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. But that doesnt mean that all bikes have to be expensive. Firstly, this motor is incredibly responsive. 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. Then you should pay close attention now! The slightly rearward axle path eats up square edges nicely, and keeps the rear wheel decidedly connected to terra firma. Motor performance is highly sensitive in all four assistance modes, with the peak power output simply being the difference between them. Noise is also comparable to Bosch, and is significantly less whiney than a Shimano EP8 motor. As you pedal, the chain tightens and pushes up against a jockey wheel, which is the main torque sensor for the system. All bikes in this test: So, the key questions we asked ourselves in this group test were: what type of rider will love this bike? For example, ROTWILD use an EightPins dropper with a stroke of up to 180 mm. 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. Price plays a subordinate role because, understandably, manufacturers debut the most exciting technologies and concepts in their flagship models. After tweaking the air volume in the fork and shock to improve traction and high-speed control, I decided to try out a variety of the Ride-4 geometry settings. Regardless of price or material, all models are equipped with the same Dyname 4.0 motor and 720Wh battery, and feature the same 8-way adjustable geometry. The perceived noise depends strongly on the resonance of the frame and varies from bike to bike. As part of our annual reader survey, more than 16,520 E-MOUNTAINBIKERS answered around 90 questions, helping us to make this test as relevant as possible! Every bike from size L upwards should have space for at least 170 mm. Like every person, every bike has its own character that inevitably embodies both strengths and weaknesses. At the other extreme, the button on top of the controller is somewhat hard to push. The majority of electric mountain bikes are equipped with lithium-ion batteries if maintained properly, these batteries can last between 3-5 years. But is more always better? Specialized e-MTBs tend to be very good at converting uneven pedalling inputs into a very smooth and linear motor output. ** without range extender For example, FOX recommends a complete service of the FOX 36 or 38 at annual intervals or after 125 hours of use whichever comes first. The Altitude Powerplay and Instinct Powerplay will be available this winter from Rocky Mountain dealers. The super varied route included steep climbs and descents, winding, straight, technical and easy sections. Rocky Mountain altitude or specialized enduro? : r/MTB Despite its small 375 Wh battery, the ROTWILD R.E375 ULTRA has a Shimano motor with plenty of power. With smaller frame sizes or frames with a kink in the seat tube, insertion depth can often be a limiting factor. On bikes with Shimano or Specialized motors, the support levels of the motor can be adjusted to suit your personal needs via the app. 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. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 Review In general, you should follow manufacturer recommendations as theyll have the most experience. As a result, an arms race for larger batteries has been taking place for years. Great dampers and high-performance components make it a fully capable whip thats functional on a wide variety of trails. 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. 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. eBay Kleinanzeigen: E Mtb E Bike, Fahrrder & Zubehr - Jetzt in Halblech finden oder inserieren! This Brand is Putting a New Spin on Massage Guns, The Best Running Jackets for Cooler Weather, Here's the Skinny on Ooni's Electric Pizza Oven, The Best New Style Releases from 2023 (So Far), All the Boxing and Fitness Gear from Creed III, Tesla Investor Day: 5 Things You Need to Know, Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition. First of all: you cant have whichever remote you want. At the start of the new season, we test the highlight bikes of the new season to find the best eMTB of the year. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 Bike 2023 (1) Award Winner . There have been some small rolling changes to the Altitude Powerplay in that time, but the 2022 model sees the platforms biggest overhaul yet with an entirely new chassis, an updated motor, bigger battery and a refined user interface. With the new Smart System, customers have the option of modifying some riding modes. However, its important not to confuse price with the real value i.e. To get some more concrete numbers though, I subjected the Altitude Powerplay to our standardised shuttle range test. So, grab a beer or a cappuccino and enjoy the next pages filled with information, background knowledge, (tech) know-how, tops & flops and the most important tips for newcomers and experts alike. In this group test, were not just looking for the best eMTB of 2022. - Brilliantly grippy & durable tyre spec However, it reveals weaknesses in steep terrain and at high speed. Do you run out of juice? With the previous Bosch system, which is still used on the SCOTT Ransom eRIDE, you have no possibility to customise the motor. For years, pedal-assists were forbidden from trails, non-existent in shops, shunned from mainstream media and magnets for vitriol. The two most expensive bikes in the test field, the Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo and Specialized S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL, cost 15,000 each. Test VTT Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alu 50 2019 : vlo Enduro An eMTB is more than the sum of its parts and the arms race for metrics like battery size, motor power or suspension travel rarely produces better bikes. They may have changed since then. Customized for the Rocky Mountain as the Powerplay 3.0, this motor system is an interesting addition in the fray of electric bike motors. 