The Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay is an eMTB that may doubtless discover itself in consideration for lots of e-bikers. Its mid-travel numbers, fashionable (and adjustable) geometry, and 29” wheels make this a extremely versatile path bike. Which might be what you need when laying out the money for an electrical MTB. I imply, who has a number of eMTBs within the storage?
Certainly the Intuition Powerplay Carbon 70’s highly effective motor, slack steering, and affordable weight make it an ideal contender that may take you far up within the mountains and shred its manner down. Sadly, my expertise with the bike was marred by a number of motor shutdowns. Whereas the fixes had been simple the issues had been regarding at least and began taking place fairly early on a brand-new bike.
2022 Rocky Mountain Intuition Powerplay Carbon 70 – Key options and specs:
The trail-focused Intuition Powerplay Carbon 70 has a full carbon body, providing 140mms of rear journey with a 150mm fork. The rear linkage is Rocky’s trademark Smoothlink four-bar design, however the primary pivot will get bumped to a mid-high place to make room for his or her Dyname 4.0 motor. With the absence of an XS body choice, all sizes of the Intuition Powerplay roll on 29” wheels.
Along with their Trip 4 chip which concurrently adjusts geometry and suspension fee, the Intuition Powerplay’s rear finish features a flip-chip that adjusts the chainstay size by 10mm, a characteristic RMB added to a lot of their newest technology MTB frames. Rocky’s proprietary rear brake adapter flips round to accommodate both chip place.
Body fitments embrace Increase-spaced 148mm rear axles (and 110x15mm entrance), press match BBs, 30.9mm seat masts, and clearance for tires as much as 2.6” huge. Cables/hoses are all routed internally, and the body has cable trays inside with tie-down factors to forestall rattling.
RMB lists the whole weight for the Intuition Powerplay Carbon 70 at 50.8 lbs. My scale confirmed 51.63 lbs with pedals. For additional particulars on this bike take a look at my 2022 Powerplay launch article.
The Intuition Powerplay is assisted by Rocky Mountain’s Dyname 4.0 motor, which places out a powerful 108Nm of torque and peak energy of 700w. The motor will get its energy from a 720Wh inside down tube battery. Absolutely charging the Intuition Powerplay takes 4 hours (with the 4A charger provided with most fashions). If that isn’t sufficient capability for you, the Intuition Powerplay may also host RMB’s Overtimepack, an exterior battery that provides one other 314Wh to the bike.
On the handlebar, RMB’s compact Micro Distant makes use of three buttons (up, down and a menu button) to modify between energy ranges, allow stroll mode, select what’s proven on the Jumbotron show display, or transfer by way of the bike’s diagnostic menus (RMB doesn’t have a tuning app, the bike does every thing itself).
Geometry:
*Click on to enlarge
The Intuition Powerplay options RMB’s Trip 4 chip on the decrease shock mount. The chip affords a small adjustment vary for the bike’s angles, however does produce a good attain vary and barely alters rear finish size as properly. It’s key to recollect the chip additionally impacts the shock fee, so riders must discover a steadiness between the geometry and suspension really feel they need.
Relying on the Trip 4 chip setting, head tube angles vary from 64.2° to 64.95° and seat masts go from 76.2° to 76.95°. Attain on the medium body I rode ranges from 457-466mm, and rear finish size sits between 436-439mm in brief mode, or 446-449mm in lengthy.
Trip Impressions:
I began my testing with the Intuition’s Trip 4 chip in Pos. 3 (impartial) and the chainstay chip in brief mode. This put me at a 64.7° head tube, 76.7° seat mast, 463mm attain, and a 437mm chainstay size.
Rocky’s geometry is fairly in-line with in the present day’s norms, and at 5’10” I discovered their medium body match very comfortably. At 463mm attain, the entrance finish is roomy however not too stretched out. Rocky shipped the Intuition Powerplay with a number of spacers underneath the stem, and since eMTB’s encourage longer rides I used to be comfortable to depart them there (the stack peak itself shouldn’t be excessive at 620mm in impartial). The steering angle felt nice to me; not too slack to climb comfortably, however slack sufficient to really feel succesful on steep downhill sections.
