That way, a glance is all it takes to see whether the bike might be what youre looking for. After all, a bike is only as good as the interplay of all its components in the real world! Bike Test: Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 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. In those circumstances, it actually makes the Altitude Powerplay easier to control. Compare: 2022 Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Carbon 70 vs Altitude 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. The pursuit of maximum battery capacity Is the bike industry moving in the wrong direction? Become a supporter now! The higher the ratings on the scales at the end of each review, the better the bike is in these areas. Otherwise you cant expect longevity or lasting performance, nor can you expect lasting riding pleasure! No! 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. Bosch bring up the rear in this respect. 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. The low and central centre of mass is one of the main reasons for the outstanding handling of the Orbea Rise. 89% of our reader survey participants plan to buy a full suspension bike, and we think thats a very sensible decision. The lightweight eMTB with 150/140 mm suspension travel and 29 tyres always remains easy to control and elicits fun in every situation. Thats on the heavy side even for a big travel e-MTB, though theres certainly nothing dainty about this bike. There are even models that can compete with downhill-focussed bikes and with which you can hunt Strava KOMs. 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. The other has the new Smart System 2022, which is also based on the Bosch Performance Line CX motor. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 Bike 2023 (1) Award Winner . Actually, the rule here is: more is more! 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. 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. The best eMTBs are able to combine seemingly contradictory characteristics, like being agile yet composed. 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. That is, until you ride them. When going uphill, the slack seat tube angle (74) positions the rider far over the rear wheel. Due to the 470 mm long seat tube of the ROTWILD R.E375, not many riders will be able to make use of all that travel. A robust 63 miles of range, Sram GX Eagle 1x12 gears and a DownLow Dropper telescopic seat post only add to its appeal. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 Bike 2023 Compare. Our test crew munched on 300+ pieces of pizza. In fact, I was able to clean one bastard of a climb on my local test circuit that I have never cleaned before. First of all: you cant have whichever remote you want. 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. Class 3 electric bikes integrate a motor that activates only when the rider is pedaling and top out at 28mph (and feature a speedometer). 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. 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. Which routes and trails did we ride? And thats a good reflection of the market! Compare: 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Coil vs This means the BB bearings are easily replaceable, something that isnt the case with a Shimano, Bosch or Brose motor. You share this opinion: 77% of you stated in our reader survey that a 630 Wh battery is completely sufficient. Rocky Mountain 2022 Slayer Alloy 30 27.5" MTB Gold/Green. For some of our testers it was just 160 mm! - CushCore inserts as standard Yeti 160E C1 E-Bike 2023 Compare. Altitude lineup | Rocky Mountain Given its weight, the stocky wheels, dual-ply tyres and sticky-compound Assegai up front, that amount of elevation gain is impressive. : /. It impresses with the best system integration, high stability on fast descents while maintaining manoeuvrability and agility, as well as its modular battery concept. With the previous Bosch system, which is still used on the SCOTT Ransom eRIDE, you have no possibility to customise the motor. If you're curious about your state's designations, you can check them out in this state-by-state guide. For years, pedal-assists were forbidden from trails, non-existent in shops, shunned from mainstream media and magnets for vitriol. But which bike is the right one for you? Thats a hefty amount of riding, and more often that not Id run out of steam well before the battery ran out. Weve summarised what this can cost per year and what you need to bear in mind. The first consideration for many uninformed ebike buyers is a bikes range. Or is the industry moving in the wrong direction? Tuscany, staying in the bike hotel Massa Vecchia. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 Review Also new is a slim controller by the left hand grip, and a display unit thats integrated into the frames top tube. 10 people spent 9 days in Tuscany, including sun, sea, awesome trails, arm pump and dolce vita. Besides chain and drivetrain maintenance, your brakes, tires and suspension are the most important candidates for being serviced regularly. The Shimano XT brakes have been powerful and totally consistent, with the non-finned pads delivering a rattle-free ride. The good news is that trained bikers ears will be able to tell whether the motor is in its comfort zone or is about to fade out, like when youre about to stall your car. The E-MOUNTAINBIKE Print Edition 2022 is our fifth annual edition and the ultimate guide in your search for the perfect eMTB. Internal Cable Routing. You shouldnt buy an eMTB just because youve heard that a wireless SRAM AXS drivetrain is great. The group test in figures: Background to the test field, the most exciting facts and interesting trends. The motor anchors above and forward of the crankset, with a small drive sprocket that sitsclose to the main pivot. In terms of ergonomics, Bosch bring up the rear. 