Issue #021, Review - March 25, 2016

ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo Review

The AMG ROTWILD Team don’t just whizz round in the sportiest cars, they’re also riding some damn quick bikes – proven by Sofia Wiedenroth and the rest of the team’s list of successes. So can the ROTWILD R.R2 FS perform as well on the trails as their AMGs can on the roads?

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For starters, the ROTWILD R.R2 definitely shares its good looks with an AMG. Coming in a stylish red and black colourway, the carbon frame is going to earn some admiring looks on the trail. The 29er’s spec is also on par with the aesthetics, as the FOX Factory suspension, Shimano XTR groupset, and DT Swiss wheels rival the high-end builds from the car experts in Affalterbach. Yet with a price tag of 5,999 €, the R.R2 FS costs around a thousand euros more than its competitors. But all’s not lost; the R.R2 FS also comes in a more affordable build, but it wasn’t available at the time of testing.

ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo Review Action Shot 1

Once on the ROTWILD R.R2, there’s the immediate sense of a homecoming. It’s more like a luxury limo than a hardcore sports car, which – trust us – is a good thing. The ROTWILD climbs like a veritable mountain goat, with buckets of traction on steep and techy sections. The 120 mm front and 115 mm of rear travel work in harmony, willingly soaking up the smallest of trail chatter while holding their own when the hits get bigger.

ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo Review Action Shot 2

High-speed sections are more suited to the ROTWILD than narrow, tight switchbacks, as it needs firm coaxing for rapid changes in direction. The stock KS LEV seatpost only has 100 mm of drop, but this proved a decent length given the big 29″ wheels.

ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo Review Action Shot 3

Details of the ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo

ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo Review Detail Shot 1 — **Efficient and comfortable:** The bike developers at ROTWILD have succeeded in creating an efficient bike that also has comfortable rear suspension, offering masses of traction with virtually no bobbing, even in the open setting. On long tarmacked climbs, you’ll be wise to adjust the setting though.

ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo Review Detail Shot 2 — **As stock:** ROTWILD have clocked the benefits of a dropper post and equipped a KS LEV Integra as stock on both the Evo and the cheaper Pro models.

ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo Review Detail Shot 3 — **Too long:** The R.R2 FS also has an excessively long 80 mm stem, and a shorter model would give more control and render it easier to handle without impacting the uphill performance

ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo Review Detail Shot 4 — **Fancy:** The test model featured a superb, high quality spec, so when you consider the stock components the additional 1,000 € seems valid. The more affordable model wasn’t available at the time of testing, but on paper it looks well considered.

Specification of the ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo

Fork: FOX 32 Float FIT4 Factory 120 mm
Shock: FOX Float DPS Factory
Drivetrain: Shimano XTR/XT
Brakes: Shimano XT
Seatpost: Kind Shock LEV Integra 100 mm
Steam: Crank Brothers Iodine 1 80 mm
Handlebars: Crank Brothers Cobalt 11 740 mm
Tyres:Continental X-King 2,20″
Wheelsize: 29″
Wheels: DT Swiss X1700 Spline Two
Weight: 11.50 kg
Price: € 5,999

Conclusion

Comfortable and capable, the ROTWILD R.R2 is a prime all-day ride bike. With its superb suspension and smooth nature, it’ll appeal to riders who are happy to ride the ups with the downs. If it’s agility you’re after, then look elsewhere.

Strengths

Super-comfortable
Great spec
Very smooth

Weaknesses

Undefined bite on the brakes
Expensive
No XL frame size

More information on the bike can be found on the Rotwild Website.

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About the XC Bike Group Test 2016

Just outside the sprawl of Barcelona, we took out the test fleet onto the varied trails, confronting them with everything from frighteningly steep climbs to challenging descents. All of this occurred with the backdrop and climate of the Mediterranean Sea – and despite it being February, the conditions couldn’t have been better. The test team consisted of four riders, each with their own nuances when it comes to mountain biking, but all with years of experience when it comes to testing bikes.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: XC Bikes Group Test 2016

Words & Photos: Christoph Bayer

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