After a bunch of rides, I flipped the Trip 4 chip into its slackest place (Pos. 1) bringing the attain right down to 457mm and slacking out the top tube to 64.2°. Neither adjustment felt radically completely different, however the slacker steering did increase the bike’s downhill prowess barely, and the shorter attain made it a little bit simpler to shift my physique round when wanted. It’s secure to say the Intuition’s geometry vary makes it a extensively succesful mid-travel machine that may handily deal with something wanting high-level enduro or downhill race programs.
I rode the rear finish in brief mode for some time, then flipped the chip into lengthy for the latter a part of my assessment. In brief mode, the bike continues to be a fair-sized beast however the rear finish rails by way of tight switchbacks properly and there’s sufficient chainstay size to maintain good climbing traction on absolutely anything. Nonetheless, rear wheel traction solely will get a lift whenever you transfer into lengthy mode!
The longer rear finish finds traction extraordinarily properly, and it appears to supply a wholesome margin of error concerning physique place. With shorter rear ends there comes a degree on steep climbs the place you need to lean ahead, however must maintain weight on the rear tire to take care of traction. With longer chainstays I discover that the steadiness level is widened, and it takes much less physique language to maintain the tire planted. I ought to notice that I additionally modified the Trip 4 chip place after I switched into lengthy mode, and I’m positive dropping the BB by 6mm additionally contributed to that firmly planted, ‘within the bike’ really feel. Provided that the bike’s cornering solely feels marginally slower with the stays prolonged, I desire using the Intuition Powerplay in lengthy mode. After using an extremely steep and technical climb with my eMTB buddies, the advantage of the additional traction in lengthy mode was firmly bolstered.
Suspension:
Rocky Mountain’s present linkage requires extra shock stress than most manufacturers’ traditional ‘physique weight in psi’ configuration, so I might up operating 175psi within the Fox Float X Efficiency rear shock the place I’d usually be round 145psi. A look at RMB’s setup chart makes this a simple job, and due to Rocky Mountain stocking size-specific tuned rear shocks, I had no downside getting the Intuition Powerplay’s suspension dialed in.
Climbing with the Float X’s agency change on, I discovered I used to be restricted to about 50% journey on roads, clean trails, and even singletrack climbs. I like bikes that climb aggressively, and I discover the Intuition’s rear shock nonetheless makes use of sufficient journey in agency mode to supply good traction over rootbeds and rocky sections. After I switched into open mode, I didn’t wallow a lot deeper into the journey whereas climbing – Even on a fairly technical ascent, I used to be nonetheless solely dipping to perhaps 60% journey. There was a slight loss in effectivity, because the shock in agency resists pedalling forces higher, however in fact, with a motor you’ll be able to simply choose to max out consolation and traction with out slowing your self down.
Whereas I by no means anticipated to say there was a definite benefit to a heavier bike, the burden of eMTBs does translate right into a clean trip! With a 50+lbs path bike, the suspension feels extremely lively and supple because it’s being pushed right down to the bottom with a good bit of weight. I’ve all the time felt RMB’s Smoothlink linkage isn’t essentially the most plowy, trail-deadening design, however their eMTBs provide extra of that really feel than their a lot lighter non-assisted bikes. Something starting from small bumps on a climb to chattery downhill sections will get absorbed fairly properly by the Intuition Powerplay. Greater, tougher hits are additionally handled fairly properly, and in impartial place the shock felt linear till the bitter finish. After I switched into Pos. 1, I observed the bike resisting arduous hits greater than earlier than and after a quick lap on a tough path, I used to be nonetheless a couple of mm’s from bottoming out. I wouldn’t say the bike is non-rideable for me in its most progressive place, however I’d must thrash it arduous to get full journey.
With the added weight you do sacrifice the poppy high quality RMB’s non-electric bikes provide, however that’s inherent with any eMTB. Rocky Mountain has carried out a superb job of sustaining good mid-stroke help, so you’ll be able to neglect you’re on an eMTB when pumping by way of berms and rollers.
