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. First ride review of the new FOCUS Jam 6.9 and SAM 6.9 2023 with Bosch Smart System motor a love that lasts? As a result, an arms race for larger batteries has been taking place for years. Every bike from size L upwards should have space for at least 170 mm. Of note is that the Altitude Powerplay and Instinct Powerplay frames are virtually identical. However, there are some compromises when it comes to stability through fast trail sections and traction. Rocky M The quality and type of pads also play a decisive role when it comes to powerful braking. Want to avoid unpleasant surprises after buying your bike? I found it easy to adjust the Ride-4 and dropout flip chips, and pulling the shock out to alter the spring volume showed just how cleanly everything fits together. First of all, a big thank you! Words: Jonas Mssig, Rudolf Fischer, Julian Schwede Photos: Julian Lemme, Robin Schmitt, Peter Walke. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 Rally Edition Bike. Digital & free: by Jonas Mssig, Rudolf Fischer, Julian Schwede. The 750 Wh battery can be removed to the side in typical Trek fashion. On flow trails, it also scores points with its poppy suspension and balanced riding position. 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. 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! Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay vs. Specialized Kenevo SL - YouTube Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition Rocky Mountain jensonusa.com $9,059.00 SHOP NOW Same attributes as our race proven Altitude Heavy If you're an experienced rider looking for more juice, the Powerplay is your play. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Review: Seamless Power for a lot of Its been consistent and rattle-free, with no surprises in its power delivery or weird system errors out on the trail. Despite its small 375 Wh battery, the ROTWILD R.E375 ULTRA has a Shimano motor with plenty of power. 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. Mullet-who? Theres a heap of adjustability on offer, and once I found my sweet spot I was rewarded with a comfortable riding position and exceptional weight distribution that made the Altitude Powerplay both agile and predictable across a wide range of conditions. That cant be true! 2022 SPECIALIZED Turbo Levo Comp Carbon for sale. For the Altitude Powerplay, I actually performed this test twice. 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. 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. Weighing in at 49 pounds, it's designed with a more playful geometry thats nimble enough to handle all but the most technical terrain. But whats surprised me most about this bike is just how adaptable and enthusiastic it is for all-roundriding. In addition to the options that you expressed an interest for, our know-how and expertise also played a role in the selection, with many exciting new models on the market that contribute to making this test so interesting. The swings and roundabouts of designing a modern e-MTB eh? It tips over effortlessly, dropping quickly into turns with minimal hesitation and, providing you commit and stay off the brakes, a distinct lack of understeer. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition E-Bike. You want a bike that delivers more motor power than a Bosch system? The all new Altitude is now rolling on 29" wheels and is sure to be one of the best Enduro bikes on the market. A robust 63 miles of range, Sram GX Eagle 1x12 gears and a DownLow Dropper telescopic seat post only add to its appeal. This differs to the Shimano and Bosch systems where you can lightly tick over the pedals in those high-powered settings, and still get maximum output fromthe motor. But its clear that the Altitude Powerplay looks a little slack and a little short compared to a bike like the Norco Sight VLT, which has a 78 seat angle and a 455mm rear centre length in the XL size. How long are your longest rides and how much ascending do you realistically do? Besides chain and drivetrain maintenance, your brakes, tires and suspension are the most important candidates for being serviced regularly. As you can see, tires are a complex issue. Even still, the Altitude Powerplay doesnt ride like a chopper, with a fairly moderate 625mm stack height. Not surprisingly, the factory tune achieved more mileage due to the lower Boost setting. Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Coil New Color $6,199.00 USD Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 New Color After some experimentation, I settled back on the neutral position. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 Review Click here to learn more. In the end, everyone has to decide for themselves which handling compromises they want to accept in favour of more battery capacity. - Controller buttons are too light and vague in use Given its weight, the stocky wheels, dual-ply tyres and sticky-compound Assegai up front, that amount of elevation gain is impressive. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70 - Mountain Bike Database One other important note on noise the Dyname 4.0 motor suffers none of the annoying rattle found in the current Shimano and Bosch motors. The DoubleDown casings are most certainly a must-have, and while you could improve the overall range by fitting lighter and faster-rolling rubber, it would be a total waste of this bikes capabilities. 