E-Mountainbike has tested the R.C1000

A symbiosis of everyday life and sport

Sport utility vehicles - SUVs for short - are a household name in the automotive industry. It would be too easy to transfer the whole topic of these sports and utility vehicles one-to-one to bikes. The means of transportation are too different for that. Nevertheless, analogies in use can be guessed at. With adequate space for transporting luggage, a special sporty off-road touch and a commitment to design, SUV bikes have also become an integral part of everyday life. Many eMTBs also span this arc between suitability for everyday use, sporty performance and beauty of form. The editorial team also classifies our ROTWILD R.C1000 in this constellation.

A potent all-rounder in the test field

As a cross-over, our latest model is an "egg-laying wool-milk sow" - for a wide variety of use scenarios, from commuting to work to leisure and off-road. But the R.C1000 is also a little different. It seeks "proximity to the R.X1000, the E-MTB counterpart" and expands its "use case". "Without wanting to restrict the riding characteristics too much, it wanders between the worlds and tries to combine both." You can also see at first glance that ROTWILD remains true to its own principles. "The German bike brand has always been known for its exclusive design and the clean look of its e-MTBs - the new ROTWILD R.C1000 Tour SUV e-bike is a perfect example of this."

With edges to make a clear statement

In addition to the "angular design language" and the "clear lines" á la ROTWILD, the "eye-catching cooling fins" of the Pinion Motor.Gearbox.Unit (MGU) also ensured a certain self-confidence. Installed around the bottom bracket of the bike, these caught the eye of the testers on the non-drive side. While the MGU on the drive side was "round and delicately designed". It was also noted that the gearbox and motor unit is "not much bigger" than a comparable full-power e-bike motor. It gives the bike a clean look at the rear because the cassette and rear derailleur have been eliminated. The frame with the wider down tube gives the R.C1000 a "beefy look", which is due to the 960 Wh battery, which is not flush with the down tube. The testers refer to this as "a kind of pot-belly". Our new Cross Over is proud to bear this small side effect in relation to the high capacity of the battery.

What was it like with the Lamborghini?

Now we have to compare the R.C1000 to an automobile once again. Or rather, that's what the testers do in their report: not with just any vehicle, but with a Lamborghini Huracán. Both share the same elegant appearance. Our bike, on the other hand, had to score points with its high level of functionality. "The spoiler at the rear is not designed to beat the best lap time of 6:35.183 minutes on the Nordschleife, but functions as a luggage rack with side attachment options for bags." The comparison to the Italian super sports car and the record performance of a car - Mercedes AMG ONE - on the 21 kilometers in the Eifel may be a little limp, but it ennobles our bike. Because it is precisely the sporty genes that make the R.C1000 a practical sports all-rounder. Even if we don't recommend using it on a race track. For the testers, one thing is clear: with our integrated lighting solution, you can "draw attention to yourself with the bright brake light and emergency brake light" "when you brake in front of the triple right in the Green Hell".

A cool side effect

The editors weighed the R.C1000 at 25.6 kg. It owes this weight to the carbon frame and the high-quality components. This makes it the lightest bike among the test candidates. This is despite the fact that it is equipped with massive suspension, a large battery and a heavy motor. This is a "cool side effect" of the design. However, the riding position on the bike is "more reminiscent of an e-MTB than a touring bike". With 140 mm suspension travel at the front and in the chassis, it is ahead here, together with another representative in the test. Despite the resulting high level of comfort, the editors see the bike as more of a "detour off paved paths and trails" due to its sporty character.

What about Indiana Jones?

He would probably be envious of the user of the R.C1000. Because unlike the adventurer, he doesn't have to rely on his dog, whip and nose, but can enjoy the integrated navigation function including turn arrows and the convenience of a USB charging socket. The rider can also view this on a large display via the FIT E-Bike Connect app. However, the movie hero would certainly like what the editors think the R.C1000 triggers in "die-hard MTB pioneers" as the first impulse: "the urge to turn off onto the next trail."

Find out more about the R.C1000

You can find the complete review of our R.C1000 from E-Mountainbike here