As our first test showed in 2017 the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay is a great bike for all those looking for top trail performance. Unfortunately until now there was one big problem: the Altitude Powerplay was only available with an expensive carbon frame. With the new Altitude Powerplay Alloy the fine Canadian manufacturer finally launches a more affordable version of their electric trail weapon.
At first glance the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy looks a lot like its more expensive carbon counterpart. The Canadians managed to give their new aluminium frame the same elegant lines of the posh carbon version. But this also means that the battery is still fully integrated and fixed inside the slim down-tube. Depending on the version the battery has a capacity of either 632 Wh (Alloy 70) or 500 Wh (Alloy 50). Like the carbon version, the aluminium model is powered by a Dyname 3.0 motor which Rocky Mountain developed in collaboration with Propulsion Powercylce. As a special feature Rocky Mountain puts a regular crankset behind the motor — with the chain being the only point of contact. Of course this implicates an elaborate pulley system. In the past this used to cause a lot of noise especially when dirt came into play. The motor itself on the other hand runs almost completely silent.
What’s also new is the slim iWoc TRIO remote unit on the handlebars. This allows to select the desired support level and activate the walk-assist. LED’s provide all the details about battery status and support level.
The geometry of the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy
Not only does the aluminium version of the Altitude Powerplay share the same geometry with the more expensive carbon version but also with its non-motorised counterpart. One striking detail is the short chainstays for eMTB standards which make for a pleasantly direct and agile handling. The geometry can be adjusted in three positions via flip-chip — the system is called Ride9.
| Size | SM | MD | LG | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 419 mm | 457 mm | 483 mm | 521 mm |
| Top tube | 576 mm | 601 mm | 626 mm | 656 mm |
| Head tube | 100 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm | 145 mm |
| Head angle | 65.0° | 65.5° | 65.5° | 65.6° |
| Seat angle | 74.5° | 74.6° | 74.6° | 74.6° |
| Chainstay | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm |
| BB Drop | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm | 7 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,156 mm | 1,179 mm | 1,206 mm | 1,238 mm |
| Reach | 416 mm | 435 mm | 458 mm | 484 mm |
| Stack | 579 mm | 600 mm | 610 mm | 623 mm |
Spec of the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy
The Rocky Montain Altitude Powerplay Alloy is available in two versions which cost € 5,300 and € 6,000 respectively. The more expensive aluminium version costs almost as much as the cheapest carbon model but comes with a larger 630 Wh battery (the carbon 50 only has 500 Wh capacity). The rest of the spec of the Alloy 70 is not high-end but altogether very well thought-out and wisely chosen for its purpose. The FOX Performance suspension, SRAM Guide RE-brakes and a SRAM GX/NX Eagle groupset make for a very impressive package. The Race Face wheels feature a reinforced DT Swiss Hybrid 370 rear-hub and perfectly fit the bill.
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70
Fork: FOX 36 Float Performance Grip 160 mm
Rear shock: FOX Float DPS EVOL Perfomance 160 mm
Motor/Battery: Dyname 3.0/623 Wh
Brakes: SRAM Guide RE
Drivetrain: SRAM GX Eagle
Hubs (Front/Rear): Rocky Mountain/DT Swiss Hybrid 370
Rims: Race Face AR 35
Tires: MAXXIS Minion DHF WT/Agressor WT
Price: € 6,000
Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50
Fork: RockShox Yari RC 160 mm
Rear shock: RockShox Deluxe RT 160 mm
Motor/Battery: Dyname 3.0/500 Wh
Brakes: SRAM Guide T
Drivetrain: SRAM GX
Hubs (Front/Rear): Rocky Mountain/SRAM MTH-746
Rims: Sun Düroc SD42
Tires: MAXXIS Minion DHF WT/Agressor WT
Price: € 5,300
The Alloy 50 version is € 700 cheaper than the 70 top-end alloy model but has a battery with a 500 Wh capacity. The spec includes a RockShox YARI RC fork and SRAM Guide T-brakes which in previous tests proved rather weak. The wheels and cassette are of lower quality too.
Our take on the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy
Yes, the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70 costs almost as much as the cheapest carbon version but it’s still a better bike. It comes with a better spec and bigger battery. In our first tests, the bike inspired with an agile, very playful handling. Having said that the aluminium version is not exactly a bargain either.
Rocky Mountain also released an all new Instinct Powerplay Alloy, read our first ride review here.
For more information head to bikes.com
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