The difference in torque only becomes noticeable on very steep ramps and when starting and accelerating. But if you compare them in a meaningful way, they provide exciting insights into trends and developments. As part of our annual reader survey, more than 16,520 E-MOUNTAINBIKERS answered around 90 questions, helping us to make this test as relevant as possible! As such, we try to judge the bikes according to their respective strengths and weaknesses in the right context. In general, it is important to choose a tire that suits the area of use and your personal needs, so that it fits you and your bike. The generous frame protection is brilliant, and on some of our more savagely rocky test trails, I was mighty glad to have short 165mm alloy crank arms under my feet. Press Fit BB89.5. Rocky M On the front wheel we recommend a robust casing for puncture protection in combination with the softest rubber compound for more grip. Tuscany, staying in the bike hotel Massa Vecchia. Attention, spoilers ahead: the size or capacity of the battery increasingly determines handling on the trail. In the same way that Giant has collaborated with Yamaha, and Specialized has partnered with Brose and Mahle, Rocky Mountain has employed the services of fellow Canadian brand Propulsion Powercycle to help engineer the motor for the Instinct and Altitude Powerplay models. The best electric mountain bikes best overall specialized turbo levo comp alloy $7,500 at specialized best value off road aventon aventure $1,999 at aventon bikes best mixed wheel marin bikes. The majority of electric mountain bikes are equipped with lithium-ion batteries if maintained properly, these batteries can last between 3-5 years. Of note is that the Altitude Powerplay and Instinct Powerplay frames are virtually identical. My only complaint is that the 150mm dropper post felt on the short side, limiting how much I could move around the bike when jumping or bombing down much steeper sections of trail. I had the pleasure of riding the original model at the European launch way back in 2017, but weve admittedly not had a heap of experience with Rocky Mountain bikes since then. We are looking for the best all-rounder that can take on any trail! As you can see, just an annual inspection isnt enough. The bikes in the test field not only differ enormously in their intended use and character but also in their battery concepts. What is important here is what is possible, not just what is stated on paper. This allows riders to tweak the BB height by up to 10mm, and adjust the angles by 0.8. The trail network around Monte Arsenti provides the ideal test conditions, allowing us to work out both the big and small differences that separate the 13 eMTBs on test. In addition to direct and playful bikes for the active riders among us who go into the forest to play, there are also comfortable touring bikes that want to convince with plenty of long-distance comfort. . The Assegai is an insanely good tyre, and for me its bordering on a must-have for a big e-MTB like this. However, to integrate the long battery in the down tube, a cutout over half a metre longer is necessary. The Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50, Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy, and Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 50 are all aluminum frame full suspension mountain e-bikes. Specialized Levo Carbon E-Bike 2023 SAVE 25 %. Wir haben uns einen berblick ber die Fully E-MTBs 2019 verschaft und stellen euch die Rder vor die es in unsere Top 10 geschafft haben. Then you should pay close attention now! However, it reveals weaknesses in steep terrain and at high speed. The powerful and adaptable Dyname 4.0 motor is ready to go when you are, surging forward with 108 Nm of torque the. Thanks to a 672-watt-hour battery and a compact, low-mounted motor, it rips uphill for easy self-shuttling. - Brilliantly grippy & durable tyre spec And while the overall integration is neat and the controls on the Altitude Powerplay are a vast improvement over the previous model, the main buttons on the remote switch are too light and a bit vague. Its also significantly more responsive under power compared to the Kenevo SL, and it rails turns better too. 2020 Santa Cruz Heckler Carbon CC X01 RSV E-Bike. Altitude Powerplay lineup | Rocky Mountain DESIGNED FOR Enduro WHEEL SIZE 29" FRONT TRAVEL 170 mm REAR TRAVEL 160 mm Designed alongside our Dyname 4.0 drive system, the Altitude Powerplay has everything you need for aggressive enduro e-biking. The advantages are obvious: more drop means easier mounting and dismounting as well as more freedom of movement and safety on the trail. If youre an experienced rider looking for more juice, the Powerplay is your play. First of all, a big thank you! You share this opinion: 77% of you stated in our reader survey that a 630 Wh battery is completely sufficient. time stamps 0:00 intro 2:48 mid travel