- Controller buttons are too light and vague in use We dont re-invite such bikes every time. To put it through its paces, Ive taken the Altitude on chunky off-piste singletrack, swoopy flow trails and big alpine point-to-point rides. The Orbea Rise M-Team is a master of all disciplines and secures our coveted Best Buy. All bikes in this test: For some of our testers it was just 160 mm! 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. The Trek Rail 9.9 leaves the test crew with very mixed feelings. Many other brands could do well to take note. 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. Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Coil New Color $6,199.00 USD Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 New Color The clunky remote of the new Smart System, flooded with buttons, is ergonomically one of the worst in the entire test it is only marginally improved upon by the Purion, another Bosch option. Price: $8999.00. In some ways it fulfilled those expectations, but in other ways it totally surprised me. - Impressive total range, - High pivot design requires longer chain The price range in the test field is wide but this doesnt mean that the differences in performance are just as great. There is no such shuttle mode on the Altitude Powerplay, which requires a more collaborative performance between your legs and the motor. It is the right bike for sporty downhill junkies who dont want to lose any time on the forest tracks on the way to the start of the toughest trails. But its not just kinematics, components and suspension travel that are decisive. How did we test the bikes? Sadly, on the Rocky Mountain, the battery rattles. There are five options in total in the 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay lineup, three of which feature carbon frames and two that use alloy frames. This differs to the Shimano and Bosch systems where you can lightly tick over the pedals in those high-powered settings, and still get maximum output fromthe motor. 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70, - Superb handling is up for anything The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Coil, Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 30, and Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy are all aluminum frame full suspension mountain e-bikes. If you only ride it at moderate speeds or on easy trails, you wont feel much of this. And is range really that important to you, or would you rather have good handling on the trail? Charging times will vary by bike model (and whether you're using a portable power bank or plugging directly into the wall), but the average charge time for an electric mountain bike is anywhere between 8-12 hours. The rubber compound can be more durable and harder for reduced rolling resistance e.g. Weve been looking for the best all-rounder that wont let you down on any trail, whether uphill or downhill, and offers a carefree package of performance and riding fun for all rider types and skill levels. The Specialized S-Works Kenevo SL is a special case. To make the differences as clear as possible, we use the whole scale. - Masses of torque on tap Rotwild could tease out much more trail performance with different choices. )! EMTBs are delicate, high-tech devices that need regular maintenance and care. Those results are listed a bit further down in this review. 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. TCS velocorner.ch offers 15'000+ bikes from 300+ bike stores and individuals.. Also occasional bike park use with a lift 10 29 comments Add a Comment briar141c 2 yr. ago Whats the best eMTB of 2022? This configuration affords greater flexibility when designing the bikes suspension kinematics, and it also allows for a standard press-fit bottom bracket shell. If you are between two frame sizes, you usually have the choice between more stability on the larger bike or more agility on the smaller one. It always depends on the overall system. Given all the updates, I was curious to see how the proprietary motor would perform alongside all the other e-MTBs weve been testing lately. Class 1 electric bikes can reach speeds of up to 20mph. Compared to the previous model, the new Altitude Powerplay updates to a trendy mid-high pivot suspension design, with the main pivot sitting 100mm north of the BB. the best eMTB of 2021, the MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K, went into this test almost unchanged and demonstrated that it is still a strong all-rounder. Class 1 e-mountain bikes (and electric bikes overall) are pedal-assist: an integrated motor provides assistance to the rider and is activated by pedaling the bike. And the changes are significant enough to make it a feature worth having something thats not always the case with flip chips found on other full suspension bikes. Cycleworld - Concord West Enquire Now Enquire Now When choosing a bike, its important to choose a concept that fits your personal requirements. With our years of experience and our comprehensive market overview, our personal buying advice will help you with your purchasing decisions and provide each of you with important information and recommendations. Noise is also comparable to Bosch, and is significantly less whiney than a Shimano EP8 motor. On the bikes with Specialized and Dyname 4.0 motors, the display is elegantly integrated into the top tube. A clever modular concept can be a sensible alternative to a standard system with a 630 Wh battery. The slackest position is great for full-blown descending, though I found that as I became tired towards the end of a longer ride, I was more likely to wash out the front tyre on flatter turns. One of the bikes uses the old Bosch 2021 system. Exceptions are last years test winners and best buys. It not only covers a huge range of application but was also the strongest competitor to the test winner, the YETI 160E T1. The Jumbotron display is fantastic, providing the rider with just enough useful information in a clear and easy to understand manner. : Maxxis Minion DHF WT EXO 27.5 x 2.5 / R = Maxxis Aggressor WT EXO 27.5 x 2.5. There are even models that