I think the biggest difference was that the Powerplay didn’t ride like all the competitors’ bikes that we had tested.ĮBA: What actual structural and geometry changes had to be made to the frame to accommodate the motor?Īlex: Beyond the obvious like motor mounts and battery housing? We had to alter the head angle slightly on the small-size frame to accommodate the battery. That isn’t to say that we all want to run out and replace our traditional bikes with them, but the blinders are off. After a short while we had 100 percent buy-in from all the haters. Essentially, once anyone rides the bike, they realize A) how much fun it is and B) they don’t behave like motorcycles. The Powerplay bikes are completely different in that they feature internal reduction on the non-drive system with output at the drive pinion.ĮBA: Owing to the strong legacy that Rocky Mountain has in mountain biking, was there much push-back internally and externally about developing an e-bike?Īlex: For sure initially there were internal reservations about the project, but they were quickly dispelled. The G2 system was skipped right over when we unlocked a few key design features and moved straight to G3 to build it around our suspension platform. Specifically, the high voltage of the system, which reduces charge time, and the high torque output. This system was developed for urban bikes, and we adapted some of the base concepts to our Powerplay drive.
We’ve almost completely reworked the system.ĮBA: What are any key differences between the Gen 1 and 3 models?Īlex: The original G1 was a belt drive on the non-drive side with no reduction.
We say it’s third generation, but really all it shares with the original versions are base concepts. However, we recently had that opportunity, so here are some of the more salient facts about another exciting e-MTB that could be headed to America in 2018.ĮBA: The spec sheet says this is the third generation of the motor since it begun in 2010 did it originate in-house?Īlex: Yes, 100 percent in-house. In addition to the first look of the Pivot Shuttle we featured in our coverage of new pedal-assist mountain bikes that broke ground at the Eurobike show ( EBA, December 2017), we also highlighted the impressive entry into the market by longtime Canadian bike brand Rocky Mountain with their Altitude Powerplay e-bike.Īt the time that issue went to the printer, we were unable to track down Rocky Mountain product manager Alex Cogger to get some technical information on the bike.
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