Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay A50: Value eBike Showdown

[@RationalHuman-1]

Always great reviews. I caught the Rocky sale, and my A30 is waiting for spring. Already ordered a Fox 36 Performance with e-mtb tune, so it’s on its way to being an excellent summer. Thanks for the great reviews.

[@sergiolandz6056]

same here i am waiting for the rep to get back to me, should be either today or next week, cant wait to purchase mine. As a trail builder, it will make my life way easier to access / test the features.

[@steveh7108]

Probably the best detailed review I have found on this bike so far. Thank you.

[@BikersEdgeKaysville]

Hey thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@trevorschober8769]

Great videos, you should keep making them.

[@johnyates6753]

Really interesting review thanks. Currently on a Ripmo V1 but heading down the e-bike route. I was looking at the altitude but this got me thinking. Would you say there is a huge difference between the two? Love the Ripmo but use my bike for everything from trail riding to park days so looking for an all rounder. Worried I would be going backwards with less travel on the instinct. Very much have my eye on the Heckler too!

[@BikersEdgeKaysville]

There’s a huge difference between the Instinct PP and Altitude PP. For better or worse, the Altitude rides way bigger. The Instinct is a much more well rounded option. Even though it has a few MM less travel than your Ripmo it’s got slacker/rowdier geometry. I also think that ebikes ride 10-20mm bigger than their pedal bike counterparts. The suspension just works better on the heavier bikes.

[@jimross898]

Rocky is blowing these bikes out with steep discounts right now. $2900 off in Canada which makes it $5400CAD or $4000USD. I'm buying one. Been watching bikes for a bit and this bike for the current price is a no brainer.

[@trevorschober8769]

I’m doing exactly the same!

[@randallthirteen8991]

Thx, RM on order!

[@occasionalshredder]

The head angle actually goes down to 63.5 in the position 1 setting

[@henryward6778]

@Bikers Edge: Fantastic review. Instinct Powerplay A50 ordered! Where was this filmed? Awesome trails!

[@BikersEdgeKaysville]

Thanks! American Fork.

[@garyrolley3559]

Would you go for the altitude over the instinct because of the travel or is that just "overbiking", and not really necessary for most trials?

[@soco4949]

How reliable are e-bike motors in general? I would assume you can find parts and service for commonly specced motors like Shimano and Bosch fairly easily - not so much with RM's exclusive motor design and it's smaller dealer network(?).

[@BikersEdgeKaysville]

I personally haven't had too many issues with motors/batteries. The biggest issues I've had have been cables, connections and sensors coming loose. Those are all pretty easy to address yourself. I did have a Rocky Mountain ship with the EU version of the motor. It took about 3 days and they it swapped out for the correct US motor. Great support from them.

[@richardulrich9001]

Is there a ton of difference in the feel of the ride of the Instinct vs the Altitude? Should one just go up to the longer travel option? Or is the instinct better for trails?

[@BikersEdgeKaysville]

There is a pretty big difference. Have you seen our altitude review? Worth watching if you haven’t.

[@Nomikeal]

Trying to decide between this and the altitude, where I live it's steep, rocky, and loose desert terrain. Would the traction of the altitude or the maneuverability of the instinct be better for those conditions?

[@BikersEdgeKaysville]

If it’s steep, fast and rough the altitude is going to be awesome. If it’s tighter and twistier the Instinct would be better.

[@WeimaranersAreTheBest]

is $4200 a good price?

[@degrootklyde6895]

Wow .. those trails need some grooming .

[@BikersEdgeKaysville]

Nah. They’re better off rough, overgrown and loose. That’s what makes it unique.

[@889811]

Can you remove and charge battery separately?

[@chris4536]

Yes. Two 4mm bolts and a little bit of wiggling.

[@889811]

@@chris4536 I know I already have it

[@Accu53Mation]

Tired of e-bikes. Snowflakes get no real exercise from'em. And there's always weight limits for the frame & motor. That Li-Ion battery is not exactly enviro-friendly. Especially when it catches fire or the large landfill pits in Senegal and Brazil. Pollutes ground water. Time for the Copper-zinc, to replace 'em. Not pleased with the Dyname motor, when compared to Yamaha PW-X3 or the S2 version. Mine gives me too much power rocketing downhill. Slam the brakes, let go, and the motor max torque, kicks-in. Going up a short steep climb, drains the battery by thirty percent. The walk-assist mode has also gone haywire, ever since the bike was in a drenching rain. For the price, companies need to make an e-bike completely...weatherproof. Kudos. You've made a fine commercial for Rocky Mountain. They're sure to keep giving you bikes to test.

[@BikersEdgeKaysville]

Man. I wish they’d give me bikes to test. Maybe you could call them for me?

[@malanalan1]

a good climber? what are you taking about? 430mm chain-stay and good climber? Lol. Powerful motor at 85 rpm only. Do you climb at 85 rpm? It is actually a lousy climber compared to other brands and motors!

[@BikersEdgeKaysville]

What’s wrong with a 430 chainstay? And yeah my natural cadence is in the 75-85 range. It has way more torque than any other eMTB on the market. Plus the geo is well balanced and puts you in a good position for climbing.