full power e bikes 3:27 mondraker crafty 4:08 rocky mountain altitude powerplay 5:06 trek . Read the new issue of E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine now. Rocky Mountain. Full Sealed Cartridge Bearings. Weighing in at 49 pounds, it's designed with a more playful geometry thats nimble enough to handle all but the most technical terrain. Even still, the Altitude Powerplay doesnt ride like a chopper, with a fairly moderate 625mm stack height. The suspension of a full suspension eMTB is only good if it suits your own riding style. In issue #029 of our digital magazine you will find a group test of more affordable models. I spent a full day out riding in Eco mode alongside a pack of regular mountain bikes, which proved to be a good match for my non-motorised friends, while barely touching the sides of the 720Wh battery. Nonetheless, it resoundingly leaves the Specialized SL 1.1 behind on climbs. All in all, its all about the right balance and set-up. It is the best touring bike in the test field and, after some suspension tuning, also a good all-rounder that will appeal to both beginners and advanced riders with its easy going and good-natured handling. They may have changed since then. Planet3 is een niet-invasief afstemapparaat dat eenvoudig te installeren en te verwijderen is omdat het in het achterwiel van de ebike is genstalleerd. Allow me to jog your memory. Along with the new motor the Altitude Powerplay gets a larger 720Wh battery, and its now easily removable with just a 4mm hex key required to slide it out from the downtube. With availability limited and eMTBs a big investment for many, its especially important to know about the latest technologies and the huge differences between models before buying one. Partway through a ride I flipped the dropout chip into the long setting, which took all of about five minutes. Therefore, we cannot make a general statement about the suspension travel. Shimano provide the most options here. Bikes come shipped from the factory in position three (also known as neutral), and these are the key numbers it delivers; Adjusting the Ride-4 geometry chip is even quicker than the dropouts, with only a single 5mm hex key required. Rocky is offering the frame in sizes SM-XL. But FOCUS, MERIDA and Orbea also offer a considerable margin with 124 kg and 117 kg respectively. Each bike review aims to answer these core questions, giving you a clear recommendation or even advising you to look elsewhere. ** without range extender Are you new here? A practical side effect is that these bikes can be placed upside down, which is particularly important for models where the battery is removed from the down tube. Some now even use large 220 mm discs. A similar inflection point has hit cycling on a much larger scale. It is precisely these that we work out clearly and tangibly so that everyone has all the relevant information to make the right purchasing decision for themselves and their personal requirements. Was. SPECS ROCKY MOUNTAIN ALTITUDE POWERPLAY CARBON 70 MSRP: $7400, 6000 Motor: Rocky Mountain proprietary Battery: 48V/1,632 Wh Charge time: 4 hours (80% in 2 hours) Top speed: 15.5 mph/25 km/h (with assist) Range: 25-45 miles (40-70 km) Drive: SRAM EX1 Brakes: SRAM Guide RE, 200mm front/rear Controls: Rocky Mountain proprietary, plus Ebikemotion app - Mid-high pivot Smoothlink rear suspension design But is different any better? Some bikes have been previously featured in our group tests due to multi-year development cycles, but how much sense does it make to test a bike like the Cannondale Moterra Neo for the umpteenth time if nothing has changed except for small details in the spec with a successor likely due to replace it soon anyway? Compare. The clunky remote of the new Smart System, flooded with buttons, is ergonomically one of the worst in the entire test it is only marginally improved upon by the Purion, another Bosch option. If you want a navigation aid, you should take a closer look at our navigation device group test. Thats why we prefer to provide you with some concrete tips here. Specialized hevder det skal kunne gi deg inntil seks timer, eller 120 kilometer assistert sykling - dette vil selvflgelig vre avhengig av hvordan du bruker motoren og . If you want to delve deeper into the super exciting and complex subject of suspension, you will find a complete reference in our sister magazine ENDURO. How do you ride your eMTB or how do you want to ride it? That is very quick, resulting in a higher average climbing speed overall. Specialized e-MTBs tend to be very good at converting uneven pedalling inputs into a very smooth and linear motor output. Yeti 160E C1 E-Bike 2023 Compare. That cant be true! In such a system, an XL bike would have more battery capacity than a size S or M bike. From here the next step was to investigate the dropout flip chip. However, there have been times where I would have liked external