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. In a world of growing battery sizes, it is not an outdated oddity but manages to bridge the gap between all-round and Light eMTBs. It doesnt offer the same amount of overrun as a Bosch motor for conquering ledgy moto-style climbs, and I suspect that taller riders may also wish for a steeper seat angle and longer rear end. We rode on doubletrack and woodland paths with obstacles of all kinds going both up- and downhill. The most powerful motors delivers 108 Nm of torque, the weakest just 35 Nm. What is important here is what is possible, not just what is stated on paper. The lightweight eMTB with 150/140 mm suspension travel and 29 tyres always remains easy to control and elicits fun in every situation. Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain. On bikes with Shimano or Specialized motors, the support levels of the motor can be adjusted to suit your personal needs via the app. Class 1 e-mountain bikes (and electric bikes overall) are pedal-assist: an integrated motor provides assistance to the rider and is activated by pedaling the bike. With most motors, using the full-powered Boost/Turbo mode tends to be overwhelming, dominating the ride and making the bike difficult to control. Most eMTB hardtails simply arent made for the trails! Rocking a mullet design 29-inch wheel up front and 27.5-er in back Marins first foray into eMTBs is a lovable joyride. 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. Turning the Boost level up to +2 is a bit like increasing the Support level on a Specialized Levo, or the Assistance Character on a Shimano system. It speeds up acceleration and allows you to access more power with less input, at the expense of draining the battery a bit faster. Tops & flops, winners and losers of the group test, Find out everything you need to know in our motor group test, a complete reference in our sister magazine ENDURO, click here for an explanation of the term, Weve summarised what this can cost per year and what you need to bear in mind. As such, I was able to run pressures as low as 22psi in the front and 24psi in the rear. For anything more, you can find all the details on the best tires for eMTBers in our tire group test of over 50 tires. Shimano provide the most options here. Confirmed weight for our Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 was 24.12kg, weighed without pedals. Do you run out of juice? Drailleur AR. Does it suit you or not? The difference here may simply boil down to the progressive suspension rate. The result is a surprisingly intuitive and controllable feel, which is especially noticeable when soft pedalling around tight uphill hairpins. With the exception of the Dyname and Brose motor in the Levo, all motors in the test field rattle, some more, some less, loudly. The clunky remote of the new Smart System, flooded with buttons, is ergonomically one of the worst in the entire test it is only marginally improved upon by the Purion, another Bosch option. Exclusive: first ride review of the new Specialized Tero X 6.0 eSUV 2023 fully-equipped eMTB full suspension bike for everyday and all-terrain use, Fox Union BOA in review Great fit for a solid stance. At the start of the new season, we test the highlight bikes of the new season to find the best eMTB of the year. More battery capacity automatically means more weight and, due to the larger dimensions, usually a position that worsens the weight distribution, leading to compromises in handling. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 2023 Cycle in Surgery EMTB - Rochedale South Enquire Now Enquire Now AU$9,999 Rocky Mountain Instinct PP A50 Kew Bikes - Kew FREE shipping within Australia * AU$9,999 Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 50 (Blue/Grey) 2022 - Now Available! Compare: 2022 Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Carbon 70 vs Altitude A 48V system will run cooler than a 36V system (great in Australian summers). 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. Each bike review aims to answer these core questions, giving you a clear recommendation or even advising you to look elsewhere. In the future, we expect to see huge internal battery capacities only on touring and trekking ebikes. Full Sealed Cartridge Bearings. Ive also spent some time self-shuttling at my local downhill zone as part of a standardised range test to see how far I could ride on a single battery charge. The Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition has a better fork and more travel, while the Turbo Levo Expert has 29 / 27.5 aluminum wheels and better components. If you think, Cool!, we have to disappoint you. Become a supporter now! Full Sealed Cartridge Bearings. The advantages are obvious: more drop means easier mounting and dismounting as well as more freedom of movement and safety on the trail. From Light eMTBs with limited motor support to powerhouses with plenty of grunt, everything was represented. 15 Dec 2022 First rides on the Trek Rail 9.9 XTR with Bosch Smart System It is somewhat planted, a byproduct of its overall mass and the mid-high suspension design, so while I have found itll take to the air, its not the poppiest bike going. The future of eMTBs doesnt just look promising, it also looks versatile. Larger sizes available here. We have a clear goal: to help you find the right bike for you and your needs. Mid-drive motors provide power in the same way: the difference is in location mid-drive motors are located in the middle of the bike, in the bottom bracket area. 