Wow - what a bike! The shimmering gold lettering on the down tube immediately catches the eye: Rotwild R.X 375 Ultra. That's the name of the new trail rocket. 150 millimetre suspension travel, Shimano EP8 drivetrain and 29-inch wheels with a total weight of just 18.3 kilos in size M. The jaw drops in the face of gravity. The brain is struggling with an acute overdose of happiness hormones and question marks at the same time. Is this still a real E-MTB? Is the moderate battery capacity enough? Does the new Rotwild R.X 375 Ultra follow in the footsteps of the minimal-assist bike? Specialised Levo SL? In fact, the latest addition from Dieburg falls somewhere between the two extremes. The R.X 375 wants to be neither a full-power eMTB nor a minimal-assist bike. This is because the motor provides an unrestricted 85 Newton metres of drive assistance. However, it draws its power from the specially developed battery with a capacity of just 375 watt hours.
You can find a detailed ride report with all the facts and lab results for the Rotwild R.X 375 as a PDF in the download area below.
The facts about the new Rotwild R.X 375
- Shimano EP8
- BMZ battery with 375 watt hours (quick release)
- 29 inch wheels
- 150/140 millimetre spring travel
- Full carbon frame
- three models from 6999 euros to 11499 euros
- Weight: 18.3 kilos (top model R.X 375 Ultra in size M, without pedals, aluminium crank instead of standard carbon crank)
- Permissible total weight: 130 kg (top model 120 kg due to the wheels)
Rotwild R.X 375: The e-bike drive unit
The propulsion support on the new Rotwild R.X 375 is the responsibility of the Shimano EP8 motor, which has also just been presented. The low weight paired with the slim design of the motor are the basic prerequisites for the narrow frame construction. With a maximum torque of 85 Newton metres, the EP8 pushes the R.X 375 and rider through the terrain. The energy is provided by a BMZ battery with 375 watt hours. That's not much. However, Rotwild has deliberately chosen this path. In the age of ever larger e-MTB batteries and therefore also larger and heavier bikes, Rotwild wants to consciously appeal to customers who do not want to do without the natural riding feel and light-footedness of a normal mountain bike. The developers believe that this target group also includes ambitious sporty bikers who are not afraid of effort, but hope that the motor support will provide them with more riding fun and a greater range of action. "We haven't considered the classic e-MTB customer, who wants to pedal up every climb as quickly as possible without effort, for this model", says Rotwild Sales Manager Stephan Koch. And that's exactly what Rotwild also offers the 750 series with Brose motor and double the battery capacity.
With the help of the Shimano E-Tube-Project app, the individual support levels can be customised wirelessly. In each mode, the percentage support, maximum torque and acceleration can be individualised in stages. This function should be of central importance on the R.X 375. Because if you turn all the controls to full throttle, you will quickly run out of juice with the small battery. Unless you pack a second battery in your rucksack, which thanks to its minimal size and weight, as well as the super-simple quick-release fastener, works more relaxed than with any other E-MTB.
The R.X 375 e-bike is trimmed for lightweight construction
To crack the 19-kilo mark, Rotwild has subjected the R.X 375 to a rigorous diet. The biggest weight saving comes from the drive unit. The new Shimano EP8 motor alone saves over 400 grams compared to the competition from Brose and Bosch. Added to this is the 2029 gram battery. By comparison, the Shimano Inntube battery with 630 watt hours weighs an impressive 3511 grams. For 11499 euros, the product managers have also given the Ultra model wheels, crank arms and handlebars made of carbon. Unfortunately, the tyres also fall victim to the drastic weight optimisation. The 2.35-inch wide Nobby Nic tyres with a rather light Superground casing cannot quite keep up with the bike's trail strength.
The geometry of the Rotwild R.X 375
The geometry is moderate. This means that even beginners without sophisticated riding technique should be able to ride the bike off-road without any problems. Accordingly, the steering angle is a comfortable 66.5 degrees and the reach is 475 millimetres in size L. The relatively steep seat angle results in a compact riding position and good climbing characteristics. The engineers have also taken the safe route with the chainstays. 450 millimetres are long enough to climb steep ramps without having to actively fight against the rising front wheel. But they are also short enough so that the bike's playfulness is not completely sacrificed for smoothness.
Models and equipment of the Rotwild Light E-MTB
Rotwild offers three equipment variants of the new R.X 375. The core version starts at 6999 euros. The entry-level model shifts on a Shimano XT groupset and paves the trail with performance suspension from Fox. Behind it is the R.X 375 Pro, which costs € 8499. The only thing that sets it apart is the integrated dropper post from Eightpins and the higher-quality DT Swiss HX 1501 wheels. The top end of the price range is marked by the Ultra model we tested with carbon wheels from DT Swiss, a complete Shimano XTR groupset and Fox Factory suspension. Price: 11499 euros. All models use the same full carbon frame.
Alternative: Full throttle enduro Rotwild R.E 375
How the new Rotwild R.X 375 Ultra rides
After the first few metres on the R.X 375, I can't stop being amazed. "It's amazing, this thing rides like a normal mountain bike even without motor assistance!" Of course, with a total weight of 18.4 kilos, the bike doesn't feel like a marathon fully, but the Rotwild can certainly compete with the propulsion characteristics of a heavy enduro bike. So if you're looking for an e-MTB with natural riding characteristics, this is the bike for you. When you switch on the motor, the fun really starts. The R.X 375 doesn't lose out to full-throttle e-bikes with large batteries. The low battery capacity only forces you into power-saving mode on long tours with many metres of elevation gain. The abrupt feeling of inertia above the 25 km/h limit is absent. So you can also get your money's worth on undulating, fast trails.
A detailed Driving report with all the facts and lab results can be found as a PDF in the download area below.
The big brother: New on the R.X 750 Ultra
The Rotwild R.X 750 caused quite a stir a year ago. Big battery with 750 watt hours, powerful Brose motor, elegant finish and lots of carbon. For 2021, the top model, the R.X 750 Ultra, has undergone some detailed improvements to further reduce its weight. The frame is made from a higher-quality carbon fibre and the rocker link is also made from this material. This should save 300 grams. All models in the 375 series use these high-tech fibres, but only the Ultra in the 750 series. The carbon battery comes as standard on the Ultra and Pro models. Rotwild will be using Schwalbe tyres across the entire model range in 2021.
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Max Fuchs
Editor