control of the high-speed rebound to calm down the rear end when facing more violent impacts. Watch our video review of the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay here: Despite its ability to mob through straight-line chunder, it rips turns with surprising nimbleness that had me constantly grinning from ear-to-ear. In fact, I was able to clean one bastard of a climb on my local test circuit that I have never cleaned before. Rock gardens, roots, jumps, berms, open corners and high-speed berms we had everything we needed to test the bikes capabilities in different situations. Thanks to integrated batteries, top-end eMTBs can even be hard to differentiate from traditional gravel or mountain bikes. FOCUS Jam 7.0 (Click for review) | MERIDA eONE-SIXTY 10K (Click for review) | Norco Sight VLT C1 (Click for review) | OrbeaRise M-Team (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 (Click for review) | Rotwild R.E375 ULTRA (Click for review) | SCOR 4060 Z ST XT (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL (Click for review) | Trek Rail 9.9 XX1 AXS (Click for review) | Yeti160E (Click for review) | YT DECOY MX Core 4 (Click for review). Cycleworld - Concord West Enquire Now Enquire Now : Maxxis Minion DHF WT EXO 27.5 x 2.5 / R = Maxxis Aggressor WT EXO 27.5 x 2.5. There is no such shuttle mode on the Altitude Powerplay, which requires a more collaborative performance between your legs and the motor. Were thrilled to see Rocky specing proper Maxxis DoubleDown tyre casings front and rear, and in a decidedly uncommon move, the wheelset has also been fitted with CushCore XC tyre inserts. - On the heavy side. For each bike, we have explored the extremes for you and present the real range of use they are suited to. Testing the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay has been quite the journey of discovery. The Jumbotron display is fantastic, providing the rider with just enough useful information in a clear and easy to understand manner. Its impressively discreet, and vastly quieter than the old bike thanks to the improved motor and chain management. Its also a second generation system thats replacing a motor thats been on the market for four years, so it aint exactly Rocky Mountains first rodeo. Even though almost all motors have a rated power of 250 W, huge differences become apparent on the trail. There are four assistance modes you can choose from; Eco, Trail, Trail+ and Ludicrous. There are huge differences not only in motor power, but also in battery capacity for bikes that are aimed at similar applications: models like the Specialized Kenevo SL Light eMTB with a 360 Wh battery and 35 Nm torque output, take a different approach with less battery capacity and sometimes less motor power, while manufacturers like Norco, packing 900 Wh, exhaust all possibilities to integrate as much juice into the down tube as possible. The lower motor output, throttled down to 60 Nm from the Shimano EP8s usual 85 Nm, allows for a small 360 Wh battery without a significant reduction in range compared to a Bosch league eMTB. Otherwise you cant expect longevity or lasting performance, nor can you expect lasting riding pleasure! Also occasional bike park use with a lift 10 29 comments Add a Comment briar141c 2 yr. ago For years, pedal-assists were forbidden from trails, non-existent in shops, shunned from mainstream media and magnets for vitriol. For us, stone-baked pizza, a fresh ocean breeze and good espresso are just as much part of a successful day on the bike as flow on varied singletrack, the occasional adrenaline spike and high-fives at the end of the trail. Nothing is more annoying than the wrong purchase or a bike that bucks, protests or simply doesnt want to fit your requirements. In fact, the 437mm rear centre length is identical between the two bikes, and should be noted as being incredibly short for an e-MTB with 29in wheels and 160mm of rear travel. Again, swings and roundabouts. Whichever is your favourite, its important that the display and remote are in a protected position and that they are intuitive and ergonomic to use. A 630 watt-hour battery, Shimano motor and quality components round out this jack of all trails. And thats a good reflection of the market! Internal Cable Routing. There are opposing schools of thought when it comes to which is preferable, but in the end it all comes down to weight distribution and what's more comfortable for the rider. Thanks to a 672-watt-hour battery and a compact, low-mounted motor, it rips uphill for easy self-shuttling. On the other hand, if you want to ride the eMTB, which Trek themselves describe as super-capable, on fast, demanding and technical singletrails, you should stay away from the 13,599 Trek Rail 9.9. A steel chainring surely makes more sense for an e-MTB. