Rocky Mountain’s twin turbo: Instinct and Altitude Powerplay go metal

After going electric with the Altitude Powerplay earlier this year, Rocky Mountain is going full metal.

The Canadian brand announced two new alloy e-bikes. The Instinct Powerplay Alloy and Instinct Powerplay Alloy. Both are e-bike versions of the brands Instinct and Altitude human powered bikes, and both come with full alloy frames.

The new bikes see a substantial price drop from the existing carbon fibre Altitude Powerplay. The trade off comes in an increased weight, with both e-bikes tipping the scales at just over 50lbs. You’ll have Rocky’s integrated Dyname 3.0 drive system, developed in tandem with the frames, to help you power the new Powerplay models uphill, though. Both Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70 and the Instinct equivalent come in at $8,000. The Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 brings that price down to $6,600 Canadian.

The Instinct Powerplay Alloy is Rocky Mountains first foray into 29″ e-bikes. Based on the Instinct, the Powerplay version provides 140mm travel front and rear. The e-bike gets big 29 x 2.6″ Maxxis Rekon rubber to maximize traction from the Dyname 3.0 drive. Both models come with SRAM’s e-bike specific 12-speed drivetrain.

For riders looking to get a little more sendy, the Altitude Powerplay Alloy gets 150mm rear and 160mm front travel, rolling on 27.5″ tires. Along with the SRAM e-bike 12 speed drivetrain, there’s big 2.5WT rubber from Maxxis, with a Minion DHF up front and Aggressor out back.

Rocky Mountain’s Dyname 3.0 drive system is the power source for both Alloy models. The new metal bikes come with the drives iWoc Trio remote, controlling the three assist levels and “walk” mode. Designing the frames in parallel with the motor has allowed Rocky to keep proper mountain bike geometry on the e-bikes, while also keeping the weight of the motor and battery low down in the frame for better handling on trail.

Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy

Instinct Powerplay Alloy 70: $8,000 CAD

Weight: size Medium: 52.2lbs (23.6kg)

Fork: Fox 34 Float Performance E-Bike 140mm

Shock: Fox Float DPS EVOL Performance Elite rear shock

Wheels: Race Face AR 30 rims / Maxxis Rekon EXO Tubeless Ready 29×2.6 / Maxxis Rekon EXO Tubeless Ready 29×2.6

Drivetrain: SRAM GX-1E Eagle

Instinct Powerplay Alloy 50: $6,600 CAD

Weight: size Medium: 52.2lbs (23.6kg)

Fork: Rockshox Reba RL 140mm

Shock: Rockshox Deluxe Debonair RT /

Wheels: Sun Düroc SD37 / Maxxis Rekon EXO Tubeless Ready 29×2.6 / Maxxis Rekon EXO Tubeless Ready 29×2.6

Drivetrain: SRAM GX-1E Eagle

Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy

Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70: $8,000 CAD

Weight: size Medium: 53.4lbs (24.2kg)

Fork: Fox 36 E-MTB Float EVOL Grip Performance 160mm

Shock: Fox Float DPS EVOL Performance

Wheels: Race Face AR 35 rims / Maxxis Minion DHF WT Maxx Terra 3C Tubeless Ready 27.5 x 2.5 / Maxxis Aggressor WT EXO Tubeless Ready 27.5 x 2.5

Drivetrain: SRAM GX-1E Eagle

Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50: $6,900 CAD

Weight: size Medium: 53.4lbs (24.2kg)

Fork: Rockshox Yari RC 160mm

Shock: Rockshox Deluxe RT

Wheels: Sun Düroc SD42 rims / Maxxis Minion DHF WT Maxx Terra 3C Tubeless Ready 27.5 x 2.5 / Maxxis Aggressor WT EXO Tubeless Ready 27.5 x 2.5

Drivetrain: SRAM GX-1E Eagle