A few years ago, the e-bike was still seen as an old people's bike. This consensus has been decisively countered by the boom in recent years. In 2023, even more bikes with motor assistance were sold in Germany than without. Of the 4.0 million bikes sold, 2.1 million were e-bikes (see ZIV market data 2023). And now the e-motor is finding with models from Woom, Ben E-Bike or Mondraker F-Play (here in the test) is also increasingly finding its way into children's bikes. This is also the case with the new Rocky Mountain Reaper Powerplay, a fully-fledged E-trail bike in junior format. This should also make longer rides and climbs fun for the youngsters - and that in turn has a positive effect on the parents' mood ;-)
Rocky Mountain Reaper Powerplay: E-bike with new Dyname S4 Mini drive unit
The newly developed Dyname S4 Mini drive supports the children with its 300 watts and up to 40 Nm torque (manufacturer's specification), especially on longer and steeper trails. Even without knowing the weight, the 240 Wh battery (manufacturer's specification) reveals that the e-bike will probably not be going uphill all day. That would also be superfluous, especially as a larger battery would mean more weight. After all, the children are not supposed to gain metres in altitude, but rather be able to expand their play area a little.
In practice, the drive system should have several advantages: Firstly, it is equipped with Rocky Mountains' patented torque sensor technology. With particularly low deceleration when pedalling, this should promote a natural riding experience. Rocky Mountain also promises high pedalling efficiency. The special feature of the Canadian motors: the drive is not attached to the crank axle, but drives the chain via an additional pulley.
The drive system is operated using the remote on the left-hand side of the handlebars. The most important data and information is shown on a larger display on the top tube, the so-called Jumbotron display.
The bike was great fun and easy to get on. It felt like a normal bike, but it was an e-bike! - Aubrey Botts, daughter
24 and 26 inch with one bike: The Reaper grows with you
Many parents are probably put off by the price of children's e-bikes. This is also understandable if the bike is suddenly too small after two years and can no longer be ridden. However, the Reaper Powerplay is able to grow with the child to a certain extent: the 24-inch model can be converted into a 26-inch model by swapping the wheels, attaching the 26-inch headset shells supplied and reversing the RIDE 2 flip chip.
The characteristics of the children's mountain bike can be influenced by the two-position axle adjustment system. This system allows the rider to choose a chainstay length that better suits their individual needs. The change sounds simple and only requires an 8 mm Allen key.
Since Rocky Mountain offers a 24-inch and a 26-inch model of the Reaper Powerplay from the outset, there are also differences in the suspension travel and equipment. The shock is the same on both models; a Rockshox Deluxe Select with 130 mm travel. The suspension forks are different: a Manitou Junit 34 Comp with 120 mm travel is used for 24-inch tyres. With 26-inch tyres, the Junit delivers 140 mm travel. The geometry of the bike also looks well thought out: both bikes come with super-short chainstays of around 400 millimetres and modern flat head angles for a lot of safety on the downhill.
As a parent, it's great to know that my child will have a great time because they can reach places that we wouldn't otherwise be able to. It makes the whole ride fun, not just the descent. It's a game changer and opens up lots of opportunities for young kids on the bike! - Alison Botts, mum
The most important details about the Rocky Mountain Reaper Powerplay
- Frame: FORM Aluminium
- drive system: Dyname S4 mini drive with up to 300 W and 40 Nm torque (manufacturer's specifications)
- Battery: 240 Wh integrated Li-Ion
- Display: Rocky Mountain Jumbotron
- Damper: Rockshox Deluxe Select, 190 x 45 mm, 130 mm travel
- Brakes: Tektro HD-J285
The most important differences between the 24-inch model and the 26-inch model
The prices are converted and rounded based on the prices in US dollars.
Rocky Mountain Reaper Powerplay 24
- Price: 4063 Euro
- Fork: Manitou JUNIT 34 Comp with 120 mm travel
- Crank length: 140 mm
- Seat post: X Fusion Manic Composite 30.9 mm | 80 mm
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.3
- Colour: Still of the night, Bad to the bone
Rocky Mountain Reaper Powerplay 26
- Price: 4405 Euro
- Fork: Manitou JUNIT 34 Expert with 140 mm suspension travel
- Crank length: 155 mm
- Seat post: X Fusion Manic Composite 30.9 mm | 125 mm
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.4 WT EXO Tubeless Ready and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT EXO Tubeless Ready
- Colour: Tequila Sunrise, Still of the night, Black dog
Lukas Niebuhr
Working student
