2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay first ride review and Ep8 comparison.

OK the video could've also been called 'a man waffles whilst riding a bike' but hey I gave it a good crack.
I've had the ep8 merida for a year now, so I've got a pretty good idea of how they go.
I was very lucky to get the Altitude and I did so relying on the minimal reviews on the internet, so I thought I'd share my views.
Motor wise the Dyname 4.0 is fantastic. It differs from other ebike motors in response and feel. I'd describe it like you've got stronger legs vs I have a motor that goes so long as I spin the cranks as in other ebikes.
It will easily outpace an ep8 I reckon bosch or brose would be close though... Will have to test this.
There is a small caveat in that the output does seem to directly match your pedalling input. So you've got to work for those 700w.
The response time and lack of overrun is a real advantage in the dyname though. It allows it to feel far more natural, I like it!
And it's pretty quiet, not that I really care about that. The whirring is often all other riders can hear when you come up behind them, useful for not giving them a fright 😂
Motor off: Dyname still has resistance there, but far far less than ep8. Which also goes for once you hit above 32kph.
Battery: I do have some figures but it was hardly a proper test. More just a quick observation.
This ride both bikes sat on 81% after one run on full power. The climb times were within a few seconds with the glitch adding onto the Rocky time. (I did it again later with tired legs and still was 2 sec off) if you take the given battery amounts 630 vs 720 the ep8 used 120wh and the Rocky 137wh. I don't know if that's how batteries work but it's interesting all the same. I did buy the Rocky for the increased battery capacity lol.
A proper test up a road hill will be the answer. That will eliminate alot of variables.
The bike: It bloody rips man, it felt a million times more composed through the steep bits. It reminded me of my rocky slayer I used to own.
It's a big rig though, I would've bought one in 27.5 if there was the option. I'm 178cm and a large is a great fit, a medium might have been better to make a more playful bike.
It's just a completely different bike to my merida which is a super playful bike. I appreciate the short chainstays the dyname motor allows it to have though, it didn't feel to bad through the tight bits just those wagon wheels to get used too haha. Also tyre to butt on a 29er if your not tall sucks!
Fork isn't oem, but still front geo felt great, I had the same settings on the fork from the merida when I did the swap and they ended up being way to firm for the Rocky. My other run I did adjust it (bar pressure) and it was amazing 😅. Rear end the float x didn't blow me away. 30% sag didn't offer the suppleness I like off the top, I might go to 27% and use the more progressive Ride 4 setting. This shock will be sweet on smooth flow though.
Rear axle path is sweet, it's bugger all really but I can feel it vs the merida. Doesn't get hung up on the square chunk so much. I have a Norco aurum hsp dh bike and it is very very noticeable on that, this is more subtle and probably better for the given application.
Overall I'm very impressed, great fit and finish. Well thought out spec especially Cushcore with double down tyres. Well done there Rocky, every enduro ebike should have them!
If this is any good to people I'll follow it up with some more riding. But until then I look forward to getting it super dialed and getting more rides in 🤙