10. January 2025

Power On – The Mountain Bike Goes Electric

ROTWILD racing history part 3

ROTWILD has always seen itself as a true mountain bike brand, driving developments in this sector forward in a significant way. But in the 2010s, a transformation began to emerge that would fundamentally change mountain biking and the entire MTB sport: the e-bike arrived on the scene. At ROTWILD, we quickly recognized the potential of this new technology and understood that e-bikes could be far more than just a mode of transport for city commutes. The MTB sport was at a turning point, and the way people rode in the wilderness, as well as the equipment they used, was changing completely.

ROTWILD was a pioneer when it came to integration and gave the E-MTB a big boost. Together with Brose, we developed a new motor up to series production and integrated it completely into the frame for the first time, as well as the battery. Design advantage: our engineers were able to transfer the pivot points of the rear triangle almost 1:1 from the classic mountain bikes. The result: the bike had the responsiveness of a normal full-suspension bike and rode like a classic bike. Initially viewed with skepticism, our R.Q1 prototype celebrated a spectacular premiere at the BIKE Festival on Lake Garda.

“Many people back then thought e-bikes were cumbersome and unsporting,” recalls Peter Schlitt. “But our goal was to show that an e-bike could offer just as much fun and performance as a traditional mountain bike.” With this vision, we developed our first sporty e-mountain bike in 2013 – a milestone that proved to be a great success.

A huge task lay ahead of us: the mountain bike was already a highly complex machine, demanding high standards in geometry, suspension construction, shock elements, and the parts used. Now, to this system, we had to add a motor, a battery, and numerous other electronic components. In short, we had to reinvent the wheel from scratch.

“Our goal was to show that an e-bike can offer just as much fun and performance as a classic mountain bike.”

Peter Schlitt, CEO ADP Engineering GmbH

“The e-bike was a decisive step for us,” says Ole Wittrock. “It allowed us to reach a new audience and prove that e-mountain bikes can be powerful and sporty.” This development enabled us to bring ROTWILD’s DNA into a new era without compromising on our quality standards. From the very beginning, we placed great value on keeping the weight low and creating agile handling to give the e-MTB the typical mountain bike feel. We wanted to preserve the sport’s character and spirit, adding every-thing that makes mountain biking even more attractive: relaxed uphill climbs, more vertical meters, and more time on the trails.

In 2015, Canadian MTB pro Richie Schley was the first to jump the road gap in Saalbach-Hinterglemm on an e-MTB. Nobody knew beforehand whether this would work, but our engineering department was firmly convinced that the R.E1+ E-Enduro construction would definitely withstand the high loads in the bike park. The previous intensive calculations and simulations paid off in the end. Before the first attempt, Richie was still a little nervous, but afterwards he was 100% convinced. Since then, the freeride pioneer has also been a convinced e-mountain biker. Photo: Daniel Roos

For us, the e-bike was never just a passing trend. It was an opportunity to further develop our vision and establish new technological standards. With great dedication, we invested in development to ensure our e-bikes meet the highest standards in fun, functionality, reliability, and safety. Today, we know our early commitment was right on target. ROTWILD continues to stand for innovative technol-ogy, uncompromising quality, and pure riding pleasure.

Electrifying Racing: ROTWILD and the New Era of E-Enduro

The rapid development of e-mountain biking has breathed new life into the world of racing. Especially in the enduro discipline, e-mountain biking offers exciting opportunities to test and refine our bikes on challenging terrain under real competition conditions. The combination of technical descents and powerintensive climbs places the highest demands on the power and performance of our bikes, pushing riders in new and exciting ways.

“The idea of making our mark in racing with e-bikes was a no-brainer for us,” explains Dani Herz. “The speed, the adrenaline, and the precision we can achieve in enduro racing align perfectly with our vision. Racing is part of ROTWILD’s DNA, and that’s reflected in every one of our models.” Competing in e-enduro races allows us not only to prove that our bikes can withstand extreme demands but also to go head-to-head with the best riders in the world in intense competitions.

“The speed, adrenaline and precision that we can achieve in enduro racing fit perfectly with our vision.”

Danny Herz, Team Manager

For ROTWILD, returning to racing is a logical step that brings us back to our roots. “It feels like we’re picking up where it all began,” says Ole Wittrock. “ROTWILD still stands for pure passion and the drive to always push the boundaries – whether on traditional bikes or in the dynamic field of e-enduro. Our brand remains true to its soul, and that will never change.”

The Drive to Always Improve

At ROTWILD, standing still is not an option. The drive to constantly improve has always been central to our mission. Progress and innovation are crucial in taking our bikes to new heights. Racing has provided us with valuable insights at every stage – to ultimately offer our customers the best possible bike.

“We’re engineers – we always want to know how we can improve something,” says Peter Schlitt, ROTWILD’s lead developer. This tireless spirit of exploration is reflected in each of our bikes. We experiment, test, and optimize until every detail is perfect. One area where our innovative power is particularly evident is in suspension systems. “Suspension is the heart of a mountain bike,” explains Dani Herz, a suspension technology expert. “It determines how the bike feels on the trails and how much control the rider has.”

“It's not about simply building an engine into a bike, we want to optimize the entire riding experience.”

Peter Schlitt, CEO ADP Engineering GmbH

That’s why we invest considerable time and energy in developing and refining our suspension systems. Whether for intense racing or a relaxed ride, our bikes always deliver an optimally tuned suspension and maximum riding pleasure.

“It’s not just about putting a motor in a bike,” says Peter Schlitt. “We want to optimize the entire riding experience.” This philosophy is evident in every detail of our e-bikes: from the precisely tuned geometry and responsive suspension to the powerful and seamlessly integrated drive unit. Our goal is to make riders feel as if they’re one with the bike – an e-bike experience that feels natural and dynamic while delivering top performance.

Looking Ahead: Never Ending Story

For us, one thing is clear: ROTWILD will continue to stand for quality, innovation, and passion in the e-bike sector in the future. And it’s not just about technical excellence. ROTWILD continually invests in research and development to meet the challenges of modern bike sports while fulfilling riders' needs. We find inspiration in the demands and wishes of our customers – from ambitious recreational riders to pros. Every innovation we pursue aims to take enjoyment, reliability, and performance to a new level.

Today, we are proud to be a leading brand in both traditional mountain bike racing and the expanding e-bike market. And while we’ve achieved a lot, we know that the journey is far from over. As long as there are mountain bikes, ROTWILD will keep working to shape the future of the sport.

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