Test: A Rocky Mountain e-bike? Hard to imagine at first. In my opinion, a sluggish and somehow unsportsmanlike bike doesn't really want to go with the brand. But I was able to convince myself that e-bikes can be completely different from what was previously available on the market. The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay is a special eMTB. One that fits the brand. I don't want to anticipate too much, but I was really excited about it and it will give other motor manufacturers and bike manufacturers a lot to think about.
The Rocky Mountain Altitude is known, proven and freshly updated. We were only recently able to find out for ourselves in Riva that the latest version of it is still a great mountain bike.
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Test: A few weeks ago, the Canadian cult manufacturer Rocky Mountain presented the new evolution of its all-round bike Altitude. Even if the trail bike remains true to its core, the completely new frame gives you a more modern geometry, more downhill reserves and a somewhat more consistent orientation. We tested the new jewel at the Bike Festival in Riva. The rocky […]
The Altitude Powerplay is the same bike with an additional e-drive. The name fits, a look in the US dictionary reveals: gain control, brute strength, offensive play... That's what Powerplay stands for and after two days on the bike I would say it fits. The bike is a lot of fun, and other press representatives who have ridden the bike definitely felt the same way. And you could get an impression, there was a lot on offer: Extreme climbs, flowing sections and also stages of the EWS Enduro series and the bike performed very well everywhere. You can also ask Wade Simmons for his opinion on the bike and he doesn't mince his words: "Light, strong, efficient, cool like a motherfucker, it's the future"
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay: The bike in detail
Rocky Mountain is currently the only company that has built the E-MTB 1:1 like the normal, non-motorized bike and also offers the bike in the series. In other words, the geometry corresponds exactly to the Altitude without a motor. Those responsible at Rocky Mountain believe that an E-MTB doesn’t need any other geometry than a non-motorized bike. To be honest, that made me think: If you’ve ever set off on steep terrain with a Bosch CX, for example, you’ll actually be happy about a long chainstay ... on the other hand, ambitious bikers with good riding skills like to complain about the lack of handiness... but more on that later.
What I really liked is the equipment on our test bikes, which corresponds to the Altitude Powerplay C70 model. The 27×2,5 Maxxis Minion in the "wide version" (Exo Protection TR) fit the bike like a tailor-made suit. Really good grip, no spongy feeling or bouncy ball effect, like some plus tires. In my opinion, the stable carcass is much better than a wider tire with the same weight, at least on this bike, which is clearly aimed at active or aggressive riders. So that they run smoothly for a long time, they are mounted on Sun-Ringle Düroc rims and rotate around DT hubs.
The Fox 36 fork in the "E-Bike optimized" version comes with thicker stanchions, and the crown and shaft are also more stable. The grip damper is taken from the 34, which has also been optimized for the area of application. Without a doubt, the best choice was made for the gearshift: Srams EX1. The brake that Sram recommends for the E-MTB also comes from the company: the Guide RE. Crank, cockpit, telescopic support, etc. come from the Race Face range, which promises quality and durability in addition to function.
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay models and prices
Frame material: Carbon
Drive: SRAM EX1
suspension fork: FOX 36 Float Fit4 Factory 160mm
Mute: FOX Float DPS Evo Factory
impellers: DT Swiss 350 / Rocky Mountain 30AM Carbon
Weight: 21,6kg
Price: 9.700€
Frame material: Carbon
Drive: SRAM EX1
suspension fork: FOX 36 Float Grip Performance 160mm
Mute: FOX Float DPS Evol Performance
impellers: DT Swiss 350 / Sun Düroc 40
Weight: 22,3kg
Price: 6.000€
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay: Geometry
A real novelty on the E-MTB market: The Altitude Powerplay has exactly the same geometry as the non-motorized Altitude.
