With the Rapcon Pmax, the Austrians are breaking new ground and bringing a powerful e-bike for trail and enduro use onto the market for the first time. The elegant carbon frame is designed to keep the weight within limits. Despite the brand new Bosch Performance CX Gen4 drive with integrated 625 watt-hour battery, the top model should weigh just 21.5 kilos and therefore be easy to ride on the trails. We were able to hang a pre-production model with 29er wheels, without pedals and with 160/150 millimetres of travel on the scales and measured a respectable 22.6 kilos. The bike did not correspond to the standard equipment.
Rapcon Pmax - lightweight and variable trail-fully
The most important data on Rapcon
- Material: Carbon
- Drive: Bosch Performance CX Gen4, 625 Wh
- Optional: additional battery for up to 1125 Wh
- Wheel size: 29 x 2.6 inch or 27.5 inch (max. 3.0 inch width)
- Weights: from 21.5 kilos
- Sizes: S / M / L / XL
- Prices: from 6699 euros
Simplon offers the Rapcon in two different versions. Trail-orientated bikers choose the version with 150 millimetres of suspension travel at the front and rear. If you want a little more downhill performance, the Rapcon is also available in the Enduro spec with a 170 millimetre fork at the front and 165 millimetre suspension travel at the rear, which is then kept in check by a steel spring damper.
The Rapcon frame is equipped with some clever details. For example, an additional battery (Bosch Powerpack 500) can be piggybacked on the down tube, which increases the energy from 625 to a whopping 1125 watt hours. If the battery is not needed, there is space for a water bottle in its holder. The geometry can be adjusted via a flip chip to allow the use of a longer fork or 27.5-inch wheels on the rear wheel. Air inlets, which can alternatively be used as cable inlets, are designed to provide additional cooling for the battery in the down tube. The Rapcon's shock is well protected in a box on the seat tube.
As is usual for Simplon, the bike can be configured using selected components. Prices for the Rapcon Pmax start at 6699 euros.
Sengo Pmax - variable off-road and travelling hardtop
The most important data on the Sengo Pmax
- Material: Carbon
- Drive: Bosch Performance CX Gen4, 625 Wh
- Optional: additional battery for up to 1125 Wh
- Wheel size: 29 x 2.6 inch or 27.5 inch (max. 2.8 inch width)
- Weights: from 19 kilos
- Sizes: S / M / L / XL
- Prices: from 5499 Euro
With the Sengo Pmax, Simplon has added a particularly versatile and lightweight hardtail to its range. Thanks to its full carbon frame, the Sengo is said to weigh just 19 kilos. Bosch's new Performance CX Gen4 motor with integrated Powertube battery (625 watt hours) also provides propulsion here. As with the Rapcon, an additional battery with 500 watt hours can be attached to the down tube. Alternatively, a quick-release bottle cage can be inserted into the Bosch mount.
The frame of the Sengo Pmax offers space for tyres up to a maximum of 29 x 2.6 inches. Alternatively, the hardtail can also be converted to 27.5 inch tyres. Then even 2.8 inch wide tyres fit in the rear triangle. If you want to use the Sengo as a commuter or touring bike, the additional battery not only gives you a particularly long range. Numerous eyelets and mounting points allow the use of mudguards, pannier rack, kickstand or light. The dropouts are also prepared for the use of Rohloff drivetrains. As an alternative to the classic chain, the Sengo can also be driven by a belt.
The Simplon modular system also offers room for customisation for the Sengo Pmax. Prices for the carbon hardtail start at 5499 euros.
Stefan Frey
Editor
