Imagine the kinds of rooty, rocky, horror fests reserved for bravest or craziest and thats where youll likely find the Bullit. But which bike is the right one for you? Some bikes have been previously featured in our group tests due to multi-year development cycles, but how much sense does it make to test a bike like the Cannondale Moterra Neo for the umpteenth time if nothing has changed except for small details in the spec with a successor likely due to replace it soon anyway? MD; Backorder. This change was obviously made to accommodate the motor, and it doesn't give the Altitude Powerplay a vastly different ride than RMB's other trail/enduro bikes. The discrepancy between motor displays couldnt be greater: The test field has everything on offer, from year-old displays with the sparse functionality and look of a Tamagotchi, to modern displays with numerous features, to minimalist, fully integrated concepts where the display is no longer present at all. The carbon frame is also nicely crafted. We have a clear goal: to help you find the right bike for you and your needs. At the start of the new season, we test the highlight bikes of the new season to find the best eMTB of the year. Despite the ratings, the review itself is crucial, because thats where we explain the bikes character traits in detail and give you a deeper understanding of the sum of the bikes parts. Anything else would be misleading and besides being unfair to some brands, we would be patronising our readers. If I was being really picky, Id suggest the seat tube angle could be steeper. Here well be diving into our experience of testing the second-from-the-top model; the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70. On the front wheel we recommend a robust casing for puncture protection in combination with the softest rubber compound for more grip. However, it reveals weaknesses in steep terrain and at high speed. However, there is still some mechanical noise and vibration thats caused by the idler and lower chainguide. Fortunately, the industry is becoming more and more aware that reality is usually much more complex and that a bike, its capabilities and its characteristics cannot be expressed in numbers alone. We are convinced that more than 700 Wh in the tank isnt necessary for a trail all-rounder like the one we are looking for in this test. The YT DECOY MX CORE 4 is equipped with the Shimano EP8 motor in combination with the small 540 Wh battery, which was introduced at the beginning of 2019. Actually, the rule here is: more is more! Long climbs are suddenly much easier. Rocky Mountain Powerplay eMTB Review - YouTube And thats a good reflection of the market! Tires are elementary. Blamed for everything from trail conflicts to lazy riders, theyve been disparaged from the days of their genesis in 2014. After some experimentation, I settled back on the neutral position. Exceptions are last years test winners and best buys. Ive not suffered a single puncture throughout testing, and while there a number of small dents in the rear rim, the tough tyres and CushCore inserts have shielded them from the worst abuse. Your personal setup and the factory settings of the suspension fork and shock from the bike manufacturer also play a major role. This isnt possible with the MERIDA, SCOTT and ROTWILD. Of course, price plays a role for most of you. Remaining: 76%. A steeper seat tube angle would no doubt improve the seated climbing position, but it would affect the riding position and likely compromise comfort elsewhere. Indeed cornering is unquestionablyone of this bikes strongest suits, and it manages to achieve that without a 27.5in rear wheel. 2020 Santa Cruz Heckler Carbon CC X01 RSV E-Bike. Purpose-built and race-proven, it's the ultimate enduro weapon for demolishing steep trails and making every session faster. Rubber compound, tread, tire width and casing all influence performance and each decision has specific advantages and disadvantages. But dont look now because things are starting to change. eBay Kleinanzeigen - Kostenlos. Test VTT Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alu 50 2019 : vlo Enduro In this group test, there are considerable differences in terms of grip, steering precision, traction and puncture protection, which also influence the handling, riding experience and feeling of safety. As you can see, tires are a complex issue. Even though almost all motors have a rated power of 250 W, huge differences become apparent on the trail. This is because the guts of the Dyname 4.0 are spinning at a lower RPM, producing a lower pitch and generally less volume overall. In terms of connectivity and customisability of the motor system, it sets the tone in the test field together with the Specialized S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL. Press Fit BB. The most important factors to consider when investing in an electric mountain bike are battery power, charging times, and hub drives versus mid-drives. Rocking a mullet design 29-inch wheel up front and 27.5-er in back Marins first foray into eMTBs is a lovable joyride. Out of stock. This allows riders to tweak the BB height by up to 10mm, and adjust the angles by 0.8. For efficient charging, the best bet is to set a reminder to charge your bike up the night before a ride: set it and forget it until the morning of your adventure. On bikes with Shimano or Specialized motors, the support levels of the motor can be adjusted to suit your personal needs via the app. It is also not the right choice for beginners due to its demanding handling. As you can see, we didnt make the win quite as easy to determine as it would be in a world championship. Thanks to its strong riding performance and intuitive handling, it is suitable for beginners as well as experienced trail acrobats. In our annual group test, in which we search for the best eMTB of the year, we tested and compared the 13 most exciting and hottest eMTBs of the season. If you want to chase over trails at high speed, it wont be. Torque also has a big influence. 