Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay EMTB – First Ride

May 26, 2017
by Paul Aston  



Rocky Mountain has taken a big, ballsy step, into the EMTB category, launching their first, power-assisted bike with a carbon frame housing a proprietary system and integrated battery. What you are looking at is a bike from a Canadien company that was designed in Vancouver, assembled in Quebec, and will initially only available in Europe.

Rocky was keen to point out that the Altitude Powerplay is still an Altitude through and through, not just a bike with a bolt-on power unit. The majority of the bike's features, construction methods, materials, and geometry are shared with the 2018 non-powered bike. To get all the details on the purely human-powered Altitude, you can read Mike Levy's recent piece here, for this article, we focus on the added Powerplay system.





Altitude Powerplay Details

• Intended use: EMTB / all-mountain / enduro
• Proprietary Powerplay system
• 500 or 632-Watt/Hr battery
• Limited to EU regulations - 25 km/h power cutoff
• Wheel travel: 150mm rear / 160mm front
• Ride-9 suspension/geo adjustment
• Smoothlink suspension
• Weight: 22.21 kgs (Carbon 70, size large, actual)
• Availability: June, European markets only
• MSRP: €5700 - €9700 (slight variations between terrritories)
www.bikes.com

Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay launch Valberg 2017. April 2017. Photo by Matt Wragg

Carbon, Aluminum and Battery Options

There will be three models of Powerplay to choose from, starting at €5700 and heading skywards to €9700. For the commenters, I am going to beat you to this one–yes, you can easily buy a motocross bike for less, and nearly afford an electric KTM MX bike for a few hundy more.

The top of the range Carbon 90 is the only model with a full carbon frame. The 70 and 50 models feature the same carbon mainframe but use an alloy chainstay and seat stay. The higher end 90/70 models will come with a whopping 632-Watt/Hr battery, the 50 will have a smaller–but equal to its competitors–500-Watt/Hr unit. The Powerplay drive unit, geometry, wheel size and travel numbers are consistent throughout the range.


Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay launch Valberg 2017. April 2017. Photo by Matt Wragg
The integrated battery can only be charged on the bike, bad luck if your bike storage doesn't have a power point.
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay charger
Considering an EMTB? Consider the fact you will need more stuff, including a proprietary charger for each different system on the market.

Rocky have gone with a 48v system, which allows quicker charging times than with lower voltages. You can't remove the integrated battery to charge it, but you should be able to get 80% of power topped up in two hours.


Powerplay Drive

Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay control
There is no display unit on the Powerplay. The button control is simple to use and LED's indicate mode and power levels.
Rocky Mountain s system uses a standard RaceFace crankset
Rocky Mountain's system uses a standard RaceFace crankset

Housed behind the gloss plastic cover is Rocky's Powerplay system, which was developed, and is assembled, in-house. Instead of using an off-the-shelf system, they developed their own unit that gave them the characteristics they wanted: super fast engagement, a short, 425mm chainstay, chain line adjusted for added power transfer and the possibility to use a standard PF92 bottom bracket and crankset.

The Powerplay doesn't use a computer screen display on the bars. Rocky decided to keep things simple with a thumb button remote on the left side of the handlebar. Here, riders can turn the bike on and off, change power modes and see battery life displayed by LED's. Three power modes are set as standard: Eco, Trail and Ludacris, which deliver 40, 60 or 100% of available power. Outputs for each mode can be adjusted with Rocky's mobile app.



The proprietary motor and bike is assembled in Quebec.


The Powerplay drives from an axle in front of the chainring, with a torque sensor between the two. As the cranks are pressured, the tension on the lever will tell the motor how much power is needed – harder pedal strokes mean more power assist. This is said to give a much quicker motor response than anything else on the market. Other systems use torque sensors that only read once per pedal stroke. Rocky say that this quick response should help to make the ride more intuitive and learning to ride the bike won't be necessary.

A standard RaceFace crankset is used with a PF92 bottom bracket. The only difference being the Spragg clutch bearing in the chainring spider, which allows back pedaling without turning against the drive of the motor. Rocky say that this will help with ease of maintenance as you won't be forced to open the motor casing in order to change bottom bracket bearings.

The Powerplay is also backed by a mobile app that works with Android and iPhone systems. Currently, in a beta version, the full program will allow riders to change the power modes as a percentage of complete output, use GPS maps to plan rides and know how far they can ride judging by current power use, and lots more. You can even plug your device into the USB port to keep it charged from the main battery.


Build

The Powerplay is sensibly built. The 150/160mm chassis seems to be in the preferred travel range that many tester's favorite EMTB's are settling at. The 160mm Fox fork is the e-Bike optimized version, which has a bulked-up crown, steerer and stanchions to take the extra beating that results from the bike's extra weight. The thicker-gauge stanchions do mean, however, that a 36 damper is too big to fit; a smaller Fox 34 unit is used instead.

27.5 Wide Trail. Is this another wheel size? Not quite, but Rocky have chosen to use 2.5-inch WT tires from Maxxis on a 40mm rim. Many would say that a 40mm rim is too wide for a 2.5-inch tire, but the WT version rounds the profile, the wide stance gives the extra support needed for the heavier bike, and also gives the option to install tougher tires. Even though RM was the first brand to release a production plus bike, they believe that the plus tires aren't accurate enough for the aggressive way the Powerplay can be ridden, and the availability of heavy duty tires in 2.8-inch sizes (and larger) is not good enough yet.

I still think derailleurs are a silly idea for a mountain bike, but SRAM's EX1 8-speed, EMTB-specific drivetrain is turning out to be head and shoulders above the rest when used in conjunction with added motor power. The Guide RE stoppers use an older-style Code caliper for added power and 200mm rotors. The tougher drivetrain and beefed-up brakes are a must on EMTBs's and it's nice to see the inclusion of these parts on every bike in the range.


The E-Bike Optimised version of the Fox 36 uses thicker walled stanchions steerer and a solid top crown.
The 'e-Bike Optimised' version of the Fox 36 uses thicker-walled stanchions, steerer and a solid crown.


Altitude Powerplay Questions With Rocky's Brian Park

Paul Aston - How did Rocky consider the environment when moving into the Powerplay project. A carbon fiber frame combined with a lithium-based battery probably isn't welcome news for people who want to minimize their impact on the waste stream, but is the way this bike can be used (cutting down on lift and shuttle use) likely to offset any environmental downsides?

Brian Park - We’re mindful of the environmental impact of all our bikes, the Altitude Powerplay included. We chose to use high-quality Samsung cells and an advanced charging system to make sure our batteries are able to recharge as many times as possible. Lithium ion batteries have many opportunities for effective recycling, and the growth of electric cars is driving rapid improvements in recycling systems. Cutting down on shuttles helps, as does bringing in new riders from more environmentally-impactful sports. For example, during our launch in Valberg, one of our guides mentioned that one of his largest demographics is former moto riders.

Aston - Which kind of rider do you think the Powerplay is for? Is it for any mountain biker?