Geometry Rocky Mountain Altitude (Flat)
XS | S | M | L | XL | |
seat tube (in mm) | 368 | 394 | 432 | 470.5 | 508.5 |
Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 548 | 578 | 603 | 628 | 658 |
head tube (in mm) | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 | 145 |
chainstay (in mm) | 426 | 426 | 426 | 426 | 426 |
Wheelbase (in mm) | 1122 | 1153 | 1180 | 1206 | 1239 |
Steering angle (in °) | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
Seat angle (in °) | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 |
Reach (mm) | 380 | 407 | 430 | 452 | 479 |
Stacks (in mm) | 589 | 595 | 604 | 613 | 628 |
Geometry Rocky Mountain Altitude (Steep)
XS | S | M | L | XL | |
seat tube (in mm) | 368 | 394 | 432 | 470.5 | 508.5 |
Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 545 | 575 | 600 | 625 | 655 |
head tube (in mm) | 100 | 110 | 120 | 130 | 145 |
chainstay (in mm) | 426 | 426 | 426 | 426 | 426 |
Wheelbase (in mm) | 1119 | 1150 | 1177 | 1204 | 1236 |
Steering angle (in °) | 66.1 | 66.1 | 66.1 | 66.1 | 66.1 |
Seat angle (in °) | 75.1 | 75.1 | 75.1 | 75.1 | 75.1 |
Reach (mm) | 391 | 419 | 441 | 464 | 490 |
Stacks (in mm) | 578 | 587 | 596 | 604 | 619 |
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay: The engine and the drive
Not just the first e-bike, but its own drive. You have to know that Rocky Mountain's sister company has been building e-bikes and its own drive for several years, "Made in Canada". The motor drives the chain via an extra drive wheel, something similar already existed at Panasonic. The bottom bracket sits in the frame, not in the motor. You trust in a proven BB92 bottom bracket. This is how a Race Face Chinch crank can be used with a Dh spindle. A spider with freewheel is placed on the crank, followed by a conventional chainring. The pedal force tensions the chain between the drive wheel and the chain ring, which moves a "sensor arm" that uses the data via a magnetic pickup to determine the necessary level of support.
This works very well, as we experience in practice, more sensitively and precisely than with other systems. They didn't want to give us any information about the torque, but it pulls through very powerfully if you keep to a suitable cadence. 77 is the optimal cadence, it should also correspond to the natural cadence of a cyclist. You don't hear the engine at all, only its deflection rollers are more clearly perceived than it should be for our taste.
The Made in Canada drive runs on 48 volts, which is intended to reduce possible heat generation and also shorten the battery charging time. This brings us to a highlight of the drive: the battery is available with a fat 632 WH or 500 WH. The charging time for 80% should be 2 hours or 1:40 hours. Each battery is full in 4 hours. The battery integration in the down tube is said to have enabled 38 percent more capacity and 250 grams less weight than an external one. The control lever shows the battery charge and support level, you can also use it to operate the optional app. The app is available for Google Play and Apple and is intended to display the weather, for example, in addition to driving details.
You can increase or reduce the support with one button each, continuous pressure on the minus button activates the pushing aid. The control lever works very well, but is not as perfect as the rest of the drive. The keys don't give much feedback and the optics aren't as outstanding as the drive itself.
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay: On the trail
The trails were demanding, sometimes a borderline experience. But what do you expect when Canadians organize a camp and French enduro pilots are the guides?! But it was good that it got down to business, because that way the bike could show what it can do... and a hell of a lot! The bike is definitely very agile and manoeuvrable, no comparison to other e-mountain bikes with their long chainstays. As mentioned, the bike is more playful than its competitors, yet it's not too nervous at high speed. Even if a more experienced hand should grip the handlebars than on competitor bikes that often roll through the terrain like tanks. Due to its high weight, it still lies well on the trail and the suspension also ensures smooth running. The Fox 36 made a very positive impression, it works with gusto and sensitivity. With the right number of volume spacers in the air chamber, it doesn't dive too far, even on steep terrain. The rear triangle, also dampened by Fox, can keep up well, just like the regular Altitude. The "normal" bottom bracket height is also extremely positive: while the downward drive on other E-MTBs tends to touch down on steps, we have plenty of space on the Altitude Powerplay.
Very heavy riders, and experience has shown that there are more often with e-bikes, but they can sometimes require more than the maximum permissible pressure in the shock absorber. The Ride-9 system allows the suspension characteristics to be adjusted effectively, and Rocky also has a suitably tuned damper for every frame size, called "Size Specific Tune". The Altitude Powerplay climbs surprisingly well despite the short rear end. On the one hand, this is due to a harmonious weight distribution and the proven geometry, on the other hand, to the impressive engine. By the way, I couldn't find any influences between the chassis and the drive. I really didn't expect that the first throw could be such a direct hit.
The drive does not have to hide from Bosch or Shimano. Not only is it powerful, it pushes zero and has zero delay when starting off. It also "smoothes" extremely well, e.g. B. Out of Round Kick. But he is very picky about the cadence. He prefers not to be ridden at less than 60 crank revolutions per minute. But that's perfectly fine, the bike is aimed at real mountain bikers who want more options and is not an SUV, i.e. not an everyday bike with an off-road look. Active and ambitious bikers will appreciate how the Rocky feels and behaves. Not only because of the drive, but also in relation to the geometry and the components.
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay availability
The first wheels will be shipped in the first week of June and should be available by the end of June. As there are only a limited number available at first, you should register your interest with your local Rocky Mountain dealer. He also takes care of the service. There will also be a service center in Quebec and one in Germany. Small parts and spare parts are also available from stock within the EU. Everything on the drive is kept as simple as possible and the dealer should be able to carry out all work himself.
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