Start Endurance test Rockrider e-bike: Through the winter with Decathlon's top model

This autumn, not only are the leaves falling golden from the trees, but so are the prices of mountain bikes. Manufacturers are advertising discounts of 30 to over 50 % on current models. This includes Decathlon, which is currently offering the Rockrider E-Feel 900S Team Edition - for at least 500 euros less, even though the all-mountain e-bike was only launched in the summer.

Reason enough for us to test what the manufacturer claims is the "most downhill-orientated e-bike from the MTB specialists at DECATHLON" for more than just a few laps on our home trails. The French company's top model is starting its endurance test with us these days. Over the next few months, it will accompany BIKE editor Marc Strucken on the wintry, muddy, frosty or perhaps quite pleasant trails.

The BIKE tester gets to the bottom of the following questions: What can the Rockrider E-Feel do in terms of geometry? How much power does the Shimano EP8 with its 630 Wh battery pack pack? How does the bike perform in the mud over the long term, are there any defects in the wintry conditions?

Into the endurance test with the Rockrider E-Feel 900S TE

Firstly, we present the test bike here. The Rockrider E-FEEL 900S TEAt 4999 euros (as of 11/2024), the is currently the most expensive of Decathlon's own e-MTBs. Third-party brands such as Rotwild, Haibike or Focus, which have recently become available as "second use" bikes in the online shop, are more expensive.

The compromises in the equipment of our test bike are correspondingly small. Chassis, drive, motor - all top quality for the price of 5000 euros. In addition to the elegantly equipped Team Edition of the Rockrider E-Feel 900S, Decathlon offers two other models that share the same aluminium frame, but are slightly slimmed down in terms of equipment and are correspondingly cheaper.

Suspension & chassis

The suspension consists of the Rockshox ZEB Ultimate fork with 160 mm travel and a Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock, which is good for 150 mm travel at the rear. The fairly slack, downhill-oriented steering angle of 65 degrees should offer a good compromise between stable handling and manoeuvrability. The multi-link rear suspension is designed for low and medium speeds, i.e. for e-bike trails with frequent up-and-down sections.

You can find even more Decathlon bikes in the test here:

>> Rockrider E-Feel 700 S on test: Test winner! Decathlon's E-MTB can do more than just be cheap

>> Rockrider Race 900 S: The Decathlon cross-country bike in the endurance test

>> Rockrider E-Expl 520S test: Does Decathlon build the best e-bike fully for under 3000 euros?

Shimano EP801: The e-bike motor in the Rockrider E-Feel 900 S

The Shimano EP801 motor of the Rockrider E-Feel 900 S offers a torque of 85 Nm and a maximum output of 600 watts, which should be enough for sufficient acceleration and power on the mountain. The Shimano BT-EN806 battery with 630 Wh capacity integrated into the down tube powers the motor - but is not the largest on the market.

The controls are located on the cockpit, which has everything you need. The controller for the Shimano motor with five buttons is located to the left of the brake lever. The small Shimano SC-EN600 display to the right of the stem offers an intuitive user interface that displays all the important information, from the battery status to the speed. There is also a pushing aid with 2 power levels.

Shimano drivetrain

The drivetrain is also classy: The Rockrider 900S TE is equipped with the electronic Shimano Di2 shifting system, which ensures comfortable shifting with Autoshift and Freeshift. It allows you to change gears without cranking and automatically depending on the speed. The Shimano XT gear system with 12 gears offers a wide gear ratio with 10 to 51 teeth on the cassette.

Frame - Made in Canada

Decathlon is proud of the aluminium frame of the Rockrider 900S TE, which is manufactured in Canada and has a small maple leaf on the seat tube. The frame manufacturer behind it is not mentioned, at least not in the information accompanying the bike.

Other features of the Rockrider E-Feel 900 S TE

• Variable seatpost with handlebar remote control: The Rockrider telescopic seatpost with 120 mm (S), 150 mm (M) and 170 mm (L, XL) stroke.
• TRP Trail EVO brakesThe 4-piston brakes with 203 mm discs at the front and rear stand for reliable, fade-free braking power and optimum control. Not least because of the 2.3 mm thick brake discs.
• The motor can be flexibly adjusted via the Shimano E-Tube Project app. Up to 15 support levels can be realised, auto and free-shift settings for the Shimano Di2 gears can be found there. Wireless firmware updates are simply uploaded to the system.

The first impression of the new endurance test bike from Decathlon

The first meeting with the new Decathlon bike literally fell into the snow. All of a sudden there were 25 centimetres of white splendour in the foothills of the Alps, and at first it wasn't possible to do more than a short familiarisation lap: too slippery on the steep uphill and downhill sections, and on the flat it was more of an arduous chugging (for the motor) and the rider had to struggle to keep on track.