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 Bike 2023 Compare. While many manufacturers rely on standard systems from Bosch and Shimano, our test also includes models that want to convince as Light e-MTBs with lower motor power and a modular battery concept i.e. There have been some small rolling changes to the Altitude Powerplay in that time, but the 2022 model sees the platforms biggest overhaul yet with an entirely new chassis, an updated motor, bigger battery and a refined user interface. After all, before anything else, forces are transmitted through your tires. Five years ago, we explained that that laboratory range measurements arent representative of the real world and that the bike industry is yet to find a useful and realistic solution to this. TESTED: Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 70 Rocky Mountain's Powerplay platform is now in its fourth iteration and sees some major changes to geometry, kinematics, and overall user experience. Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Review Home Reviews Brands Rocky Mountain Reviews . Actually, the rule here is: more is more! Given its weight, the stocky wheels, dual-ply tyres and sticky-compound Assegai up front, that amount of elevation gain is impressive. The Shimano XT brakes have been powerful and totally consistent, with the non-finned pads delivering a rattle-free ride. However, its important not to confuse price with the real value i.e. Given all the updates, I was curious to see how the proprietary motor would perform alongside all the other e-MTBs weve been testing lately. Like every car, every bike has a maximum permissible weight, which is specified by the manufacturer to ensure that the bike and all its components can withstand loads up to this rating. Most expensive bike in the 2021 group test: Specialized S-Works Levo/Levo SL for, Most expensive bike in the 2022 group test: Specialized S-Works Levo/Kenevo SL for, Cheapest bike 2021: FOCUS JAM 6.9 NINE for, Cheapest bike 2022: SCOTT Ransom eRIDE 910 for, The Norco Sight VLT C1 has the largest internal battery capacity at, The fact that only 2 Bosch-equipped bike are represented in the test field is due to the limited availability of Bosch bikes with the new Smart System at the time of the test and the fact. But out in the real world, this can backfire and make many bikes worse for trail use. The Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition has a better fork and more travel, while the Turbo Levo Expert has 29 / 27.5 aluminum wheels and better components. How did we test the bikes? Only the Specialized Levo is truly quiet downhill. Altitude lineup | Rocky Mountain DESIGNED FOR Enduro WHEEL SIZE 29" & 27.5" FRONT TRAVEL 170 mm REAR TRAVEL 160 mm Race circuits or Sunday Shreds, the Altitude has you covered. These lighter inserts arent necessarily employed for hardcore rim protection, but rather to lock the tyre beads in place to prevent burping. The new 2022 Instinct Powerplay The Instinct Powerplay is Rocky's Trail/All Mountain platform with 140mm of rear travel, paired with a 150mm fork. On the note of the motor, some folks may be bothered by the fact that the Altitude Powerplay doesnt use a Shimano or Bosch system. The suspension consists of a FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 fork and FOX FLOAT X2 Factory shock, controlling 170/160 mm travel at the front and rear. The reach is spot-on, the seat angle is on the relaxed side, and its never felt like Ive had too much weight pushed onto the grips. The acceleration is quite remarkable, and the motors abilityto pull all the way up to the 25km/h cutoff point becomes rather addictive. Either way, its clear this is a bike that is capable of racking up some seriously big rides. However, there is no navigation system that comes close to the Bosch Nyon in this test field. Unlock your ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWERPLAY engine today! Thats on the heavy side even for a big travel e-MTB, though theres certainly nothing dainty about this bike. The difference here may simply boil down to the progressive suspension rate. Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Same attributes as our race proven Altitude. Who are the people behind the testing and what do they look for in their perfect bike? Long climbs are suddenly much easier. The YETI 160E T1 is the deserved Best in Test and thus the best eMTB of 2022. 