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. Are you new here? It rolls on 29in wheels, and it's equipped with a 170mm travel fork and 160mm of rear travel. Range, suspension travel or motor power considered in isolation will never tell you whether the bike fits your individual demands and riding style, or whether the overall bike concept works and delivers what it promises. Tires are elementary. These stop providing assistance after the bike reaches 20mph or more. Out of the box, one of the more obvious differences between the Dyname 4.0 motor and its big-name competitors is the fact that it requires more input from the rider. In terms of ergonomics, Bosch bring up the rear. Our Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 test bike has delivered near faultless performance during our time with it, which is hardly a surprise given its such a well specd bike. Drailleur AR. Purpose-built and race-proven, it's the ultimate enduro weapon for demolishing steep trails and making every session faster. Click here for more information or order it directly in our shop! No! For 2022, numerous manufacturers present bikes with enormous battery capacities of up to 1,034 Wh and celebrate their increased range. Along with the new motor the Altitude Powerplay gets a larger 720Wh battery, and its now easily removable with just a 4mm hex key required to slide it out from the downtube. Altitude lineup | Rocky Mountain DESIGNED FOR Enduro WHEEL SIZE 29" & 27.5" FRONT TRAVEL 170 mm REAR TRAVEL 160 mm Race circuits or Sunday Shreds, the Altitude has you covered. Impossible? Compare: 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 vs Specialized If you want to delve deeper into the super exciting and complex subject of suspension, you will find a complete reference in our sister magazine ENDURO. The fact that the main pivot isnt sky-high no doubt contributes to this predictable weight distribution. In the future, we expect to see huge internal battery capacities only on touring and trekking ebikes. How long are your longest rides and how much ascending do you realistically do? Only the Specialized Levo is truly quiet downhill. Even though many eMTBers love to discuss the latest trends and isolated parameters such as wheel size or torque, individual factors are only of limited help in the search for the best eMTB and should be treated with caution. 89% of our reader survey participants plan to buy a full suspension bike, and we think thats a very sensible decision. These lighter inserts arent necessarily employed for hardcore rim protection, but rather to lock the tyre beads in place to prevent burping. We dont just want to test the bikes that interest you the most. Digital & free: by Jonas Mssig, Rudolf Fischer, Julian Schwede. I came into this test expecting the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay to be a heavy, excessively powerful and glued-to-the-ground e-MTB. Further geometry adjustment can be found in the Ride-4 flip chip at the lower shock mount. In addition to direct and playful bikes for the active riders among us who go into the forest to play, there are also comfortable touring bikes that want to convince with plenty of long-distance comfort. Many other brands could do well to take note. Press Fit BB89.5. With four assist modes on offer, the performance band of the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay spans a pretty wide gap. The Trek Rail 9.9 leaves the test crew with very mixed feelings. The reach is spot-on, the seat angle is on the relaxed side, and its never felt like Ive had too much weight pushed onto the grips. The cockpit itself shows great attention to detail. 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. Read the new issue of E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine now. The new 2022 Instinct Powerplay The Instinct Powerplay is Rocky's Trail/All Mountain platform with 140mm of rear travel, paired with a 150mm fork. Altitude Powerplay Alu 50. Weighing in under 42 pounds (the lightest on this list) and offering a 40-mile range, the Levo SL is a true unicorn. - Proprietary motor may be a turnoff for some
However, the poor reliability of the battery system, as well as the poor integration have room for improvement. : /. After all, body size is usually also related to body weight. As with the shock, removing a single volume spacer opened up the travel and improved deep-stroke reactivity. Jan 26, 2022. It is precisely these that we work out clearly and tangibly so that everyone has all the relevant information to make the right purchasing decision for themselves and their personal requirements. In the end, everyone has to decide for themselves which handling compromises they want to accept in favour of more battery capacity. Belying its 24kg weight, the Altitude Powerplay is remarkably adept at flip-flopping through repeat chicanes and high-speed berms, with a lovely mix of agility and unflappable predictability. Thanks to its strong riding performance and intuitive handling, it is suitable for beginners as well as experienced trail acrobats. That is, until you ride them. 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. The pursuit of maximum battery capacity Is the bike industry moving in the wrong direction?