ROTWILD go wild with the new R.G375 – A Light eMTB with a Shimano EP8 motor and 375 Wh battery
Longer, lower, lighter? With the R.G375, ROTWILD present a light eMTB with a small 375 Wh battery for bike parks and wild descents that can still benefit from the full power of the Shimano EP8 motor. We have all the details about ROTWILD’s new gravity focused R.G375 Light eMTB
ROTWILD are stepping it up a notch and expanding their portfolio with a Light eMTB for bike park and gravity use. In the search for the goldilocks combination of maximum downhill performance, the fun of Light eMTBs and the assistance of a powerful motor, manufacturers have to reconcile seemingly contradictory demands. From ROTWILD’s perspective, the solution to this problem is a Light eMTB with a smaller battery than standard, intended to preserve the natural handling of analogue bikes at the expense of powered range. Unlike competitors like the Specialized Kenevo SL or Orbea Rise, the smaller battery is paired with a powerful Shimano EP8 motor which, unlike the EP8 on the Orbea Rise, isn’t restricted. The concept, combining a powerful Shimano EP8 motor with a small battery, is nothing new for ROTWILD and has previously proven itself on the ROTWILD R.X375 Ultra in our big eMTB group test. You’ll see the same concept on the ROTWILD R.E375, which is even more downhill-focused than the R.X375. Now it’s been applied to the R.G375, designed and built purely for the descents.
20.3 kg (size M, claimed weight) | € 8,999 | Manufacturer’s website
The new ROTWILD R.G375 in detail
Not just the look of the new full carbon frame is reminiscent of the ROTWILD R.X375 Ultra, with the R.G375 relying on some of the same clever details as its smaller brother. Using the quick-release button on the side of the down tube, the battery can be changed just as quickly here. Bike park fans will be able to leave a spare battery (which costs € 749) in their car and thus easily swap it out between descents. This effectively gives you the same battery capacity as a large standard battery without the added weight.
While the battery concept is the same as its siblings, the components and geometry of the R.G375 are clearly tuned for descending. As such, in size L the smaller-brother R.X375 weighs just 18.8 kg, while the R.G375 Pro is claimed to weigh 20.3 kg in size M (spoiler: this is excluding the added weight of a tire upgrade). It’s expected to be available in the first quarter of 2022 and will be priced at € 8,999.
The components of the new ROTWILD R.G375 in detail
ROTWILD offer the new R.G375 exclusively in the PRO build. This spec is aimed at gravity riders who demand significant capability, reliability and composed handling. The suspension is supplied by FOX, with a 180 mm travel 38 Performance Elite fork with the GRIP2 damper offering lots of adjustability and excellent performance. The 177 mm rear travel is managed by a FOX Float X2 performance shock. With a pair of Magura MT5 brakes stopping on a 220 mm rotor up front and a 200 mm one at the rear, ROTWILD haven’t neglected braking performance either. We can only shake our heads at the tire choice which doesn’t do justice to the bike’s intended use. The Schwalbe Magic Mary up front and Big Betty on the rear make use of the Super Ground (front) and Super Trail casing (rear), which are too thin and puncture-prone for demanding use. Fast riders who want to use the eMTB for what it’s intended should fit tires with a Super Gravity casing at the very least.
ROTWILD R.G375
€ 8,999
Specifications
Motor Shimano EP8 85 Nm
Battery IPU375 QR CARBON 375 Wh
Display Shimano EP800
Fork FOX 38 Performance Elite GRIP2 180 mm
Rear Shock FOX FLOAT X2 177 mm
Seatpost e*thirteen Vario Covert Infinite mm
Brakes Magura MT5 HC-W 220/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT/DEORE cassette 1x12
Stem e*thirteen Plus 35 50 mm
Handlebar e*thirteen Plus AL7050 780 mm
Wheelset Crankbrothers Synthesis 29"
Tires Schwalbe Magic Mary Super Ground/ Big Betty Super Trail 2.4"
Technical Data
Size M L XL
Weight 20.3 kg (claimed weight)
Perm. total weight 130 kg
Max. payload (rider/equipment) 109 kg
The geometry of the ROTWILD R.G375 in detail
The new ROTWILD R.G375 is available in sizes M, L and XL. In terms of geometry, ROTWILD have followed the mantra of lower, longer and slacker. With a 63° head angle and a wheelbase of over 1,300 mm in sizes L and XL, it’s definitely one of the slacker and longer eMTBs on the market. Whether these numbers translate into good handling on the trail will only be revealed once we’ve put the bike to the test.
| Size | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 440 mm | 470 mm | 506 mm |
| Top tube | 606 mm | 634 mm | 662 mm |
| Head tube | 110 mm | 125 mm | 140 mm |
| Head angle | 63° | 63° | 63° |
| Seat angle | 76° | 76° | 76° |
| Chainstays | 460 mm | 460 mm | 460 mm |
| BB Drop | 23 mm | 23 mm | 23 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1,276 mm | 1,306 mm | 1,338 mm |
| Reach | 450 mm | 475 mm | 500 mm |
| Stack | 632 mm | 643 mm | 657 mm |
Conclusion
The motor and battery concept of the light and powerful R.X375 has already proven what it’s capable of on quick post-work rides. ROTWILD are now applying that successful concept to even more eMTBs, expanding their portfolio with the R.G375 to include an eMTB that begs for fast laps in the bike park and quick detours on demanding trails. We’ll tell you whether the concept works just as well on the new ROTWILD R.G375 as soon as we’ve ridden it.
For more information visit rotwild.com
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Words: Rudolf Fischer Photos: ROTWILD