Park - We designed the Altitude Powerplay for trail riders, same as our regular Altitude—the very first line in our design brief states that we set out to build an aggressive trail bike. Knowing we were free of the constraints that other manufacturers face with bolt-on, 3rd-party motor systems, our North Vancouver development centre built many test-mules with a wide variety of geometries and suspension numbers. Ultimately, we concluded that for an aggressive trail bike what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Geometry and suspension remain a function of intended use, electric assist or otherwise.

Aston - You created a proprietary system to gain the ride qualities you desired. What are the downsides of your own system, in terms of compatibility and parts replacement?

Park - The Powerplay drive system uses a bottom bracket that’s part of the front triangle rather than incorporated into the drive like other systems. This allows our system to use a conventional bottom bracket for easy service by any trained bike mechanic, rather than needing to ship a motor unit away when you need a new BB. It also allows us to use normal, high-performance cranks, using the Race Face Cinch interface to house our clutch-bearing. Other wear items like the drive pinion are easily serviceable with common shop tools.

Service support will always be a concern on a new, disruptive system, so we put a ton of effort into building a robust back end of diagnostic tools to make troubleshooting easier at the authorized dealer level. Currently, we are introducing the bike into European markets only, so we’re opening a European parts and service centre and have been busy training support technicians across Europe.


Aston - How does Rocky consider the impacts on trail access? Here in Europe, EMTB's are taking off. It seems that the bikes are being welcomed and promoted and we have already started to see trails being built thanks to them. Are we likely to see more trails for all bikes globally, horse and cart drivers thought cars would destroy their roads, but now we have roads all over the world?

Park - I get your point with the cart-vs-car analogy, but I do want to say that we built this bike to ride proper trails, not paved, sanitized flow trails. The Altitude Powerplay is a mountain bike to ride mountain bike trails.

There are some very real issues surrounding EMTBs and trail access, and we understand the concerns some people have—although as you point out, EMTBs can have a positive impact on trail access as well. There's a particularly thorny situation in the USA, which is one reason we’re introducing our bike in Europe first, despite strong demand for it in the US market.

More people on bikes is a great thing, and it’s awesome that EMTBs widen mountain biking’s appeal to more potential riders. It’s hard not to have a shit-eating grin on your face after riding an Altitude Powerplay, which, outside of some internet forums, is why we all started riding in the first place.

And finally, the genie is out of the bottle and never going back in. Electric-assist bikes are here to stay. We support more dialogue with trail access groups, legislators, riders, builders, and manufacturers; it’s all of our business to figure this out so we can grow our sport, protect our trails, and keep having fun on our bikes.


Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay e-MTB First Ride


On the Trail

Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay launch Valberg 2017. April 2017. Photo by Matt Wragg
Expect an EMTB to turn climbing into the fun part of the ride and more than double the amount of descending you can do, until the battery runs out.


As you may have noticed, this is our first EMTB feature on Pinkbike, with my limited riding experience on these machines I don't want to spit hyperbole on the ride characteristics. We currently have a range of bikes with various systems on test in Europe and will be rolling out content over the following months.

The first thing to notice, is that even though the motor is extremely quiet compared to other EMTB's I have been riding (Shimano and Bosch systems) the added jockey wheels and rollers create some noise akin to a downhill chain device from 2003, that's badly aligned and needs a service, OK, maybe not that bad, but it does rumble along when pedalling. The flipside of this, and mostly thanks to the integrated battery, is that the Powerplay is super quiet off the power and on the trail and feels solid throughout. One downside is that this battery can only be charged on the bike. Removing the battery requires the motor to be taken off too. While that may not prove an issue for every rider, my garage has no power point, so hauling a dirty, 22kg bike up the stairs into my small apartment in order to charge it isn't ideal. Also, a proprietary system takes you out of the running for a quick battery swap at the rumored 'battery stations' that could be popping up around Europe for other systems.

Like all the EMTB's I have tested to date, the added weight gives a planted feeling on the trail that is out of reach of a conventional bike, along with improved suspension action and massive grip levels. I don't think the weight is a real issue on the trail, after a few E-rides, strength builds and I find myself doing nearly everything the same as when I'm on a normal bike when changing line, hopping and even nose wheelies into switchbacks. Weight is a non-issue going back up, as the effort needed to climb these bikes is less that of an 8kg XC race whippet. I find myself repeating sections over and over that I would never bother to pedal back up to normally.

One of the best things about an EMTB? Climbing is much easier so you challenge yourself to ride up the steepest things you can see. Climbing trail that you would on a normal bike is a breeze on the Powerplay, but heading up the vert, a huge amount of body language is needed to keep the front end down; super-short 425mm chainstays, a not-super-steep 74º seat angle and an extra 300 watts of tireless power does mean you are riding a wheelie machine. Changing into a lower power mode did calm this down, but the limiting factor seems to be the geometry over the power - maybe I am just too lanky and my seat gets too high?

Overall, Rocky seem to have built a solid, well thought out machine. Time will be it's judge as we take the Altitude Powerplay for back-to-back testing against other systems and bikes on the market. We'll be watching as this quickly evolving market move forwards.


Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay e-MTB First Ride








photo
About the Reviewer
Stats: Age: 31 • Height: 6'1” • Ape Index: +4" • Weight: 75kg • Industry affiliations / sponsors: None • Instagram: astonator
Paul Aston is a racer and dirt-jumper at heart. Previously adding to the list of non-qualifiers at World Cup DH events, now he attacked enduro before it was fashionable. Based in the UK, but often found residing between mainland Europe and New Zealand allows him to experience a huge variety of terrains and trails.


Posted In:
eMTB First Rides


Author Info:
astonmtb avatar

Member since Aug 23, 2009
486 articles

186 Comments
  • 178 71
 Pinkbike please stop posting this shit.
  • 25 30
flag lkubica (May 26, 2017 at 0:31) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah, Pinkbike, stop earning money, this is lame Wink
  • 31 4
 @MrMiyagi last Sunday, I went to arzler alm for a short hike, and I saw so many ebikes I was feeling bad, but then I also noticed none of the rider on them were wearing helmets, and none of them took the single trail to go down. What I learnt from this is that 1. Ebikes people are not threatening trail access at the moment 2. People riding ebikes are not the same as the one reading pinkbike.
I also saw a guy without helmet, on a 160mm fs ebike, with vertical bar ends, Lycra, pedaling up with a lowered dropperpost...
  • 41 19
 why the hate?
  • 11 7
 @zede: ... and 3. we're going to see a rise in accidents with the e-bike surge as more technically inferior riders ride things they would never ride. And they don't even wear helmets...!
  • 17 0
 Imagine you ran out of battery with a 22kg bike.
  • 2 0
 Vert-Rider-Grip, carry that thing up!
  • 7 1
 Yep. And now we have this kind of reviews that most of us are not interested in and on the other side I'm waiting for 6 months that someone take that @!#$ Niner's Rip 9 for a spin a write something about it.
  • 26 1
 First the Boost 20, then 29" V10, then 29" Session, then the first ever review of E-bike on Pinkbike! So much troll food! we'll all be so fat this summer that we may need one
  • 8 1
 PinkE-bike
  • 13 9
 Its the future believe it or not
  • 9 0
 @zede: yeah exactly. even at my hometrails there are ebike groups in jeans struggling at every root and corner going down. they are mainly truly unfit (skill AND fitness) to handle such a machine and the only reason they are visiting these trails is because of the motor... they would have never gotten the idea to ride a normal bike there
  • 19 11
 Up yours, Mr Miyagi.