Motor and Electronics:
RMB’s Dyname 4.0 motor is a powerhouse. Its output energy is sufficient that I hardly ever used the best ‘Ludicrous’ help setting, however I did strive it for one tremendous steep climb and it gave a ton of help with out accelerating an excessive amount of to pedal by way of tight corners. I trip principally within the Path setting (45% energy) and generally bounce into Path + (70%) for steep climbs or to avoid wasting my power on longer rides. I’ve by no means had the Dyname motor behave oddly whereas operating – the facility comes on very easily, and it’s all the time constant and predictable. I assumed the motor on the Intuition appeared barely louder than the Altitude Powerplay’s I examined final 12 months, but when that’s even true it’s nonetheless comparative to Shimano’s EP8 at worst.
You possibly can alter each the torque sensitivity and Increase ranges of the Powerplay bikes, however I haven’t felt the necessity with the Intuition. Its manufacturing facility settings already present help ranges from zero to, properly, ludicrous, and the pedal sensitivity feels acceptable at RMB’s settings. This adjustability is a pleasant choice for eMTB riders who’re specific about fine-tuning.
I’ve no complaints concerning the Micro Distant or Jumbotron’s operation, each are simple to navigate and the distant is small and ergonomic. I personally like how the Jumbotron retains any show unit off your handlebars. It’s a bit tougher to look down on the prime tube shortly, however even with a handlebar show, I wouldn’t try to observe my stats whereas using something quick or technical!
RMB’s big 720Wh battery gives a ton of trip time. I’ve been out for brief laps that solely used 10% of the battery, and have but to empty a full cost on a single trip. I’d guess most riders might get a minimum of 8 hours of using on a cost, however doubtless extra when you’re not going nuts with help energy. Battery charging was as described, taking about 4 hours for a full cost. I didn’t have any points with the battery or charger throughout my check.
Electrical Points:
I did, nevertheless, have points with the bike’s motor shutting down a number of occasions. My first 4 rides on the Intuition Powerplay had been flawless. Then, as I used to be sponging off the bike I observed the show had come on, and was displaying a ‘Communication Error’ message. I then realized the motor wouldn’t activate, and the bike was successfully non-rideable. Already? I used to be not impressed.
At first I suspected water received into the electronics, however after discussing the issue with Rocky Mountain they assured me the shows endure in depth waterproofing exams. As an alternative, they suspected a wire between the show and motor may very well be pinched or disconnected contained in the body. Sadly, meaning visiting an RMB vendor, and I reside a day journey away from the closest choice.
The bike sat idle for a couple of weeks till Crankworx Whistler, the place RMB’s techs had been on-hand. I introduced the bike there, and inside minutes their technician had it operating. It appeared the wiring was all superb, as a easy system reset and re-calibration received the Intuition Powerplay working once more. On one hand, it was good to see a simple repair to the issue. However, this easy situation saved me off this brand-new bike for a couple of weeks, which was extraordinarily irritating!
Just a few weeks later the Intuition Powerplay confirmed one other communication error on startup, however all I did was flip the bike on and off once more and every thing was superb. Nonetheless, quickly after that, it occurred once more – and this time I used to be on the prime of a mountain! Fortunately I solely needed to go downhill from there, however I couldn’t bear in mind the best way to do a re-calibration or system reset on the time (which could be very easy and takes mere seconds), and was caught using out with no energy. As soon as the bike was house, I carried out a re-calibration because the technician at Crankworx did and the motor got here again to life.
What’s fascinating is one other technician from RMB (not the one at Crankworx) has since informed me re-calibrations shouldn’t resolve a communication error, however in my case, this process labored twice. They solely advocate switching the bike off and again on, or taking it to a vendor. I can’t clarify this, because the bike wasn’t shut off after I re-calibrated it… it simply began working instantly. Each occasions my motor shut down, I did strive a couple of on/offs they usually didn’t resolve something.
