With the Intuition Powerplay SL, Rocky Mountain are lastly becoming a member of the sunshine eMTB occasion – or at the very least, that’s what the title suggests! Rocky Mountain’s all-mountain eMTB options the Canadian producer’s proprietary Dyname motor, which drives the rear wheel via an extra sprocket. However can the modern drive and smaller battery ship on the path, or is the idea only a heavy compromise? Let’s discover out.
20.3 kg in dimension L | 9,700 € | Producer’s web site
Rocky Mountain are primarily based in Vancouver, BC, which is called the birthplace of mountain biking. The Canadian model has been constructing mountain bikes since 1981 and ventured into the e-bike market in 2017 with the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay. In contrast to many, they didn’t observe the mainstream however developed a novel, highly effective motor idea in shut collaboration with Dyname.
Now, with the Intuition Powerplay SL, they took a unique strategy and revamped the entire idea, utilizing a smaller, built-in but detachable battery, and a lighter motor,the Dyname S4 Lite. Whereas this delivers much less energy than its greater sibling, it nonetheless packs a punch in comparison with most mild e-mountain bike drives, churning out 65 Nm of torque – at the very least 5 Nm greater than most standard light-weight motors. However does this justify the “SL” title suffix, and is the bike value its € 9,700 price ticket? Let’s dig in.
The brand new motor system of the 2025 Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL – Dyname S4 Lite
On the coronary heart of the brand new Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL is the all-new Dyname S4 Lite e-bike motor. With as much as 65 Nm of torque and 550 W peak energy, it has extra torque than its “light-weight rivals”, the Bosch Efficiency Line SX and FAZUA Trip 60 sitting proper between them when it comes to peak energy. In our using impressions,we’ll let you know how this interprets to the pedal really feel and energy supply. Given the motor’s key information, Rocky Mountain are intentionally advertising and marketing the Intuition Powerplay as a “mid-support” eMTB. Specs apart, what really units this motor aside is its energy transmission system: as a substitute of driving straight via a big chainring, the motor depends on a small auxiliary drive sprocket above the chainring to make sure additional rigidity on the chain. Above all, this distinctive strategy impacts the interior motor gearing and provides extra flexibility in designing the rear suspension.
The 480 Wh battery is detachable although this requires instruments: it’s good to loosen two bolts earlier than sliding the battery out in direction of the underside bracket. To make this step simpler, it’s finest to put the bike on its aspect or flip it the other way up altogether. The benefit of this design is that it permits for a modern, tidy design, particularly across the downtube. And if 480 Wh isn’t sufficient, you’ll be able to broaden the battery with the Extra time Pack 2.0 vary extender, which boosts the capability by a really cheap 314 Wh.
On the subject of system integration, Rocky Mountain maintain issues easy: no app, no additional trouble – that’s the slogan. The motor could be managed through the built-in show on the highest tube, which supplies you entry to the 4 using modes, from Eco as much as the highly effective Ludicrous mode. Whereas the streamlined strategy retains issues easy, a companion app may have been a pleasant addition, permitting you to tweak the motor settings through a smartphone. As a substitute, it’s important to use the discreet, user-friendly distant to change between the 4 modes (Eco, Path, Path+, Ludicrous) and navigate via totally different show views. Nonetheless, the motor traits themselves can’t be adjusted.
The brand new 2025 Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL intimately
For a lightweight e-mountain bike, the motor integration on the Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL is something however delicate. Whereas the downtube is comparatively slim, the underside bracket space clearly provides away the bike’s electrical nature: the motor is positioned notably ahead and upward throughout the body, making a cumbersome part above the underside bracket. This place is partly as a result of battery elimination system – whereas the battery is neatly built-in into the body, it may be faraway from the underside of the downtube when you undo the 2 bolts with a instrument. The charging port sits on the non-drive aspect simply above the bb, and is protected towards muck and water by a rubberised cowl.
The motor depends on an extra loafer pulley to switch the facility, which permits for a barely greater pivot level within the rear suspension – Rocky Mountain name it the Mid-Excessive-Pivot Smoothlink Suspension. The chain routing via the motor eliminates kickback, and the system works a bit like a high-pivot suspension. A generously sized, ribbed chainstay protector ensures a quiet experience,even on tough trails. The cables are routed internally and disappear into the body via clamped cable ports proper behind the top tube. Not solely does this guarantee a tidy look, but in addition makes it simpler to service the bike. A bonus: there’s sufficient room on the downtube for both a bottle cage or the non-obligatory 314 Wh vary extender,which each turn out to be useful on lengthy rides ;). Sadly, the Intuition POwerplay doesn’t function any mounting factors or storage options?
