Light-footed in the bends, stable on the straights. Lively and poppy in handling and yet not fazed by rough drops and high speeds. The Rocky Mountain E-Enduro Altitude Powerplay impressed in our enduro test with almost perfect riding characteristics - despite its high weight and rather average equipment. Expectations were correspondingly high for the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay E-All-Mountain Bike, which was able to beat the competition from Cannondale Moterra Neo and Haibike All Mtn had to prove.
Especially as the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay C70 in this test - unlike the Enduro test winner - boasts an elegant full carbon frame and higher quality equipment. Surprisingly, in terms of price-performance ratio, the Rocky doesn't have to hide from the competition from Haibike and Cannondale. Although they score points with individual high-end parts, only the Instinct Powerpaly has a full carbon frame. However, it is also clear that value for money is a difficult word when it comes to bikes costing almost 9,000 euros.
The Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay C70 at a glance:
- Motor: Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0, max. 108 Nm torque
- Battery: Rocky Mountain, 720 Wh, 3587 grams, removable
- Suspension travel: 150 / 140 mm
- Wheels: 29 inch
- Full carbon frame
- Weight: 22.91 kg (size L, EMTB measurement)
- Range: 1985 metres in altitude at 12.3 km/h (EMTB measured value)
- Price: 8900 Euro
- max. permissible system weight: 150 kg
- EMTB rating: 8.7 points - very good
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Full carbon frame and equipment of the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay C70
Basically, Rocky Mountain's high-end Instinct (AM) and Altitude (EN) fullys share the same frame platform. Only the shock rocker and add-on parts determine the different areas of use. So can the Instinct build on the success of the enduro test winner Altitude? The signs are good, as the Instinct also scores points on paper with its variable geometry and short chainstays of 441 millimetres, which should have a positive effect on handling.
Apart from the great full carbon frame, the Instinct Powerplay C70 model we tested for 8900 euros unfortunately doesn't shine much in terms of equipment, but it doesn't have any weaknesses either. The suspension from the Fox Performance range and Shimano XT components throughout are more upper mid-range than really high-end, but unfortunately the specialist retail competition doesn't do much better. That is sobering. Nevertheless, the equipment on the Rocky Mountain looks well thought out. The grips, saddle and cockpit feel good, the wheels are also rather mid-range, but not too heavy.
Further articles on the Cannondale, Haibike and Rocky Mountain tests can be found here:
- Overview article with our ratings in comparison
- To the test report: Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon 1
- To the test report: Haibike All Mtn CF SE
Rough and powerful: the Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0 drivetrain in detail
As usual, the Rocky Mountain Instinct is powered by the in-house Dyname 4.0 drive unit in conjunction with a 720 watt-hour battery. Rocky Mountain has developed the power unit itself and customised it to its own requirements. This has some clear advantages and disadvantages compared to the established competition.
The powerful torque of 108 Newton metres and the rich top performance speak in favour of the Rocky Dyname drive. With around 670 watts according to our measurements the Rocky drive is noticeably more powerful than the drives from Bosch and Brose, while Shimano is even less powerful. As the Rocky drive was specially developed for mountain bikes, the bottom bracket is located at the rearmost point of the motor. This favours the design of e-MTBs with short chainstays for a more agile ride and the Rocky is also free from annoying gear rattling downhill. The ergonomics of the minimalist remote are also impressive. The well-protected display embedded in the top tube clearly shows the most important information and even allows you to customise the support levels without the need for an app. Great, even if the look of the display is more reminiscent of classic bike speedometers than modern smartphones.
However, the powerful motor is a little harsh and sometimes overtaxes the traction on the rear tyre on technical climbs. The riding experience is also quite special: although the motor hums at a pleasantly low frequency, the power transmission via a pulley to the chain is noticeable by a subtle creaking noise and the crank vibrates slightly when pedalling. As the motor does little to smooth out the assistance, the result is a slightly uneven pedalling. How uncomfortable this was differed greatly from tester to tester. Our recommendation: If you are seriously interested in buying, be sure to test ride the drive at the dealer. Even a short car park test should provide clarity here.
Unsurprisingly, given the high motor power, the Rocky Mountain Dyname drive unit weighs 3.22 kilograms, a good 300 grams heavier than a Bosch motor, and also gets hot quickly at full throttle. After the 400 metres in altitude of our test climb, the temperature of the housing is often already over 80 degrees, longer climbs or high outside temperatures lead to a loss of peak performance. The motor throttles the thrust to prevent damage to the electronics. It is therefore certainly intentional that the motor only releases its full power when the rider pedals very hard.
