SHOP INSTINCT POWERPLAY SL
Introducing the latest E-mountain bike from our newest bike brand, the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL. Using the latest technology to follow the trends in lightweight bikes with mid-power, they developed Instinct Powerplay SL as a mid-travel bike that packs more punch than you might expect. Weighing as little as 43lbs for the top spec carbon bike, the 150/145mm travel 29" wheeled bike has a similar use case to the acoustic Instinct.
Powered by their new Dyname S4 Lite drive unit, Rocky Mountain's latest emtb rides like a trail bike, but with the power to ride further and faster than ever before. The mid-travel platform, neutral geometry and light weight make the Instinct playful and agile, so you can enjoy a fun, reactive ride, lap after lap.
Drive System
The Instinct Powerplay SL uses Rocky Mountain's Dyname S4 Lite drive system. Based on their full size Dyname 4.0 drive system, it has the same vertical orientation as the full power motor for all of the same benefits, including freedom of pivot placement for no-compromise ride quality, and for the bottom bracket housed externally of the motor for increased longevity. Of course, the Lite motor drops in power and torque, to achieve a lower overall weight. The Instinct Powerplay SL still features the Jumbotron integrated display so you can get all your data in one place without needing an app or relying on Bluetooth.
Topping out at 550W peak power and 65Nm torque with a 480Wh removable integrated battery, it has a range that rivals full power bikes, and an enviable amount of torque and power for a bike of its weight. If that 480Wh of on-board battery capacity isn't enough however, the OvertimePack 2.0 battery extender adds 314Wh of extended range, for the biggest adventures you can imagine.
Frame Features
The Instinct Powerplay SL is refreshingly similar to the analogue Instinct - it's designed to be a multi-purpose trail bike through and through. The frame gets features like Rocky Mountain's RIDE-4 geometry adjustment system, a reach-adjust headset with +5/-5mm options, and mixed-wheel compatibility, so you can tweak your ride to be exactly right for you.
The Instinct Powerplay SL comes in five frame sizes from XS to XL, with size XS rolling on 27.5" wheels, and the rest on 29". It comes in both aluminum and carbon frame materials, two colours, and features builds at every price point.
All models feature UDH dropouts, so you can run SRAM Transmission drivetrains, or simply use a universal hanger. The carbon frames have fully guided cable routing, and both carbon and aluminum frames have provisions for regular or moto brake setups. Keeping the ride characteristics consistent across the range, the Smoothlink suspension features shock tunes specific to each frame size, as well as size-specific chainstays.
Suspension & Geometry
The Instinct Powerplay SL uses the same Smoothlink suspension platform that you'll find on the regular Instinct, though with a tune specific to this bike, and with size-specific shock tunes. Smoothlink is designed to provide maximum traction and comfort across the board, with an optimized blend of anti-squat and leverage rate that makes it efficient yet supple, and supportive, yet smooth, for a ride quality that riders of all skill levels can appreciate.
The Instinct Powerplay SL's geometry is also quite similar to that of the analogue Instinct. Adjustable via the RIDE-4 chip between four different positions from low and slack, to higher and steeper. The head tube angle sits between 63.5º-64.2º, with seat tube angle coming in between 76.4º-77.2º. Reach sits at 450-457mm for a size MD, with chainstays measuring between 442-439mm, and stack around 622-617mm. BB drop is 39mm in low mode, and 29mm in high across all sizes.
The geometry then should lend itself to being stable and planted at speed, and on technical trails, without being a handful on less technical or lower angle trails, or in the hands of a less advanced rider. The Instinct Powerplay SL should cover ground pretty well for most people, while having a ton of fun.
Who Is The Instinct Powerplay SL For?
The Instinct Powerplay SL is the emtb for those that don't want a full power bike. Built to be lighter and easier handling than the full power Altitude, it corners, pops, and jumps more like a regular bike. The mid-travel suspension makes it perfect for all types of all-mountain adventures, from big days in the saddle to steep gnarly trails and everything in between, with geometry that makes it easy to move around on those more technical trails. It's the bike for people that want to spend more time on technical singletrack climbs and want to put the work in for a fun descent, rather than shuttling up a road in full boost. Perfect for short missions, big days out and all-around trail riding, it's the fun, agile emtb for those that want to work the bike as much as it works them.
Build & Spec
The Instinct Powerplay SL comes in both aluminum and carbon models with three spec levels each, with two colours to choose from: a two-tone blue/black, or a white/black paint scheme, with spec levels from burly yet affordable, to top-notch and high performance. All models get the same lightweight high-performance motor and battery system, 12-speed drivetrain, four piston brakes and a 150mm fork, with the exception of the A70 BC edition that bumps up to a 160mm fork, for those extra-burly trails.
Starting with the top-spec C90 carbon build, it comes with a Fox Factory 36 150mm fork and Factory Float X shock, and Factory Transfer dropper post. For drivetrain it runs SRAM XO Transmission Eagle electronic drivetrain. Brakes are Code Ultimate brakes on HS2 rotors. Wheels are Race Face Era carbon hoops, and Race Face Era carbon cranks and handlebar round out the finishing kit.
The C70 build gets a Fox Performance Elite suspension and seatpost package, SRAM GX Eagle Transmission, Code Silver brakes, DT Swiss 370 rear hub on Race Face ARC30 rims, and Race Face Turbine cranks and handlebars.
The C50 build comes with a Rockshox Lyrik Select fork and Super Deluxe Select+ shock, and X-Fusion Manic dropper post. Drivetrain is a mix of Shimano XT and Deore, and brakes are XT Trail 4-piston. Wheels are WTB rims laced to Novatec hubs.
The A70 BC Edition is the top end alloy build made for burly trails, and comes with a Rockshox Lyrik Select+ 160mm fork, Super Deluxe Select+ shock, and OneUp V3 dropper post. Drivetrain is SRAM's GX Eagle Transmission. Brakes are SRAM Code Bronze Stealth, and wheels are Race Face ARC 30 on a DT Swiss 370 rear hub.
The A50 build gets a 150mm Lyrik Select+, Super Deluxe Select shock, and X-Fusion Manic dropper. Drivtrain is a mix of Shimano XT and Deore, with Deore 4-piston brakes, and WTB/DT Swiss 370 wheels.
Finally, the entry-level A30 build gets Rockshox Psylo Gold fork, Deluxe Select+ shock, and X-Fusion Manic dropper post. Drivetrain is Shimano Deore 12-speed, with non-series MT4120 brakes, and WTB/Novatec wheels.
SHOP INSTINCT POWERPLAY SL