The specs of our 2025 Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL Carbon 70 take a look at bike
The Intuition Powerplay SL Carbon 70 is the mid-range mannequin of the carbon lineup, and comes outfitted with a stable mixture of high-quality parts. A FOX Float X Efficiency shock manages 145 mm of journey, and options externally adjustable compression and rebound levels, in addition to a climb change for lengthy climbs. Up entrance, a FOX 36 Grip X Efficiency Elite fork generates 150 mm of journey. The brand new Grip X damper has adjustable high and low velocity circuits on each the rebound and compression circuit, and delivers almost the identical efficiency as its top-tier Grip X counterpart. FOX additionally provide the brand new Switch Efficiency Elite dropper submit, which provides 180 mm of journey in dimension L. In our opinion, the 210 mm model could be a greater match for this bike, as it will guarantee higher freedom of motion on the bike, particularly with taller riders.
Shifting and braking is taken care of by a SRAM groupset consisting of SRAM Code Silver Stealth brakes, and a SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain. The brakes are paired with 200 mm rotors entrance and rear, offering highly effective, dependable deceleration. The levers of the Code Silver line function tool-free attain and bite-point changes. The 200 mm rotors are match for an e-bike on this journey class. The SRAM GX Eagle Transmission drivetrain ensures easy shifting, even when the motor is placing vital rigidity on the chain.
Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay C70
€ 9,700
Specs
Motor Dyname S4 Lite 65 Nm
Battery Powerplay Akku 480 Wh
Show Jumbotron
Fork FOX 36 Efficiency Elite Grip X 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX Float X Efficiency 145 mm
Seatpost FOX Switch Efficiency Elite 180 mm
Brakes SRAM CODE Silver Stealth 200/200 mm
Drivetrain SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission 1×12
Stem Rocky Mountain 35 40 mm
Handlebar Race Face Turbine 780 mm
Wheelset Race Face ARC 30 29″
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF MaxxTerra EXO/DHRII MaxxTerra EXO+ 2,5″/2,4″
Technical Information
Measurement XS S M L XL
Weight 20,3 kg
Perm. whole weight –
Max. payload (rider/gear) n/a
Trailer approval no
Kickstand mount no
The Intuition Powerplay SL Carbon 70 rollson a RaceFace ARC 30 alloy wheelset and MAXXIS tire combo, with a Minion DHF on the entrance and DHR II on the rear, each within the tougher MaxxTerra compound. The entrance tire options the thinnest EXO casing, whereas the rear wheel will get a barely extra sturdy EXO+ casing, which is hard sufficient for flowing trails however doesn’t supply sufficient puncture safety on rougher terrain. When the primary tire change is due, we advocate upgrading to a extra sturdy casing like MAXXIS DoubleDown – at the very least on the rear. The Intuition Powerplay SL Carbon 70 retails at a hefty € 9,700.
Tuning Tip: when the primary tire change is due, take into account upgrading to a softer rubber compound like MAXXIS’ MaxxGrip on the entrance and their sturdy DoubleDown casing on the rear for higher efficiency and sturdiness.
All different spec variants of the 2025 Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL
Alongside our Intuition Powerplay SL Carbon 70 take a look at bike, Rocky Mountain provides two extra carbon variants and three alloy fashions, which come all outfitted with the brand new Dyname S4 Lite motor and 480 Wh battery. Apart from the BC version, which comes normal with Cush Core inserts, all variants function MAXXIS Minion DHF and DHR II tires within the puncture-prone EXO and EXO+ casings – so they might do with an improve.
The Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL Carbon 90 is the flagship mannequin within the Intuition Powerplay SL vary, sitting a tier above our take a look at bike with a major worth bounce to € 12,500. This variant comes outfitted with a full FOX Kashima suspension setup, together with the dropper submit. The FOX 36 Grip X2 Manufacturing unit performs barely higher on the path but in addition weighs greater than the Grip X variant. The FOX Float X Manufacturing unit shock has the identical exterior changes because the one on our take a look at bike, and comes with a elaborate Kashima coating. The FOX Switch Manufacturing unit dropper submit provides a whopping 210 mm of journey in body dimension L, offering much more freedom of motion. The Carbon 90 rolls on a Race Face ERA carbon wheelset, which brings down the system weight to 19.5 kg in dimension L. Nonetheless, saving weight by utilizing a lighter tire casing could be an costly mistake together with a carbon wheelset, as a result of the flimsy EXO+ casing on the rear may simply result in pricey breakdowns.
The Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL Carbon 50 is essentially the most inexpensive carbon variant, although at € 7,700, it’s nonetheless removed from low-cost. It includes a 150 mm RockShox Lyrik Choose fork with the fundamental Charger RC damper, which solely provides externally adjustable low-speed compression and rebound settings. The fork is paired with a RockShox Tremendous Deluxe Choose+ shock with piggyback reservoir, which provides simple rebound adjustment and features a climb change for extra environment friendly uphill rides. An X-Fusion Manic dropper submit with 170 mm of journey in dimension L goals to offer ample freedom of motion. The WTB KOM aluminium wheelset strikes worth/efficiency ratio. If € 7,700 remains to be too steep on your liking, it is likely to be value taking a better take a look at the aluminium fashions of the Powerplay SL.
