The perfect suspension offers safety, reserves, comfort, control and enough feedback from the ground to actively manouevre the bike across the trail. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 Bike 2023 Compare. 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, what the relatively small Rocky Mountain has accomplished by making its own power unit, might actually put them ahead of where the billion-dollar behemoth, Trek, is right now with its e-bike platform. Sadly, on the Rocky Mountain, the battery rattles. Preventing the front from lifting on technical climbs requires a lot of physical effort as you have to shift . - Seat angle could be steeper Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay FIRST RIDE - YouTube Did you enjoy this article? Particularly on the front, better traction outweighs minimally higher rolling resistance. To make the differences as clear as possible, we use the whole scale. If youre an experienced rider looking for more juice, the Powerplay is your play. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 Review According to Rocky Mountain, the new kinematic offers increased anti-squat in the early portion of the travel, and a more supportive leverage rate throughout. There are four assistance modes you can choose from; Eco, Trail, Trail+ and Ludicrous. Orbea shows how its done with the battery and motor concept of the Rise. We dont re-invite such bikes every time. The rubber compound can be more durable and harder for reduced rolling resistance e.g. Words: Jonas Mssig, Rudolf Fischer, Julian Schwede Photos: Julian Lemme, Robin Schmitt, Peter Walke. During one of my range tests, the Altitude Powerplay had no trouble ticking over 22km/h while going up a 12% gradient. )! The fact that the main pivot isnt sky-high no doubt contributes to this predictable weight distribution. Rubber compound, tread, tire width and casing all influence performance and each decision has specific advantages and disadvantages. If you're curious about your state's designations, you can check them out in this state-by-state guide. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C90 Mountain E-Bike - 2021, X-Large, Mechanical Shifting $7,239.99 In Stock Specifications Frameset Frame FORM Alloy. And the changes are significant enough to make it a feature worth having something thats not always the case with flip chips found on other full suspension bikes. Drailleur AV. On bikes with Shimano or Specialized motors, the support levels of the motor can be adjusted to suit your personal needs via the app. 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. 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. Only knock? It looks and feels like a pedal bike and almost creates a new category as the first eMTB with a custom-engineered motor and battery. Smartphone apps that can do this are available from (almost) all motor manufacturers. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70. 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. They're here to stay and getting better every day. 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. Featuring a claimed progression of 44.1%, which is very high, the frame is compatible with both coil shocks and high volume air shocks. Add to Basket. Testing the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay has been quite the journey of discovery. Dual bearings are employed in the chainstay pivot for increased stiffness and durability, while external shields are added to all pivot bearings to ward off contaminants. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 Bike 2023 (1) Award Winner . Of course as youd expect for a big travel e-MTB, the Altitude is a terrifically competent descender. Thats a hefty amount of riding, and more often that not Id run out of steam well before the battery ran out. After all, its rarely the average rated power that is decisive for real riding but the maximum power and torque in the respective support levels that the motors can release during peak loads. And Mom wouldnt be able to save you. On flow trails, it also scores points with its poppy suspension and balanced riding position. Indeed cornering is unquestionablyone of this bikes strongest suits, and it manages to achieve that without a 27.5in rear wheel. The chainstay length can be adjusted however, with a dual position flip chip and a reversible brake mount that allows riders to easily extend the rear centre by 10mm. NEW: Before we get into the review, we would like to tell you about our latest print edition. Dry, boring, complicated: numbers have a bad reputation. The Norco Sight VLT C1 offers an enormous range with its 900 Wh battery and Shimano EP8 motor. How long are your longest rides and how much ascending do you realistically do? Remember the summer your little brother grew six inches and, for the first time, forced you to yell uncle when wrestling in the basement? . Being a lighter rider and on flat pedals, I personally found the suspension to be too kicky. Is Veja's Foray Into Hiking Shoes a Hit or Miss? We also clear up half-truths, examine forum discussions, marketing promises and tell you what really matters. As such, it's designed for similarly rowdy riding as the Trek Rail, Specialized Kenevo SL, Giant Reign E+ and Norco Sight VLT. I still wish the Jumbotron had a clock so I could leave my phone tucked away entirely, but otherwise its totally functional, while being unobtrusive enough that it doesnt distract you while riding. Pricing starts at $8,999 AUD for the Altitude Powerplay A30, and goes up to $15,999 AUD for the Altitude Powerplay C90. Rocky M At 95 kg, am I already too heavy for my eMTB? 