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. There is of course huge torque on tap, which becomes apparent the harder you pedal. Thats why you should also consider the maintenance costs for service parts and consumables. 2019. TCS velocorner.ch offers 15'000+ bikes from 300+ bike stores and individuals.. Best for steep and technical terrain, the Shuttle survives on the uphill and thrives on the down. How did we test the bikes? Last years Best Buy and the cheapest bike (7,199) in the test field, it was unable to defend the title. 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. They incorporate new technologies, new motors and in some cases huge batteries that will make the 2022 bike season more exciting than ever. 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. Press Fit BB. Its also a second generation system thats replacing a motor thats been on the market for four years, so it aint exactly Rocky Mountains first rodeo. 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. Its impressively discreet, and vastly quieter than the old bike thanks to the improved motor and chain management. 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. The Altitude Powerplay is a lot of bike and there's a lot to like about it. Not surprisingly, the factory tune achieved more mileage due to the lower Boost setting. 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. Once with the factory tune, and a second time with the Boost level turned up to +2. 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. Nothing is more annoying than the wrong purchase or a bike that bucks, protests or simply doesnt want to fit your requirements. 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. The price range in the test field is wide but this doesnt mean that the differences in performance are just as great. For increased sensitivity, the lower shock pivot rolls on dual bearings rather than a conventional bushing. Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Coil New Color $6,199.00 USD Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 New Color The Jumbotron does allow you to personalise the motors assistance levels and Boost character though, which well touch on in a bit. From here the next step was to investigate the dropout flip chip. 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. And importantly, downhill riding feels surprisingly similar to your old mountain bike. Like every car, every bike has a maximum permissible weight, which is specified by the manufacturer to ensure that the bike and all its components can withstand loads up to this rating. With the exception of the Dyname and Brose motor in the Levo, all motors in the test field rattle, some more, some less, loudly. But its not just kinematics, components and suspension travel that are decisive. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70 - Mountain Bike Database From Light eMTBs with limited motor support to powerhouses with plenty of grunt, everything was represented. Inside Rocky Mountain's Unique Powerplay E-Bike Motors A Light eMTB downhill with the climbing characteristics of an all-round eMTB uphill? A couple of rides in, I removed the single volume spacer out of the Float X2 shock. While the Dyname 4.0 motor packs a ridiculous amount of power with near-instantaneous response, the progressive delivery makes it highly controllable. If you value easier handling and more riding fun, you have to find the right balance less is often more. Out of the box the Altitude is quite long and slack up front, but the back end is very short at 437mm. 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. Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay E-Bike Test - YouTube PAGE 1 of 2. However, in technical terrain and at high speeds it is severely limited by its spec. PLANET3 - mechanical e-bike derestriction device However, to integrate the long battery in the down tube, a cutout over half a metre longer is necessary. 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. Firstly, this motor is incredibly responsive. It is unbeaten in technical uphill terrain and also feels most comfortable downhill on challenging and fast trails. 