Range of the Dyname drive: almost 2000 metres of altitude in turbo mode
In our tests with watt-measuring pedals, the Rocky Dyname 4.0 drive unit still made significant gains even above 200 watts of rider power. At an average continuous output on tour, the Rocky Mountain motor operates in more normal power ranges. This is good for the range and prevents overheating, but if you want to keep up with a Bosch in turbo mode, you need to pedal a little harder.
Speaking of range: On our test climb without any flat sections, our Instinct Powerplay only ran out of energy after 1985 metres of climbing, and it climbed a further 75 metres in a throttled emergency run. A strong figure for an e-bike with a 720 watt-hour battery, especially as the Rocky Mountain battery only weighs 3.6 kilograms. Even more range is available with the optional range extender (314 Wh), which can simply be attached to the down tube instead of the water bottle.
However, the competitors from Cannondale and Haibike with Bosch's Smart System and heavy 750cc Powertube (4.3 kg) still score more points for endurance. They also climb around 2000 metres in Turbo mode, but with an average speed of almost 15 km/h, they are significantly faster. Because the powerful Rocky drive only releases its full power well above the 150 watts of pedalling power of our standardised test rides, it saves a lot of battery power here, but is also slower. At the same speed, the Rocky battery would probably run out faster than its Bosch competitors.
Hard to beat downhill: The Instinct Powerplay on the trail
However, range alone is only a means to an end at Rocky Mountains anyway. Because the Instinct Powerplay's hour comes downhill, off the forest road. It mills willingly through the bends, sits firmly on the trail and uses every opportunity to jump off as if by magic. For so much playfulness in an e-bike with full power, it gets almost full points in our handling-focussed trail rating. No wonder, because Rocky has taken the geometry with the low bottom bracket and short chainstays directly from the Instinct without the motor. The fact that the Powerplay E-MTB weighs less than 23 kilograms also has a positive effect on the trail - especially if you have just sat on one of our two competitors from Cannondale and Haibike weighing almost 25 kilograms.
Despite nominally only 140 millimetres of travel at the rear, the Instinct is the most powerful bike in the downhill triple shootout. The Haibike can't do much about it, even with 20 millimetres more travel. This shows how successful the Instinct's kinematics are. The suspension is simply first-class, allowing the e-bike to shoot into the air on every small off-road edge if desired, while remaining in control even on enduro tracks full of fast, hard hits. The fact that the motor doesn't rattle downhill is a blessing and is clearly noticeable in direct comparison with the All Mtn from Haibike and the Moterra, even if our Instinct Powerplay wasn't quite as quiet downhill as other Rocky Mountains from past tests. Means: The Instinct is a clear recommendation for anyone focussing primarily on sporty trail handling and downhill riding. The most important competitor is likely to come from within the company: Because the Enduro Altitude Powerplay is even more confident on fast downhills, but is only marginally slower on narrow trails.
Nevertheless, the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay takes the honours as the better all-rounder. Especially those who want to master difficult climbs will find the "small" Rocky a little easier. The suspension doesn't sink in even on steep sections, the steering is transparent and doesn't tip over much. With the longer chainstay setting, the front wheel can also be kept reasonably in check. On technical climbs and flat root trails, however, the cranks on the Rocky quickly get bogged down. This disrupts the rhythm and gives the Instinct only an average rating on climbs, despite its good handling and strong traction. Although the Haibike scores better on technical climbs: The overall victory in the All Mountain Shootout between Cannondale Moterra, Haibike All Mtn and Rocky Mountain goes to the Instinct Powerplay due to its superior downhill handling, successful geometry and kinematics.
Conclusion on the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay C70 by Adrian Kaether, Editor EMTB
"Rocky Mountain has hit the bull's eye with the new Powerplay models. The equipment may only be upper mid-range despite the price, but there's a great full carbon frame. And the most important thing: on the trail, Rocky Mountain's Instinct Powerplay combines handling and smoothness, playfulness and take-off qualities in an inimitable way. A real super bike for trail fans, with powerful pedalling and an extremely powerful motor. Whether the rough character of the Rocky drive will bother you is something you should definitely try out before buying."
Adrian Kaether
Editor
