The Vorarlberg-based company is following a similar path, which Ghost recently took with its Sibling bikes Riot CF and Path Riot Simplon is simultaneously having the Rapcon Pmax with TQ motor as a Light E-MTB and the completely redesigned Rapcon Pmax CX. A powerful e-mountainbike for trail and enduro use, which is presented here.
The main new feature of the Austrian carbon classic is the Bosch Smart System, which comes with even more battery power: 750 watt hours - instead of 625 as before - and the option of a "dual battery" with a further 400 Wh. However, the latter has not yet been officially presented by Bosch, so it will be a while yet. And if you want, you can also choose the smaller and lighter new battery with 500 watt hours as the main battery instead of the 750. This makes the bike 350 euros cheaper and the top model should weigh less than 20 kilograms.
In addition, the recently presented Bosch Performance CX Race The CX drive is available as an equipment option, which offers even more uphill power than the normal CX drive with 400% support. However, this option comes at an additional cost of 700 euros. This means that even long e-bike tours in the high mountains are no longer safe from Rapcon attacks. Simplon has also continued to work on the climbing ability of the new Rapcon. The bottom bracket, which was previously quite high, has been lowered slightly and the chainstays are now shorter (460 vs. 446 mm in size L). Simplon also adjusts the chainstays individually for each frame size. They grow with you, as they like to say: 438 to 448 millimetres from size S to XL.
Simplon Rapcon Pmax: Preserving the good - creating the new
What characterises the Simplon Rapcon Pmax is the mullet option, i.e. the option to convert the rear wheel from 29 inches to 27.5 inches for more playfulness - with the help of a flip chip. This should make the bike even more manoeuvrable. Simplon also claims that the combination of a steeper seat angle, new stem and longer main frame should improve the characteristics in terms of manoeuvrability - but at the same time, the Rapcon should also be even smoother. We will test it!
The already not very high weight has also changed. According to the manufacturer, the frame weight is 3000 grams and should start at 19.8 kilos for the complete bike - with the smaller 500 battery, mind you. However, the predecessor model should only weigh 21.5 kilos.
In terms of equipment, Simplon offers the Rapcon Pmax CX in four variants: From the mechanical Sram GX1 Eagle drivetrain to the electronic, mechanical Shimano XT and the electric XX1 drivetrain. The E-MTB starts at a price of 8999 euros. Simplon offers the option of upgrading the respective basic equipment via the configurator - for example, swapping a Rockshox Yari suspension fork for a Fox 36 Factory and paying an additional 560 euros. A top model with electric Eagle, carbon parts and factory suspension then costs around 13,000 euros, depending on the configuration. As before, there are two variants to choose from: An All Mountain with 150 millimetres of suspension travel and an Enduro with 170/165 millimetres of suspension travel.
Last but not least, the permissible system weight has also changed: The Simplon Rapcon Pmax CX is now approved for up to 140 kilos. The colours available are sand matt/black matt and graphite grey matt/black glossy.
Marc Strucken
Editor
