With so many different tire manufacturers and special models on the market, its hard for even well-versed tech nerds to keep track of everything. the Dyname from Propulsion Power Cycles. Einfach. 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. Actually, the rule here is: more is more! Other bikes are capable of covering an equally wide range of applications while also outperforming the MERIDA in individual specialisations. Out of the box the Altitude is quite long and slack up front, but the back end is very short at 437mm. Unfortunately, the range of functions is significantly limited compared to Shimano and Specialized, and the added value is low. Click here for more information or order it directly in our shop! Rocky Mountain - Pushys 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. And Mom wouldnt be able to save you. Become a supporter now! The excellent tyre spec and mid-high suspension design generates masses of grip, allowing the Altitude Powerplay to claw up rough and loose technical climbs with stability and quickness. Pedal strikes also became an issue, as the BB ends up being quite low in that slack setting. Bosch bring up the rear in this respect. Altitude Powerplay lineup | Rocky Mountain DESIGNED FOR Enduro WHEEL SIZE 29" FRONT TRAVEL 170 mm REAR TRAVEL 160 mm Designed alongside our Dyname 4.0 drive system, the Altitude Powerplay has everything you need for aggressive enduro e-biking. 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. And is range really that important to you, or would you rather have good handling on the trail? In the same way that Giant has collaborated with Yamaha, and Specialized has partnered with Brose and Mahle, Rocky Mountain has employed the services of fellow Canadian brand Propulsion Powercycle to help engineer the motor for the Instinct and Altitude Powerplay models. ** without range extender Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70 - Mountain Bike Database The powerful and adaptable Dyname 4.0 motor is ready to go when you are, surging forward with 108 Nm of torque the. To get some more concrete numbers though, I subjected the Altitude Powerplay to our standardised shuttle range test. **** #pandemic #deliverycosts: The massive bike boom and the consequences of coronavirus have resulted in huge challenges for the whole bike industry. ebike tuning Planet3 for ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWERPLAY With smaller frame sizes or frames with a kink in the seat tube, insertion depth can often be a limiting factor. Thats exactly why you need to know not just what you need to pay attention to, but also what is less important. 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. After subtracting the weight of the ebike from the maximum permissible weight, the load remaining for rider and equipment is sometimes just 95 kg. 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. Spread over 270 pages of high-quality print, we offer you a comprehensive buyers guide, reviews and details of 27 bikes. VTTRocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alu 50 2019. The geometry is confidence-inspiring on the descents and still agile enough when singletrack is narrow. The stats of the updated Shuttle are eye-popping: 726 watt-hour battery, 160mm front fork, 29-inch wheels and the newest Shimano motor all, in a 45-pound package. : Maxxis Minion DHF WT EXO 27.5 x 2.5 / R = Maxxis Aggressor WT EXO 27.5 x 2.5. 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. Read this chapter for the answers as well as a summary of our test philosophy and our opinion on school grades for bike tests. Again, swings and roundabouts. It inspires a load of confidence on technical descents, with the suspension gobbling up rocks and big hits with ease. Trek attempts to prevent the battery from rattling with foam padding in the down tube. In other words: the best overall package of handling, uphill, downhill and touring performance, design, motor, specs, battery concept and detailed solutions. 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. But FOCUS, MERIDA and Orbea also offer a considerable margin with 124 kg and 117 kg respectively. Copyright 2023 E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine. But beware: on some bikes, the display can also be in the way. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay vs. For some of our testers it was just 160 mm! Altitude lineup | Rocky Mountain Rocky Mountain's more aggressive and longer travel version of the Instinct Powerplay is designed for riders who want just more travel for a more aggressive riding style. TCS velocorner.ch offers 15'000+ bikes from 300+ bike stores and individuals.. Thanks to a 672-watt-hour battery and a compact, low-mounted motor, it rips uphill for easy self-shuttling. On bikes with Shimano or Specialized motors, the support levels of the motor can be adjusted to suit your personal needs via the app. Afterwards, youll not just be well equipped for buying an ebike or have even found your dream match, youll also have gathered numerous insights and expert knowledge indispensable for trail talk, the pub and forum discussions! There are four assistance modes you can choose from; Eco, Trail, Trail+ and Ludicrous. Drive System Dyname 3.0 Class 1 eMTB Drive | 250w | 108Nm | Upgraded High Cadence Boost & Power Extension Firmware No! Confirmed weight for our Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 was 24.12kg, weighed without pedals. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition in Review You can also remove the Kiox 300 display on the new Bosch Smart System, depending on your mood, and rely exclusively on the LED remote. The YETI 160E T1 is the deserved Best in Test and thus the best eMTB of 2022. MSRP: $6,500; MODEL YEAR: 2023; Read Review. What is important here is what is possible, not just what is stated on paper. The motor is called Dyname 4.0, and like the frame its had a significant update for 2022. Its claimed to be smaller and lighter, while maintaining the whopping 108Nm of torque that its predecessor was known for. We are looking for the best all-rounder that can take on any trail! 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. Personally, Im not sure Id want to give up the travel though, especially when the Altitude Powerplay handles as well as it does. Our test field only featured tires from Schwalbe or MAXXIS. Yeti 160E T1 - In our big 2022 eMTB group test 2022 To answer this question, we pitted 13 exciting models against each other. Compare. 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. Jan 26, 2022. While it has a specific use in mind with its unique character, it does what it is aimed at well. There are even models that can compete with downhill-focussed bikes and with which you can hunt Strava KOMs. 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. To make the differences as clear as possible, we use the whole scale. At the beginning of the new season we test the flagship bikes of the year and price plays a subordinate role. Fitting a GRIP2 damper would be an excellent upgrade, and Id be quite curious to try a coil shock too. HI GUYS In this video I'm testing the new 2019 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70.I made a Bikeporn, Bikecheck and a Test, with a lot of footage.Hop. The only major downside is a very loud motor that calls to mind a coffee grinder. - Controller buttons are too light and vague in use 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. It is fun to ride on flow trails and the suspension and high touring comfort are also a strength. - Seat angle could be steeper There are opposing schools of thought when it comes to which is preferable, but in the end it all comes down to weight distribution and what's more comfortable for the rider. 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. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. How long are your longest rides and how much ascending do you realistically do? Compare. Our test crew munched on 300+ pieces of pizza. As such, its designed for similarly rowdy riding as the Trek Rail, Specialized Kenevo SL, Giant Reign E+ and Norco Sight VLT. Heres how the Altitude Powerplay faired; Ill admit I was surprised that the Altitude Powerplay managed to clock up over 2,100m of climbing in one hit. RIDE-9 Adjustable Geometry + Suspension Rate. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Review | Power is nothing without control For years, pedal-assists were forbidden from trails, non-existent in shops, shunned from mainstream media and magnets for vitriol. Top! EMTBs are delicate, high-tech devices that need regular maintenance and care. Did you enjoy this article? Motor manufacturers determine these specifications and compatibility. Otherwise you cant expect longevity or lasting performance, nor can you expect lasting riding pleasure! Personally, Ive not found the reduced overrun to be an issue for the majority of trails Ive ridden, and both motors are easy to adapt to after a few rides. However, we did not like the integration of the new Bosch Smart system and its 750 Wh battery. 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. Price: $10229.00. Rocky Mountain Mountain Bikes - Shop Online - Northwest Bicycle The Dyname 4.0 motor is one of, if not the most distinctive element of the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay, so lets start there. RIDE-9 Adjustable Geometry + Suspension Rate. If you mostly ride on gravel, forest and meadow trails, a less heavily treaded tire with a thinner casing is sufficient. Even in the long position, the Altitude Powerplay is still agile for a big rig. Lying there, pinned under his superior strength, you had the gut-wrenching realization that life would never be the same. Even the biggest battery isnt worth much without clever positioning and balanced weight distribution. As with the shock, removing a single volume spacer opened up the travel and improved deep-stroke reactivity. 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. Last years test winner i.e. With four assist modes on offer, the performance band of the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay spans a pretty wide gap. If so, we would be stoked if you decide to support us with a monthly contribution. 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. You can certainly climb with ease, you just wont access all of the Dyname 4.0s gut-churning torque unless you put in a bit of effort. The group test in figures: Background to the test field, the most exciting facts and interesting trends. 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. I came into this test expecting the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay to be a heavy, excessively powerful and glued-to-the-ground e-MTB. In fact, I was able to clean one bastard of a climb on my local test circuit that I have never cleaned before. Ride stats from RM Altitude from Strava, Garmin and Ebikemotion app: Moving time 1h 9m, distance 10.4 miles, elevation gain 2,091 ft., estimated average power 155w, energy output 647 kJ. Compare: 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 vs Instinct : /. 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 previous Bosch system, which is still used on the SCOTT Ransom eRIDE, you have no possibility to customise the motor. A steel chainring surely makes more sense for an e-MTB. On Test | The 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay - Flow Mountain Bike Despite its small 375 Wh battery, the ROTWILD R.E375 ULTRA has a Shimano motor with plenty of power. 