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. Inevitably, that also includes the battery and motor concept. But its not just kinematics, components and suspension travel that are decisive. Batteries with a 600700 Wh capacity have become firmly established on sporty eMTBs in recent years and hit the sweet spot for most of you. Some now even use large 220 mm discs. It still provides experienced bikers with good reserves, satisfies beginners with its intuitive handling and is also a comfortable touring bike, but ultimately cannot keep up with the stronger competition as an all-rounder. There are some very natural and easy to control motors like the Shimano EP8, and there are some that require attention, care and the right cadence, like the Dyname 4.0. Lithium-ion batteries slowly lose capacity over time, so expect this additional cost down the line. If you want to chase over trails at high speed, it wont be. 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. 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. MSRP: $6,500; MODEL YEAR: 2023; Read Review. The Dyname 4.0 motor on the Rocky Mountain does not have an app, but here too you can fine-tune the support levels via the display. Specialized e-MTBs tend to be very good at converting uneven pedalling inputs into a very smooth and linear motor output. In general, you should follow manufacturer recommendations as theyll have the most experience. Giving the range as an absolute number would inevitably be incorrect and misleading. After all, before anything else, forces are transmitted through your tires. Usability is poor, because too many buttons have to be operated with only one finger. The Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70 has a better fork and more travel, while the Turbo Levo Comp Alloy has 29 / 27.5 aluminum wheels and better components. Although you dont necessarily need the biggest disc rotors as a 70 kg flyweight, you will still benefit from them. 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. Digital & free: by Jonas Mssig, Rudolf Fischer, Julian Schwede. E Mtb E Bike, Fahrrder & Zubehr in Halblech | eBay Kleinanzeigen In search of a quick, simple answer to the question of which bike is the best, prospective ebike buyers often get dazzled by advertising superlatives such as the maximum range or the lowest weight, presented as impressive graphics, diagrams, tables and laboratory values. 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. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay vs. Then you should pay close attention now! Despite its ability to mob through straight-line chunder, it rips turns with surprising nimbleness that had me constantly grinning from ear-to-ear. Altitude Powerplay - Overview | Rocky Mountain A 48V system will run cooler than a 36V system (great in Australian summers). 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. It is the right bike for sporty downhill junkies who dont want to lose any time on the forest tracks on the way to the start of the toughest trails. Unlock your ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWERPLAY engine today! There is no such shuttle mode on the Altitude Powerplay, which requires a more collaborative performance between your legs and the motor. The problem: if you exceed the maximum permissible weight, this can have consequences for warranty and guarantee claims. 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. Exceptions are last years test winners and best buys. Our tips are again: MAXXIS Doubledown or Schwalbe Super Gravity. 2023 SPECIALIZED Stumpjumper Evo Comp for sale. - velocorner The slackest position is great for full-blown descending, though I found that as I became tired towards the end of a longer ride, I was more likely to wash out the front tyre on flatter turns. There have been changes to the geometry too, along with an increase in suspension travel and wheelsize. The bigger the disc, the better the control, the better the modulation on long descents and the better the resistance to fade. The slightly rearward axle path eats up square edges nicely, and keeps the rear wheel decidedly connected to terra firma. Like the longer travel Altitude, it gets the new motor and Ride-4 chip. The majority of electric mountain bikes are equipped with lithium-ion batteries if maintained properly, these batteries can last between 3-5 years. 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! Otherwise you cant expect longevity or lasting performance, nor can you expect lasting riding pleasure! Software topics such as connectivity or motor customisation/tuning also played an important role. Add to Basket. The Orbea Rise shows how its done! Rocky Mountain 2022 Altitude Alloy 30 29" MTB Beige/Green. After all, body size is usually also related to body weight. Of course, price plays a role for most of you. If you only ride it at moderate speeds or on easy trails, you wont feel much of this. On smoother inclines, the motors sensitivity can also be felt through untidy pedalling technique. Were much more interested in what really matters. The powerful and adaptable Dyname 4.0 motor is ready to go when you are, surging forward with 108 Nm of torque the. 