can compete with downhill-focussed bikes and with which you can hunt Strava KOMs. In a world of growing battery sizes, it is not an outdated oddity but manages to bridge the gap between all-round and Light eMTBs. *with range extender Rocking a mullet design 29-inch wheel up front and 27.5-er in back Marins first foray into eMTBs is a lovable joyride. The Assegai is an insanely good tyre, and for me its bordering on a must-have for a big e-MTB like this. Introducing the new CUBE Stereo Hybrid ONE55 eMTB An ebike outside the box? I spent a full day out riding in Eco mode alongside a pack of regular mountain bikes, which proved to be a good match for my non-motorised friends, while barely touching the sides of the 720Wh battery. For efficient charging, the best bet is to set a reminder to charge your bike up the night before a ride: set it and forget it until the morning of your adventure. And is range really that important to you, or would you rather have good handling on the trail? If I was being really picky, Id suggest the seat tube angle could be steeper. 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. Class 3 electric bikes integrate a motor that activates only when the rider is pedaling and top out at 28mph (and feature a speedometer). 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. A robust 63 miles of range, Sram GX Eagle 1x12 gears and a DownLow Dropper telescopic seat post only add to its appeal. In such a system, an XL bike would have more battery capacity than a size S or M bike. 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. In those circumstances, it actually makes the Altitude Powerplay easier to control. The Altitude Powerplay's linkage does have one significant difference from other Rocky MTBs, and that's the mid-high main pivot location. Which routes and trails did we ride? Tops & flops, winners and losers of the group test, Find out everything you need to know in our motor group test, a complete reference in our sister magazine ENDURO, click here for an explanation of the term, Weve summarised what this can cost per year and what you need to bear in mind. The Instinct Powerplay Alloy 50 is close to greatness but is held back by its controls and components. Federal law classifies all electric bikes as "motorized", and as such, does not allow them on trails or land where motorized vehicles are prohibited. They have a maximum load of just 94 kg and 95 kg respectively. It is unbeaten in technical uphill terrain and also feels most comfortable downhill on challenging and fast trails. 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) E. Rubbee X e-bike conversion kit . - 8-way adjustable geometry Smartphone apps that can do this are available from (almost) all motor manufacturers. It is somewhat planted, a byproduct of its overall mass and the mid-high suspension design, so while I have found itll take to the air, its not the poppiest bike going. Turning the Boost level up to +2 is a bit like increasing the Support level on a Specialized Levo, or the Assistance Character on a Shimano system. The perceived noise depends strongly on the resonance of the frame and varies from bike to bike. That cant be true! The search for the best eMTB was exciting and a close call. To get some more concrete numbers though, I subjected the Altitude Powerplay to our standardised shuttle range test. Some now even use large 220 mm discs. However, it could no longer defend its title. Do you run out of juice? This increase in air volume gave me access to more travel, while providing a deeper and floatier feel to the rear suspension, with less bouncing around during seated pedalling an important aspect for an e-MTB. On the other hand, if you want to ride the eMTB, which Trek themselves describe as super-capable, on fast, demanding and technical singletrails, you should stay away from the 13,599 Trek Rail 9.9. But its clear that the Altitude Powerplay looks a little slack and a little short compared to a bike like the Norco Sight VLT, which has a 78 seat angle and a 455mm rear centre length in the XL size. But beware: on some bikes, the display can also be in the way. 2019. 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. Afterwards, youll not just be well equipped for buying an ebike or have even found your dream match, youll also have gathered numerous insights and expert knowledge indispensable for trail talk, the pub and forum discussions! Some bikes have been previously featured in our group tests due to multi-year development cycles, but how much sense does it make to test a bike like the Cannondale Moterra Neo for the umpteenth time if nothing has changed except for small details in the spec with a successor likely due to replace it soon anyway? This allows riders to tweak the BB height by up to 10mm, and adjust the angles by 0.8. 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. It was also much more planted on the climbs, allowing me to make better use of the massive motor power. I came into this test expecting the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay to be a heavy, excessively powerful and glued-to-the-ground e-MTB. The discrepancy between motor displays couldnt be greater: The test field has everything on offer, from year-old displays with the sparse functionality and look of a Tamagotchi, to modern displays with numerous features, to minimalist, fully integrated concepts where the display is no longer present at all. Gear Patrol participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Become a supporter now! On bikes with Shimano or Specialized motors, the support levels of the motor can be adjusted to suit your personal needs via the app. However, were very fortunate that we get to work where others go on holiday, i.e. No? At the start of the new season, we test the highlight bikes of the new season to find the best eMTB of the year. For us, stone-baked pizza, a fresh ocean breeze and good espresso are just as much part of a successful day on the bike as flow on varied singletrack, the occasional adrenaline spike and high-fives at the end of the trail.
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