Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C90 Carbon Rally Ed (2023)

If you’re a mountain bike or if you’re new to mountain biking, Rocky Mountain’s latest Altitude Powerplay has to be on your short list. Chances are that this C90 Rally Edition won’t be the cheapest on that list but you only live once.

In this preview, we’re going to cover the reasons relating to why, how, what etc.

What is the Altitude Powerplay?

Anytime you see the word Powerplay, think full powered E-MTB. And the Altitude is Rocky’s Enduro platform that’s based on 160mm of rear wheel travel paired to a 170mm travel fork.

Unlike many drive unit designs where ride quality, pivot placement and suspension kinematics are compromised for motor placement, Rocky has gone down the direction of a complete custom drive unit in collaboration with Canadian brand Dyname. 

This is so they could produce an E-MTB that behaves just like their non-electric platforms. Jump on an Altitude then Altitude Powerplay and there’s no discernable difference in handling.

Who is the Altitude Powerplay for?

First:

This platform should be considered by those who are already riding a non-electric Enduro bike such as the Giant Reign, Specialized Enduro, Santa Cruz Megatower etc. 

Or:

Those who are on a 140mm to 150mm travel trail bike and want something that’s a little more capable on technical trails. 

Second:

You’ve either been riding for years or you’re new to mountain biking.

Polar opposites I know, but I’ll explain in the next section.

Third:

You want an Enduro E-MTB that retains a sense of reactivity and nimbleness.

Unique Power Delivery

For those who have been riding for years, the technique (and critically, the timing of your technique) that you use to lift the front wheel, apply power, decelerate, brake check into drops, jumps and corners - every little detail - will be mirrored (and amplified) by Dyname 4.0. 

For example:

Most off-the-shelf drive units have a delay when power comes on (when you apply pressure at the pedals) and a lag when power shuts down (when you stop pedalling). 

So, you’ll have to change your braking points and technique to account for this. And a lot of you will find it off-putting. 

But not with Dyname.

Behind the drive side motor cover, you’ll see the drive cog and torque sensor. Plus observe the new Powerplay’s cleaner chain line; there’s less wrap-around on cogs and less chain length required.

The new torque sensor is the key critical connection between your input and the motor’s output.

What you can’t see above is the torque arm or lever. More arm movement = more power the motor puts out. And smoothly. 

Powerplay has a progressive power curve, the more you put in the more you get out. It’s not a binary (on/off) sensation, it builds up. 

This gives experienced riders the feel and feedback they are used to, and it gives new riders a platform that delivers power in a predictable and safe manner.

All that while still being one of the most powerful E-MTB’s in Australia; 108Nm of torque and 700 Watts of peak power.

Suspension, Geometry and Ride-4

Unlike the average heavy-hitting Enduro E-MTB, the Altitude Powerplay is responsive and agile.

For riders upgrading from an Enduro bike, you’ll find the transition very natural. For those upgrading from a trail bike, there’ll be some adjustment period.

It’s a bike that really rewards aggressive riders and thinkers. The harder you push, the less brakes you apply, the more rewarding the bike becomes.

There is a difference in how the new Altitude Powerplay reacts to trail due to its new mid-high pivot suspension layout too.

The mid high-pivot layout helps the Altitude Powerplay smash through technical trails easily. It allows the rear axle to travel more rearward than a non-mid high-pivot system. 

Meaning:

The rear wheel’s momentum doesn’t slow down as it makes contact with tree roots and rocks. The Altitude feels like it hovers over the trail, smoothing out all the nasty sections.

Coupled with the Fox DHX2 Factory Coil rear shock, it means the rear end of the Rally Edition delivers a significant amount of grip.

On geometry:

The Altitude Powerplay C90’s geometry and Ride-4 linkage are tied together; one depends on the other.

Geometry adjustment is becoming more common but Rocky Mountain and Specialized are one of the rare brands that do it well.

The advantage:

You are not locked into 1 position. That position may or may not be right for the trails your ride or how you ride.