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. Specialized e-MTBs tend to be very good at converting uneven pedalling inputs into a very smooth and linear motor output. Many other brands could do well to take note. But if you compare them in a meaningful way, they provide exciting insights into trends and developments. 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. How did we test the bikes? From Light eMTBs with limited motor support to powerhouses with plenty of grunt, everything was represented. This increase in air volume gave me access to more travel, while providing a deeper and floatier feel to the rear suspension, with less bouncing around during seated pedalling an important aspect for an e-MTB. As you can see, tires are a complex issue. If youre an experienced rider looking for more juice, the Powerplay is your play. Theres nothing but thumbs up for the tyre spec, especially the choice of a 3C MaxxGrip compound up front. It is unbeaten in technical uphill terrain and also feels most comfortable downhill on challenging and fast trails. This configuration affords greater flexibility when designing the bikes suspension kinematics, and it also allows for a standard press-fit bottom bracket shell. 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. Those results are listed a bit further down in this review. 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 Allow me to jog your memory. A 48V system will run cooler than a 36V system (great in Australian summers). Do you want a minimalist display or an unobtrusive Shimano Bluetooth connector (EW-EN100 dongle)? After all, a bike is only as good as the interplay of all its components in the real world! Thats why we prefer to provide you with some concrete tips here. Weighing in at 49 pounds, it's designed with a more playful geometry thats nimble enough to handle all but the most technical terrain. 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 eMTB of 2022 - E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine Most expensive bike in the 2021 group test: Specialized S-Works Levo/Levo SL for, Most expensive bike in the 2022 group test: Specialized S-Works Levo/Kenevo SL for, Cheapest bike 2021: FOCUS JAM 6.9 NINE for, Cheapest bike 2022: SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 for, The Norco Sight VLT C1 has the largest internal battery capacity at, The fact that only 2 Bosch-equipped bike are represented in the test field is due to the limited availability of Bosch bikes with the new Smart System at the time of the test and the fact. Only knock? The perceived noise depends strongly on the resonance of the frame and varies from bike to bike. Only the Specialized Levo is truly quiet downhill. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. My only other concern is with the rear end length. Rocky Mountain E-Bikes for Sale | BikeExchange.com.au The pedalling position on the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition is comfortable, making it ideal for longer outings. Today, eMTBs offer multiple levels of assistance that feel smooth and natural and many employ nearly silent motors. Was From. 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. Nonetheless, it resoundingly leaves the Specialized SL 1.1 behind on climbs. Is Veja's Foray Into Hiking Shoes a Hit or Miss? 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. 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. Not helping things, theres no audible beep to signal when youve changed mode. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Same attributes as our race proven Altitude. Our aim is not to slam the brands involved, but rather to make it easier for you to find the right bike. A couple of rides in, I removed the single volume spacer out of the Float X2 shock. If you are prepared to work harder uphill, you will find a bike that really delivers on the way down. However, there is still some mechanical noise and vibration thats caused by the idler and lower chainguide. All bikes in this test: Great deal on 2022 SPECIALIZED Turbo Levo Comp Carbon: Black - New - S3 frame size. And arm pump after a long run is also reduced (click here for an explanation of the term Software also has a huge influence on the riding experience and on the differences between the motors. Drailleur AR. You want a bike that delivers more motor power than a Bosch system? It is also not the right choice for beginners due to its demanding handling. 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. Price: $5,299 List Pros: Smooth and consistent power output, modern geometry, Cons: No digital display, wimpy tires and fork, center of gravity feels high. 2020 Santa Cruz Heckler Carbon CC X01 RSV E-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. 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. emtb - Australian Mountain Bike | The home for Australian Mountain There isn't one simple answer to this question: e-mountain bike restrictions are set by the owners of the land you plan to ride that could be the state, the feds or more rarely, private landowners. Rocking a mullet design 29-inch wheel up front and 27.5-er in back Marins first foray into eMTBs is a lovable joyride. When choosing a bike, its important to choose a concept that fits your personal requirements. 10 people spent 9 days in Tuscany, including sun, sea, awesome trails, arm pump and dolce vita. The motor is seamless and quiet and the powertrain's position gives it an aggressive feel on descents. Attention, spoilers ahead: the size or capacity of the battery increasingly determines handling on the trail. The Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 has a better fork and more travel, while the Turbo Levo Comp Alloy has 29 / 27.5 aluminum wheels and better components.