Although you dont necessarily need the biggest disc rotors as a 70 kg flyweight, you will still benefit from them. 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. - CushCore inserts as standard It's perfect for hyper-aggressive riders who want to ride the hardest trails without a chairlift or truck shuttle. Even while out of the saddle, with my chest hanging over the bars to keep the front wheel weighted, the power feels easy to modulate, allowing you to make the most of the high-traction suspension and grippy rubber. 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. 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. But which bike is the right one for you? - Controller buttons are too light and vague in use
Do you run out of juice? It is also not the right choice for beginners due to its demanding handling. The good news for all price-conscious buyers: in our next issue, we will have a group test of cheaper models. 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. In other words: the best overall package of handling, uphill, downhill and touring performance, design, motor, specs, battery concept and detailed solutions. 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. But dont look now because things are starting to change. Weighing in at 49 pounds, it's designed with a more playful geometry thats nimble enough to handle all but the most technical terrain. Other bikes are capable of covering an equally wide range of applications while also outperforming the MERIDA in individual specialisations. 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. Once with the factory tune, and a second time with the Boost level turned up to +2. My only other concern is with the rear end length. RIDE-9 Adjustable Geometry + Suspension Rate. Further geometry adjustment can be found in the Ride-4 flip chip at the lower shock mount. Being a lighter rider and on flat pedals, I personally found the suspension to be too kicky. In the end, everyone has to decide for themselves which handling compromises they want to accept in favour of more battery capacity. Its claimed to be smaller and lighter, while maintaining the whopping 108Nm of torque that its predecessor was known for. However, in technical terrain and at high speeds it is severely limited by its spec. This differs to my experience of riding other e-MTBs, where Ill typically only ride in the Eco or Trail modes on technical ascents. We have a clear goal: to help you find the right bike for you and your needs. Like the longer travel Altitude, it gets the new motor and Ride-4 chip. In reality, the freedom of movement is limited, just like on the SCOR, despite the apparently short seat tube. Its also significantly more responsive under power compared to the Kenevo SL, and it rails turns better too. Fitting a GRIP2 damper would be an excellent upgrade, and Id be quite curious to try a coil shock too. Nope, I want my cake and I want to eat it too. For years, pedal-assists were forbidden from trails, non-existent in shops, shunned from mainstream media and magnets for vitriol. 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. Unfortunately, just because an eMTB is expensive doesnt mean it will last longer if you dont take care of it. As you pedal, the chain tightens and pushes up against a jockey wheel, which is the main torque sensor for the system. 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! Allow me to jog your memory. By reading changes in the chain tension, this sensor gives a direct line of communication with the motor output, delivering a near-instantaneous response. Were much more interested in what really matters. : /. But out in the real world, this can backfire and make many bikes worse for trail use. 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. No bike manages to combine almost irreconcilable opposites as well as the YETI 160E T1. Just because you have the range doesnt mean youll have fun riding! Like every person, every bike has its own character that inevitably embodies both strengths and weaknesses. 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. The bigger the disc, the better the control, the better the modulation on long descents and the better the resistance to fade. If your favourite brand isnt included, thats no reason to throw in the towel. We think giving points according to a rigid scoring system isnt the most helpful approach since it oversimplifies this very complex topic and doesnt do it justice. 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. The test field is a real cross-section of the market offering the best, most interesting, exciting and relevant bikes for trail use. In general, you should follow manufacturer recommendations as theyll have the most experience. At the beginning of the new season we test the flagship bikes of the year and price plays a subordinate role. with an optional additional battery. Rocky is offering the frame in sizes SM-XL. Pedal strikes also became an issue, as the BB ends up being quite low in that slack setting. 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) As a result, an arms race for larger batteries has been taking place for years. eBay Kleinanzeigen: E Mtb E Bike, Fahrrder & Zubehr - Jetzt in Halblech finden oder inserieren! 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. If you want to know more about what has caused this, you can find all the information here. Dry, boring, complicated: numbers have a bad reputation. All bikes with Shimano EP8 or Bosch Performance Line CX motors have a design-related motor rattle when the chain is loaded (under suspension compression), which usually occurs on the downhill or on flat or rough ground. Of course, price plays a role for most of you. At the other extreme, the button on top of the controller is somewhat hard to push. Inevitably, that also includes the battery and motor concept. As a pedal-assisted e-mountain bike, the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70 is powered by a Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive, 250W nominal power, 880W peak power, 108Nm max torque motor and a Li-Ion, integrated, removable; compatible with second Overtimepack battery (314 Wh), 720 Wh battery. One of the most. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Same attributes as our race proven Altitude. 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. 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 Mom wouldnt be able to save you. Unfortunately, far too many people are still blinded by individual components that look good on the shop floor. Being the e-MTB version, the Fox 38 comes from the factory with three volume spacers fitted instead of the usual two. No! 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 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. 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. 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. Rocky Mountain 2022 Slayer Alloy 30 27.5" MTB Gold/Green. Weighing in under 42 pounds (the lightest on this list) and offering a 40-mile range, the Levo SL is a true unicorn. 