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FREERIDE endurance testRocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 - the final report

Laurin Lehner

 · 28.09.2023

In action: Trails like this are almost too tame for the downhill Altitude Powerplay.
Photo: Max Fuchs / Mediengruppe Klambt

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The Rocky Mountain Altitude caused a lot of aha-effects in past tests: because it's handy, fast and playful. FREERIDE editor Laurin Lehner chose the e-counterpart as an endurance test bike - and found it difficult.

Why do some things have such a high want-to-have factor, even though they are not very practical for you? - or just then? Examples: A watch that is water-resistant to 100 metres, even though you are not an expedition diver. Or a Land Rover Defender if you live in the city centre. Or a heavy e-freerider if you like jibbing with light bikes on tame trails. The organic enduro Altitude had excited me, so I was tempted by the E version. I got a Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 as a long-term test bike.

Control centre: The speedometer provides all the data the rider needs. There are four modes to choose from. Everything can be customised.Photo: Laurin Lehner / Mediengruppe KlambtControl centre: The speedometer provides all the data the rider needs. There are four modes to choose from. Everything can be customised.Super: Shimano's XT brakes were reliable throughout the entire period of use. Recommended purchase!Photo: Laurin Lehner / Mediengruppe KlambtSuper: Shimano's XT brakes were reliable throughout the entire period of use. Recommended purchase!

The Altitude Powerplay is a classic E-freerider: lots of travel, lots of battery, lots of power! The equipment of the C70 model is solid, but nothing special for the price. The sturdy XT brakes from Shimano are a positive feature. Rocky's own motor in the bottom bracket provides powerful propulsion. The removable 720 Wh battery provides a long range. Top! I didn't like the rather insensitive motor control and the rough pedalling feel.

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Flipchip: The chainstays can be shortened to a short 436 millimetres using a flipchip. Nevertheless, the Altitude is not a manual machine. The gears have to be readjusted afterwards.Photo: Laurin Lehner / Mediengruppe KlambtFlipchip: The chainstays can be shortened to a short 436 millimetres using a flipchip. Nevertheless, the Altitude is not a manual machine. The gears have to be readjusted afterwards.

In addition to trail tours in the foothills of the Alps and on trails in the Black Forest, I have used the e-freerider as a year-round commuter bike for work. That means: 30 kilometres a day in snow, mud and rain. I covered a total of over 5500 kilometres during the year of use. I didn't get away without a defect.

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In May, moisture penetrated the display, then the engine went on strike: control unit broken. Rocky replaced the parts free of charge as part of the 3-year warranty. The Race Face Aeffect dropper post was also a bit of a bitch from time to time, but could be brought back into working order with a little 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 geo can be easily changed thanks to the Ride-Four geometry adjustment. Either way, it remains flat and downhill-orientated.

Big box: The in-house Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive motor is one of the most powerful on the market. However, the idler pulley makes the cranks feel rough and noisy. The large 720 Wh battery enables a long range.Photo: Laurin Lehner / Mediengruppe KlambtBig box: The in-house Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive motor is one of the most powerful on the market. However, the idler pulley makes the cranks feel rough and noisy. The large 720 Wh battery enables a long range.Thick tyres: Rocky uses Maxxis Assegai 2.5 WT 3C MaxxGrip DD tyres at the front and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT 3C MaxxTerra DD tyres at the rear.Photo: Laurin Lehner / Mediengruppe KlambtThick tyres: Rocky uses Maxxis Assegai 2.5 WT 3C MaxxGrip DD tyres at the front and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT 3C MaxxTerra DD tyres at the rear.

The heavy Altitude Powerplay only feels at home in rough, steep terrain - when it gets fast and rough. Here it offers maximum traction and therefore safety. It encourages the rider to leave the throttle open. As long as the speed is right, the Rocky can be manoeuvred easily over the trail.

On tamer trails, on the other hand, it feels clumsy, steers sluggishly and can only be manoeuvred over obstacles with a lot of physical effort in a bunny hop. The conversion to Mullet has done the bike good. Despite the very short chainstays (adjustable 436/439 mm), the Rocky is not a manual machine.

That's why I didn't really warm to the Rocky. But I can't blame the bike for that. It says e-freerider on the side and e-freerider on the inside. It doesn't suit my intended use. Sorry, Altitude Powerplay. Not a match!

>> Review: Endurance test Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 2023 - first impressions & later updates <<

The Race Face Aeffect R Dropper has 175 millimetre travel in the L-frame. The mud made things difficult for her, but she was always able to get going again.Photo: Laurin Lehner / Mediengruppe KlambtThe Race Face Aeffect R Dropper has 175 millimetre travel in the L-frame. The mud made things difficult for her, but she was always able to get going again.

Conclusion: The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay in the endurance test

The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay is the ideal park freerider. Rough, steep, fast - it feels right at home here. If, like me, you like jumping, hopping and riding on the rear wheel on tamer trails, you'll have much more fun with other bikes. - Laurin Lehner, FREERIDE editor
Tester Laurin Lehner (height: 1.78 metres, body weight: 73 kilos) believes that the definition of a freerider on E-MTBs should not be determined by the suspension travel, but by the ability to play with the bike. Light e-MTBs often manage this better despite less suspension travel, he says.Photo: Dimitri Lehner / Mediengruppe KlambtTester Laurin Lehner (height: 1.78 metres, body weight: 73 kilos) believes that the definition of a freerider on E-MTBs should not be determined by the suspension travel, but by the ability to play with the bike. Light e-MTBs often manage this better despite less suspension travel, he says.

Facts: Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70

  • Spring 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 kilos (without pedals)
  • Price: 9100 €

Plus

  • Chassis
  • Departure geo
  • XT brakes

Minus

  • Pointed application area
  • Weight
  • Price/performance
  • Defective control unit

The "trailier" alternative - the author would have preferred this model: Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay

The little brother: Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay. With 150/140 millimetre travel, the bike has more trail genes. It won the EMTB tip in EMTB 4/23.The little brother: Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay. With 150/140 millimetre travel, the bike has more trail genes. It won the EMTB tip in EMTB 4/23.

The facts about the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay C70

  • Motor: Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0, 108 Nm max. torque
  • Battery: 726 Wh (removable)
  • Optional: Range extender with 314 Wh
  • Frame material: Carbon
  • Suspension travel: 150 / 140 mm (f./h.)
  • Wheel size: 29 inch
  • Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL
  • Price: 9900 Euro >> available here
  • Weight: 23.01 kg (test bike in size L, EMTB measurement)

Click here for the Test of the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay C70 >>

Laurin Lehner

Born in South Baden, Laurin Lehner is, by his own admission, a lousy racer. Maybe that's why he is fascinated by creative, playful biking. What counts for him is not how fast you get from A to B, but what happens in between. Lehner writes reports, interviews scene celebrities and tests products and bikes - preferably those with a lot of suspension travel.

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