2021 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition E-Bike. In this group test, there are considerable differences in terms of grip, steering precision, traction and puncture protection, which also influence the handling, riding experience and feeling of safety. Price: $8999.00. As a Light eMTB with the lowest motor output (35 Nm) in the group test, the Kenevo SL is an exotic bike and has no chance of winning the test as an all-rounder, but it still has its advantages. Due to the 470 mm long seat tube of the ROTWILD R.E375, not many riders will be able to make use of all that travel. Further geometry adjustment can be found in the Ride-4 flip chip at the lower shock mount. Altitude Powerplay Carbon 90 Rally Edition: $13,129 CAD . Fork RockShox Yari RC 160mm 37mm Offset Shock 15 Dec 2022 First rides on the Trek Rail 9.9 XTR with Bosch Smart System The Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay Alloy 70, Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay Alloy 70, and Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy are all aluminum frame full suspension mountain e-bikes. : /. However, good value for money isnt about the sum of the parts in the spec, but how the complete package performs on the trail. the 3C MaxxTerra rubber compound from MAXXIS or ADDIX Soft (orange) from Schwalbe. With the previous Bosch system, which is still used on the SCOTT Ransom eRIDE, you have no possibility to customise the motor. On the bikes with Specialized and Dyname 4.0 motors, the display is elegantly integrated into the top tube. With our years of experience and our comprehensive market overview, our personal buying advice will help you with your purchasing decisions and provide each of you with important information and recommendations. But whats surprised me most about this bike is just how adaptable and enthusiastic it is for all-roundriding. As you can see, we have invited many different bikes. For efficient charging, the best bet is to set a reminder to charge your bike up the night before a ride: set it and forget it until the morning of your adventure. Will those taller folks wish for longer chainstays? Read this chapter for the answers as well as a summary of our test philosophy and our opinion on school grades for bike tests. The Norco Sight VLT C1 and Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay C70 have some catching up to do. Thats exactly why you need to know not just what you need to pay attention to, but also what is less important. Its no doubt a much better looking bike, and it presents an appealing package with a different approach to the Specialized Levos, Merida eOne-Sixtys and Trek Rails that typically dominate our local trail centres. To make the differences as clear as possible, we use the whole scale. During the first few rides, the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay didnt quite feel as stable as I was expecting for a big travel e-MTB. But that doesnt mean that all bikes have to be expensive. One of the bikes uses the old Bosch 2021 system. Do you run out of juice? In addition to the options that you expressed an interest for, our know-how and expertise also played a role in the selection, with many exciting new models on the market that contribute to making this test so interesting. We also clear up half-truths, examine forum discussions, marketing promises and tell you what really matters. - CushCore inserts as standard Rubber compound, tread, tire width and casing all influence performance and each decision has specific advantages and disadvantages. Afterwards, youll not just be well equipped for buying an ebike or have even found your dream match, youll also have gathered numerous insights and expert knowledge indispensable for trail talk, the pub and forum discussions! for 2023. I came into this test expecting the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay to be a heavy, excessively powerful and glued-to-the-ground e-MTB. The insertion depth of the frame doesnt match the seat post, which means that it cannot be completely lowered into the seat tube. The change made an immediate improvement to weight distribution, improving stability on the descents and offering balanced grip between the front and rear wheels. It is somewhat planted, a byproduct of its overall mass and the mid-high suspension design, so while I have found itll take to the air, its not the poppiest bike going. Class 2 e-bikes are throttle-assisted and are equipped with a motor that can move the bike forward without pedaling. One thing to note is that our test bike features the extended lower headset cup, which should only come on the Instinct frames. There have been changes to the geometry too, along with an increase in suspension travel and wheelsize. Many other brands could do well to take note. If you value easier handling and more riding fun, you have to find the right balance less is often more. And no matter where you take it, its an incredibly fun ride. They are your only contact with the ground and influence traction, braking distances and the handling of your bike, as well as contributing to its suspension. By Jeremy Benson, Joshua Hutchens, Chris McNamara Jun . They're here to stay and getting better every day. With most motors, using the full-powered Boost/Turbo mode tends to be overwhelming, dominating the ride and making the bike difficult to control. Nonetheless, thanks to the brilliant handling of eMTB mode and the easily controllable Turbo mode, we are still huge fans of the Bosch Performance Line CX motor! Drailleur AR. This differs to the Shimano and Bosch systems where you can lightly tick over the pedals in those high-powered settings, and still get maximum output fromthe motor. Pretty damn good at just about everything climbing, descending, cornering and going strong all day the new Spectral: ON CF 7 is for those who will ride nearly anything. Last years Best Buy and the cheapest bike (7,199) in the test field, it was unable to defend the title. The Orbea Rise shows how its done! Remaining: 76%. 