New Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3 in Review: Next Generation North Shore DNA

For decades, Rocky Mountain have embodied the uncompromising spirit of Canadian mountain biking. Now the brand is launching the new Altitude Powerplay 3. With 170/160 mm of travel, a removable 720 Wh battery and the new Dyname S4 Pro motor delivering up to 1,000 watts peak power, it promises to take trail performance to the next level. We travelled to the Rocky Mountains’s home trails on the North Shore to find out whether their € 9,499 eMTB lives up to the hype.

Long before freeride and enduro became disciplines in their own right, Rocky Mountain were already riding their bikes on Vancouver’s North Shore, helping shape an entire generation of mountain biking. Over the years, eMTBs have also become a firmly established part of the Canadians’ line-up.

Now Rocky Mountain are introducing the new Altitude Powerplay 3, their latest eMTB platform. On paper, it ticks every box you’d expect from a modern full power eMTB. It combines 170 mm of front travel with 160 mm at the rear, is available as either a full 29er or in a mullet configuration, and is powered by Rocky Mountain’s in-house Dyname S4 Pro drive system. It delivers an impressive 108 Nm of maximum torque, up to 1,000 watts of peak power and draws its power from a removable 720 Wh battery integrated into the downtube.

Two days on the legendary North Shore trails. We joined freeride pioneer Wade Simmons and Rocky Mountain’s development team to find out exactly what their new e-bruiser is capable of on its home trails. You can read the full story from our trip to Vancouver in the next issue of E-MOUNTAINBIKE. But how does this € 9,499 eMTB perform in the real world, especially considering its relatively hefty claimed weight of around 24.9 kg in size L?

The new Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3 in detail

If you’re building a bike for the brutally rough trails of BC, frame protection is not a place to cut corners. Rocky Mountain clearly knows this, and the Altitude Powerplay 3 arrives with a protection package of rare thoroughness. The chainstay protector is generously sized, and the seatstay and the other vulnerable points around the rear triangle are sensibly shielded. A sturdy downtube guard defends the carbon frame against rock strikes and can be extended with additional adhesive protectors, all the way to a full Shuttle Guard setup. A substantial plastic guard shields the underside of the rear triangle, and a dedicated bash guard keeps the chainring intact when you are smashing through rocky terrain.

Home mechanics will appreciate Rocky Mountain’s sensible cable routing. Instead of feeding the hoses and cables through the headset, they enter the frame through dedicated ports behind the head tube, simplifying maintenance. Plastic cable clamps keep everything securely in place too. As a result the Altitude Powerplay 3 is reassuringly quiet on the trail.
Another clever touch is the rubber bumper on the downtube. In the event of a crash, it stops the handlebars from over-rotating, preventing the brake hose from getting damaged. It may look a little unusual at first, but out on the trail it does exactly what it’s supposed to.
One notable omission is a second tool mount. Aside from the bottle cage bosses on the downtube, there are no additional mounting points for tools or a spare tube. Long-time Rocky Mountain fans, on the other hand, will appreciate the iconic metal head badge, a classy finishing touch that adds real character. We like it.

The spec of the new Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3

The spec variant we tested, the Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70, comes equipped with components that are clearly designed to withstand the toughest riding conditions. Instead of relying on Bosch, Shimano or another third-party drive system, Rocky Mountain have developed their own Dyname S4 Pro motor in-house. Its layout differs significantly from most of the competition. The bottom bracket sits in the conventional position, just like on an analogue mountain bike, while the motor is mounted higher up inside the frame. Power is transferred via an additional idler pulley, over which the chain runs before reaching the drivetrain.

On paper, the Dyname S4 Pro is one of the most powerful motors in its class, delivering up to 108 Nm of torque and a staggering 1,000 W peak power, depending on the market. It’s powered by a removable 720 Wh battery that can be taken out of the downtube after undoing two bolts. If you need even more range, Rocky Mountain offer the optional Overtimepack range extender, which adds a further 314 Wh of capacity. It mounts to the bottle cage bosses on the downtube, making it easy to fit when longer rides are on the agenda. Charging is handled by either a 2 A or 4 A charger. Using the faster option, Rocky Mountain claim a charging time of just 3 hours and 55 minutes from 0 to 100%. The charging port sits just above the motor for easy access, with a rubber cover that, while a little fiddly to open, reliably keeps out dirt and water.

All key ride information is displayed on the integrated Jumbotron screen in the top tube. Speed, battery charge status, assistance mode and cadence are all easy to read while riding. The system is operated via a wired three-button remote mounted on the left-hand side of the handlebar. Alongside switching between assistance modes, it also lets you fine-tune the motor’s responsiveness and adjust the overrun to suit your preferences.

