Introducing the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay

Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay

Intended Use: Aggressive Trail
Wheel Size: 27.5 Wide Trail
Front Travel: 160mm
Rear Travel: 150mm

Ride more, further, faster. The Altitude Powerplay brings cutting-edge power to an aggressive trail bike, and opens the door to amazing terrain for all.

Introducing a fully integrated, electric-assist mountain bike that takes our Altitude’s legendary handling and ride quality and adds a compact, powerful drive system. The new Powerplay™ drive system was designed in parallel with the frame, delivering ultra-short chainstays, optimised suspension kinematics, super-low centre of gravity, and class-leading torque. The result is an e-MTB that actually rides like a proper mountain bike—perfect for everything from self-shuttling all mountain trails, finding flow between the descents, and squeezing in power lunch rides.

“Rather than bolt on a bulky off-the-shelf system, we struck out on our own to redefine the category. The Powerplay system is the result of designing an electric drive for the suspension and geometry needs of proper mountain bikes; in fact, the geometry and pivot points of the Altitude Powerplay are identical to those of the new Altitude. In our opinion this is the first electric bike that actually rides like a mountain bike should.” — Alex Cogger, Rocky Mountain Product Line Director
Key details

It’s an Altitude — The Altitude Powerplay has the same geometry and suspension performance as the unassisted Altitude platform. It is the first e-MTB that features true aggressive trail ride feel.
Next generation drive system — The Powerplay™ drive system was designed from the ground up to allow true mountain bike performance, while providing class-leading torque, massive battery capacity, and ultra quiet operation.
Intuitive pedal assist — An in-line torque sensor provides smooth, instant power response, making for an intuitive, natural ride with no learning curve. Get on and go.
Charge fast, then charge hard — The 48v motor provides super short charge times, taking only two hours to reach 80% capacity of the available 632Wh lithium ion battery.
Fully supported — Easily serviceable components, with both replacement parts and strong dealer service support in Europe.
Made in Canada

Powerplay™ drive system

The Powerplay™ drive system was born from our desire to push the boundaries of electric assist bikes. We knew from the project’s outset that to design an electric mountain bike to our suspension and geometry standards, we would need to take a fresh approach.

A low-mounted motor keeps the centre of gravity low and the entire system compact, while allowing for ultra-short chainstays and a bottom bracket that is integral to the frame. We use a high efficiency, three-phase brushless motor to provide class-leading torque and ultra quiet operation. To get instant power response on trail, we put the torque sensor between the chainring and the drive gear, and our 48v battery voltage allows for super fast charging.

Designed by us in Canada, the Powerplay™ drive system is sleek, lightweight, and powerful. Ultimately, it’s a drive system that allows us to deliver electric mountain bikes that ride like true mountain bikes.
Powerplay™ drive system details

High efficiency, three-phase brushless motor provides class-leading torque
Instant, natural power response makes for an intuitive ride, thanks to an in-line torque sensor
Ultra-quiet drive operation
48v battery voltage for fast-charging and heat management in high-torque scenarios
To prevent creaking and wear, pedaling forces are isolated from the drive system via a bottom bracket shell that is integral to the frame itself
Increased stiffness thanks to structural motor casing
Compact, low-profile motor design with reinforced motor casing and integrated motor-brace bashguard
Display-free with a low-profile remote for a pure ride experience
Bar-mounted remote displays assist level, battery level, and diagnostics; controls three assist levels and “walk” mode
Optional eBikeMotion mobile app (iOS & Android) connects via Bluetooth and provides a wide range of system customization, reach estimates, ride tracking, and more
Available with a massive 632Wh lithium-ion battery
Minimal drag when exceeding the motor speed or when drive system is disengaged thanks to crankset clutch and elimination of traditional e-bike gearbox
Based on a third generation electric drive system that’s been in development since 2010
Dealer service and parts support in Europe
Wear items (BB, drive sprocket) are shop-serviceable with common shop tools
Works with standard Race Face bottom bracket and crankset
Charge fast, then charge hard: ultra fast charge times of 1 hour 40 minutes (to 80%) with the 500Wh battery, or 2 hours (to 80%) with the 632Wh battery

Bike details

Available full Smoothwall™ carbon frame
Weight:
Altitude Powerplay™ Carbon 90 size Medium: 47.6lb (21.6kg)
Altitude Powerplay™ Carbon 70 size Medium: 49.2lb (22.3kg)
Altitude Powerplay™ Carbon 50 size Medium: 49.1lb (22.3kg)
Ride-9™ system for a wide range of geometry and suspension adjustments
All sizes fit a water bottle inside the front triangle
Geometry & pivot points identical to the traditional Altitude, with suspension kinematics optimized for additional chain torque
Upper idler straightens the chainline for reduced drivetrain wear
Integral bottom bracket shell is part of the frame, not the drive system—improving stiffness and preventing creaking or wear
Standard PF92 bottom bracket is shop serviceable and easily replaceable
Single-sided chainstay and seatstay pivots for a narrower rear triangle—reduces heel rub, even with Boost spacing
Enduro MAX cartridge bearing pivots with simplified hardware
Shock-eyelet bearings for small-bump sensitivity
Designed for 27.5×2.5 Wide Trail tires for precise, aggressive performance; compatible with 26+ tires (26×3.0)
Clean and tidy: oversized downtube ports for ease of cable routing, with full-length internal dropper post routing and internal brake routing in the front triangle
Lightweight bolt-on axle for reduced hardware complexity and extra security in e-MTB applications
Tapered ZS44 | ZS56 headset
Post-mount 180 brakes
Boost spacing
1x specific
Metric shock, 210mm x 55mm
Made in Canada
Technologies:
Powerplay™ drive system
Smoothwall carbon
FORM alloy
RIDE-9 adjustment system
Smoothlink suspension
Size-specific tune