Test: With the Rapcon Pmax, the Austrian luxury manufacturer Simplon also has an extremely interesting E-Fully in its range this year. The bike, which can be configured as desired using a modular system, is based on a carbon frame with a new Bosch CX motor and 625Wh battery. If the capacity is not enough, you can mount another additional battery with 500Wh on the down tube. Our test bike was only equipped with the best components: Noble Rockshox Ultimate chassis, robust HX1501 wheels from DT Swiss and the wireless Sram AXS gears. The sporty price of just over 9.000 euros seems almost cheap for this configuration.
Simplon Rapcon Pmax: The facts
Suspension travel: 170 / 160mm
wheel size: Mullet mix 29/27,5 inch
Drive: Bosch Performance CX
Display / control unit: Bosch Purion
Battery capacity (test bike): 625Wh
Frame material: Carbon
Weight complete bike (size M without pedals): 23,75kg
Maximum weight allowed: 140kg
Price: € 9.139
The construction of a versatile E-MTB is like walking a dangerous tightrope for the manufacturer: versatility always means making compromises. If you want a bike to climb better, this often comes at the expense of downhill performance. If you give it more smoothness, its agility suffers. If you turn one screw, you always have to countersteer elsewhere. In the end, it's all about finding the right balance. Simplon has actually managed to master that tightrope act almost to perfection with the Rapcon Pmax. The Bosch CX bike with a carbon frame climbs very well, has plenty of reserves on the descents, is neither too stubborn nor too light-footed on the trail and combines robust, durable components with a low weight. But first things first.
We were amazed when our editorial scales for the Simplon Pmax in size M without pedals showed a weight of 23,7kg. Sure: On the one hand, this is certainly not a sensationally low value, especially since the bike in the test bike equipment costs over 9.000 euros. However, if you consider that the Simplon has 170mm of spring travel at the front and 160mm at the rear, even has a steel spring damper in the rear triangle, comes with heavy Eddy Current tires and otherwise has to make do without any compromises in terms of stability – respect!
| frame | Rapcon pmax |
| suspension fork | Rockshox Lyric Ultimate RC2 |
| Power Type | Bosch Performance CX |
| Battery | Bosch power tube 625Wh |
| Suspension shocks | Rockshox Superdelixe Ultimate Coil |
| Wheels | DT Swiss HX1501 |
| Tire VR | Schwalbe Eddy Current 2,4" |
| Tire HR | Schwalbe Eddy Current 2,8" |
| derailleur | Sram XX1 Eagle AXS |
| Gear levers | Sram Eagle AXS |
| Crank | FSA |
| Front derailleur | Without |
| Brake | Magura MT7 |
| Brake discs | Magura 203/203mm |
| Seat post | Kindshock LEV Integra 150mm (M) |
| Saddle | Selle Italia X-Land E-Bike Flow MGN |
| Stem | Simplon ZERO II 50mm |
| Links | Simplon carbon riser 760mm |
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The perfect E-MTB rear triangle?
The noble Rockshox suspension in the Ultimate version is a decisive factor for the very good performance of the chic E-MTB from Austria. The coil damper in particular is impressive in combination with the progressive rear triangle. You always get enough feedback from the ground and plenty of support for rough high-speed passages, drops or jumps, but you also enjoy very sensitive response behavior in the first few millimeters of travel. It doesn't get much better. We almost never need the lockout lever for the shock, even on steep climbs, because the rear end doesn't sag and stays nice and tight under the chain pull.
Geometry Simplon Rapcon Pmax
| S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| seat tube (in mm) | 390 | 420 | 450 | 480 |
| Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 572 | 594 | 627 | 660 |
| head tube (in mm) | 90 | 95 | 110 | 125 |
| chainstay (in mm) | 458 | 458 | 458 | 458 |
| Wheelbase (in mm) | 1198 | 1220 | 1257 | 1293 |
| Steering angle (in °) | 65,1 | 65,1 | 65,1 | 65,1 |
| Seat angle (in °) | 75,1 | 75,1 | 75,1 | 75,1 |
| Reach (mm) | 411 | 431 | 461 | 491 |
| Stacks (in mm) | 610 | 615 | 628 | 643 |
The geometry of the Rapcon Pmax is sporty and modern, but on the other hand it is not too extreme. Experienced riders will certainly benefit from this and an active riding style on the trail really breathes life into the E-MTB, but even beginners are not overwhelmed and should benefit from the feeling of security. The Simplon doesn't achieve any absolute top values in terms of smooth running or agility, but it is one of the better bikes in the test everywhere, without showing any other weaknesses.
Wireless shifting pleasure with Sram AXS
The way to the summit is a pleasure with the Rapcon, which is also due to the wireless Sram AXS gearshift, which, after a little getting used to, allows lightning-fast gear changes that cannot be achieved with a classic gearshift. Thumb in the shift controller and a quick tap is all it takes to change the sprocket.
The Bosch CX motor runs like a Swabian clockwork and thanks to the 625Wh battery you don't have to worry too much about the range even on longer tours. However, for long-distance bikers, Simplon also offers the option of mounting an additional 500Wh battery on the down tube.
The big Velomotion E-MTB test 2020: test fields, individual tests and background information
We set ourselves the daunting task of conscientiously and objectively testing 57 eMTBs. With our two large test fields "Highend" and "Bestseller" we had a huge range of different bikes.
Our test conclusion
E-MTB test 2020: The best e-mountain bikes for every application
E-MTB test 2020: We have examined almost 60 current e-mountain bikes over the past few weeks and months. Depending on the area of application, many of the bikes were convincing. We have summarized our editorial favorites for you depending on the target group or area of application. E-MTB Test 2020: Our test winners In both of our test fields we had a very narrow lead […]
Our test candidates in the High-End category: BH AtomX Carbon Lynx 6 Pro-S | Bull's Sonic EVO EN 2 | Cannondale Moterra Neo 1 | Focus Jam² 9.9 Drifter | Giant Reign E+ 0 Pro | Greyp G6.2 | Haibike XDURO Nduro 10.0 | Husqvarna Mountain Cross 8 | KTM Macina Prowler Prestige | M1 Spitzing Evo Bobby Root | Norco Range VLT C2 | Nox Hybrid Enduro 7.1 | Orange Surge RS | Orbea Wild FS M10 | Santa Cruz Heckler CC X01 RSV | Scott Genius eRide 700 Tuned | Simplon Rapcon Pmax | Specialized Turbo Levo Expert Carbon | Storck e:drenalin GTS 500 | TrekRail 9.9 | YT Decoy Pro Race | YT Decoy Pro 29
You can also find this at the kiosk Velomotion E-MTB test yearbook 2020. There you will find all 57 individual tests of the bikes, exciting stories and advice on everything to do with e-mountain bikes on over 160 pages.
Here you can also order the E-MTB yearbook 2020 directly from us.
