FREERIDE Endurance Test: Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 – the final report
Laurin Lehner
· 28.09.2023
Why do some things have such a strong ‘must-have’ appeal, even though they’re not particularly practical for you? – Or perhaps that’s exactly when? Examples: A watch that’s water-resistant to 100 metres, even though you’re not an expedition diver. Or a Land Rover Defender, when you live in the city centre. Or a heavy e-freerider when you prefer to jib on gentle trails with lightweight bikes. I’d been impressed by the organic-themed Altitude enduro, so the e-version really appealed to me. I was given a Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 as a long-term test bike.
The Altitude Powerplay is a classic e-freerider: plenty of suspension travel, plenty of battery capacity, plenty of power! The spec on the C70 model is solid, but nothing out of the ordinary for the price. The reliable Shimano XT brakes are a particular highlight. In the bottom bracket, Rocky’s in-house motor provides powerful propulsion. The removable 720 Wh battery delivers a long range. Brilliant! I was less impressed by the rather unresponsive motor control and the rough pedalling feel.
As well as trail rides in the Alpine foothills and on trails in the Black Forest, I’ve been using the E-Freerider as a year-round commuter bike for work. That means 30 kilometres a day in snow, slush and rain. Over the course of the year, I clocked up a total of over 5,500 kilometres. I didn’t get through it without a few breakdowns.
In May, moisture got into the display, then the motor stopped working: the control unit was faulty. Rocky replaced the parts free of charge under the 3-year warranty. The Race Face Aeffect Vario strut also played up from time to time, but could be got working again with a bit of oil.
Despite the nominally long reach, I (1.78 metres) got on well with the frame size (L). The Altitude Powerplay positions the rider low on the bike. The geometry can be easily adjusted thanks to the Ride Four geometry adjustment system. Either way, it remains flat and downhill-oriented.
The heavy Altitude Powerplay really comes into its own on rough, steep terrain – when things get fast and bumpy. Here, it offers maximum traction and, with it, safety. This encourages the rider to keep the throttle open. As long as the pace is right, the Rocky can be steered nimbly along the trail.
On gentler trails, however, it feels clumsy, handles sluggishly and can only be manoeuvred over obstacles using a bunny hop, which requires a lot of physical effort. The conversion to a mullet frame has done the bike a world of good. Despite the very short chainstays (adjustable to 436/439 mm), the Rocky isn’t a bike designed for wheelies.
That’s why I never really warmed to the Rocky. But I can’t blame the bike for that. It says ‘E-Freerider’ on it, and that’s exactly what it is. It just isn’t right for what I want to use it for. Sorry, Altitude Powerplay. Not a good match!
Conclusion: The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay put through its paces
The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay is the ideal park freerider. Rough, steep, fast – it’s right in its element here. Anyone who, like me, enjoys jumping, hopping and riding on the back wheel on tamer trails with their e-MTB will have far more fun on other bikes. - Laurin Lehner, FREERIDE editor
Facts: Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70
- Suspension travel: 170 mm / 160 mm
- Fork: Fox 38 Float EVOL GRIP Performance Series 170 mm | 44 mm offset
- Damper: Fox Float X2 Performance
- Brakes: Shimano XT Trail 4-piston
- Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive | 250 W nominal power | 108 Nm | Rocky Mountain Micro Remote |
- Battery: 720 Wh removable integrated Li-ion | 100% charged in 3:55 (4 A) / 7:35 (2 A) | 80% charged in 2:55 (4 A) / 6:05 (2 A)
- Frame size: Large
- Reach / Stack: 475 mm / 638 mm
- Weight: 24.1 kilograms (excluding pedals)
- Price: 9,100 euros
Plus
- Chassis
- Departure Geo
- XT brakes
Minus
- Narrow scope of application
- Weight
- Value for money
- Faulty control unit
The ‘more trail-oriented’ alternative – the author would have preferred this model: Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay
Facts about the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay C70
- Motor: Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0, 108 Nm maximum torque
- Battery: 726 Wh (removable)
- Optional: Range extender with 314 Wh
- Frame material: carbon
- Suspension travel: 150 / 140 mm (front/rear)
- Wheel size: 29 inches
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
- Price: 9,900 euros
- Weight: 23.01 kg (test bike, size L, EMTB measurement)
Click here for the Review of the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay C70 >>
Laurin Lehner
Editor