"A well-balanced touring bike – as judged by FREERIDE about the R.X375."
The test candidates
The testers have employed a small word trick in advance and created a completely new genre from the categories "Trailbike" and "Enduro": the "Trailduros." Paired with the characteristics "light" and electric drive, the term "Light-E-Trailduros" was coined. For the editors, it is the "best" e-category because attributes like "light" and "airy" are meant to describe the perfect eMTBs for freeriders. To create a comparable test field, the bikes include front suspension travel between 140 and 160 mm (140 or 150 mm in the rear), motor powers ranging from 50 to 85 Nm, battery capacities around 360 Wh, and an average weight of about 19 kg. Additionally, all frames are made of carbon and, with two exceptions, fall within the same price range in their equipment variants. We are represented in the test with an R.X375 PRO in size L.
The tested facts
Even the sister magazine EMTB had awarded the R.X375 the "Tour Tip" in 2023. The test crew at Freeride now crowns the R.X375 as the "Tour King." They justify this with the handling that conveys high stability and balances the bike. Furthermore, the suspension balances itself precisely between "firm" and "comfortable." It offers 150 mm of front suspension travel and a total of 140 mm in the movement of the rear suspension. "The rear works sensitively [...] and is not disturbed by harsh impacts," says FREERIDE. The seat angle of 77 degrees puts the rider in a comfortable touring position. The steering angle of 66 degrees and the reach of 464 mm define the geometry as moderate for the testers. The R.X375 also takes a "special role among light bikes." This is due to the Shimano EP8 motor, which provides a torque of 85 Nm on demand. Tester Adrian Kaether concludes: "Among the classic motors, the EP8 is the lightest, ideal for light use. Highest performance, strong efficiency compared." Together with our developed 360 Wh battery, it forms the Integrated Power Unit (IPU). FREERIDE also describes ROTWILD's proprietary Quick Release battery removal as "special" because it works "easily" and "quickly" like "no other bike." In this context, it is important to know that focusing on efficiency, we deliver the R.X375 from the factory with two different setups. Profile 1 supports with a full 85 Nm, while the ROTWILD profile setup is designed for a torque of 60 Nm. This preserves the bike's energy resources and optimizes the range.
The conclusion
The "moderate geometry" with a "super-thin carcass" limits the "ambition for too rough terrain." The bike is "not really for trail shredders." However, with a moderate riding style, it provides a lot of confidence and smoothly handles key sections and turns. Uphill, the R.X375 is a "capable climber," especially due to its balanced geometry and powerful motor assistance. These sporty all-around capabilities are what we want to associate with the R.X375. For those who want to tackle rougher trails with more suspension travel and a more aggressive geometry, the ROTWILD family offers suitable relatives of the R.X375, such as the Light-Enduro-Bike R.E375 or the downhill expert R.G375.
You can read the complete test with the title "Light and Airy" in the Winter issue 4A of FREERIDE from 2023.