Excellent, balanced, ** OPEN MINDED** review, Paul.
  • 3 6
 @jzPV: "hey are mainly truly unfit (skill AND fitness) to handle such a machine and the only reason they are visiting these trails is because of the motor... they would have never gotten the idea to ride a normal bike there"

Oh, bollocks.
  • 17 4
 @RedBurn: Belive or not, I'm really not a hater and I'm well avere that we'll have to find a way to coexist somehow.

But.. I'm a married guy with 2 small kids and I really don't have much time to go out and ride my f@#&$ bike. So, when I have 15 min of spare time, I come here. Sites like Vital and Pinkbike are my escape from daily routine. My sanctuary (if you want me to be melodramatic ).
And i don't want to read here about e-bikes! Or Kardashians family. Or similar bullshit.
  • 7 8
 @pakleni: how about you take that 15 minutes and do something productive.. like ride your f-in bike around the block..
I know this cause I too am a married man with small kids..
The trick, is not to live in an apartment.. one door, and you need to be able to get outside.
  • 5 4
 @pakleni:
tough shit, maybe i do want to read it?
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: popcorn popped
  • 10 4
 No option but to ban them. How do you police the difference between an E assist bike and a KTM electronic dirt bike with more torque than a 125 and will tear the shit out of trails?

The lines are going blur in the coming years. No real option but to ban anything with a form of motor. If not we'll end up loosing trail access.
  • 1 2
 @denomerdano: is that you Jocko Willink?
  • 2 5
 @WAKIdesigns:
Just an expat trying to serve justice to the swiss privilaged..
I can complain with the best of them, but getting tired of lack of time excuses.
  • 5 0
 @seidla: I don't know about the helmets. I do agree that some folks think they can conquer mountains... even though it MUST be said that bikes don't get you to the top of the hill "for free". You still have to have some kind of condition AND technique. My riding buddy comes from those enduro desert rallies - he is not in great condition, but has good technique: depending on the climb he too can have a hard time, but as I said he manages to ride down and enjoy it.
Other e-folks? Hmmm... not so sure... And I bet someone will do something very stupid and they'll ban all MTB riding in certain places. Shame...
  • 13 0
 @UncleGroOve: "And I bet someone will do something very stupid and they'll ban all MTB riding in certain places. "

You can bet on that
  • 11 3
 @leelau: like bombing down a trail in a pack of 5 bros and scaring the sht out of hikers, like it's been going on for the last 30 years? Oh I'm sure they will be checking if bikes have motors as they throw their children and elderly off the trail and into the bushes

Officer! There's been an E-bike 29er with air suspension and clipless pedals, riding down at me at 50Mph I've never been more scared in my life! I threw my children behind me and threw my wife to the ground as I was running away - at first I thought it was a Grizzly! And then they rode back up! Combustion engines on motorcycles - you can at least hear them coming! Ban these things!

Nah, I know, it's just Australians, they never slow down and drink beer in Whistler
  • 4 3
 @zede: I ride MTB since.... forever and i read pinkbike, bikemag,bikeradar.... Right now i own a yeti sb5 turqu. And u know what ? i love e-bikes too.
  • 1 0
 @seidla: So? Let them crash.
  • 2 0
 @KeithReeder: well said that man.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: @leelau Just to clarify: I wasn't implying that these e-riders will engage in unruly or otherwise offensive behavior. I'm thinking more of causing trouble because of lack of skills...
  • 1 0
 @UncleGroOve: yea like hundreds of thousands of MTBers on analog bikes all over the world. Go to Lake Garda and look at people riding there, check out the sheer numbers of people on bike marathons. Go to a bigger bike park, with Joeys aka "perfectly normal people", look what they do. Taking pics, standing on dh tracks, sometimes behind the table top jumps. All the idiots I already mentioned bombing down hiking trails, not slowing down scaring the sht out of hikers. Or people like this moron from video posted recently on DirtMag website, pushing bike up a trail in a bike park. Fears of E-bikes, at least in Europe, are highly unfounded. Most of us are fortunate to not live in a Police state like US. One of very few countries on Earth where a ban for all sorts of MTBs can actually be executed because they like to equip police and juridical system with all the tools to fk you up for nothing.
  • 45 1
 So the industry is happy to slap big heavy motors to mountain bikes but not develop something that would make huge technical leap forward like gear boxes.
  • 4 0
 This ^
  • 14 0
 Of course, with their engines they can sell you ebike specific forks, shocks, transmissions. With gearbox no new stuff to sell and worse even, no more consumable transmission parts to sell. That is why
  • 12 0
 Sh*t up and buy a Zerode ..
  • 6 2
 Gear boxes aren't going to bring any new people into the sport.
  • 5 0
 The cycling industry has already milked those with a reasonable degree of fitness and ability, it's time to move on to the rest.
  • 8 0
 @delusional: Neither are ebikes. They are bringing people to a DIFFERENT sport.
  • 1 0
 @RedBurn: As soon as they make a proper XL 29er I am there!
  • 1 0
 @alexsin: only a question of time... before august you will have it
  • 37 14
 Me likey. In a future perspective, I mean.
I'm 52. If and when I will be really OLD I'd like to count on the help of a clever, well thought, fun to ride e-bike like this one.
That's how an e-bike should be designed, and I hope this approach will prevail over the awful panzer monsters we have seen so far.
To all the whiners: do you really feel so alpha-maley and self righteous? Seriously?
  • 40 14
 I'm 57. I commute year round, hit the DJ spots, spend time in the Alps, frequent a bike park once in a while, ride a road bike. None of this with e-bikes. What are you advocating, special trail access for old people? Do I get to use a two stroke MX if my senior phone doesn't run Android? Put me in an electric wheelchair if you need to, but don't expect me to ever be caught on a bike like this Rocky as long as I'm able to make that decision.
  • 27 1
 As a bike nerd, I love the technology on display, and I'm impressed with Rocky Mountain's execution. Tidy and surprisingly normal-looking; they restricted the weird stuff to a well above the BB. More companies should adopt that approach. Kudos for striking out on their own with the motor system.

As a purist, I admit that no, I am not particularly interested in the idea of eMTBs, nor in trying them myself. I think the mechanical simplicity of the bicycle is what makes it beautiful, but I don't seek to impose on anyone else's right to ride e-bikes responsibly. I don't feel insecure when a fitter rider blows by me on a climb; how much less emasculated will I be by someone who bought his watts?

As an American, however, I am concerned by the rise of eMTBs, not because I am "alpha-maley and self righteous", but because our trail access is tenuous as it is. Already, my local MTB community has encountered inexperienced eMTBers who do not follow proper trail etiquette, speak abrasively and dismissively to trail users of all kinds, and ride restricted trails illegally. We can't expect hikers and equestrians to successfully distinguish between motorized and unmotorized mountain bikes when they complain and lobby. Most of them would be more than happy to have an excuse to keep the trails to themselves, and who can blame them? Wouldn't we if we had the chance?

