Avinox’s biggest rival is starting to hit the market: Gobao now has its first e-MTB

The presentation of Gobao during Eurobike 2026 was one of the great surprises of the fair. The Chinese manufacturer arrived with a new generation of motors for e-bikes, including an X1P with integrated transmission that, due to its performance and technology, immediately positioned itself as one of the most serious rivals to Avinox. But at that time, no commercial bike had yet been announced to use it.

Three months later, that situation has just changed. The German company Alutech has officially presented the ePelmo X1P, the first e-MTB officially announced with the new Gobao X1P, and its arrival is just the beginning. The motor manufacturer is opening its technology to OEMs, and all signs point to new projects around its systems emerging in the coming months.

The Gobao X1P now has its first commercial bike

When we first saw the Gobao X1P at Eurobike, its figures caught attention by themselves: 150 Nm of maximum torque, up to 1,500 W of peak power, and a continuously variable eCVT transmission integrated within the unit. But the proposal went much further than just offering a lot of power.

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Gobao had integrated the motor and transmission into a single unit located around the bottom bracket. This way, the cassette and rear derailleur disappear, while a belt can take care of transmitting power to the wheel. The system offers a 500% range and can automatically adjust the gearing based on parameters such as cadence, speed, or load. It also allows for a manual mode.

Now Alutech has been the first to turn that technological demonstration into an e-MTB that can be purchased. The new Alutech ePelmo X1P is an aluminum e-Enduro with 170 mm of travel front and rear and a configuration completely developed around the Gobao system.

This is not simply about adapting the motor to the existing Pelmo frame. Alutech explains that it has redesigned a good part of the frame and even developed its own tensioner for the Gates belt. The result completely eliminates the cassette, chain, and rear derailleur.

Alutech ePelmo X1P: main features

• Gobao X1P motor with integrated eCVT transmission
• 150 Nm of maximum torque
• Up to 1,500 W of peak power
• 3.85 kg weight for the drive unit
• 500% transmission range
• Gates belt
• Removable 750 Wh battery weighing 3.6 kg
• 170 mm of front and rear travel
• Wheels in mullet configuration 29"/27.5"
• Adjustable chainstays between 437/438 and 450 mm depending on size
• ASTM Category 5 certification
• Four sizes

The bike is already available for pre-order, and Alutech places the first deliveries between late March and early April 2027. The first Launch Edition will be limited to 50 units.

Gobao begins to show where it wants to go

The arrival of this first bike becomes more significant when observing what Gobao has been showcasing over the past few months.

In addition to the X1P, at Eurobike we got to know the Gobao P100 and P120, two motors designed with the same mounting points as the popular Shimano EP8 and EP801. Their approach allows a manufacturer to use frames designed around that architecture and mount a complete Gobao system with its own motor, battery, display, controls, and wiring. It is precisely that flexibility that could become one of the company's main strengths.

Gobao does not present itself solely as a motor manufacturer. The company itself offers OEMs complete solutions that include the drive unit, battery, charger, display, connectivity, application, and even customization options for the system and its integration with the frame.

In fact, working behind other brands would not be something new for the company. Gobao has already participated in the development of systems for Hepha, and its strategy precisely involves providing platforms that other manufacturers can customize and integrate into their bikes.