2019 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay A70 E-mtb, Emtb - $4,000 craigslist - Map data OpenStreetMap bicycle frame material: aluminum bicycle type: mountain brake type: disc (hydraulic) condition: excellent electric assist: pedal assist frame size: Large make / manufacturer: Rocky Mountain suspension: frame and fork (full suspension) EMTBs are delicate, high-tech devices that need regular maintenance and care. The perfect suspension offers safety, reserves, comfort, control and enough feedback from the ground to actively manouevre the bike across the trail. To help you answer all these questions and more, we present the most important battery concepts in detail in this article. Given all the updates, I was curious to see how the proprietary motor would perform alongside all the other e-MTBs weve been testing lately. And while the big 38 is a great match, providing a solid and secure platform up front, it isnt as supple or as well supported compared to the higher-end versions that feature the more complex GRIP2 damper. It also features a shorter 150mm travel fork, and an extended lower headset cup to balance out the ride height. Confirmed weight for our Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 was 24.12kg, weighed without pedals. Of note is that the Altitude Powerplay and Instinct Powerplay frames are virtually identical. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition in Review The Altitude Powerplay is a lot of bike and there's a lot to like about it. SPECS ROCKY MOUNTAIN ALTITUDE POWERPLAY CARBON 70 MSRP: $7400, 6000 Motor: Rocky Mountain proprietary Battery: 48V/1,632 Wh Charge time: 4 hours (80% in 2 hours) Top speed: 15.5 mph/25 km/h (with assist) Range: 25-45 miles (40-70 km) Drive: SRAM EX1 Brakes: SRAM Guide RE, 200mm front/rear Controls: Rocky Mountain proprietary, plus Ebikemotion app Despite its reduced torque, the EP8 RS motor provides enough power at high cadences to easily keep up with the standard Shimano or even the current Bosch motor. A fast trail ride with maximum support, a long tour, commuting, an excursion with a child or dog trailer, low support to optimise the range people use their eMTBs in different, sometimes contradictory ways, and it makes sense to be able to adjust the motor individually beyond just the available support modes. Compare: 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 vs Specialized It certainly soaks up awkward landings well, and I never once encountered a harsh bottom-out. Best for steep and technical terrain, the Shuttle survives on the uphill and thrives on the down. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 | Dyname 4.0/720 Wh | 170/160 mm (f/r) 24.5 kg in size L | 8,800 | Click for review ROTWILD R.E375 PRO | Shimano EP8/375 Wh | 170/160 mm (f/r) 19,68 kg in size L | 8.999 | Click for review SCOR 4060 Z ST XT | Shimano EP8/720 Wh | 150/140 mm (f/r) 22,74 kg in size L | 8.299 | Click for review The change made an immediate improvement to weight distribution, improving stability on the descents and offering balanced grip between the front and rear wheels. The pursuit of maximum battery capacity Is the bike industry moving in the wrong direction? They may have changed since then. Drailleur AR. MSRP: $6,500; MODEL YEAR: 2023; Read Review. Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain. By reading changes in the chain tension, this sensor gives a direct line of communication with the motor output, delivering a near-instantaneous response. Its no doubt a much better looking bike, and it presents an appealing package with a different approach to the Specialized Levos, Merida eOne-Sixtys and Trek Rails that typically dominate our local trail centres. The Jumbotron does allow you to personalise the motors assistance levels and Boost character though, which well touch on in a bit. - CushCore inserts as standard The problem: if you exceed the maximum permissible weight, this can have consequences for warranty and guarantee claims. Compare: 2022 Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Carbon 70 vs Altitude A 630 watt-hour battery, Shimano motor and quality components round out this jack of all trails. The quality and type of pads also play a decisive role when it comes to powerful braking. The bikes in the test field not only differ enormously in their intended use and character but also in their battery concepts. Compared to the previous model, the new Altitude Powerplay updates to a trendy mid-high pivot suspension design, with the main pivot sitting 100mm north of the BB. Despite its small 375 Wh battery, the ROTWILD R.E375 ULTRA has a Shimano motor with plenty of power. The search for the best eMTB was exciting and a close call. What counts is a good combination of modulation, stability, braking power, adjustability, heat resistance and control. While Ive found the long chainstay setting to work beautifully for my height and riding style, I do wonder how taller riders on the Large and XL frame sizes will find the rear centre length. There are also differences between the individual motors and bikes when it comes