groupset — reliable, widely serviced, with parts available at any serious bike shop. The 10–51T range covers almost anything you'd attempt on a trail e-bike. The chainring is a SAMOX AL6061 38T unit (smaller than most gravel setups to help with motor efficiency at lower speeds on climbs).

Frame: Toray T800 Carbon

Full T800 carbon frame. 29" wheel size, 148×12mm thru-axle rear, Post Mount brakes, UDH hanger, FICR internal routing. Modern XC geometry with a 67° head angle — slightly slacker than a pure XC race bike, which adds trail stability without going full enduro. Weight ranges from 47.3 to 49.5 lbs depending on size (S/M/L). That's heavier than you'd see on a non-motorized XC carbon bike, but appropriate for a mid-drive e-bike with a 720Wh battery.

The T800 carbon keeps it from being heavier still — the same frame in aluminum would push 55+ lbs.

Dropper Post

KS 860i with the KS Westy 2.0 remote. 125mm or 150mm travel depending on size, air spring, 30.9mm. The remote integrates with SRAM Matchmaker and Shimano I-Spec EV, so it mounts cleanly with your brake lever without adding a separate clamp. On technical trail descents, a 125–150mm dropper is a proper component — not an afterthought.

Tires

Schwalbe Smart Sam 29×2.35". Smart Sam is Schwalbe's hardpack XC tire — optimized for rolling efficiency on packed trails with enough side bite for moderate corners. It's a reasonable stock choice for XC/trail cross-use. If you're primarily riding loose or muddy singletrack, a more aggressive tread would be an upgrade worth considering; the Smart Sam shines on drier hardpack and fire roads.

Technical Specifications

Warranty

• Frame: 5 years
• Fork: 2 years
• Motor: 12 months
• Battery: 18 months or 20,000 miles (whichever comes first)
• Display: 12 months

What's in the Box

AMZcycle Paladin Electric Bike · Assembly Toolkit · Battery & Charger · Headlight & Taillight · Display · Cable Binders · Left & Right Pedals · User Manual