Notably hanging is the Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL Alloy 70 BC Version mannequin. The “British Columbia Version” embodies the model’s origins, with a strong aluminium body and additional journey, which make it the best alternative for the robust native trails. Outfitted with a 160 mm RockShox Lyrik Choose+ fork, it generates 10 mm extra journey on the entrance than all different fashions, which makes it the optimum instrument for technical trails in mountain biking’s heartland. The Choose+ fork is sort of equivalent to the top-tier Final mannequin and solely forgoes Rockshox’s Buttercups, which cut back high-frequency vibrations transmitted via the bike. The fork is mixed with aSuper Deluxe Choose+ shock, which, at 150 mm, generates barely extra journey than the opposite fashions. Our take a look at bike in dimension L comes with a 180mm OneUp V3 dropper submit, which ensures easy actuation and solely requires little energy to function the distant. On the BC Version, the Race Face Arc 30 alloy wheels come normal with CushCore tire inserts, which let you run decrease air pressures for extra traction. Priced at € 7,800, it’s solely € 100 costlier than the most affordable carbon mannequin, however includes a extra downhill-oriented spec. This well-equipped, rugged aluminium variant is constructed in direction of downhill efficiency and weighs in at a stable 22 kg.
The Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL Alloy 50 provides a extra budget-friendly various to the entry-level carbon mannequin, priced at € 6,500 with a stable spec listing. It options the RockShox Lyrik Choose fork with 150 mm of journey and the Charger RC damper, which is adjustable for compression and rebound. On the rear, the RockShox Tremendous Deluxe Choose shock lacks the climb change of the Choose+ model and is adjustable solely in rebound. The 170 mm X-Fusion Manic dropper submit (dimension L) is carried over from the Carbon 50 mannequin, as are the WTB KOM alloy wheels
The entry-level mannequin of the collection, the Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL Alloy 30, is priced at € 5,500 and gives every part wanted for a stable begin within the path e-bike world. It comes outfitted with a RockShox Psylo Gold RC fork providing 150 mm of journey and a RockShox Deluxe Choose+ shock, forming a primary suspension setup. Each parts are simple, providing minimal adjustment choices with none frills. The X-Fusion Manic dropper submit with 170 mm of journey (dimension L) can also be included. Rounding off the package deal are WTB ST alloy rims, offering a dependable and tubeless-ready basis. This setup provides nice worth for the worth, making it particularly interesting to newcomers to the e-MTB scene.
Geometry of the brand new Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL
The brand new Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL is out there in 5 sizes, from XS to XL. The scale XS model rolls totally on 27.5” wheels and options shorter chainstays to match, however in contrast to another e-bikes, it retains the identical battery dimension even within the smallest dimension. The remainder of the geometry is in keeping with what you’d count on from a state-of-the-art path bike. The top angle sits at 63.5° within the slackest place, whereas the seat angle in the identical Flip-Chip setting is 76.5°.
Rocky Mountain’s RIDE-4 System, which depends on a flip-chip within the shock mount, permits for numerous changes of each the geometry and suspension kinematics, with 4 totally different positions to select from. The system helps you to change the top angle between 63.5°, 64°, and 64.2°, whereas the seat angle could be adjusted between 76.5° and 77.2°. On the identical time, by altering the flip chip place, you’ll be able to enhance or lower the rear suspension’s leverage ratio to match your required experience really feel. Our Intuition Powerplay SL take a look at bike in dimension L has a average 475 mm attain within the slackest flip-chip place. Moreover, Rocky Mountain depend on size-specific shock tunes and chainstay lengths, which is supposed to make sure constant suspension efficiency and dealing with throughout the board – effectively finished!