There’s no companion smartphone app, and that’s entirely intentional. Rather than encouraging endless tweaking via your phone, Rocky Mountain have chosen to keep the focus firmly on the riding experience.

Rocky Mountain combine a FOX 38 Factory fork with the latest GRIP X2 damper, and a FOX FLOAT X2 Factory shock controlling 160 mm of travel at the rear. Both suspension components pair exceptionally well with the new LC2R suspension platform and offer extensive tuning options, including independent high and low speed compression and rebound adjustment.

Braking is handled by SRAM MAVEN Silver brakes with a 220 mm rotor up front and a 200 mm rotor at the rear. However, the stock SRAM CenterLine discs prevent the brakes from reaching their full potential on long, steep descents. If you want to unlock the system’s maximum performance, upgrading to the more heat-resistant SRAM HS2 rotors will give you more consistent braking power, better bite and improved heat management.

Shifting is taken care of by SRAM’s mechanical Eagle 90 Transmission drivetrain, which uses the brand’s robust Full Mount interface. While the mechanical variant may lack the carbon components and premium appeal of the electronic X0 and XX Transmission groupsets, it gives away very little to its more expensive siblings in terms of performance.

For the wheels, Rocky Mountain rely on a dependable DT Swiss HF 1900 wheelset, which comes fitted with CushCore inserts as standard. Nice! Tire choice is equally well considered, with a MAXXIS ASSEGAI in the soft MaxxGrip compound and robust DoubleDown casing up front, paired with a MAXXIS Minion DHR II in the firmer MaxxTerra compound and the same DoubleDown casing at the rear. It perfectly matches the bike’s character, offering huge levels of grip, excellent puncture protection and impressive durability at the rear wheel.
Our test bike in size M came equipped with a OneUp V3 dropper post offering 180 mm of travel, which should be more than enough for most riders. Those riding a size L benefit from a generous 210 mm drop, providing noticeably more freedom of movement on steep descents.

Tuning-Tip: Upgrade to SRAM HS2 rotors for improved heat management and more consistent braking performance.

The geometry of the new Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3

Rocky Mountain offer the new Altitude Powerplay 3 in four frame sizes, S to XL. The smallest S frame is available exclusively with 27.5″ wheels, while sizes M to XL roll out of the factory as a full 29er as standard. Riders looking for more agile handling can convert the bike to a mullet configuration with a 29″ front wheel and 27.5″ rear wheel using the optional MX Link. This provides more room to move behind the saddle while giving the bike a more playful character on the trail.

The Reach Adjust headset allows you to fine-tune the bike’s fit by ±5 mm using offset headset cups. This lets you make the cockpit slightly shorter or longer without changing frame size.

The most significant adjustment, however, comes from Rocky Mountain’s well-established Ride-4 system. Rotating flip chips on the shock mount lets you choose between four geometry settings. Depending on the selected position, the head angle, seat tube angle, bottom bracket height and wheelbase all change accordingly. The slacker settings are designed to maximise composure and stability on steep, demanding terrain, while the steeper positions deliver sharper handling and a shorter wheelbase for a more agile ride.

We rode our test bike in size M with the standard full 29″ setup, using the Reach Adjust headset in the +5 mm position. This increases the reach from 458 mm to 463 mm, providing a better fit for our test rider, who is 1.82 m tall. We also opted for Ride-4 setting 4 (Steep). All geometry figures in the table refer to this exact configuration.

In this setup, the Altitude Powerplay features a 63.7° head angle and a 78.7° effective seat tube angle. The head tube is comparatively short at 110 mm on the size M and 120 mm on the size L. As a result, the front end is notably low, even with 40 mm rise handlebars and 15 mm of spacers under the stem. This puts plenty of weight over the front wheel and delivers precise steering input on technical climbs.
The 449 mm chainstay length is the same across all frame sizes, with Rocky Mountain deliberately opting against size-specific rear centre lengths.

All other spec variants of the new Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3

Alongside our test bike, the Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70, Rocky Mountain offer the new Altitude Powerplay 3 in two additional spec variants with aluminium frames. If the “Highway to Hell – Red Red Wine” colourway of our test bike is a little too bold for your taste, the more understated “Still of the Night – Ziggy Stardust” finish offers a subtler alternative. All models share the same core platform, featuring the new Dyname S4 Pro motor with up to 108 Nm of torque, the removable 720 Wh battery and identical geometry. The main differences lie in the suspension, drivetrain specification and finishing kit.

The Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 features Rocky Mountain’s hydroformed FORM aluminium frame and pairs a RockShox ZEB Select RC fork with a FOX FLOAT X Performance shock. Shifting is handled by SRAM’s mechanical Eagle 70 Transmission drivetrain, while braking duties are taken care of by SRAM MAVEN Base brakes.

The Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 marks the entry point into the range at € 5,499. Suspension consists of a RockShox Domain Gold RC fork up front and a Marzocchi Bomber Air shock at the rear. Shifting is handled by a 12-speed Shimano DEORE drivetrain, while Tektro HD-M535 brakes take care of stopping duties. Less convincing is the stock MAXXIS tyre specification, which comes with lightweight EXO casings. For a full power enduro bike, we’d recommend upgrading to the more robust DoubleDown casing, or an equivalent alternative, as soon as possible.

The new Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3 on the trail

How does the new Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3 climb?

At just 24.9 kg, the new Altitude Powerplay 3 is no lightweight. That makes its climbing performance all the more impressive. Despite its weight, it tackles technical ascents with remarkable ease, thanks largely to its outstanding traction. The rear wheel feels glued to the ground, finding grip even on wet roots and loose rock steps where many bikes begin to spin out. Rather than scrambling for traction, the Altitude drives uphill with calm, unwavering composure.

The Dyname S4 Pro motor complements this character perfectly. Instead of delivering its strongest support only at high cadences, it produces plenty of torque even when you’re pedalling slowly. This really comes into its own on technical climbs, where you’re often forced to reduce your cadence or stamp on the pedals to get over awkward obstacles. Just keep the cranks turning and the motor takes care of the rest, making difficult climbs feel impressively controlled and effortless.

The geometry also plays a key role in the Rocky Mountain’s impressive climbing performance. The comparatively low front end makes it easy to keep pressure on the front wheel, preventing it from wandering even on the steepest pitches. Combined with the bike’s exceptional traction, it delivers climbing performance that’s consistently confidence inspiring.

The Dyname drive system isn’t exactly discreet, however. While its performance is outstanding across the board, it’s noticeably louder than many of its current rivals. The combination of the motor and the idler pulley produces a distinct mechanical sound that’s particularly noticeable on quieter sections of trail.

How does the new Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3 descend?

As soon as the trail points downhill, the new Altitude Powerplay 3 feels at home. Surprisingly, the weight actually works in its favour. The bike feels incredibly planted, generating huge amounts of grip while holding its line with unwavering confidence. Whether you’re charging through rock gardens, tangled root carpets or braking bumps, it carries speed with remarkable composure. Rather than skipping nervously from obstacle to obstacle, the Rocky Mountain bulldozes through the trail, maintaining momentum with ease.

A large part of this is down to the new LC2R (Low Centre Counter Rotating) suspension platform. The tune leans supple, responding to the smallest impacts without ever feeling vague or wallowy, yet it holds plenty of mid-stroke support and keeps ample reserves for heavy compressions, big drops and less-than-perfect landings. On Vancouver’s notoriously demanding trails, the Altitude Powerplay smooths out rough terrain and heavy hits with real confidence. What strikes you most is how much agility Rocky Mountain has preserved despite the bike’s composure at speed.

Despite the huge amounts of grip it delivers, the suspension never feels sluggish. Quite the opposite. For a full power eMTB that feels this planted, the Altitude is surprisingly easy to flick from one corner to the next, delivering handling that’s far more lively than you’d expect. Our size M test bike certainly contributes to this character, but Rocky Mountain still deserve credit for striking such an impressive balance.

The low front end ensures plenty of pressure over the front wheel, inspiring huge amounts of confidence, particularly in flat corners. On very steep trails, however, it takes a little time to adapt and rewards an active riding style. Riders who spend most of their time in steep alpine terrain will likely benefit from fitting a higher-rise handlebar or adding a few more headset spacers to dial in the front-end height.

Who is the new Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3 for?

Conclusions about the new Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3

The Altitude Powerplay 3 is not a bike built for the scales. It’s built for the trail. With phenomenal traction, an outstanding LC2R suspension platform and the powerful Dyname S4 Pro motor, which comes into its own on technical climbs, it feels most at home where the dirt is loose, roots criss-cross the trail and laughter echoes through the forest. The intuitive handling inspires confidence from the first metre and makes it easy to push your limits. Weight and the motor’s mechanical noise are the bike’s biggest drawbacks, but neither is enough to overshadow an otherwise exceptionally well-rounded package. If you want a full-power enduro with authentic North Shore DNA, the Altitude Powerplay 3 is one of the most compelling bikes in its class.

Tops

• Outstanding LC2R suspension with exceptional traction and huge reserves
• Intuitive, confidence-inspiring handling
• Excellent climbing performance with impressive grip and powerful assistance
• Extensive geometry adjustment options

Flops

• Motor is noticeably louder than many competitors
• Far from lightweight
• The stock CenterLine rotors don't allow the excellent MAVEN brakes to reach their full potential

For more information about the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay 3, visit Rocky Mountain’s website.

Words: Benedikt Schmidt Photos: Margus Riga