First production Velduro Rogue eMTB hits the trails in China
Velduro ambassador Jamie Garrod joined our China team for an epic testing mission across Yunnan Province and the Tibetan Plateau, putting the first production Rogue eMTBs through their paces on some of the most demanding terrain imaginable.
September 2025 marked a massive milestone for Velduro. Our first production run of Rogue enduro eMTBs rolled off the manufacturing line, and we needed to know they were ready for anything riders could throw at them. So we arranged for Jamie to meet up with our China crew and test these bikes the only way that matters on real trails, in real conditions, with real riders.
What unfolded over two weeks became something bigger than just product testing. It became a story about collaboration, adventure, and what's possible when you build bikes with a truly global perspective.
Built on Partnership
Velduro's foundation is a partnership between Kiwi and Chinese founders who've been collaborating in the e-bike industry for over 17 years. That relationship isn't just about manufacturing. It's about combining New Zealand's rider-focused design philosophy with China's world-class engineering expertise and innovation.
This trip brought that collaboration full circle. Jamie, our first New Zealand ambassador, testing production bikes alongside our China team on trails that showcase exactly why this partnership works.
From Dali to the Tibetan Plateau
The testing route took Jamie and the crew through three distinct mountain regions across Yunnan Province and up to Shangri-La on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
Starting in Dali at 2,000m elevation, Jamie built up his Rogue and tackled technical trails, mixing rocky sections with flowy singletrack. "First impressions, this baby is going amazing," he said after those initial rides. The bike handled slippery roots, chunky rock gardens, and cliff edge exposure without complaint.
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park near Lijiang ramped things up to 3,600m. Local riders from the Dali Enduro crew joined in, running shuttle support through loose descents and fast-flowing sections. The altitude made itself known, but the Rogue kept climbing.
Shangri-La brought the ultimate test at 4,447m, Jamie's highest elevation ever. "Oh, this is why I came to China. Epic," he said surveying the massive mountains. Two days of riding here included descents dropping over 1,200m through river valleys and ancient forest, all while the thin air made even talking difficult.
China's Growing MTB Scene
One surprise from Jamie's videos was how developed China's mountain biking scene has become. Trail networks, local riding crews, organised shuttles, and serious trail building across Yunnan Province point to a rapidly growing MTB culture. The Dali Enduro team and riders in Lijiang aren't just out for casual spins. They're building trails, running events, and creating legitimate mountain biking destinations that deserve more international attention.
Real World Testing
This wasn't a product photoshoot with perfectly prepped bikes on manicured trails. This was two weeks of genuinely testing whether the production Rogue could handle what riders actually encounter.
The bikes climbed sustained steep grades at an altitude where oxygen is scarce. They descended loose, chunky rock gardens that sent smaller stones flying. They handled exposure on cliff edges where mistakes aren't an option. They powered through mud, forded streams, and navigated everything from polished roots to sharp granite.
Jamie's feedback throughout confirmed what the Rogue's development process had indicated. The i-track suspension system ate up rough terrain. The DJI Avinox motor delivered predictable, controllable power even at extreme altitude. The carbon frame handled the abuse without complaint.
"The bike feels good. Suspension's good," became a recurring theme in Jamie's commentary. Even when trails got properly rowdy with off-camber sections, water crossings, and unexpected obstacles, the Rogue kept performing.
Watch the Journey
Jamie documented the entire adventure through his New Zealand Mountain Biking channel, creating a three-part series that captures both the riding and the experience of mountain biking in China's stunning mountain regions.
Watch Episode 1 above, then catch the full series on Jamie's channel to see the complete story from Dali to 4,400m altitude.
Tested Where It Counts
The production Rogues that Jamie tested in China are now shipping to riders across New Zealand and expanding globally through partners like Vola Bikes in Spain and dealers across Europe and Australia. Every bike benefits from this kind of real world testing, where feedback from challenging terrain directly shapes how we build and tune our eMTBs. Jamie's back in Rotorua continuing to push his custom Rogue build on New Zealand trails, and the insights keep coming. This is how Velduro does product development. No shortcuts, no marketing fluff. Just bikes tested hard in the places that matter, by riders who know what performance actually means.