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. There are some clear recommendations for a trail all-rounder, which needs to work well for every rider and on every trail. The Norco Sight VLT C1 and Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 have some catching up to do. And is range really that important to you, or would you rather have good handling on the trail? On the one hand, it convinces with its chic and customisable paint job, good climbing characteristics on technical uphills and great suspension. Given its weight, the stocky wheels, dual-ply tyres and sticky-compound Assegai up front, that amount of elevation gain is impressive. And the flip side of the Dyname 4.0 motor is that it rarely pushes you unintentionally, say on a tight switchback climb. 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. 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. Even the biggest battery isnt worth much without clever positioning and balanced weight distribution. Thanks to a 672-watt-hour battery and a compact, low-mounted motor, it rips uphill for easy self-shuttling. Just because you have the range doesnt mean youll have fun riding! Power is nothing without control. The Instinct employs a shorter stroke shock, which shrinks rear travel down to 140mm. Top 10: Die besten Fully E-MTBs 2019? - Velomotion I had the pleasure of riding the original model at the European launch way back in 2017, but weve admittedly not had a heap of experience with Rocky Mountain bikes since then. I spent a full day out riding in Eco mode alongside a pack of regular mountain bikes, which proved to be a good match for my non-motorised friends, while barely touching the sides of the 720Wh battery. And no matter where you take it, its an incredibly fun ride. It is also not the right choice for beginners due to its demanding handling. 2019. The difference here may simply boil down to the progressive suspension rate. However, there is no navigation system that comes close to the Bosch Nyon in this test field. Also neat is that the frame will accept a SRAM UDH when the dropout is set in the longest position a useful feature for folks who like to travel with their bike. the Dyname from Propulsion Power Cycles. Ive been testing a Medium size in the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 to suit my 175cm height. The highly responsive torque sensor means that while power comes on with minimal lag, it drops off just as quickly when you stop pedalling, which can occasionally be a problem on awkward technical climbs. A couple of rides in, I removed the single volume spacer out of the Float X2 shock. Nothing is more annoying than the wrong purchase or a bike that bucks, protests or simply doesnt want to fit your requirements. Four long years after the Canadian brand introduced its very first electric mountain bike, the 2nd generation Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay has finally arrived. In this guide, we break down what restrictions still apply to e-MTBs, what to look for and who should buy one. Compare: 2022 Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 70 vs Altitude 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. 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. You can find detailed information in our brake group test at our sister magazine ENDURO. 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. After all, a bike is only as good as the interplay of all its components in the real world! With availability limited and eMTBs a big investment for many, its especially important to know about the latest technologies and the huge differences between models before buying one. The result is a surprisingly intuitive and controllable feel, which is especially noticeable when soft pedalling around tight uphill hairpins. - 8-way adjustable geometry However, the poor reliability of the battery system, as well as the poor integration have room for improvement. For a better overview, we present all 13 bikes and their tops and flops below. The Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Coil has a better fork and more travel, while the Turbo Levo Alloy has 29 / 27.5 aluminum wheels and better components. Do you run out of juice? Thanks to the compact motor, the geometry of the Altitude Powerplay closely follows that of the non-motorised version. Out of stock. Your personal setup and the factory settings of the suspension fork and shock from the bike manufacturer also play a major role. Read the new issue of E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine now. 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. And is range really that important to you, or would you rather have good handling on the trail? Compare: 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 vs Instinct 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. With the range extender, even really long tours are no problem. Altitude Carbon 90 Rally Edition New Colour In this group test, were not just looking for the best eMTB of 2022. Shifting has also been crisp and ever-so reliable even under high pedalling loads. The price range in the test field is wide but this doesnt mean that the differences in performance are just as great. The group test in figures: Background to the test field, the most exciting facts and interesting trends. Rocky Mountain Altitude PowerPlay (2018 - 2020, all models) Rocky Mountain Instinct PowerPlay (2019 - 2020, all models) Focus SAM2 (2018-2019, Shimano drive, Novatec & DT Swiss hubs only) Focus JAM2 (2018-2019, Shimano drive, Novatec & DT Swiss hubs only) Giant Trance E+ Pro (2019 - 2020, all models) The 9Barista Espresso Machine Premium espresso to-go. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 Rally Edition Bike. In general, availability still poses major challenges for the industry in 2022. Many manufacturers are already working on increasing these limits but there is still a lot to be done in terms of maximum permissible weight and more clarity is urgently needed. If you mostly ride on gravel, forest and meadow trails, a less heavily treaded tire with a thinner casing is sufficient. In other words: the best overall package of handling, uphill, downhill and touring performance, design, motor, specs, battery concept and detailed solutions. Thats on the heavy side even for a big travel e-MTB, though theres certainly nothing dainty about this bike. As with recent high pivot bikes weve tested like the Cannondale Jekyll and GT Force, I found this was exacerbated in dusty conditions, so its a good idea to keep the chain clean and well lubricated. In fact, I was able to clean one bastard of a climb on my local test circuit that I have never cleaned before. Press Fit BB. 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. The good news for all price-conscious buyers: in our next issue, we will have a group test of cheaper models. Purpose-built and race-proven, it's the ultimate enduro weapon for demolishing steep trails and making every session faster. The test field is a real cross-section of the market offering the best, most interesting, exciting and relevant bikes for trail use. We gathered the most interesting facts from the test field for you and compared them with last years test. The great diversity that now exists on the market is also reflected in our test field. You share this opinion: 77% of you stated in our reader survey that a 630 Wh battery is completely sufficient. If you are between two frame sizes, you usually have the choice between more stability on the larger bike or more agility on the smaller one. For this, eMTBs should have four-piston brakes with discs of at least 200 mm. Yeti 160E C1 E-Bike 2023 Compare. How did the individual eMTB in this group test fare? Like every person, every bike has its own character that inevitably embodies both strengths and weaknesses. It makes more sense to have a battery capacity that is linked to the frame size. With this in mind: forget about the numbers! Its been consistent and rattle-free, with no surprises in its power delivery or weird system errors out on the trail. RIDE-9 Adjustable Geometry + Suspension Rate. 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. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition in Review The bike has an aggressive geometry best for more advanced riders, which allows it to stay nimble despite weighing 51 pounds. The cockpit itself shows great attention to detail. 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. 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. For the Altitude Powerplay, I actually performed this test twice. The acceleration is quite remarkable, and the motors abilityto pull all the way up to the 25km/h cutoff point becomes rather addictive. Bike Test: Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 Anything else would be misleading and besides being unfair to some brands, we would be patronising our readers. The Best E-Mountain Bikes - Gear Patrol Best for steep and technical terrain, the Shuttle survives on the uphill and thrives on the down. The difference in torque only becomes noticeable on very steep ramps and when starting and accelerating. Along with a lighter weight build kit, the Instinct Powerplay is targeted at longer distance riding on less extreme terrain. However, if youve miss-timed a shift and find yourself tackling a steep incline in a higher gear than optimal, the motor still manages to produce decent grunt at lower RPMs, not unlike a Bosch motor. 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. Fitting a GRIP2 damper would be an excellent upgrade, and Id be quite curious to try a coil shock too. On Test | The 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay - Flow Mountain Bike For years, pedal-assists were forbidden from trails, non-existent in shops, shunned from mainstream media and magnets for vitriol. 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. The insertion depth of the frame doesnt match the seat post, which means that it cannot be completely lowered into the seat tube. But is different any better? Compare: 2022 Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Carbon 70 vs Altitude This allows riders to tweak the BB height by up to 10mm, and adjust the angles by 0.8. Mullet-who? This differs to my experience of riding other e-MTBs, where Ill typically only ride in the Eco or Trail modes on technical ascents. Click here to learn more. The Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 wins the Design and Innovation Award. Secondly it can produce more grunt at lower Amps. You shouldnt buy an eMTB just because youve heard that a wireless SRAM AXS drivetrain is great. The cheapest bike in the test field, the SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910, costs 7,199 and enters the race as the reigning Best Buy from last year. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70, - Superb handling is up for anything Youll also need to replace the chainring more frequently than usual, as its made from alloy. Rocky Mountain completely redesigned the system for 2020 with version 4.0, and it powers the electric-assist Powerplay line. The Trek Rail 9.9 leaves the test crew with very mixed feelings. With smaller frame sizes or frames with a kink in the seat tube, insertion depth can often be a limiting factor. And thats a good reflection of the market!