| Measurement | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High tube | 540 mm | 566 mm | 598 mm | 626 mm | 658 mm |
| Seat tube | 355 mm | 365 mm | 410 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm |
| Head tube | 105 mm | 105 mm | 110 mm | 125 mm | 135 mm |
| Head angle | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° | 64° |
| Seat angle | 77° | 77,5° | 77° | 77° | 77° |
| Chainstays | 430 mm | 440 mm | 440 mm | 450 mm | 450 mm |
| BB Drop | 17 mm | 32 mm | 32 mm | 32 mm | 32 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1.154 mm | 1.203 mm | 1.230 mm | 1.272 mm | 1.306 mm |
| Attain | 405 mm | 430 mm | 455 mm | 480 mm | 510 mm |
| Stack | 586 mm | 614 mm | 618 mm | 632 mm | 641 mm |
New 2025 Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL 2025 on take a look at
Using uphill, the brand new Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL locations you in a cushty, well-balanced pedalling place, which isn’t overly stretched, and due to this fact doesn’t put an excessive amount of stress in your arms. On the identical time, there’s nonetheless sufficient weight over the entrance wheel to forestall it from lifting off the bottom on steep climbs. Total, the burden is evenly distributed between the entrance and rear, which makes it simple to sort out steep, technical climbs. The motor, too, delivers when it actually issues, delivering its energy easy and in a really pure means and with out feeling abrupt. The assist matches your pedal enter exactly and kicks in even at very low cadences. The motor pushes you to the trailhead steadily, similar to a four-wheel-drive G-class crowls its means up a sand dune –although the Powerplay lacks a punch on degree floor terrain and at greater speeds. The motor reaches its peak energy pretty shortly, feeling strongest when using at a average tempo. Even while you push tougher or enhance your cadence, you don’t really feel a sudden energy surge such as you would possibly with a Bosch SX motor – however the assist stays constant even at greater revs.
Whereas letting the motor do the arduous work, you would possibly discover a slight rattling within the chain, which is brought on by the small extra drive sprocket that transmits the facility to the chain. This provides the drivetrain a barely tough really feel. Nonetheless, the motor’s assist stays regular, offering dependable help on climbs. The Dyname S4 Lite appears like a center floor between a FAZUA and a Bosch SX motor – although it lacks the additional enhance at greater cadences that the Bosch provides. As a substitute, it reaches peak energy earlier and maintains it for longer. When tackling extremely technical climbs, it could get difficult: the motor has minimal overrun, which means it doesn’t proceed to push a lot when you cease pedalling. Nonetheless, on hearth roads and constantly steep climbs with out technical sections, the assist is greater than ample, providing a sporty really feel that also requires a good quantity of effort to keep up velocity.
When you attain the trailhead and drop again down into the valley, the Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL makes you are feeling relaxed from the get go, impressing above all with its low centre of gravity, which could be fine-tuned utilizing the RIDE-4 system. In place 3 (impartial), the Powerplay SL is agile and nimble, which makes it simple to string your means via bushes, and to carve via tight turns and hairpin switchbacks. The comparatively low entrance finish ensures sufficient weight on the entrance wheel, stopping surprising understeer.
The suspension additionally shines on tough descents, offering a balanced mixture of traction and pop. Because of this, the Rocky Mountain is each responsive and grippy on tough terrain, whereas on the identical time making it simple to hole difficult root sections and obstacles when wanted. In different phrases, you don’t really feel glued to the bottom, and even the smallest kicker encourages you to get some airtime. In direction of the tip of the stroke, the Intuition Powerplay SL gives sufficient assist to bail you out with botched landings and heavy compressions – no want to fret about harsh bottom-outs! For a motorcycle with 145 mm of rear journey, it’s remarkably able to absorbing hits.
Who ought to take a better take a look at the brand new 2025 Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL?
The brand new Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL is aimed primarily at sporty riders. Uphill, the brand new Dyname S4 Lite motor delivers easy and constant help, even at low cadences, which makes it preferrred for riders who wish to be shuttled up average climbs – although there are extra highly effective motors out there on the market! However the actual reward for the trouble on the climbs is its spectacular downhill efficiency. Regardless of its comparatively excessive system weight, the Intuition Powerplay SL is freakishly just like a non-electric bike downhill. It’s agile and agency, producing loads of traction and sustaining velocity with out feeling sluggish. For these searching for much more bike for his or her cash, the British Columbia Version is certainly value a better look.
Conclusions in regards to the new 2025 Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay SL
The brand new Intuition Powerplay SL is a sporty eMTB that completely embodies Rocky Mountain’s DNA. Uphill, the motor delivers loads of energy even at low cadences, although it tends to expire of steam on steeper climbs – and that’s regardless of the spectacular specs on paper. Alternatively, it actually involves life on the descents, with a finely tuned suspension that can attraction to sporty riders keen to place in some effort on the climbs to unlock its full downhill potential. It’s a well-rounded total package deal that doesn’t really feel like a compromise.
Tops
- Nicely-tuned suspension
- Motor delivers robust energy at low RPMs
- Easy but versatile geometry adjustment with RIDE-4
Flops
- Cumbersome motor integration
- Average peak energy output
For extra data, go to bikes.com
Did you take pleasure in this text? If that’s the case, we might be stoked when you resolve to assist us with a month-to-month contribution. By turning into a supporter of E-MOUNTAINBIKE, you’ll assist safe a sustainable future for high-quality biking journalism. Click on right here to be taught extra.
Phrases: Julian Schwede Pictures: Peter Walker