2-Bolt ISCG05 Tabs. Today, eMTBs offer multiple levels of assistance that feel smooth and natural and many employ nearly silent motors. However, we did not like the integration of the new Bosch Smart system and its 750 Wh battery. We believe that every rider has different needs and preferences, and its up to you to find out what these are and then choose a bike based on that. We also provide a lot of specialist knowledge, behind the scenes information and a report on the hottest trends all of this is wrapped in a high quality print format. Want to avoid unpleasant surprises after buying your bike? The best eMTBs are able to combine seemingly contradictory characteristics, like being agile yet composed. The handlebars are a bit cluttered, especially for smaller riders. Charging times will vary by bike model (and whether you're using a portable power bank or plugging directly into the wall), but the average charge time for an electric mountain bike is anywhere between 8-12 hours. These stop providing assistance after the bike reaches 20mph or more. An inexpensive bike with cheaper components but a coherent overall concept can perform much better than many expensive bling-bling bikes. As a result, the prices of eMTBs are subject to short-term changes and fluctuations. This is the best way to find out which battery concept suits you. The test field is a real cross-section of the market offering the best, most interesting, exciting and relevant bikes for trail use. Easy installation. After tweaking the air volume in the fork and shock to improve traction and high-speed control, I decided to try out a variety of the Ride-4 geometry settings. Price: $10229.00. In general, availability still poses major challenges for the industry in 2022. However, there are some compromises when it comes to stability through fast trail sections and traction. Every bike from size L upwards should have space for at least 170 mm. Price: $5,299 List Pros: Smooth and consistent power output, modern geometry, Cons: No digital display, wimpy tires and fork, center of gravity feels high. Rocky Mountain carbon 70 vs specialized enduro comp. The dropper should have as much travel as possible. However, you dont have a free choice with every manufacturer. Compared to the previous model, the new Altitude Powerplay updates to a trendy mid-high pivot suspension design, with the main pivot sitting 100mm north of the BB. Fitting a GRIP2 damper would be an excellent upgrade, and Id be quite curious to try a coil shock too. The excellent tyre spec and mid-high suspension design generates masses of grip, allowing the Altitude Powerplay to claw up rough and loose technical climbs with stability and quickness. You can find out how to figure it out here. As such, I was able to run pressures as low as 22psi in the front and 24psi in the rear. Other bikes are capable of covering an equally wide range of applications while also outperforming the MERIDA in individual specialisations. Add to Basket. In terms of connectivity and customisability of the motor system, it sets the tone in the test field together with the Specialized S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL. The Altitude Powerplay Alloy 50 has a better fork and more travel, while the Turbo Levo Comp Alloy has 29 / 27.5 aluminum wheels and better components. Suspension-wise I didnt find the Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay to be as gooey-plush as the Specialized Kenevo SL, which is my personal benchmark out of all the big travel e-MTBs weve tested. Instead of blindly buying the bike with the highest battery capacity, you should ask yourself a few questions: Our group test clearly shows that when it comes to battery capacity, a crucial rule of thumb applies: as little as possible and as much as necessary! And importantly, downhill riding feels surprisingly similar to your old mountain bike. And while the big 38 is a great match, providing a solid and secure platform up front, it isnt as supple or as well supported compared to the higher-end versions that feature the more complex GRIP2 damper. Just because you have the range doesnt mean youll have fun riding! It is fun to ride on flow trails and the suspension and high touring comfort are also a strength. Related Articles First impressions - The Ibis Oso Ride Review. The slightly rearward axle path eats up square edges nicely, and keeps the rear wheel decidedly connected to terra firma.