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. The test field is a real cross-section of the market offering the best, most interesting, exciting and relevant bikes for trail use. During one of my range tests, the Altitude Powerplay had no trouble ticking over 22km/h while going up a 12% gradient. For a better overview, we present all 13 bikes and their tops and flops below. With our years of experience and our comprehensive market overview, our personal buying advice will help you with your purchasing decisions and provide each of you with important information and recommendations. The best electric mountain bikes best overall specialized turbo levo comp alloy $7,500 at specialized best value off road aventon aventure $1,999 at aventon bikes best mixed wheel marin bikes. By Jeremy Benson, Joshua Hutchens, Chris McNamara Jun . To make the differences as clear as possible, we use the whole scale. The Most Powerful Class 1 Emtb We Have Ever Tested: Rocky Mountain'S But is different any better? However, if you adhere to the maximum payload of some bikes, we are almost all too heavy to ride them! It certainly soaks up awkward landings well, and I never once encountered a harsh bottom-out. Full Sealed Cartridge Bearings. Were told this was down to a simple availability issue at the factory. 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. The Trek Rail 9.9 leaves the test crew with very mixed feelings. However, you dont have a free choice with every manufacturer. - Seat angle could be steeper And arm pump after a long run is also reduced (click here for an explanation of the term The perceived noise depends strongly on the resonance of the frame and varies from bike to bike. the 3C MaxxTerra rubber compound from MAXXIS or ADDIX Soft (orange) from Schwalbe. While the ride height was good, and the suspension felt pretty plush, I did find there to be a lack of sensitivity deeper into the travel. Average speed 9.0 mp/h. For 2022, numerous manufacturers present bikes with enormous battery capacities of up to 1,034 Wh and celebrate their increased range. 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. 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 . For this, eMTBs should have four-piston brakes with discs of at least 200 mm. I ended up doing the same thing with the fork too. Specialized does about $500 million in annual revenue, Rocky does around $40 million. Yet today, bikes with batteries are the fastest growing category in the sport. The result is a surprisingly intuitive and controllable feel, which is especially noticeable when soft pedalling around tight uphill hairpins. Jan 26, 2022. For specs, prices and all the details on the new Altitude and Instinct models coming into Australia, check out our first look story for more. At higher speeds and on flatter terrain however, the short back end felt unwieldy for such a heavy and powerful e-MTB. Four long years after the Canadian brand introduced its very first electric mountain bike, the 2nd generation Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay has finally arrived. To manage that sensitivity, the new motor features a revamped torque curve that gradually applies power up to a maximum output of 770W. The Orbea Rise shows how its done! 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. 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. Specialized even has a special Shuttle mode that further reduces the required leg input, with the idea being that you can climb uphill with the minimum of effort required, so you save all your energy for the descents. Planet3 is een niet-invasief afstemapparaat dat eenvoudig te installeren en te verwijderen is omdat het in het achterwiel van de ebike is genstalleerd. Compare. We believe that every rider has different needs and preferences, and its up to you to find out what these are and then choose a bike based on that. By reading changes in the chain tension, this sensor gives a direct line of communication with the motor output, delivering a near-instantaneous response. The YETI 160E T1 is the deserved Best in Test and thus the best eMTB of 2022. Its also significantly more responsive under power compared to the Kenevo SL, and it rails turns better too. Mullet-who? With a smooth ride and easy handling, it is suitable for beginners as well as high-speed junkies. This is the best way to find out which battery concept suits you. But thats not the case on the Altitude Powerplay. 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. 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. Braaaaaap: this time the test field includes a bike that unrelentingly pulls away from any Bosch or Shimano motor uphill, but also engenders its own pitfalls! 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. Price: $8999.00. Customized for the Rocky Mountain as the Powerplay 3.0, this motor system is an interesting addition in the fray of electric bike motors. However, were very fortunate that we get to work where others go on holiday, i.e. 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. Front wheel lift was a problem on steep pinch climbs, and it also felt somewhat skittish on rowdier descents. Cycleworld - Concord West Enquire Now Enquire Now My only other concern is with the rear end length. The advantages are obvious: more drop means easier mounting and dismounting as well as more freedom of movement and safety on the trail. 