2025 Rocky Mountain Instinct PowerPlay SL C50

The 2025 Rocky Mountain Instinct PowerPlay SL C50 is built to tackle challenging trails without holding you back. This bike mixes a nimble, carbon frame with a thoughtfully integrated electric motor system designed to give you a boost when you need it and keep the ride natural-feeling.

Frame

The frame is made with Rocky Mountain's SMOOTHWALL™ carbon for strength and lightness. Instead of using traditional air bladders during the lay-up process, they rely on a rigid internal mold. This results in less excess resin and fibers, which creates a frame that's light but also stiff and tough. You can tweak the geometry easily thanks to Ride-4™ adjustable settings. This lets you dial in handling to match your style or the trail. The integrated display fits neatly into the top tube, keeping data right where you want it but out of the way.

Front and Rear Suspension

The mid-high pivot Smoothlink suspension keeps the suspension active and smooth over rough terrain, giving 145mm of travel to soak up hits. Up front, a RockShox Lyrik Select fork offers 150mm of travel and a damper that balances plushness with control. Fork offset changes depending on wheel size, keeping steering precise whether you choose 27.5” or 29” wheels. Out back, a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ or Deluxe Ultimate shock (depending on size) maintains smoothness on tough descents.

Cockpit Design

The cockpit blends familiarity with thoughtful design. Rocky Mountain’s handlebar and stem combo offer a comfortable, controlled grip with millimeters of rise and backsweep aligning naturally with your hands. The FSA Orbit headset brings sealed bearings and some clever adjustability so the bike stays precise through rough sections.

Drivetrain and Brakes

Shimano XT controls run the drivetrain and brakes. The shifting operates smoothly through a 12-speed Deore cassette, paired with a Race Face Turbine crankset. Powerful four-piston Shimano XT brakes with metal pads deliver confident stopping power in varied conditions. Wheels feature WTB KOM Trail rims primed for tubeless setups, wrapped in Maxxis Minion tires well-known for their reliable grip and durability.

Seatpost and Saddle

Dropper posts are key on this kind of bike. Rocky Mountain outfits this one with an X Fusion Manic composite post, with length options to fit a variety of rider sizes. The WTB Volt saddle balances comfort and support, with sturdy Cromoly rails underneath.

Electric Motor System

The star is its Powerplay eMTB system. The Dyname S4 Lite motor delivers 250 watts of steady power and maxes out at 550 watts with a respectable 65 Nm of torque. This Class 1 setup keeps you legally pedal-assist only. The 480Wh removable battery sits integrated in the frame and powers your climbs without any fuss. Rocky Mountain’s Jumbotron display mounts right where you want it. It's customizable for assist levels, battery readout, speed, cadence, and trip data. A fast charger is included so you can top off quicker and hit the trails sooner.

If you want a trail bike that boosts your endurance and makes tough climbs less daunting while still feeling alive and capable on the downs, this bike earns a spot on your shortlist.