Next round: thaw. Now it got funnier. Mud flies out of the chunky tyres and the Shimano motor can show what it's capable of in U-Stage 5. First realisation here: I really need to adjust the modes via the app. The bike, which weighs just under 25 kg, doesn't get off the ground with "ECO" or the predefined U-stage 1.

Feel-good geometry

The riding position on the Rockrider E-Feel in size M is pleasantly relaxed and offers a secure feeling on the downhill. The front end is relatively high. The reach is very short compared to my race or gravel bike. The stepless dropper, the variable seatpost, is particularly fun. And the geo really does seem to have been trimmed for smoothness, but the bike is still easy to pull into flight on steps.

Visually, the Rockrider E-Feel 900S TE looks very high-quality, beefy and not very conspicuous thanks to the completely dark colour scheme. On closer inspection, however, the weld seams look very rough and irregular, especially on the top tube and seat tube - is that hand-welded?

Whether Decathlon's own tyres perform very well remains to be seen. In any case, the grip on wet roots was comparatively moderate.

After one battery charge, I can say: good conditions for many kilometres of fun together through the winter.

Facts & figures about the Rockrider E-Feel 900S TE All Mountain E-Bike

All information here is manufacturer's data

Info & Price

• RRP price: 5499 Euro >> currently reduced to 4999 euros at Decathlon
• Weight: 24.8 kg (size M, without pedals)
• Mid-motor: Shimano EP801 85 Nm
• Battery: 630 Wh
• Frame material: Aluminium produced in Canada
• Suspension travel fork / damper: 160 mm / 150 mm
• Drive unit: 1×12
• Seatpost: Dropper Post
• Lifetime warranty: frame, handlebars and stem

Engine

• Motor: Shimano EP801
• Torque: 85 Nm
• Nominal power: 250 W
• Maximum power: 600 W
• Torque sensor available
• Maximum support: 350 %
• Weight of the motor: 2.7 kg

Battery

• Battery built into the down tube
• Brand: Shimano BT-EN806
• Capacity: 630 Wh (36 V, 17.5 Ah)
• Weight: 3.7 kg
• Type: Lithium-ion
• Full charge: 6 hours with 4A charger
  

Display

• Shimano SC-EN600
• 1.4" LCD colour display
• Support modes: 3 to 15 (adjustable)
• Connectivity via Bluetooth
• Separate control unit, model SW-EN600-L

Frame

• Rockrider frame made of 6061 aluminium; made in Canada
• Rear suspension travel: 150 mm
• Fully integrated, screw-fastened cover, vertically removable battery
• Seat tube diameter: 31.6 mm
• Fastening option for a bottle cage
• EN 17406 approval category 4 (all mountain/trail bikes; jump height < 120 cm)

Drive/Circuit

• Chainring: 34 teeth with chain guide
• Rear derailleur: Shimano XT 8150 Di2
• Cranks: Shimano XT, 165 mm
• Shift lever: Shimano SW-M8150-R
• Cassette: Shimano XT M6100 10-51
• Electronic with auto-shift/free-shift technology

Suspension

Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate

• Suspension travel: 160 mm
• Immersion tubes: 38 mm
• Technology: Air DebonAir+ W/ButterCups
• Adjustment options: Air pressure, rebound, compression (low-speed & high-speed compression)

Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate

• Adjustment options: Air pressure, rebound, compression (low-speed & high-speed compression)
• Two positions (open/closed)

Impellers

• Wheels Mavic E-Deemax S, 29 inch, PFP rims ("pinch flat protection" against punctures)
• Inner width: 30 mm
• Profile: asymmetrical
• Format: Boost
• Discs: 6-hole
• Freewheel body: Microspline

Brakes

• Hydraulic disc brakes: TRP Trail Evo
• Number of pistons: 4
• Front brake disc: 203 mm
• Rear disc: 203 mm
• Disc thickness: 2.3 mm
• Mounting: 6-hole

Handlebars

• Material: Aluminium
• Diameter: 31.8 mm
• Width: 780 mm
• Rise: 15 mm
• Upsweep: 5°
• Backsweep: 9°
• Internally routed electrical cables

Saddle & seat post

• Saddle: Decathlon Short Nose
• Variable seatpost: Rockrider Dropper Post, 31.6 mm, stroke: 120 mm (S), 150 mm (M/L), 170 mm (XL); from 650 g

Tyres

• Rockrider Grip 500
• 29" × 2,4"
• Tubeless Ready
• Sidewalls: Skinwall with lateral puncture protection strip
• Tread: Dual Compound

All information above is manufacturer's data.