Highlight: Rotwild R.Q1+ and R.E1+ including integrated battery

Rotwild has presented two impressive new E-fully newcomers at Eurobike 2014: The Allmountain R.Q1+ and the Enduro R.E1+. The battery is directly integrated in the tube of both bikes and the motor is almost one part with the lower frame triangle.
The drive is being taken as granted, which hasn’t been always like this in the E-MTB segment with external batteries.

The Rotwild R.Q1 is especially made for bikers, that are in need of an Allmountain with strong forward thrust. — The Rotwild R.Q1 is especially made for bikers that are in need of an All-mountain bike with strong forward thrust…

...while the R.E1 is made for pure Enduro action. — …while the R.E1 is made for pure Enduro action.

The down tube of both bikes is completely manufactured out of carbon. The integrated battery takes over a structural part, which adds towards the massive weight reduction. The transitions between the down tube, the head tube and the motor case are smooth. This makes the whole frame quite uniform. In order to achieve this, Rotwild has been working together with the motor manufacturer Brose. This enabled them to fit both, drive and frame, perfectly together.

The compact and smoothly integrated Brose motor.

Because the battery and the 250 watts powered motor are smoothly integrated, Rotwild was able to take over the geometries of the base models R.E1 and R.Q1. The chain stays could therefore be short, which concludes in high agility. We were able to test this at an intensive race weekend with the R.Q1+ (will be an article in issue #2). The rear end including the virtual pivot point were adapted to the drive, in order to hold the constant pulling force of the motor in place. Rotwild says that in this way they were able to minimize the drive train influences and maximise the traction.

A close look at the bottom frame triangle reveals plenty of well thought-on details.

When the drive is deactivated, i.e. during downhills or over 25 km/h, the motor is disconnected from the drive. This reduces friction losses.

We especially liked the display, that is attached directly over the head tube.

The R.Q1+ will be available in two versions, both with 140mm travel at the rear end and at the fork. The cheaper Pro is delivered with comfortable Fox Float CTD dampers and a Fox 32 Float CTD fork. The Pro is made out of Shimano XT components and a mandatory hydraulic seat post, the Cobalt 2 by Crankbrothers.
The expensive Evo is manufactured with Fox dampers and a Factory high end fork, including the Kashima coat. Just as luxurious are the Shimano XTR brakes and drive train components of the Evo. The seat post is the Lev Integra by Kind Shock, which comes with a 150 mm hub. Manually changing the height is history by now.

The high quality Fox Float CTD Factory Kashima.

The R.E1 will only be available in one version next year: 170mm travel with a Float 36 RC2 fork including a FIT cartridge and Kashima coating by Fox at the front, as well as 165 mm dampers the rear end.
It is produced with a 11-speed drivetrain and Shimano XT brakes. The seat post is the Lev Integra 150mm by Kind Shock.

Absolutely high end: the Fox Float X Factory Kashima.

Both bikes will be available at the end of 2014, the R.Q1+ Pro can be bought for €5,000 and the R.Q1+ Evo is priced at €7,000 EUR, as well as the R.E1+.

More information: www.rotwild.de

Text: Tobias Döring Photos: Christoph Bayer

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