Simplon Rapcon Pmax CX on test: Sporty, light and powerful - test winner!
Adrian Kaether
· 12.09.2023
A powerful all-mountain bike with a Bosch motor, removable battery and still nice and light? Since the switch to Bosch's Smart System with 750 battery, such bikes have been rare for a long time. However, the brand new Simplon Rapcon Pmax CX shows with flying colours that a good weight, smart system and removable battery are not mutually exclusive. If the tyres and wheels weren't so heavy, the Simplon would even be well under the 23 kilogram mark.
Who will build the best E-MTB in 2023? As part of our test of eleven high-end all-mountain bikes, we have already pitted Simplon against the most important competitors from Specialized to Rocky Mountain, Cube, Rotwild and Santa Cruz. The whole comparison test: Now in EMTB 4/2023!
Simplon Rapcon Pmax CX on test - the facts
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX, 85 Nm
- Battery: Bosch, 750 Wh, removable
- Suspension travel: 150 / 150 mm
- Wheel size: 29 inch
- Carbon frame
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
- 23.38 kilos (size L, EMTB measurement)
- Test bike price: 9759 euros
Slide-out battery: The frame of the Simplon Rapcon CX
To make the low weight of an E-MTB with a removable battery possible, the engineers at Simplon have come up with a special solution for the integration of Bosch's Smart System. The downward removal of the battery and the securing with bolts are unusual for a Bosch bikehandling is not quite as simple as with classic integrated batteries. But the weight speaks for itself.
The e-bike drive
With the Bosch Performance CX Simplon has opted for what is probably the most widely used e-MTB motor. It combines high performance with a reasonable weight. Its very good modulation, the lively and Progressive power development and special features such as the extended overrun in Emtb mode make it the Measuring stick in nasty uphills. All speed levels can be fine-tuned via the app. But: The Bosch is not entirely quiet on the climbs, rattles on the descents and the large batteries weigh a good 4.3 kilos. The big exception with the Simplon: The configurator also offers the lightweight 500 battery, which weighs just over three kilos. This makes the bike a whole lot lighter.
The weight of the Bosch batteries is high, but the Swabian batteries also deliver a high performance. Extremely good rangewhich puts other systems with batteries of 700 to 750 watt hours in the shade. Although the Powertube 750 can be removed from the Simplon, the Removal cumbersomeRemove the bolts, disconnect the wiring and then tilt the bike again so that the battery slides out downwards. Details can be found in the picture gallery. Our test bike only has a minimalist LED remote display, but a Kiox display can be added in the configurator.
Modern and off-road focussed: The geometry of the Rapcon Pmax CX
A lot of thought has also gone into the geometry of the bike. Simplon combines a modern head angle of 64.6 degrees with a long reach and low bottom bracket. At 444 millimetres, the chainstays are pleasantly short. This is a real rarity among bikes with a Bosch drive. The modern geometry predestines the Simplon for demanding tours in difficult terrain. For Comfort On flat routes and moderate tours, the extremely steep seat angle and progressive geometry not designed.
- Seat tube length: 420 mm
- Wheelbase: 1265 mm
- Reach: 478 mm
- Stack: 638 mm
- Steering angle: 64.6 degrees
- Seat angle: 79.5 degrees
- Chainstay length: 444 mm
The equipment - free choice in the configurator
A special feature at Simplon: The bikes from the Vorarlberg region can be purchased in the in-house Configurator in the way you want it. In addition to the installed parts, you can even influence the basic character of the bike. 29 inch or mullet, 150 or even 170 millimetres of suspension travel, even the motor and battery can be customised. You can choose between Bosch's classic CX or the CX Race. For those who want to put the bike on a diet, can also upgrade to a 500 watt hour battery instead of 750 watt hours in the down tube. This saves a further 1.3 kilograms.
Unfortunately, the price is high in the truest sense of the word. Despite a price of 9759 euros, our test bike comes with functional components, but you will look in vain for real equipment highlights. The gears are shifted with Sram's mechanical twelve-speed GX Eagle drivetrain and the brakes with Sram's G2 trail brakes. In series production, it will be the somewhat more powerful but heavier DB8 from Sram. Nevertheless, the Rockshox suspension from the Select Plus class is top-notch, the fat HS2 brake discs from Sram give even the G2 brakes enough bite and Mavic's Deemax wheels in the SL version are upper mid-range.
Tuning tip: With 2.4 inch trail tyres, the Simplon is half a kilogram lighter
The fact that the wheels of the Simplon, at 6.4 kilograms, are still 800 grams heavier than the average in our comparison test is due to the extremely stable but also heavy Schwalbe tyres. Our tip: Convert to super trail casing and 2.4 inch tyres. This saves almost half a kilogramme and still offers plenty of puncture protection on serious terrain.