to motor noise under full load. A useful method to determine where you can ride your e-bike is to determine which class it belongs to: there are three, each with its own restrictions and designations when it comes to trail access. As with the shock, removing a single volume spacer opened up the travel and improved deep-stroke reactivity. Where you can usually win with the fastest time or the most goals, there are many factors that contribute to deciding which bike to buy, and everyone weighs them differently. The low and central centre of mass is one of the main reasons for the outstanding handling of the Orbea Rise. These spikes can be many times the rated power. This is accessed in a tuning menu through the Jumbotron display, and you have five levels on offer, with the default setting from the factory being 0. It didnt quite have what it takes to win the test, but thanks to its great price-performance ratio, the Orbea Rise M-Team deservedly wins the Best Buy! The lower motor output, throttled down to 60 Nm from the Shimano EP8s usual 85 Nm, allows for a small 360 Wh battery without a significant reduction in range compared to a Bosch league eMTB. The future of eMTBs doesnt just look promising, it also looks versatile. My only other concern is with the rear end length. Does it suit you or not? The 750 Wh battery can be removed to the side in typical Trek fashion. Weve summarised what this can cost per year and what you need to bear in mind. Every bike from size L upwards should have space for at least 170 mm. There are sliding scales at the end of each review, giving you a visual representation of the bikes handling. That said, lots of power isnt necessarily better, as you will read further on. Rocky M In our search for the all-rounder with the best overall package of handling, motor performance, battery capacity, weight and trail performance, we have also considered the questions you should ask yourself before buying. Full Sealed Cartridge Bearings. The test field is a real cross-section of the market offering the best, most interesting, exciting and relevant bikes for trail use. Top 10: Die besten Fully E-MTBs 2019? - Velomotion Who are the people behind the testing and what do they look for in their perfect bike? It not only covers a huge range of application but was also the strongest competitor to the test winner, the YETI 160E T1. It is unbeaten in technical uphill terrain and also feels most comfortable downhill on challenging and fast trails. But out in the real world, this can backfire and make many bikes worse for trail use. Software also has a huge influence on the riding experience and on the differences between the motors. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70, - Superb handling is up for anything If you value easier handling and more riding fun, you have to find the right balance less is often more. E. Rubbee X e-bike conversion kit . In terms of ergonomics, Bosch bring up the rear. The higher the ratings on the scales at the end of each review, the better the bike is in these areas. Among all the specialists, there are also a few true all-rounders that cut a fine figure in almost every situation these are the contenders for the title of Best eMTB of 2022. We also provide a lot of specialist knowledge, behind the scenes information and a report on the hottest trends all of this is wrapped in a high quality print format. . Here are the tops, flops, winners, losers and further recommendations. If youre an experienced rider looking for more juice, the Powerplay is your play. The E-MOUNTAINBIKE Print Edition 2022 is our fifth annual edition and the ultimate guide in your search for the perfect eMTB. Related Articles First impressions - The Ibis Oso Ride Review. Their ever popular line of E-Bikes, the Rocky Mountain Powerplay, feature spec upgrades on many models along with an expanded Instinct BC line. Whats the best eMTB of 2021? However, Ive listed the results for the second experiment here, as I feel thats a closer indication of how it compares to the other e-MTBs Ive done this test with, which all had their motor settings maxed out. With the exception of the Dyname and Brose motor in the Levo, all motors in the test field rattle, some more, some less, loudly. Top! We are looking for the best all-rounder that can take on any trail! To manage that sensitivity, the new motor features a revamped torque curve that gradually applies power up to a maximum output of 770W. Whats the best eMTB and how do I find it? Last years Best Buy and the cheapest bike (7,199) in the test field, it was unable to defend the title. Inside Rocky Mountain's Unique Powerplay E-Bike Motors Hub-drive motors are located in the front or rear wheel of the bike and apply force directly to the drivetrain via the pedaling inputs of the bike. There are five options in total in the 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay lineup, three of which feature carbon frames and two that use alloy frames. - Masses of torque on tap This differs to my experience of riding other e-MTBs, where Ill typically only ride in the Eco or Trail modes on technical ascents. Specialized e-MTBs tend to be very good at converting uneven pedalling inputs into a very smooth and linear motor output. By Jeremy Benson, Joshua Hutchens, Chris McNamara Jun . In fact, the 437mm rear centre length is identical between the two bikes, and should be noted as being incredibly short for an e-MTB with 29in wheels and 160mm of rear travel. These stop providing assistance after the bike reaches 20mph or more. Read the new issue of