Few ebikes let you pick which of the latest motors you prefer, but the new Simplon Rapcon eMTB lets you choose either the latest & quietest TQ HPR50 setup or the powerful & long-range new Bosch Performance CX, even with the super Race model upgrade. Picking light or strong pedal-assist support, the Rapcon also lets you pick trail 150/150mm travel or go full enduro with 170mm up front & 165mm at the rear…
Simplon Rapcon Pmax eMTB gets options
Without a motor, Simplon’s carbon Rapcon is their do-it-all all-mountain bike capable of transitioning from a 150mm trail bike to a 165mm enduro bike depending on the shock setup. Now with two ebike motor options, the new carbon ebike sheds 1kg off its previous Rapcon Pmax generation, while giving riders the choice of the exact style of pedal-assist they want – from trail to enduro…
Rapcon Pmax TQ goes light
The Simplon Rapcon Pmax TQ is the lighter, quieter, and more low-key version of the Rapcon eMTB. Built around the same tiny but powerful 1850g TQ-HPR50 ebike motor that debuted on the new Trek Fuel EXe back in July, the Pmax TQ is almost indiscernible from the non-ebike Rapcon. Like the Fuel EXe, the ebike system on this Rapcon Pmax TQ is so neatly integrated with such a slim battery inside the downtube, that you can only really see it from the non-driveside.
The lightweight Rapcon Pmax TQ promises a more natural pedal-assist feel and “barely audible motor” to ride more like a bike than the typical super-powered eMTB. The Pmax TQ powers its 50Nm TQ drive with a shorter-range 360Wh internal battery, but you can also extend its range with an optional 180Wh external battery.
Like the other full UD carbon 4-bar Rapcons, the Pmax TQ is built around size-specific “Xi geometry” for a balanced feel, with internal cable routing through the headset, chainguide & downtube protection. And it adds a flip-chip in the rocker to adjust between all 29er or mullet 27.5″ rear wheel setups. The ebike comes in four stock sizes (S-XL) with customizable builds starting from 8600€ with GX Eagle mechanical.
Rapcon Pmax CX goes long
Simplon calls the Rapcon Pmax CX their “powerhouse” e-mountain bike. With the latest Bosch CX Performance Line motors and a slim internal battery that slides in from the bottom of the downtube, it offers the longer range and higher power that many eMTB riders and ALL ebike racers demand. The carbon frame looks similar to the Pmax TQ but does need a bigger downtube & the bulkier BB cluster to fit in all that power, making it much less stealthy of an ebike.
The Bosch CX motor delivers a higher 85Nm of torque, backed up by a larger 750Wh battery standard. But Simplon also lets buyers opt for smaller & lighter 625Wh or 500Wh internal batteries if mega range isn’t the priority. Plus, buyers can now choose the latest Bosch CX Race motor that ratchets up assist to 400% of what you put in at the pedals, and also continues longer after you let off the pedals. It’s this new Race mode that is currently dominating in ebike racing in all technical climbing situations.
Like the TQ version, the UD carbon 4-bar Rapcon Pmax CX gets flip-chip adjustable size-specific “Xi geometry”, 29er or mullet wheel options, full internal cable routing through the headset, chainguide & downtube protection. It also comes in the same four stock sizes (S-XL).
The Pmax CX customizable builds start at 9000€ with a GX Eagle mechanical groupset. Upgrading to the max-output Bosch CX Race motor adds an extra 700€, although downsizing from the standard 750Wh battery to the lighter Powertube 500Wh battery can save you 350€ off either motor version.