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. Nothing is more annoying than the wrong purchase or a bike that bucks, protests or simply doesnt want to fit your requirements. As a result, the same motor can feel quite different in two different bikes: this can be due to the suspension kinematics, the geometry, the spec and the integration into the bike, amongst other things. MSRP: $6,500; MODEL YEAR: 2023; Read Review. Whats the best eMTB and how do I find it? 2-Bolt ISCG05 Tabs. If you want to chase over trails at high speed, it wont be. On bikes with Shimano or Specialized motors, the support levels of the motor can be adjusted to suit your personal needs via the app. - On the heavy side. Motor manufacturers determine these specifications and compatibility. While many manufacturers rely on standard systems from Bosch and Shimano, our test also includes models that want to convince as Light e-MTBs with lower motor power and a modular battery concept i.e. VTTRocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alu 50 2019. . Many other brands could do well to take note. Pricing starts at $8,999 AUD for the Altitude Powerplay A30, and goes up to $15,999 AUD for the Altitude Powerplay C90. 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. The first consideration for many uninformed ebike buyers is a bikes range. Along with a lighter weight build kit, the Instinct Powerplay is targeted at longer distance riding on less extreme terrain. If you value easier handling and more riding fun, you have to find the right balance less is often more. Made for aggressive, all-day riders, the newly-launched Shuttle is turning heads. The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay is the biggest and baddest e-MTB that Rocky has ever built. How did we test the bikes? The most controversial segment was and to some degree still is electric mountain bikes (eMTBs for short). 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. Yeti 160E C1 E-Bike 2023 Compare. A useful method to determine where you can ride your e-bike is to determine which class it belongs to: there are three, each with its own restrictions and designations when it comes to trail access. The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay is the biggest and baddest e-MTB that Rocky has ever built. The carbon frame is also nicely crafted. Lying there, pinned under his superior strength, you had the gut-wrenching realization that life would never be the same. We rode on doubletrack and woodland paths with obstacles of all kinds going both up- and downhill. Its possible to reduce the leg effort required to bring on the motors power via the Boost setting. The SCOR 4060 Z ST XT impresses with its touring capabilities, the customisable paint protection films and the fun ride on flow trails. Most eMTB hardtails simply arent made for the trails! The Altitude Powerplay's linkage does have one significant difference from other Rocky MTBs, and that's the mid-high main pivot location. The E-MOUNTAINBIKE Print Edition 2022 is our fifth annual edition and the ultimate guide in your search for the perfect eMTB. Price: $8999.00. Altitude Carbon 90 Rally Edition New Colour eBay Kleinanzeigen - Kostenlos. Which of these would perform better for Mostly scetchy jump trail as well as a pump track with a steep fire road climb. Software also has a huge influence on the riding experience and on the differences between the motors. With the previous Bosch system, which is still used on the SCOTT Ransom eRIDE, you have no possibility to customise the motor. With that in mind, here are seven of our favorite eMTBs today. YETI have combined all their geometry and suspension know-how in a great overall package powered by a Shimano EP8 motor and 630 Wh battery, creating a bike that is the new benchmark in trail performance, for everyone from beginners to pros. Even still, the Altitude Powerplay doesnt ride like a chopper, with a fairly moderate 625mm stack height. Related Articles First impressions - The Ibis Oso Ride Review. Price plays a subordinate role because, understandably, manufacturers debut the most exciting technologies and concepts in their flagship models. Rocky Mountain have opted for a 48V platform for their batteries (most manufacturers run 36V) This is especially important for Australia. The only major downside is a very loud motor that calls to mind a coffee grinder. In this group test, our aim is not to find the best bike with a certain technical feature or component i.e. 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. The 750 Wh battery can be removed to the side in typical Trek fashion. 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. However, the poor reliability of the battery system, as well as the poor integration have room for improvement. Perhaps the noisy idler also convinced me that the Altitude Powerplay wouldnt be as efficient as its competitors. Remaining: 76%. Our reader survey showed that three brands are particularly interesting and important to you: Specialized, Haibike and CUBE. 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. Despite its ability to mob through straight-line chunder, it rips turns with surprising nimbleness that had me constantly grinning from ear-to-ear. Those results are listed a bit further down in this review. 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. Today, eMTBs offer multiple levels of assistance that feel smooth and natural and many employ nearly silent motors. The fact that the main pivot isnt sky-high no doubt contributes to this predictable weight distribution. Four long years after the Canadian brand introduced its very first electric mountain bike, the 2nd generation Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay has finally arrived. Theres nothing but thumbs up for the tyre spec, especially the choice of a 3C MaxxGrip compound up front. Dankzij zijn planetaire mechanische tandwieloverbrenging benadert de magneet de reis 3 . The motor anchors above and forward of the crankset, with a small drive sprocket that sitsclose to the main pivot. FOCUS Jam 7.0 (Click for review) | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K (Click for review) | Norco Sight VLT C1 (Click for review) | OrbeaRise M-Team (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 (Click for review) | Rotwild R.E375 ULTRA (Click for review) | SCOR 4060 Z ST XT (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL (Click for review) | Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS (Click for review) | Yeti160E (Click for review) | YT DECOY MX Core 4 (Click for review). Altitude Powerplay Alu 50. After all, body size is usually also related to body weight. 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. With this group test, we provide answers to the most important questions when buying and help you invest your hard-earned money in the right place and prevent you from making the wrong purchase. Here you have to be in the right cadence range for the motor, to minimise the noise. Trek attempts to prevent the battery from rattling with foam padding in the down tube. Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain. 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. Loose terrain is more approachable. Federal law classifies all electric bikes as "motorized", and as such, does not allow them on trails or land where motorized vehicles are prohibited. 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. There are huge differences not only in motor power, but also in battery capacity for bikes that are aimed at similar applications: models like the Specialized Kenevo SL Light eMTB with a 360 Wh battery and 35 Nm torque output, take a different approach with less battery capacity and sometimes less motor power, while manufacturers like Norco, packing 900 Wh, exhaust all possibilities to integrate as much juice into the down tube as possible. 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. Remember, there is no simple answer to the question of, How far will I be able to ride on a single charge? We delve deeper into the topic of range and battery capacity in the next chapter. Thats why we invited two bikes from each of these manufacturers to the group test.