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. As such, I was able to run pressures as low as 22psi in the front and 24psi in the rear. The carbon frame is also nicely crafted. In some ways it fulfilled those expectations, but in other ways it totally surprised me. The powerful and adaptable Dyname 4.0 motor is ready to go when you are, surging forward with 108 Nm of torque the. Your personal setup and the factory settings of the suspension fork and shock from the bike manufacturer also play a major role. Great dampers and high-performance components make it a fully capable whip thats functional on a wide variety of trails. The perfect suspension offers safety, reserves, comfort, control and enough feedback from the ground to actively manouevre the bike across the trail. Every product is carefully selected by our editors. In general, availability still poses major challenges for the industry in 2022. For anything more, you can find all the details on the best tires for eMTBers in our tire group test of over 50 tires. Whats the best eMTB and how do I find it? After subtracting the weight of the ebike from the maximum permissible weight, the load remaining for rider and equipment is sometimes just 95 kg. Lithium-ion batteries slowly lose capacity over time, so expect this additional cost down the line. Unfortunately, the range of functions is significantly limited compared to Shimano and Specialized, and the added value is low. At 95 kg, am I already too heavy for my eMTB? However, the suspension generates loads of grip, and combined with the robust tyres and well-balanced weight distribution, it absolutely rips through the corners. 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. Class 2 e-bikes are throttle-assisted and are equipped with a motor that can move the bike forward without pedaling. YT have the highest payload in the test field at 127 kg. One of the bikes uses the old Bosch 2021 system. And no matter where you take it, its an incredibly fun ride. Trek attempts to prevent the battery from rattling with foam padding in the down tube. 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. They also had to prove themselves over longer term testing on our home trails around Stuttgart and in the Allgu Alps. TCS velocorner.ch offers 15'000+ bikes from 300+ bike stores and individuals.. 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. 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. There was more than one occasion where I accidentally changed the assistance level, or double-tapped a button. That said, lots of power isnt necessarily better, as you will read further on. Rocky Mountain carbon 70 vs specialized enduro comp. 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. With smaller frame sizes or frames with a kink in the seat tube, insertion depth can often be a limiting factor. Specialized Turbo Tero X 6.0 . The conditions were just as varied, ranging from wet and slick to dry and grippy. We planned the test route based on your preferred riding style and terrain as indicated in our reader survey of over 16,000 participants. 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. Will those taller folks wish for longer chainstays? 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70, - Superb handling is up for anything Altitude Powerplay | Rocky Mountain Allow me to jog your memory. 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. A clever modular concept can be a sensible alternative to a standard system with a 630 Wh battery. A similar inflection point has hit cycling on a much larger scale. Which of these would perform better for Mostly scetchy jump trail as well as a pump track with a steep fire road climb. In general, you should follow manufacturer recommendations as theyll have the most experience. The Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 wins the Design and Innovation Award. Full Sealed Cartridge Bearings. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 90 Rally Edition Bike. Unfortunately, it still rattles at high speeds through braking bumps, over edges and on landings, creating vibrations that can be felt in the bars and that upset the Rails composure. 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. As you can see, tires are a complex issue. The quality and type of pads also play a decisive role when it comes to powerful braking. Each bike review aims to answer these core questions, giving you a clear recommendation or even advising you to look elsewhere. With this in mind: forget about the numbers! Again, swings and roundabouts. Pedal strikes also became an issue, as the BB ends up being quite low in that slack setting. Then again, Mick found the novelty of all those features quickly wore off during his long-term test of the Levo. The best eMTB of 2022 - E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine It inspires a load of confidence on technical descents, with the suspension gobbling up rocks and big hits with ease. The bigger the disc, the better the control, the better the modulation on long descents and the better the resistance to fade. The difference here may simply boil down to the progressive suspension rate. This is indeed a bloody good e-MTB. The good news for all price-conscious buyers: in our next issue, we will have a group test of cheaper models. Perhaps the noisy idler also convinced me that the Altitude Powerplay wouldnt be as efficient as its competitors. 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. 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. How long are your longest rides and how much ascending do you realistically do? the Dyname from Propulsion Power Cycles. Federal law classifies all electric bikes as "motorized", and as such, does not allow them on trails or land where motorized vehicles are prohibited. However, all this wont do you much good if you dont have the right tyre pressure.
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