NEWS: ROTWILD R.EXC – All About Race: Avinox Power And Endless Geometry Tuning

Rotwild has unveiled the new R.EXC, a premium electric mountain bike that builds on the strengths of its predecessor with a focus on power, adjustability, and race readiness. Central to the bike is the Avinox M2S motor, delivering up to 1,300 watts and 150 Nm of torque, paired with an in-house developed 864 Wh battery. While the removable battery design marks progress, the charging system remains a drawback, still relying on a slow 7 A charger rather than faster alternatives. Priced at €14,990 for the ULTRA model, the R.EXC firmly positions itself at the top end of the market, balancing weight and performance with a 23.2 kg frame. The chassis of the R.EXC is where Rotwild’s engineering ambition truly shines. Featuring a new rocker design, adjustable rear dropouts, and a modular headset, the bike offers extensive geometry tuning to suit different riding styles and terrain. Riders can alter the rear suspension travel between 145 mm and 160 mm by changing shock positions, which also affects suspension progression and ride characteristics. Additionally, size-specific chainstay lengths and wheel size configurations allow further customisation, with smaller sizes running 27.5-inch rear wheels and larger sizes equipped with 29-inch wheels, underscoring Rotwild’s commitment to tailored performance. Component-wise, the R.EXC ULTRA boasts high-end parts including a FOX Podium Factory Kashima fork and FOX DHX Neo Live electronic shock, delivering 170 mm and 160 mm of travel respectively. The drivetrain is anchored by Shimano’s XTR Di2 electronic shifting system paired with a wide-range 10-51T cassette, while stopping power is provided by Shimano XTR four-piston brakes with large 203 mm rotors. The bike rolls on Crankbrothers Synthesis Enduro carbon wheels shod with Schwalbe Tacky Chan Evo tyres, though the choice of Trail casing tyres may raise concerns for riders tackling more demanding terrain due to potential puncture risk. Rotwild also offers a more accessible R.EXC PRO variant, which retains the same Avinox M2S motor and battery but features a more pragmatic suspension setup with RockShox ZEB Select+ and Vivid Select+ components. While less sophisticated than the ULTRA’s FOX suspension, the PRO model targets riders seeking robust performance at a lower price point. Overall, the R.EXC presents as a versatile and powerful eMTB platform with a clear focus on race performance and rider customisation, though the impact of its extensive adjustability on real-world trail performance remains to be fully assessed.