If I lived in another country, with less restrictions and fewer lobbying threats, I would have nothing to say on the subject. More riders? All the better! But I do live in the United States, and so I feel duty-bound to voice a perspective of caution and temperance. The physical and technical challenges of mountain biking traditionally ensure that, while we are the fastest trail users, we also develop the skill and responsibility to keep other trail users safe before we're fast enough to threaten them. E-bikes remove that barrier, and that makes them a threat, and that's why we grumble.
  • 11 0
 IMO. It's not about old/young skilled/unskilled it's about trail access. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trails I ride and I hope it continues that way. Let the ebikes slug it out on the dirt bike trails. Rocky is smart to tread cautiously regarding the north American market. That said, looks like Rocky has a real winner here. Quality bikes from a great Canadian company. Cheers!
  • 17 5
 @Bluefire: absolutely hear you on the concerns around trail access. We've launched this bike in Europe only and are holding off on launching this bike in the USA for the time being, until we have a clearer picture of the impacts and landscape.

Glad you're digging the bike itself!
  • 6 0
 @RockyMountainBicycles: Thanks for the response! I did note and appreciate that marketing detail in the Q&A section. It's a little ironic that a heritage Canadian brand is more considerate of the health of mountain biking in the US than a couple of our own big firms. Their unseemly, zealous haste makes one a little queasy... and more than a little cynical.
  • 16 3
 @RockyMountainBicycles: Meanwhile we are happy to ruin the riding experience of European riders while coining some euros.

Luckily the local ebike riders don´t ride after lunch, but I have had to can morning rides as I was coming across huge groups of them.
  • 2 1
 @dave-f: whatever you like bro, that's exactly my point, live and let live. In my opinion, there's a difference between being 57 and being 77. I hope to reach a venerable age, and maybe between the Bronson and the e-wheelchair there are many grey areas.
BTW I'm not advocating anything: I just feel free to make my choices without giving a rat s%&t about what talibans think.
  • 4 0
 @Bluefire: I can very well understand your point.
  • 11 6
 @RockyMountainBicycles: are you trying to say you don't give a shit about trail access issues in Europe ? Nice
  • 7 8
 @dave-f: I@m 56, and I ride both a Cube full sus e-bike and a 2017 Giant Trance 2.

Guess what?

THEY'RE BOTH A BLAST.

The fact that I own an e-bike tells you NOTHING about me or my abilities. It just tells you that I've got an open mind, and that I've actually RIDDEN an e-bike.

And as is regularly the case, once you try an e-bike, you want an e-bike.

Again - OPEN MIND.

"but don't expect me to ever be caught on a bike like this Rocky as long as I'm able to make that decision."

Frankly I don't give a f*ck what you do or think. Stop being a tool and return the favour, maybe?
  • 3 5
 @Dont-hit-trees: "it's about trail access"

Not in the civilised world, thankfully...
  • 10 2
 @KeithReeder: maybe you should not assume the entire world is like U.K. ? trail access is a problem in France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, USA, Canada too I guess ? So if ebikes brings more crowd on the trail, more weight, more power up and more skid down, yes it's definitely the problem
  • 4 1
 @zede I'm not sure where you are getting your information in trail access, but the UK has far less trail access than most regions of those European countries you mention.
  • 4 2
 @mattwragg: I never said it's fine but @KeithReeder seemed to say it is. In most European countries it's theoretically forbidden to ride on single trails (2m rule)
  • 8 9
 @zede: That's nonsense - that rule pretty much only exists in Baden-Wurtemberg, and even there it is not consistently enforced. Legally an ebike is a bicycle here and you're welcome to go wherever you please on it (apart from in national parks).
  • 4 1
 @mattwragg: In France, the rules are different whether it's a private trail registered as a hiking trail, a public hiking trail, a public hiking trail in a national or regional park, a trail which depends on the ONF, a sea side trail, a river side trail, and a fire access trail. Now ultimately, it mainly depends on the local rules. In France the good thing is that mtb is an old sport and is well tolerated by most of the hardcore hiking associations which are the one behind trail maintenance and trail access rules. In switzerland, it's more complicated because the whole country is filled with regional and national parks + swiss mentality. In Germany you said "the rule only exists in Baden-Wurtemberg" and that's true, but this represent half of the interesting trails. In Austria, the main problem is the stupid conservative mentality (meet a hunter while you ride and you will see what i mean), erosion and over-use of a minority of trail by a majority of hikers and mtbikers. And in Austria, the mtb is a quite recent sport, so hardcore hikers don't always tolerate mtbikers.
  • 9 1
 @mattwragg: I think in Germany we have huge problems regarding trail usage, not only Baden-Württemberg. It's pretty common to find nails, wires or something similar on trails in every region. It happened at our hometrails (Bavaria), in the Taunus near Frankfurt (Hessen) and in Stuttgart a mountainbiker was severely wounded because of a wire between two trees. The guy was riding alone and was lucky to be found by a random person. A complete list would be endless. At every other ride you have problems with hikers, even on uphills and wide forest roads. Mountainbikers are not very tolerated here.
  • 6 0
 @RockyMountainBicycles: Reading your comments I get the impression that it's OK to introduce this bike in Europe regardless of the "impacts and landscape", whereas the US is a whole different story. On the one hand, you can argue you're just giving the respective markets what they want. But this can also be interpreted as having no corporate position or sense of responsibility.
  • 7 0
 @mattwragg:
just to clear things up - focused on Austria
in general it is forbidden to ride a mountain road/road in the woods at all. the reason are legal restrictions that are there in theory, but nearly nobody cares about it. In case of an accident my insurace does care about it.
E-bikes are forbidden on any kind of wood/mountain road at all due to law. They are motor vehicles and are therefore not allowed to use these roads because it is illegal with motor vehicle.
So trail access is an issue and this topic is discussed by interest groups behind closed doors. This also is a problem for non e-bike mountain bikers as the number of "illegal" bikers rises.
So an e-bike is not an bicycle and therefore your statement is nonsense. Look up the laws that are relevant and you will see. I agree that the 2 meter rule is nothing of relevance in Austria. The whole topic is not that straight forward at all and in discussions like that it is easy to forget - e-bikes are motor vehicles - at least in Austria according to the laws in play.
  • 1 0
 @listeryu: thanks for setting that straight.
  • 1 1
 @leelau: one more thing - I can´t see why this difference should stay in place. People in charge (called politicians among many other nicknames ;-) ) need change that and also open trails to any kind of bike & e-bike.

