The Paprika 53 Model 25 is the first e-gravel bike powered by DJI's Avinox motor
e-gravel gets powerful and even lighter.
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When it was released at Eurobike 2024, DJI's Avinox drive system shook up the e-mountain bike space. The brand not only managed to package big power in a lightweight system but also brought serious integration. However, Paprika 53 shows that such power isn't reserved just for e-MTBs, as the brand has unveiled its DJI-powered Model 25 GT.
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Although it's certainly novel to find DJI's Avinox M1 120Nm, 1,000W (peak) motor in a gravel bike, Paprika 53 recognises that all-out power isn't the only thing that makes an e-gravel bike exciting. Gravel takes riders over all kinds of surfaces. Still, very few are smooth and with all of that power between a rider's legs, they're going to be going at some speed, so all of those imperfections and vibrations are going to be amplified, Paprika 53 says.
With that in mind, the brand has built the bike to provide comfort over such terrains at higher speeds than usual, and a lot of that compliance looks to have been achieved through the bike's componentry. Up front is RockShox's Rudy Ultimate XPLR A2 suspension fork. There's also a RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post to get the saddle out of the way when things get especially rowdy, but it also has the ActiveRide technology that provides a touch of compliance when dropped slightly.
2025 paprika 53 hero 2.jpg, by Liam Mercer
At the cockpit, there's a custom handlebar with a 25-degree flare to provide control while the motor launches the rider to breakneck speeds.
As for compliance, that's built in too. That can be seen in the small dip located on the top tube that not only provides space for saddle height adjustment, but the brand claims that it encourages a smidgeon of flex to take the edge off harsh chatter.
The rest of the build uses high-end kit. Present is SRAM's X01 Eagle AXS drivetrain with Force eTap AXS brakes. The Model 25 GT then rolls on a pair of unnamed custom carbon wheels wrapped in Maxxis Rambler 50mm tyres.
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