E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine now. At 95 kg, am I already too heavy for my eMTB? No! The geometry is confidence-inspiring on the descents and still agile enough when singletrack is narrow. We planned the test route based on your preferred riding style and terrain as indicated in our reader survey of over 16,000 participants. If you put the specs and marketing slogans aside and examine the characters of each of the bikes, you will find a model for almost every riding style and terrain in this test. Rocky Mountain completely redesigned the system for 2020 with version 4.0, and it powers the electric-assist Powerplay line. Become an E-MOUNTAINBIKE supporter and lets shape the bike scene together and make E-MOUNTAINBIKE(n) even better! Other bikes are capable of covering an equally wide range of applications while also outperforming the MERIDA in individual specialisations. Electric Mountain Bikes: Full Suspension & Hardtail eBikes - Jenson USA Price plays a subordinate role because, understandably, manufacturers debut the most exciting technologies and concepts in their flagship models. The 9Barista Espresso Machine Premium espresso to-go. A clever modular concept can be a sensible alternative to a standard system with a 630 Wh battery. It is fun to ride on flow trails and the suspension and high touring comfort are also a strength. If you think, Cool!, we have to disappoint you. *with range extender In general, it is important to choose a tire that suits the area of use and your personal needs, so that it fits you and your bike. A similar inflection point has hit cycling on a much larger scale. Our reader survey showed that three brands are particularly interesting and important to you: Specialized, Haibike and CUBE. Comparison of Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 50 and Specialized Turbo Its recommended to set up the rear shock with 30-35% sag, and Rockys suggested pressure of 190psi for my 68kg weight proved to be spot-on, putting me at the lower end of that sag range. Troy Lee Designs Flowline and Flowline SE MTB Helmet A reasonable successor? Firstly, this motor is incredibly responsive. However, there is no navigation system that comes close to the Bosch Nyon in this test field. Whichever is your favourite, its important that the display and remote are in a protected position and that they are intuitive and ergonomic to use. Easy installation. The Most Powerful Class 1 Emtb We Have Ever Tested: Rocky Mountain'S Specialized hevder det skal kunne gi deg inntil seks timer, eller 120 kilometer assistert sykling - dette vil selvflgelig vre avhengig av hvordan du bruker motoren og . But FOCUS, MERIDA and Orbea also offer a considerable margin with 124 kg and 117 kg respectively. The slightly rearward axle path eats up square edges nicely, and keeps the rear wheel decidedly connected to terra firma. Specifications: Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Frame FORM Alloy. And arm pump after a long run is also reduced (click here for an explanation of the term For a better overview, we present all 13 bikes and their tops and flops below. The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay is the biggest and baddest e-MTB that Rocky has ever built. Preventing the front from lifting on technical climbs requires a lot of physical effort as you have to shift . - 8-way adjustable geometry Particularly on the front, better traction outweighs minimally higher rolling resistance. We dont re-invite such bikes every time. Noise is also comparable to Bosch, and is significantly less whiney than a Shimano EP8 motor. They're here to stay and getting better every day. . On the bikes with Specialized and Dyname 4.0 motors, the display is elegantly integrated into the top tube. These New Bikes Prove Electric Need Not Be Ugly, There's Nothing Else Like this $2,000 Gravel Bike, The Best Bike Pumps for Every Type of Rider, This Throwback MTB Punches Well Above Its Weight, The Tiny Earbuds Are the Future of Wireless Hi-Fi, The Last-Chance Presidents' Day Furniture Sales, You've Never Heard of 2022's Most-Awarded Whiskey. For the front we recommend a tire up to 2.6 wide with puncture-proof MAXXIS Doubledown or Schwalbe Super Gravity casing and 3C MaxxGrip or ADDIX Ultra Soft (purple) respectively. 10 people spent 9 days in Tuscany, including sun, sea, awesome trails, arm pump and dolce vita. The suspension of a full suspension eMTB is only good if it suits your own riding style. Firstly, big kudos to Rocky Mountain for providing a masterfully detailed online manual for the Altitude and Instinct Powerplay models, which contains lots of useful information on setup, including baseline shock pressures and damper settings. Specialized does about $500 million in annual revenue, Rocky does around $40 million. Its a heavy bike after all, and the deceleration is noticeable when the motor isnt engaged. However, due to current production and delivery difficulties, some manufacturers, including Haibike, CUBE and BULLS were unable to provide a bike. The Altitudes kinematic is indeed very progressive, which provides a heap of big-hit support that will no doubt suit the freeriding Vanderhams and Simmons out there. However, there are some compromises when it comes to stability through fast trail sections and traction. There are huge differences not only in motor power, but also in battery capacity for bikes that are aimed at similar applications: models like the Specialized Kenevo SL Light eMTB with a 360 Wh battery and 35 Nm torque output, take a different approach with less