I don´t feel bad about e-bikes or hate them. I make a living of repairing bike/e-bikes so the more the better. I´ve also seen what it does to people who were not cycling/e-biking before. The result speaks for itself and anybody who does not like e-bikes is not forced to buy one.
  • 2 0
 @Dont-hit-trees: yeah I would totally ride an eMTB at 4x4/moto spots, or as a commuter that I could haul 150lbs of gear on. They are not for bicycle trails, as they are motorized. I always tell people, as an alternative for combustion engine travel (shuttling, motos, commuting via car, etc), eBikes are fantastic. As an alternative to a bicycle, however, they sicken me. @Bluefire explains my concerns quite well.
  • 39 14
 Blasphemy Pink bike reviewing mopeds wtf. .
  • 19 14
 Few fella's took E-Bikes to Cavehill and got 4 runs in, in the time I got 1.5.
Who had more fun in? Me, puffed and knackered, on my normal bike, or them who smashed 4 full top to bottom runs and were still looking for a 5th run?
Like them or not, they kind of make sense.
  • 13 5
 @iian: it's not about the quantity it's the quality. If you want to cover more miles, buy a proper motorbike, there also electric ones. Cycling has other purposes and ways of getting them. That's my biggest fad against the ebike crowd, they're looking for something that has nothing to do with cycling (and the spirit of it) and their looking to impose a certain "we're the future" that has already been delivered by other sports.
  • 7 10
 @t-stoff: "it's not about the quantity it's the quality"

And e-bikes get you more of both,
  • 11 3
 @KeithReeder: quantity yes you may have, quality, I doubt it. If you cant deal with what you get from normal MTB and you crave for more so that you need and engine you're definitely wrong. That's not what MTB is. You are part of a small percentage of people who are definitely mistaken here, you want MX or MX Enduro, you despise what lies on cycling, that's why you are here trying to convince anyone that the rules that they accepted when they choose this sport are invalid. I choose mtb & cycling for challenging myself by my own. Motors? Dopping? That's cheating and defeats the purpose. Pass.
  • 4 2
 And I'm not rushing out to buy one either, just making the point that in some cases, for some riders, they definitely make sense.
Besides, if they're of no interest to you, why worry about them? Let E-Bikers E-Bike and you, me and everyone else can ride our normal bikes.
  • 3 1
 @iian: who said I was worried? I'm just replying to you statement, if you browse comments there's people worried about trail access (I'm yet to find someone riding up what's always been a downhill run), see, those are worried people, I'm not. I was just saying that quantity doesn't always mean quality.
  • 6 1
 E bikes are like masturbation. When you cant get the real shit you make do with the surrogate. Ok to be a bit more serious it is why you dont put barends on riser bars or why you dont fondle your mom or sister. Yes, it is possible, sure, might be fun, but it just opens a whole other can of worms that makes it not worth it. It might work on bike parks where you dont have lifts. It might work if you limit it not by speed but by total system power to equal what an average rider puts out (surely not FTP 250). My 2 cents.
  • 7 2
 @iian: They make sense on a DH track where you wouldn't pedal uphill anyway, not on a trail.
A good downhill run is supposed to be a reward, not an entitlement. You're not entitled to have fun if you don't deserve it.
I'm sick of the modern society full of lazy degenerates who are convinced that every minute of their life must be fun and that they're entitled to everything they want without making any effort.
  • 3 0
 @t-stoff: very good point
  • 2 3
 @Extremmist: Please, state more of your personal opinions about what you think people do or do not deserve and what a good downhill run is supposed to be as if they are facts.
  • 2 0
 @Pedro404: They are not my personal opinions, they are facts.
Having fun isn't the reason why sports were invented. The main aim of any sport is to utilize and improve your fitness and either challenge yourself or compete with others.
Riding an e-bike instead of a normal one neither improves your fitness, nor presents a challenge.
  • 1 1
 @Extremmist: Thanks, that's exactly what I asked for Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @Pedro404: "Tolerance is a proof of distrust in one's own ideals."
You're welcome Big Grin
  • 17 1
 Ahhh come on Paul. An electric bike from Rocky Mountain was never designed for people with small apartments without garages. Can't really blame them for that can ya? Ha. On a sidenote, I love the sleek looks and think this is a step forward for e-bikes
  • 13 0
 1. e-Bikes are 1st world problems
2. the technical approach on this eBike is promising, but the bike is still way too heavy

Last week I spent a week at Lake Garda, and eBikes are the rage there. Lots and lots of more or less unexperienced riders in big guided groups.
As I was pedaling up the Ponale up to Rocchetta, I got tangled in such a group of eBikers; none of those folks seemed to have any experience riding on two wheels except for maybe a commuter for work. After about 1000 meters up at Malga Palaer, their batteries ran out (because going up full power) and they returned rolling down the road.
Anyway they would never have made it up to Rocchetta on the 422, because how would they lift their 22kg - monsters up the steep steps and roots on this part of the trail?
I got estranged looks from them, because I pedaled my 16kg superenduro all the way up. I am 58.
  • 16 2
 Since when is "More people on bikes is a great thing..." true? Unless you are living of it.. I don't like crowded trails, places, nature for sure.
  • 10 0
 *this* growing the sport only benefits the industry.
  • 3 1
 @Ozziefish: oh yea? I don't know where you come from mate, but I know how MTB trails looked like back in 2001 in Poland when I was starting to ride. You could hope for 100metres of a singlerack, rest was fire roads, and even then, MTBers were considered as enemy of state and nature. Quite frankly all this online whining is just ungrateful, spoiled a-holism. If one cannot appreciate the state of trail centers and bike parks popping up, existing ones developing their networks, bikes getting better and better - all thanks to growth of the sport then, he should go fk himself
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: fair play. Even though you made it in a very arseholey kind of way, your point is a very good one that I hadn't considered (even though I come from an area where the highest hill is about 80m so I know your pain)! I suppose the pipe-dream then is for companies to invest in the trail networks to entice people out to play and thus buy their conventional bikes - would be cool.
  • 1 0
 @Ozziefish: sorry for that, but it really gets on my nerves. Appreciation, looking for good aspects of each situation is a way to live a happier life. There's difference between appreciation and blind acceptance. Just like there is a difference between conservation and preservation. That's what the stupid 26 for life club doesn't get. Conservation contains the inevitable change, preservation works against the change, which is fine if you want to keep a huge area of land from any influence, so that animals and plants can exist there not bothered. But it is a stupid endeavor when it comes to bicycles... I don't know, maybe it's easy for me since I started with a shitty bike in shitty place. There are now 3 bike parks in the area where my parents live, a trail center just above their house. And some people still come and complain that it ain't as good as this and that trail in Whistler on Czech Republic. I want to smack them, I really do. My brain just short circuits "IDIOOOOT" within a milisecond and stays this way for months, until I can speak to the guy again... or those people who have never touched ground with the spade (not that I do it much either) and they come and have opinions on features on local trails. They speak as if they deserve something for showing up for a ride. "it sucks there aren't many jumps around". Why don't you build one?! And I feel for my buddies who build a lot, they hear this shit and I just admire and love them for keeping it cool. I'm not sure I would... I love that sentence "nobody owes you anything" Smile
  • 12 1
 There are pluses as far as inclusivity when you can't ride a mtb are concerned but if it has a motor it isn't a mtb and this isn't the place to review it. Just because the industry is making money from them doesn't mean you need to review then even if they pay for r+d on real mtb. Please don't help legitimise them as a tool to use on natural trails before their impact has been properly assessed
  • 3 6
 "if it has a motor it isn't a mtb"