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. Specialized Turbo Tero X 6.0 . Bosch bring up the rear in this respect. the trail performance and quality of the bike. 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 those circumstances, it actually makes the Altitude Powerplay easier to control. With the new Smart System, customers have the option of modifying some riding modes. Suspension-wise I didnt find the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay to be as gooey-plush as the Specialized Kenevo SL, which is my personal benchmark out of all the big travel e-MTBs weve tested. Lokal. It impresses with the best system integration, high stability on fast descents while maintaining manoeuvrability and agility, as well as its modular battery concept. Specialized realized many riders dont need massive batteries and would rather save weight. Fork RockShox Yari RC 160mm 37mm Offset Shock My only other concern is with the rear end length. Specifications: Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Frame FORM Alloy. Are you with us? This allows riders to tweak the BB height by up to 10mm, and adjust the angles by 0.8. In general, availability still poses major challenges for the industry in 2022. For 2022, numerous manufacturers present bikes with enormous battery capacities of up to 1,034 Wh and celebrate their increased range. It is the perfect all-rounder that covers the whole spectrum from touring to bike park visits, scores with enormous riding performance and convinces with almost perfect and sensible equipment, even if it comes at a hefty price of 13,790. Altitude Carbon 90 Rally Edition New Colour Federal law classifies all electric bikes as "motorized", and as such, does not allow them on trails or land where motorized vehicles are prohibited. But that doesnt mean that all bikes have to be expensive. Even in the long position, the Altitude Powerplay is still agile for a big rig. Impossible? Electric Mountain Bikes: Full Suspension & Hardtail eBikes - Jenson USA During the first few rides, the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay didnt quite feel as stable as I was expecting for a big travel e-MTB. Made for aggressive, all-day riders, the newly-launched Shuttle is turning heads. Top 10: Die besten Fully E-MTBs 2019? - Velomotion This is in contrast to the latest Bosch motor, which continues to deliver power for a little longer if you take a brief pause on the pedals, helping to push you up and over a big root or rock slab. In reality, the freedom of movement is limited, just like on the SCOR, despite the apparently short seat tube. Indeed, frame sizes cant always be compared between manufacturers. It is also not the right choice for beginners due to its demanding handling. Last years Best Buy and the cheapest bike (7,199) in the test field, it was unable to defend the title. Then you should pay close attention now! Riding your bike to the park rather than throwing it on a rack is actually feasible. 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. However, you dont have a free choice with every manufacturer. To put it through its paces, Ive taken the Altitude on chunky off-piste singletrack, swoopy flow trails and big alpine point-to-point rides. We dont just want to test the bikes that interest you the most. - Brilliantly grippy & durable tyre spec There are even models that can compete with downhill-focussed bikes and with which you can hunt Strava KOMs. Rocky Mountain Powerplay eMTB Review - YouTube What counts is a good combination of modulation, stability, braking power, adjustability, heat resistance and control. Regional availability may vary. Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 50 Review This involves pedalling up a road climb with the motor set to the most powerful assistance level, before bombing back down along a variety of downhill runs to see how many laps I can get in until the battery runs flat. The bar has a fantastic profile with a suitable width and rise, the WTB saddle is totally agreeable, the Shimano I-Spec mounts are tidy, and the ODI grips are a really nice touch. The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50, Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy, and Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 50 are all aluminum frame full suspension mountain e-bikes. The Best E-Mountain Bikes - Gear Patrol You shouldnt buy an eMTB just because youve heard that a wireless SRAM AXS drivetrain is great. Whether on flow trails, technical singletrails, in the bike park or on a tour, the Orbea Rise M-Team is a true all-rounder that inspires in every discipline. However, it could no longer defend its title. The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Coil, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 30, and Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy are all aluminum frame full suspension mountain e-bikes. The generous frame protection is brilliant, and on some of our more savagely rocky test trails, I was mighty glad to have short 165mm alloy crank arms under my feet. Our reader survey showed that three brands are particularly interesting and important to you: Specialized, Haibike and CUBE. Its possible to reduce the leg effort required to bring on the motors power via the Boost setting. 