RMB did say they’ve not too long ago launched a firmware replace to deal with the problem of communication errors displaying up too simply. My demo bike would most likely profit from that replace, however with no close by sellers it wasn’t handy for me to get it carried out. I used to be additionally informed re-calibrations must be carried out weekly with these bikes, which was information to me; RMB says this information is listed within the bike’s proprietor’s guide, however I couldn’t discover it anyplace. After I examined the Altitude Powerplay final fall, I used to be solely informed to re-calibrate it after a break-in interval of about 100kms, and the bike by no means required one other to maintain operating.
Given the frequency of those errors, I must advocate Powerplay homeowners get aware of the re-calibration process earlier than even using their bike. Possibly when you do it weekly it is going to stop shock motor shutdowns, however I’d pay attention to the prospect this might occur mid-ride when you flip the bike off throughout a break or a trailside restore. My demo bike produced three communication errors and shut down twice inside 150kms of using, however I wasn’t doing the weekly re-calibrations (and the firmware replace would possibly resolve this).
Not two weeks later, I went to examine one thing on the bike and received a fourth communication error on start-up. Fortunately this was one other ‘off and again on once more’ scenario. Sadly, that is the second of two Rocky Mountain eMTBs I’ve had technical points with; I had completely different electrical issues with the Altitude Powerplay I examined final 12 months.
I’m additionally not tremendous impressed with how the Intuition’s stroll mode works. With the stroll button held down, the motor appears to provide the wheel a fast burst of energy however then lower out. Then you definately get one other burst, then nothing. The stroll mode nonetheless helps you heave the bike uphill, however it might be a lot much less awkward if the facility supply was extra constant. After asking Rocky Mountain about this, they mentioned stroll mode works finest with the chain close to the center of the cassette (whereas I had the bike in decrease gears). I did have buddies recommend placing the bike in greater gears and energy settings, or attempting to maintain weight on the wheel, so bettering my approach would possibly produce a greater end result.
Parts:
The Intuition Powerplay Carbon 70 comes with Fox’s 36 eMTB Float EVOL Grip Efficiency fork, which felt nice and was simple to arrange following Fox’s really useful settings. I had no performance-related points with the fork, and whereas I’m not a heavy rider it felt stiff sufficient for a cumbersome eMTB.
Other than the Race Face Aeffect crank, the Intuition Powerplay comes with a Shimano XT drivetrain. This bike comes with a 34t entrance ring, and a 10-51t cassette. The bigger entrance ring is okay since you will have help energy, and equipment shifting was fast and dependable all through my check. Shimano’s XT Path 4-piston brakes are robust as hell (particularly with 203mm rotors entrance and rear), so that they’re an ideal selection for an eMTB!
I’ve ridden Race Face’s AR30 rims on a number of of RMB’s bikes, and located them to be fairly powerful. On a earlier bike I slashed by way of a rear tire with out damaging the rim in any respect, however I did handle to dent the Intuition Powerplay’s rear rim on a tough hit that pinch-flatted a tube.
Rocky Mountain sticks with a tried-and-true Maxxis combo, operating 2.5” Minion DHF/2.4” DHR II 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ tires on the Intuition Powerplay. Whereas rim tape and tubeless valves are included to make the improve simple, a inventory tubeless setup can be good for any bike on this worth vary.
RMB’s 35 AM handlebar comes inventory at 780mm huge with a 25mm rise, and all sizes of the Intuition Powerplay include 40mm lengthy stems. I’m fairly proud of bars between 780-800mm, and with 40mm stems so the Intuition’s cockpit felt nice to me.
The Race Face Turbine R dropper publish labored with out fault throughout my rides. A 150mm publish on a medium body is adequate, however a 170mm can be superior. I’ve all the time discovered WTB’s Volt Race saddle pretty snug, and wouldn’t rush to interchange it.
The Intuition Powerplay Carbon 70 is out there in Satellite tv for pc/Cherry Bomb/Eye of the Tiger (as examined) or Past the Sea/UD Carbon/Black Canine colorways. MSRP is $9,159.