OF COURSE it effing is! Even UK law explicitly acknowledges this.
  • 9 1
 @KeithReeder: law has anything to do with logic or truth; a bike's only propelling force is it's rider, period.
  • 4 0
 @KeithReeder: that's just my opinion, I didn't consult the legislation. I genuinely believe there are positives with e-bikes, particularly in regards to getting injured and disabled riders on the trails but I feel like a bike with a motor is a motorbike
  • 5 0
 yeah! or this: vespinarium.blogspot.com.es/2010/12/vespino-alx-1986-1991.html

if cranks are needed in order to be allowed to hit the trails
  • 3 1
 @LuisCR jajajaja el Vespino y la Mobilette fueron realmente las primeras "e-bikes".
  • 17 4
 So this is why Tippie left...
  • 3 1
 have you asked him about it?
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Nah, but it makes for a good story....
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: i haven't. Bit of joking you know. Not a Nazi-joke, but still...
  • 1 0
 @Muckal: Ride on Buddy! Yeah! Big Grin
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: i hope so, my right arm is killin me right now
  • 15 2
 Nooo
  • 8 0
 All bike technology enables more trail miles to be ridden than before, causing greater trail damage. E-Bikes are an order of magnitude more impactful in that respect. I think justifiable hatred of e-Bikes is grounded in the fear that increased trail use will not be backed by increased trail advocacy and awareness. I share that fear. I don't want e-Bikes on non-motorized trails.
  • 2 2
 .... that said, eventually as e-tech improves, weight penalties decline, nearly all bikes will be e-bikes. I just hope by then we'll have our trail preservation / advocacy issues worked out sufficiently.
  • 17 10
 If you don't like E-bikes then don't get one, stop whining tho when you see an article on them. Like it or not there is a market for them:

Long travel E-bikes mean every dh trail centre in U.K. becomes an uplift.

Short travel e-bikes allow older or less able folk to get out and enjoy a ride.
  • 11 3
 Older people can ride bikes fine, they are very effecient. Less able riders should stick to trails that match their skills.
  • 5 8
 @muletron: "Older people can ride bikes fine, they are very effecient. Less able riders should stick to trails that match their skills."

Oh, f*ck OFF. It's not about "fit" it's about "fun".
  • 1 1
 Really, who is the market for a $10,000 USD ebike? Like the article said, you can buy one of these for virtually the same price

www.ktm.com/e-ride/freeride-e-xc-1
  • 2 0
 @muletron: @muletron: 'less able folk' was talking about those with minor disabilities mate.
  • 9 2
 Rocky Mountain's press department would hereby like to announce that they desire to be taken off peoples' list of manufacturers of tasteful and stylish bikes. As a token of their desire they have released this bike and would like to thank you for your attention.
  • 7 1
 Okay, so my 0.02£/$ on the issue...

Firstly - mountain biking is badass. You do ridiculous shit in the woods, that most people wouldn't even be able to get to, let alone touch. It's being at one with nature, it's seeing bits of the world that others don't, and it's doing badass shit and feeling good about yourself. The unadultered biggest issue with E-MTBs is that a bunch of unskilled, unfit normies will parade around their fat faces as "mountain bikers" and give proper riders a bad name. It's meant to be a hard sport. STAHP CHEATING.

In addition...

If you're not fit enough to get into the wilderness under your own power, how the f*ck are you gonna get back out of it if shit goes wrong? It's all very well being inclusive but I think there's a very real issue with mechanicals 20 miles into uninhabited woods when you're incapable of returning to the start under your own steam...
  • 9 0
 That thing weighs more than 22 kilo's man, youre definitely gonna need that wagon wheel cassette when your battery runs out.
  • 2 0
 thats what my first DH bike weighed
  • 16 7
 It's a bike with a motor. It's a bloody motorbike whatever you call it.
  • 2 14
flag KeithReeder (May 26, 2017 at 6:13) (Below Threshold)
 Surprised you can type this well. Don't your knuckles dragging on the ground make it difficult?
  • 3 0
 @RockyMountainBicycles can you comment on system drag? Is it like a Bosch...or a Shimano in terms of powered-off drag? I know the jocky wheel probably adds a bit, but exclusive of that, how is your system?

And lastly, is this system seen in any of the Evox brand bikes with the jocky wheel implementation?
  • 5 2
 i don't understand all the hate against e-bikes...

shall we ban all DH bikes from pinkbike as well, cause mainly the use lift access / shuttles to get to the top of the trail and not pedal uphill?

of course ebikes bring more people to the trails, meaning more problems...

and if you are fool on a normal bike, you will be a fool on an ebike and vice versa
  • 3 0
 Considering the weight of this bike, proprietary components and price range I don't anticipate seeing it on a lot of trails. As has been mentioned it would suck to be on this 38lb bike far from your car when the battery dies.

I think the biggest issue with ebikes is the speeds that they can climb. We're already dealing with speed conflicts on downhill trails, now we'll have to deal with speed conflicts on uphill trails? If the uphill speed was limited to what the average person can climb, less the 10km/hr, you could address this potential conflict.
  • 3 0
 riding an ebike, trading derivatives on an demo account, drinking sugarfree coke , smoking ecigarettes , drinking caffeinefree espresso, climbin mt.everest with oxygen during summer is like...onanism
  • 2 0
 I usually feel disgusted when I see an e-bike, but I've to recognize that last week I saw an 80 y.o. man riding with his friends, climbing steep stuff and I though, with a smile in my face: "yeah! this shit expands the period of my life that I can keep on pedalling!!"... now I think it reasonably a good thing, depending on the circunstances IMHO
  • 3 1
 Perfect bike for the wealthy baby boom generation in europe. Who cannot power them selves the way up and are to afraid to ride some trails, but want to look young and bad assssssss....... I have a lot of love for Rocky Mountain, but somehow this is not what i'd like to see. Let's hope this isn't an example for other thoroughbred mountainbike brands.
  • 2 0
 Sick bike! Love the minimalistic approach just like the Specialized. I own a Turbo Levo and I tell you this Rocky mountain seems one step above the Levo. The chain on the Levo comes off a lot, the system isn't as perfected as the Rocky. Ill be switching over in the next couple of years. And made in Canada!! Big yess accross the board. Make it available here guys common!
  • 2 0
 I'm tempted to jump on the dislike bandwagon but i won't (proprietary stuff is rarely a good idea). This is an interesting design and like or not the technology needs to develop and they have their place. It may not be 'our' place but there are people out there who want to ride off road but get put off physically.
  • 7 4
 Looks good!! No shuttles sounds a bonus, I've got one yeah tonnes of grip but nowhere near as playful as my trail or dh rig. Still when I've only got a couple of hours and need a quick blast it comes out
  • 9 4
 Rocky Mountain, please introduce your bike in NA instead of Europe. We don't need more of those fake bikes.
  • 1 0
 "you are riding a wheelie machine...the limiting factor seems to be the geometry over the power - maybe I am just too lanky and my seat gets too high?"