In practice: How the Simplon Rapcon Pmax CX rides
On paper, the Simplon cuts a very good figure. Lightweight, modern geometry, well thought-out details: will the calculation work out in practice? This is where the Seating position strongly orientated towards the front wheel of the Rapcon CX is noticeable. With a seat angle of almost 80 degrees, the seat is extremely compact. Ideal for climbing. Even on nasty ramps, in tight bends and over roots and steps, the Rapcon Pmax CX always keeps you in control. The defined suspension and Bosch motor further enhance the uphill performance. The Rapcon CX is therefore at the top of the test field.
Strong on climbs and descents: at home in difficult terrain
Downhill, the Simplon is just as convincing: The rear suspension works sensitively and offers sufficient reserves even at high speeds. The Lyrik fork with Charger 3 damper achieves a Great compromise between control and comfortand the puncture-proof Super Gravity tyres may be quite heavy, but they provide a safe riding experience. Also top: Simplon relies on Sram's new heat-resistant 2-millimetre discs with an extra-large 220 mm diameter. This means that even the otherwise somewhat weak G2 brakes on our test bike have sufficient power, which should be even better with the DB8 on the production bike.
On flowing trails, the Simplon can score points with its low bottom bracket and short chainstays, but because of the heavy wheels the Simplon is not quite as lively as the best in the test field. The range is high thanks to the large Bosch battery. If you want, you can also order the bike with a 500 battery in Simplon's in-house configurator and use Bosch's range extender if in doubt. This makes the bike more than a kilogram lighter, even on short home laps.
Weaknesses: On long rides on flat terrain, the Simplon is very comfortable due to the extremely steep seat angle. Not very comfortable. The pressure on the hands is then simply too great. Removing the battery also takes some getting used to at first. That's the price you have to pay for the low weight. Speaking of price: Unfortunately, the powerful all-mountain bike from Vorarlberg is not cheap.
Conclusion by Adrian Kaether, Test and Technology Editor, EMTB
This is how All Mountain works: strong uphill, strong downhill, top range, removable battery and quite light to boot. Test victory! Although Simplon's premium all-rounder just misses out on the Super test rating due to its expandable equipment, it is not only one of the best Bosch bikes, but also one of the best bikes we have ever tested.
Pro
- light
- Removable battery
- powerful on any terrain
Contra
- expensive
- Heavy wheels
- Not very comfortable on the flat
Technical data and notes Simplon Rapcon Pmax CX
Manufacturer information
- Price: 9759 Euro
- Sizes (seat tube) / frame material: 37, 39.5, 42 (tested size 44.5 cm) / Carbon
Measured values²
- Weight²: 23.38 kg
- Reach altitude¹: 2011 (+17)hm
- Average speed: 13.9 km/h
- Front/rear suspension travel: 150/150 mm
- Centre of gravity height: 516 mm
- Handlebar width:: 800 mm
- Crank length / Q-factor: 165 mm / 184 mm
- Ground clearance⁴: 505 mm
Equipment
- Motor: Bosch Performance CX Smart
- Max. Torque³: 85 Nm
- Battery³ / weight²/ price replacement battery: Powertube 750 / 4324 g / 999 Euro
- Gear system: Sram GX Eagle
- Translation (v. / h.): 34; 10-52
- Display: LED Remote
- Permissible total weight³: 140 kg
- Fork / Shock: Rockshox Lyric Select+ / Rockshox Deluxe Select+
- Telescopic seatpost: BikeYoke Revive, 213 mm
- Brake / Disc Ø (front / rear): Sram G2 RSC / 220 mm / 200 mm
- Wheels: Mavic E-Deemax 30 29
- Tyres: Schwalbe Magic Mary SuperGravity Soft, 29 x 2.6
EMTB test rating⁵: 8.9 points - very good
¹The reach height was determined during standardised test rides on an asphalt climb with a gradient of 12.2 percent. Highest support level, 150 watts pedalling power of the rider, rider weight including equipment 89 kg. The altitude metres in clearly reduced emergency mode are shown in brackets. The average speed refers to the journey with full assistance.
²Determined on the test benches in the EMTB test laboratory, weight without pedals. Battery weight incl. screwed-on cover where applicable.
Manufacturer information
⁴Stage test, measured with 36 centimetre raised rear wheel
⁵The EMTB judgement reflects the subjective impression of the testers and the results of the reach measurement and laboratory tests. The EMTB judgement is independent of price. EMTB judgements: super (from 9.0), very good (from 8.0), good (from 7.0), satisfactory (from 6.0), with weaknesses (from 5.0), below insufficient.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