battery capacity and sometimes less motor power, while manufacturers like Norco, packing 900 Wh, exhaust all possibilities to integrate as much juice into the down tube as possible. Lying there, pinned under his superior strength, you had the gut-wrenching realization that life would never be the same. Also occasional bike park use with a lift 10 29 comments Add a Comment briar141c 2 yr. ago It is also the only bike in the test field that is truly quiet downhill. The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 50, and Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy are all aluminum frame full suspension mountain e-bikes. Thats a hefty amount of riding, and more often that not Id run out of steam well before the battery ran out. If you want to know more about what has caused this, you can find all the information here. Thanks to integrated batteries, top-end eMTBs can even be hard to differentiate from traditional gravel or mountain bikes. As for rebound damping, I set both the adjusters on fork and shock a click or two slower than halfway. This is the best way to find out which battery concept suits you. Instead of always riding with a large battery capacity and the associated weight, its very practical to be able to increase capacity with an additional external battery, whenever you need greater range. Until my scheduled shin transplant pans out, its difficult for me to say. Puncture protection is even more important on the rear wheel than on the front, so a puncture-proof casing is a must. To get some more concrete numbers though, I subjected the Altitude Powerplay to our standardised shuttle range test. We also want to test them in the way you ride and use them in the real world otherwise our work wouldnt make any sense. Like the longer travel Altitude, it gets the new motor and Ride-4 chip. YT have the highest payload in the test field at 127 kg. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 (Shimano) In other words, we go into the test knowing that some bikes will score a ten on the scale for a certain characteristic, whereas others will get zero or just one point for the same characteristic. Unfortunately it doesnt have a clock a simple but much appreciated feature that we love about the MasterMind TCU display on the new Levo. Become a supporter now! Featuring a claimed progression of 44.1%, which is very high, the frame is compatible with both coil shocks and high volume air shocks. Bikes come shipped from the factory in position three (also known as neutral), and these are the key numbers it delivers; Adjusting the Ride-4 geometry chip is even quicker than the dropouts, with only a single 5mm hex key required. Nonetheless, thanks to the brilliant handling of eMTB mode and the easily controllable Turbo mode, we are still huge fans of the Bosch Performance Line CX motor! Also new is a slim controller by the left hand grip, and a display unit thats integrated into the frames top tube. We strive to present the character of each bike in a clear and easily understandable way. 2019 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay A70 E-mtb, Emtb With smaller frame sizes or frames with a kink in the seat tube, insertion depth can often be a limiting factor. My only complaint is that the 150mm dropper post felt on the short side, limiting how much I could move around the bike when jumping or bombing down much steeper sections of trail. Thanks to the small internal 360 Wh battery and the additional 252 Wh range extender, which is placed into the bottle cage, weight remains centrally positioned even with a total 612 Wh capacity. Customized for the Rocky Mountain as the Powerplay 3.0, this motor system is an interesting addition in the fray of electric bike motors. It rolls on 29in wheels, and it's equipped with a 170mm travel fork and 160mm of rear travel. With this group test, we provide answers to the most important questions when buying and help you invest your hard-earned money in the right place and prevent you from making the wrong purchase. TESTED: Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 Rocky Mountain's Powerplay platform is now in its fourth iteration and sees some major changes to geometry, kinematics, and overall user experience. Tailles dispo. Or is the industry moving in the wrong direction? So, if you want to choose your bike not just according to body size but also on the basis of the handling youre after, you should take a closer look at these bikes. In the end, everyone has to decide for themselves which handling compromises they want to accept in favour of more battery capacity. - Seat angle could be steeper
For us, stone-baked pizza, a fresh ocean breeze and good espresso are just as much part of a successful day on the bike as flow on varied singletrack, the occasional adrenaline spike and high-fives at the end of the trail. That bike has a remarkable ability to insulate your feet from whats going on underneath the wheels, leading to a cloud-like ride quality. The all new Altitude is now rolling on 29" wheels and is sure to be one of the best Enduro bikes on the market. However, it could no longer defend its title. With most motors, using the full-powered Boost/Turbo mode tends to be overwhelming, dominating the ride and making the bike difficult to control. That is A LOT of power, but Rocky has worked hard to make the motors output as directly proportional to rider input as possible, so its more like a dimmer switch than an on/off button. However, if you adhere to the maximum payload of some bikes, we are almost all too heavy to ride them!