Rocky Mountain launches all-new Dyname 4.0 drive motor system on two new e-MTBs

It’s been four years since Rocky Mountain introduced its first electric mountain bike.

In that time, the Canadian brand has been through several revisions of its proprietary drive system (which has consistently impressed our testers).

Now it's launching the all-new Dyname 4.0 motor and two updated bikes – the Altitude Powerplay and Instinct Powerplay – promising reduced weight, a quieter ride and increased range, among other improvements.

New Dyname 4.0 drive system

Rocky Mountain’s e-MTBs have long been revered for their high levels of torque, making them great technical climbers.

The new Dyname 4.0 drive system delivers the same 108Nm of torque as the previous 3.0 version while providing a smoother output thanks to a redesigned torque curve.

This means more gradually applied power up to a peak output of 700W at an optimal cadence of 85rpm. In other words, it has a smoother pedalling feel and navigating technical climbs should be even easier.

Despite retaining the grunt of the previous system, the new motor is smaller. The motor is also claimed to be 18.5 per cent lighter than the Dyname 3.0, with oversized bearings for added durability.

Rocky Mountain says that a lower motor rpm means the Dyname 4.0 produces less motor ‘whine’ than other systems.

It has also removed the upper chain slider featured on previous models to reduce mechanical noise and minimise drag when pedalling.

The Dyname 4.0 system increases battery size from the already beefy 672Wh to 720Wh, plus you can add Rocky Mountain’s Overtimepack to get an extra 314Wh for those long rides out into the mountains.

The company says the battery is easily removable on the new Powerplay models. The battery is accessed by taking off a protective cover, loosening a retention bolt and sliding the battery straight out of the frame.

To round off the updated package, a new, smaller remote allows greater compatibility with brake and shifter brands and models.

Rocky Mountain’s Jumbotron built-in display screen is integrated into the top tube of the brand’s Powerplay ebikes.

New mid-high pivot position on Altitude Powerplay and Instinct Powerplay

The Altitude Powerplay and Instinct Powerplay bikes have been revamped for 2022.

Updates are mirrored across both bikes, with the distinction being each model’s intended use: the Altitude Powerplay is an enduro bike made for "aggressive, high-speed riding"; while the Instinct is a trail bike aimed at "long days of exploration and efficient riding".

Both feature 29in wheels front and back, with the Altitude using 170/160mm front/rear suspension travel, and the Instinct 150/140mm.

The bikes are very customisable through their adjustable chainstays (10mm difference in the Short/Long settings) and Rocky Mountain’s Ride-4 geometry and suspension adjustment setup (which has four configurations in a rotating chip that the shock is bolted into).

It is perhaps the suspension system that is the most exciting update to the Powerplay bikes.

The main pivot location has been moved upward into a mid-high position, creating a more rearward axle path that should mean smoother riding over rough ground.

Leverage rate and anti-squat get "more support", which Rocky Mountain says equates to smoother power delivery and less energy loss (through slipping tyres, etc.).

Both bikes come in carbon or alloy options. A new tube profile focuses on "front triangle stiffness for steering precision", while added down tube and chainstay protection help reduce noise and limit trail and shuttle damage.

On the carbon models only, a modular shock mount allows for future suspension kinematic updates, according to Rocky Mountain, presumably alluding to new stuff already in the pipeline.

Custom shock tunes for each size, guided internal cable routing with secure tie downs (to hold the cables in place and reduce noise), and bearings at all pivot points round off the package.

Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay models

Two carbon and three alloy options are available.

Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition

• Frame: Altitude Powerplay Smoothwall Carbon
• Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive
• Battery: 720Wh Removable Integrated Li-Ion
• Fork: Fox 38 Float EVOL GRIP2 Factory Series 170mm
• Shock: Fox DHX2 Factory
• Brakes: Shimano XT Trail Four Piston
• Cranks: Race Face Turbine Cinch 34
• Wheels: Race Face Turbine Cinch 34 rims with DT Swiss Hybrid 350 Boost 148m rear and Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm front hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 WT (front) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT (rear)
• Price: $13,129 CAD / $10,649 USD

Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70

• Frame: Altitude Powerplay Smoothwall Carbon
• Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive
• Battery: 720Wh Removable Integrated Li-Ion
• Fork: Fox 38 Float EVOL GRIP Performance Series 170mm
• Shock: Fox Float X2 Performance
• Brakes: Shimano XT Trail Four Piston
• Cranks: Race Face Aeffect Cinch 34
• Wheels: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims with DT Swiss Hybrid 370 Boost 148m rear and Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm front hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 WT (front) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT (rear)
• Price: $11,339 CAD / $9,059 USD

Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70

• Frame: Altitude Powerplay FORM Alloy
• Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive
• Battery: 720Wh Removable Integrated Li-Ion
• Fork: Fox 38 Float EVOL GRIP Performance Series 170mm
• Shock: Fox Float X Performance
• Brakes: Shimano XT Trail Four Piston
• Cranks: Race Face Aeffect Cinch 34
• Wheels: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims with DT Swiss Hybrid 370 Boost 148m rear and Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm front hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 WT (front) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT (rear)
• Price: $9,239 CAD / $7,779 USD

Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50

• Frame: Altitude Powerplay FORM Alloy
• Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive
• Battery: 720 Wh Removable Integrated Li-Ion
• Fork: RockShox Zeb Select RC 170mm
• Shock: Fox Float X Performance
• Brakes: Shimano MT6120 Four Piston
• Cranks: Race Face Ride Cinch 34
• Wheels: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims with Shimano SLX Boost hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 WT (front) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT (rear)
• Price: $8,399 CAD / $6,999 USD

Altitude Powerplay Alloy 30 Coil

• Frame: Altitude Powerplay FORM Alloy
• Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive
• Battery: 720Wh Removable Integrated Li-Ion
• Fork: RockShox Domain RC 170mm
• Shock: Marzocchi Bomber CR
• Brakes: Shimano MT4120 Four Piston
• Cranks: Race Face Ride Cinch 34
• Wheels: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims with Shimano MT400 rear and MT410 front hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 WT (front) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT (rear)
• Price: $7,349 CAD / $5,749 USD

Altitude Powerplay geometry

Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay models

Two carbon and three alloy options are also available in the Instinct Powerplay range.

Instinct Powerplay Carbon 90

• Frame: Instinct Powerplay Smoothwall Carbon
• Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive
• Battery: 720Wh Removable Integrated Li-Ion
• Fork: Fox 36 Float EVOL GRIP2 Factory Series 150mm
• Shock: Fox Float X Factory
• Brakes: Shimano XTR Trail Four Piston
• Cranks: Race Face Next R Cinch 34
• Wheels: Race Face ARC Carbon 3 rims with DT Swiss Hybrid 350 Boost 148m rear and Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm front hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 WT (front) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT (rear)
• Price: $14,699 CAD / $12,039 USD

Instinct Powerplay Carbon 70

• Frame: Instinct Powerplay Smoothwall Carbon
• Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive
• Battery: 720Wh Removable Integrated Li-Ion
• Fork: Fox 36 E-MTB Float EVOL GRIP Performance 150mm
• Shock: Fox Float X Performance
• Brakes: Shimano XT Trail Four Piston
• Cranks: Race Face Aeffect Cinch 34
• Wheels: Race Face AR 30 rims with DT Swiss Hybrid 370 Boost 148m rear and Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm front hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 WT (front) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT (rear)
• Price: $11,549 CAD / $9,159 USD

Instinct Powerplay Alloy 70

• Frame: Instinct Powerplay Smoothwall Carbon
• Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive
• Battery: 720Wh Removable Integrated Li-Ion
• Fork: RockShox Pike Select RC 150mm
• Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
• Brakes: Shimano XT Trail Four Piston
• Cranks: Race Face Aeffect Cinch 34
• Wheels: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims with DT Swiss Hybrid 370 Boost 148m rear and Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm front hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 WT (front) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT (rear)
• Price: $8,819 CAD / $7,459 USD

Instinct Powerplay Alloy 50

• Frame: Instinct Powerplay Smoothwall Carbon
• Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive
• Battery: 720Wh Removable Integrated Li-Ion
• Fork: RockShox Revelation Select RC 150mm
• Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
• Brakes: Shimano MT6120 Four Piston
• Cranks: Race Face Ride Cinch 34
• Wheels: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims with Shimano MT410 hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 WT (front) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT (rear)
• Price: $7,769 CAD / $6,499 USD

Instinct Powerplay Alloy 30

• Frame: Instinct Powerplay Smoothwall Carbon
• Drive system: Dyname 4.0 Mountain Bike Drive
• Battery: 720Wh Removable Integrated Li-Ion
• Fork: RockShox 35 Gold RL 150mm
• Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select R
• Brakes: Shimano MT4120 Four Piston
• Cranks: Race Face Ride Cinch 34
• Wheels: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims with Shimano MT400 rear and MT410 front hubs
• Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 WT (front) and Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT (rear)
• Price: $6,929 CAD / $5,599 USD

Instinct Powerplay geometry