Since 2017, Dyname’s eBike motors have been synonymous with Rocky Mountain’s electric mountain bikes. So much so that I was mistakenly under the impression that Rocky Mountain Bicycles owned and produced Dyname motors itself. That’s because Rocky Mountain and Propulsion PowerCycle Inc. had an exclusive licensing agreement, ensuring that the brand’s Dyname motor systems wouldn’t be used by any other bike brands.
Well, in late 2024, Rocky Mountain applied for restructuring in response to pandemic-related financial challenges. When the brand underwent a change in ownership, the Dyname motor exclusivity agreement was terminated. While Propulsion PowerCycle Inc. will still supply Rocky Mountain Bicycles with Dyname motors for its Powerplay bikes, the brand is now free to partner with other bike manufacturers.
Founded in 2009, Propulsion PowerCycle Inc. has been working on compact, high-efficiency motors, torque sensors, and integrated battery systems for the past 16 years. In 2017, the brand’s “cutting-edge eMTB propulsion system,” Dyname, was made exclusive to Rocky Mountain and has stayed that way for the past 8 years. In that time, Rocky Mountain has pumped out lots of Powerplay models, including the full-power Instinct Powerplay, the full suspension Reaper Powerplay for kids, and the recently released, lightweight 2025 Instinct Powerplay SL.
Over the years, Rocky Mountain’s Dyname motor-equipped bikes have earned high regard among riders, bike testers, and reviewers. While there is now more competition than ever, Dyname’s system integration and performance have been recognized many times over. In fact, the 2025 Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL and its Dyname S4 Lite motor system reportedly just received the prestigious Innovation and Integration Award in Germany.
Now, with the termination of its exclusivity agreement, Propulsion PowerCycle Inc. seems eager to collaborate with other brands to incorporate its Dyname motors into more bikes. Like a person just getting out of a long-term relationship, Dyname is back on the market and hoping to explore its options. For now, Rocky Mountain’s eMTBs are still the bikes we know of using Dyname’s eBike Propulsion Systems, but it sounds like that’s likely to change.
What brand will be the first to partner up? We’ll have to wait and see, but we’ll keep you posted when we know more.