Bike companies should definitely start increasing chainstay lengths on the larger sizes. If 425mm chainstays work for the size small, they should be closer to 445mm - or maybe even more - for the XL.

Things like the new Santa Cruz Chameleon having 415-430mm stays and 73 degree seat angle, even on the XL? Madness
  • 3 0
 Lets hear from the anti-gun control Americans who say these are bad for trail access. Personal responsibility possible for guns ....but not emtbs. Lol.
  • 1 0
 "There's a particularly thorny situation in the USA, which is one reason we’re introducing our bike in Europe first, despite strong demand for it in the US market."

@RockyMountainBicycles I'd be really curious where that demand is. Locally in New England, I have into 3 people who are in favor. One person was claiming it was so he could ride with his son. He seemed significantly upset he couldn't keep up with someone who is 30 years younger than him, so he got a near top of line e-bike to level the playing field.

Are you guys seeing people that are willing to spend more money than the average trail user for a new experience? Because by the participation numbers, I can't see a majority of users wanting electronic assist bikes on trail.
  • 1 0
 The bottom half of the Internet is peppered with some right shit! I know I'm pissing into the wind here but, here goes... Why complain about pinkbike covering a topic that is of interest to many of its readers? I understand that not everyone is interested in ebikes but, a % will be! I'm not particularly interested in 4X but, I appreciate that it has a following. It's a balanced article (not marketing propaganda) so, what's the issue?
  • 9 3
 Who cares?
  • 15 9
 Garbage
  • 10 5
 Good review , I want one ,
  • 3 0
 It must be very difficult to make an E-bike look aesthetically easy on the eye. Maybe when battery size comes down will they stop looking so bloody overweight.
  • 1 0
 at least with a bosch, yamaha, or shimano drive unit you know where you stand with maintenance and spare parts, but this who the heck do you get in contact with for a service manual, and parts, as if they've gone bosch's route with fibre reinforced nylon, you're going to wear through drive gears like brake pads. proprietary batteries, and cables is okish for each system, but for each bike that's a giant headache.
  • 2 0
 It was time the Ebike market started using proprietary stuff; only three motor/battery makers ? too easy. Wait to see a boost version of the batteries or motor that will force you to change crank because of torque power.
  • 4 2
 @colourclashing for sure maintenance and spare parts will always be a concern on a new, disruptive system, but we put a ton of effort into building diagnostic tools and opening a European parts and service centre, as well as training support technicians across Europe (including the UK).

We also use more conventional high performance parts than other eMTBs (bottom brackets, cranks, etc.), so wear items are less of a pain to work on, and there's no need to ship a motor away to service a BB. Our top guide roller aligns the chain with the drive pinion directly—dramatically reducing wear. And, once it does need service, the drive pinion is easily removable with a standard cassette tool.

We didn't go down this road because it's easy to make our own system. We did it because we weren't willing to accept the geometry and suspension compromises with the existing systems out there.

Cheers!
  • 2 0
 @RockyMountainBicycles: okie dokie, i was just coming from the angle of doing ever bit of maintenance myself, and being able to phone up and get any part i need, without having to send the entire unit off.
  • 8 3
 E-Bikes. Because we don't have enough problems with trail access yet.
  • 4 3
 Screw the rest of you, I think it looks awesome. I'm a lazy ass guy so this sort of thing appeals to me, regrettably I'm such a lazy ass guy I barely ride so can't justify the outlay. But at 34 I'd have one given the chance.
  • 2 0
 @pimpin-gimp you sir are to be applauded for your honesty! But you have no future in bike industry marketing with that candour
  • 1 0
 Nice and open minded review Paul! As you can read here in the comment section, this doesn't quite go for your audience. Unlike other mountainbike websites like dirtmountainbike.com and enduro-mtb.com which designated e-bike content to a separate section on their website, Pinkbike actually claimed that e-bikes don't belong on Pinkbike only to then publish loads of this content. Which, due to the mixed opinions of the PB public, releases a shitstorm. I'm only starting to believe that this is exactly what PB wants because of all the traffic hence income it creates. Shame to see such a balanced and honest review like yours to be used as a vehicle for that though, because it deserves better.

Four weeks ago I was in Switzerland for a week (Meiringen, quite some decent hills in the area). Because I needed a new water bladder for my backpack, I dropped by the local bikeshop and was greeted by a wide array of emtbs. The shop employee was friendly to help me with the bladder and obviously I was curious about riding here. He said I was free to ride an mtb wherever I wanted, but I couldn't take the cable car. Stuff is steep there (this is the area of the Eiger, Jungfrau etc) and if people could use the cable car, pretty sure they would. Now if people bring their emtb, they can just ride and don't put such a burden on the infrastructure. The comparison to ski tourism might be apt. Back in the day, people used to hike op all day to enjoy a single run down the hill. Nowadays it has become quite acceptable to take the uplift and ski or snowboard back down and enjoy several runs a day. This became the big thing for these areas. But it meant that they had too much capacity in the off season (with many gondolas running empty or near emtpy) and ques in high season. Neither is desirable. Now that snowfall is dwindling in recent years, these areas are looking for alternatives and a summer gravity sport like (downhill or enduro or whatever you want to call it) mountainbiking is an excellent addition. And then, riders who take care of their own uplift (by means of pedal assist or just Nino like fitness) take away some of the burden on the infrastructure. It is only a good thing for these areas. If I'd live in one of these areas, pretty sure I'd save up for one of these bikes. I'd mean I could ride regularly and focus on the stuff I like to ride. As it is now, no I don't need one.

As for the bike, the concept is definitely interesting. It means you can keep riding regular cranks etc. But from a business point of view, it is tough. First of all, I believe the market for true electric mountainbikes in Europe is small. PB mixed stuff up. Yes loads of bikes with electric pedal assist are being sold. But nearly all of them are for commuting, for people to get to work, to the shops etc. A small portion is for sports and recreation. It may be different to the North American market where most bikes are for sports and recreation. Now for these emtbs sold in Europe, there are already quite some big guys like Giant, Cube and Haibike (from Accell) who already have their sales and service network sorted. I think the ones from Trek are even designed in Europe. Even if you want something more artisian which, to be fair, goes for Rocky Mountain their facing tough competition. Nicolai and Orange will make you a proper European made e-mtb too.

