Small package, big impact: that’s the story behind Maxon’s new Air S mid‑drive motor. On the surface, it looks almost identical to the original Air: sleek, nearly invisible, and designed to disappear into your bike’s frame. But beneath this minimalist exterior is a dramatic leap in capability.
Now the torque has nearly tripled, soaring to 90 Nm, all while keeping total system weight to just 3.8 kg, (8.4 lb) including the motor and 400 Wh battery.
We’ve seen smaller motors popping up here and there lately, but not mid-drives quite like this.
Just 100 g (0.22 lb) heavier than the original Air yet tripling the performance, the Air S delivers up to 90 Nm of torque and 620 W of peak power, catapulting it into the realm of powerful mid‑drive motors built for demanding trail performance. That’s the same torque you’d expect from some of the strongest mid‑drive motors in modern electric mountain biking, yet in a package that’s still feather‑light.
Why it matters for lightweight e-bikes
As New Atlas recently pointed out, these motors are enabling super lightweight builds that previously weren’t possible: Bikes using the Air S, like the Thömus Lightrider E‑Max or Instinctiv’s Ocelot, tip the scales at barely 15 kg (33 lb), far lighter than typical full-suspension e‑MTBs, thanks largely to the slender motor and integrated battery design.
With torque now hitting 90 Nm, up from just that meager 30 Nm on the original, the Air S now delivers serious climbing power without the bulk. This brings light-assist bikes into full‑power territory, making acceleration and steep terrain feel effortless. Previously, ultra-lightweight e-bikes made serious compromises on power to achieve that level of near weightlessness. But now, they can actually compete on power, too.
Maxon’s unique split‑cylinder configuration also allows the motor to remain visually discreet. Combined with frame‑integrated batteries (400 Wh to start, with a 600 Wh option reportedly on the way), the system preserves clean lines and low weight. Many e-bikes sporting the motor simply won’t even look like e-bikes to the casual observer.
With the Air S, Maxon has struck a rare balance: ultralight design without compromise on torque. It catapults lightweight e-bikes into a new performance bracket, granting riders both agility and power. If you’ve long dreamed of an e-bike that feels like a mountain goat on the climb yet disappears under 16 kg, the Air S is probably your motor.
The trail-ready future is lighter, leaner, and looks ready to race uphill.
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