2-Bolt ISCG05 Tabs. The higher the ratings on the scales at the end of each review, the better the bike is in these areas. Cable management is nice and tight, though the external wiring at the handlebar and along the non-driveside chainstay isnt as tidy as some other bikes on the market. Rubber compound, tread, tire width and casing all influence performance and each decision has specific advantages and disadvantages. However, its important not to confuse price with the real value i.e. At higher speeds and on flatter terrain however, the short back end felt unwieldy for such a heavy and powerful e-MTB. 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. As such, we try to judge the bikes according to their respective strengths and weaknesses in the right context. The Altitude Powerplay and Instinct Powerplay will be available this winter from Rocky Mountain dealers. emtb - Australian Mountain Bike | The home for Australian Mountain Puncture protection is even more important on the rear wheel than on the front, so a puncture-proof casing is a must. Class 3 electric bikes integrate a motor that activates only when the rider is pedaling and top out at 28mph (and feature a speedometer). Last years test winner i.e. This can be a good thing for cornering on really tight trails and for super-steep descending, where you want to get as much weight rearwards as possible. If you want to chase over trails at high speed, it wont be. 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. Troy Lee Designs Flowline and Flowline SE MTB Helmet A reasonable successor? The Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo is a good all-rounder that, with a change of tires and tune of the suspension setup, can reveal its full potential. Das Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay gibt es jetzt auch mit Aluminium-Rahmen. time stamps 0:00 intro 2:48 mid travel full power e bikes 3:27 mondraker crafty 4:08 rocky mountain altitude powerplay 5:06 trek . Were thrilled to see Rocky specing proper Maxxis DoubleDown tyre casings front and rear, and in a decidedly uncommon move, the wheelset has also been fitted with CushCore XC tyre inserts. Some now even use large 220 mm discs. On the one hand, it convinces with its chic and customisable paint job, good climbing characteristics on technical uphills and great suspension. The Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 wins the Design and Innovation Award. SCOTT sent in the SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910, which is almost unchanged for 2022. The Jumbotron display is fantastic, providing the rider with just enough useful information in a clear and easy to understand manner. It is the best touring bike in the test field and, after some suspension tuning, also a good all-rounder that will appeal to both beginners and advanced riders with its easy going and good-natured handling. Drailleur AV. 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. 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 why we invited two bikes from each of these manufacturers to the group test. Some modern eMTBs, such as the Norco, Rocky Mountain and Specialized Levo, rely on low seat tubes that make it possible to choose between several sizes, provided that a correspondingly long dropper post fits the bike. Test Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay - YouTube Thats why we prefer to provide you with some concrete tips here. Software topics such as connectivity or motor customisation/tuning also played an important role. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Review | Power is nothing without control And again, the all important battery life. Long climbs are suddenly much easier. That is very quick, resulting in a higher average climbing speed overall. The E-MOUNTAINBIKE Print Edition 2022 is our fifth annual edition and the ultimate guide in your search for the perfect eMTB. But thats not the case on the Altitude Powerplay. However, good value for money isnt about the sum of the parts in the spec, but how the complete package performs on the trail. Nonetheless, it resoundingly leaves the Specialized SL 1.1 behind on climbs. Based on this information, we let you decide whether the bike suits you and your requirements. *with range extender Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay E-Bike Test - YouTube With smaller frame sizes or frames with a kink in the seat tube, insertion depth can often be a limiting factor. Yeti 160E C1 E-Bike 2023 Compare. 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. The rubber fork bumper is simple, but does exactly what its meant to without need for a funky steering limiter headset. Though it's a bit heavier than some others at 52 pounds, the Moterra Neo Carbon 2 is more than capable of tackling all manner of terrain. Thanks to a 672-watt-hour battery and a compact, low-mounted motor, it rips uphill for easy self-shuttling. Please, It appears you're using an old version of Internet Explorer which is, Rear Centre: 437mm (Short) 447mm (Long). The insertion depth of the frame doesnt match the seat post, which means that it cannot be completely lowered into the seat tube. Read this chapter for the answers as well as a summary of our test philosophy and our opinion on school grades for bike tests. The change made an immediate improvement to weight distribution, improving stability on the descents and offering balanced grip between the front and rear wheels. Wir haben uns einen berblick ber die Fully E-MTBs 2019 verschaft und stellen euch die Rder vor die es in unsere Top 10 geschafft haben. 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.