TL;DR: Good article. Product makes sense. Rocky Mountain is facing tough competition in a small market.
  • 6 1
 ..
  • 7 2
 22 kg hahahaha. #moped
  • 5 4
 You obviously missed the tests from Dirt and the video from Bike Radar where they shown that for non-elite DHillers, yes I am looking it you, the heavier frame is faster. Evidently faster
  • 7 0
 @WAKIdesigns: yeah, but who am I kidding, I ride like a wee snail. If I can chuck round the bike and play around more easily because its lighter, i'll still be slow, but i'll enjoy it a hell of a lot more!
  • 3 3
 E-bike whiner are woohoo boring, dull and repetitive. It's worse than listening to football fans. Yeah you hate, you you have used slavery lame and completely pointless argument under the sun, yeah we don't care. Shut up and go back home to your sad little lives... E-bikes are here to stay, so whining like little girls who lost there dolls isn't going to help. This comment is almost entirely filled with haters ranting the same thing over and over and over.
  • 2 0
 I'll take Commencal FURIOUS RACE 650B 2017 brand new & Honda CBR 600 second hand for that amount of money. And probably something will remain for protective gear. Thanks.
  • 8 4
 only makes sense for not 100% able body people. if ones is healthy...LOL
  • 1 4
 "only makes sense for not 100% able body people. if ones is healthy...LOL"

No, they also make sense for anyone not 100% bell-end.
  • 5 5
 All the haters just need to suck it up and get out and try one, I guarantee you will be lying if you say you didn't have one of the most fun days of riding you can remember! You work just a hard as on a 'normal' bike, if not harder, because you're looking for and playing off the fun bits of the trail 100% of the time, not just on the downs.
Sure, they're expensive, not for everyone etc etc but for a fun days riding that opens up the 'ups' to be enjoyed as much as the 'downs' they are a revalation!
  • 3 5
 Nonesense.
  • 3 1
 this ( youtu.be/jxTvMaJBT3c ) looks like a hell of fun too, but we are talking about mountain bicycles, in a web page about bicycles, btw
  • 4 0
 I feel like somehow the ebikers get some hate because they are trying to shove up something that no one asked, because there are other sports available that can cover speed and miles that a bike can't. So it's like showing up on a waltz class and insisting on playing hiphop.
  • 2 3
 @muletron: "Nonesense."

You *know* that, do you?

Or you just spouting whatever ignorant and uninformed opinion that springs to mind?

Obidog is clearly speaking FROM EXPERIENCE. Actual KNOWLEDGE, y'know?
  • 1 0
 @KeithReeder: so you just skipped heroin based on what? common sense or experience?
  • 1 0
 @Obidog - I've tried several
  • 1 0
 @leelau: point?
  • 4 4
 Lets face it, most DH and Enduro guys are all wannabe MX riders - look at the gear you wear (Full face, Googles, Fox gear etc) and some MTB guys have even started using 'Braapp' which is a total 2 stroke term. So now you can get a bike with an engine for those that can't use a clutch Wink

I still ride MX and Moto Enduro but injury has curbed that for me a bit. EMTBs give me bike release and really do make MTB better.

Try one before you hate...
  • 3 1
 "wannabe MX riders", like Gwin, eh?
GFY
  • 3 1
 @ismasan: Yeah have read about Gwin and his MX career, I am referring to the weekend warriors that look like they are about to take their MX bike out, but are actually having aa cycle at their local trail centre.
  • 2 1
 @ismasan: GIRFUY - go look that up you tosser

Have read read some of your other comments, you are a prick...
  • 1 0
 @pmski: its worse than that, we don't ride mx bikes becausour wives say not to...
  • 1 1
 @RockyMountainBicycles:
Serious question. As you had the change, why not integrate a gearbox with drive belt? I understand it would have added weight, but the mentioned noise would have disappeared and make it look slimmer. It would have been a chance to test it, no?
  • 5 1
 grabs popcorn....
  • 11 2
 And a hotdog. And Nachos. And full fat coke. And a hefty selection of sweets. And a lard cake. And is still super fast because I'm riding an e-bike.
  • 9 7
 Great Bike, down is the funn, and this needs no lift. Perfect to explore the alps! #future
  • 3 0
 When battery is gone, you got a fancy heavy hellduro bike.
  • 3 0
 Pinkbike, you have cojones the size of 29ers!
  • 4 1
 All good. I just won't buy a Rocky Mountain.
  • 5 2
 For efff sakes ...
  • 2 0
 That narrow-wide chainring is of no use in that bike...
  • 4 2
 Perfect for old people! I mean really old. For me now. f*ck that Wink
  • 1 0
 How long does the charge last? Is it good for a full day out or just a few hours?
  • 1 1
 Oh my god my phone spellchecker sucks!

"Yeah you hate them, you have used the every lame and pointless argument under the sun, yeah we dont care."
  • 2 0
 I wish it looked like a session.
  • 2 1
 Rocky can fit a motor, a battery, a shock for 150mm, AND a (probably large) bottle? No more excuses, Yeti!
[Reply]
  • 1 0
 I want to hate it, but then it would be pretty nice to have a shuttle day with no shuttle.
  • 2 0
 Well thank god it's a press-fit BB! Wink
  • 1 0
 I just came here for the comments. Seriously.

(but I'm sure the editors already anticipated this...)
  • 2 1
 It's obvious you need a cassette that big when the motor runs out. Frown
  • 2 2
 In the not to distant future it will just be the peasants on their unassisted catalogue bikes.
  • 3 6
 What is the issue? I ride MTB to go downhill. I don't have access to chairlifts or cablecars nearby and the local uplift service has stopped running.

So I now own an eMTB - Lapierre SX800 and it has made me ride MTB again as I can do multiple laps at Innerleithen without the slog of the uphills. Until you try, you have no idea how good they are.

Also, as an MX/Enduro rider I much prefer the feel of the bile, it's heavier and tracks better.

They are not going away, in 5 years time most MTBs sold will be eBikes. Why would you not want to have more fun?
  • 1 1
 Hmm, I wonder which existing quebeqois e-moped company can be assembling these?!?
  • 2 1
 i'm just waiting for a 29er version and old age
  • 2 0
 nooooooooooooooooooooo
  • 2 2
 9999€ ???????? ;(
  • 6 0
 or you can buy a KTM XC-W 150 for ca 7,460€ and a descent YT Capra for 2,199€, close this article and go ride some real bikes
  • 5 1
 @yxbix: my work mate just bought an unused 2015 KTM E-SX for 5600€ and a brand new E- trials moto for similar price... however you have to realize that if you crash on a 22kg MTB, you will probably get up and keep riding. If you crash on a moto in the woods, you may need to be airlifted... how many people do you know who started riding MX or Enduro after being 30 who ride for more than 2 years? Middle aged man buys a moto, crashes and sells a moto... So realistically speaking E-bikes make lots of sense to many people. Me personally if I wanted an E-bike, I'd buy a E-trials moto for same or less money.
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I see your point. I guess there is no stopping this tide of E-bikes now, so might be easier to go with the flow, but PB is probably not the platform to cover motorized equipment.
  • 1 0
 @yxbix: I agree, it's not a best platform but at the same time, it's their platform, their pub. You can chose in which part of it you want to hang out or what sort of things you want to notice. Look for good things in life man, don't let the sht get in your way, after all life is about 80% of just life, 10% of awesome things and 10% of shit. You chose which of the last two things you use to charge that 80%. I open Pinkbike and can chat to people, a bit like walking into a pub of people who have a huge thing in common and in this way being able to start talking to anyone. Then the race coverage is absolutely ace, and it comes for free. Then they report on bike tech and I am a bike nerd. Again for free. Then opinion articles are great, especially Levy and RC. I honestly cannot complain... much... Big Grin
  • 2 4
 Fucking stupid.







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv42 0.075682
Mobile Version of Website