For the coming season, Rotwild haven’t just juiced up their colour palette, they’ve also given the R.E1 a going-over from top to bottom, even granting the bike an all-new frame. But with less travel to play with, can this neon-red whippet match its competitors and live up to its fiery promise?
The only aluminium bike on test, the chunky ROTWILD R.E1 immediately gets your attention. Typically ROTWILD, their latest top-end enduro bike comes with high-end FOX-Factory suspension, a Shimano drivetrain, and components from Crankbrothers. At 13.38 kg, its weight falls somewhere in the middle of the test fleet. Fortunately, its average weight doesn’t translate to an average performance on the trails, where the new R.E1 executes a fine showing. Comfy, immersive, and with a steep seat angle for easy climbing, the bike is ultra-efficient whether you’re in or out of the saddle, and showed no tendency to bob or break away.
Using various headset cups, the head angle can be adjusted by up to 1.5°. The standard setting of 66° has been wisely chosen, and the bike was super-smooth, tracking its line like an Olympic archer. The main protagonist of the R.E1’s nigh-on unrivalled downhilling and handling has to be the rear suspension, which holds its travel well, balancing decent feedback with the utmost sensitivity. From skull-sized boulders to small bits of trail chatter, the ROTWILD is like a masterful carpet layer rolling the trail smooth.
ROTWILD R.E1 FS EVO in spec
Fork: FOX 34 FLOAT Factory 160 mm
Rear shock: FOX Float Evol Factory 160 mm
Brakes: Shimano XT
Drivetrain: Shimano XT 1×11
Seat post: KS LEV Integra
Stem: Crankbrothers Iodine 1 60 mm
Handlebar: Crankborthers Cobalt 2 780 mm
Wheels: DT Swiss EX 1501 Spline ONE
Tires: Continental Der Baron Project
Weight: 13.38 kg
Price: € 5,299
We’re all going to have our own finicky wants for the cockpit shape and size, but this stock Crankbrothers cockpit united the riders in an appeal for more rise so that it would ride more comfortably when the descents get steep.
The FOX 34 FLOAT on the ROTWILD R.E1 features the new E16 tune, which lends the fork buttery smooth behavior and the ultimate sensitivity and damping. The best FOX fork so far!
A flip-chip at the rear allows you to alter the length of the chainstays between two positions.
ROTWILD graced the R.E1 with a revised rear suspension curve, making it more responsive, more progressive, and more capable of staying supportive in the mid-stroke. Perfect!
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In Sölden’s berm-tastic bike park, the R.E1’s agile handling was the cause of daylong grins as it was eagerly thrown down the switchbacks. The corners couldn’t come quick enough! At high speeds we had none of the common complaints about twitchiness, but even if you are concerned there are two adjustment options for the chainstay lengths. The Continental Der Baron tires deliver huge amounts of grip. Our testers’ only bugbear: the shape of the Crankbrothers bars.
Conclusion
Exceeding expectations once again, the ROTWILD R.E1 demonstrated a persuasive mix of agility and smoothness, teamed with great, supple suspension and wisely chosen parts. Coming in various geometry options, the R.E1 is a crowd-pleaser, satisfying elite racers and weekend warriors alike. Plus, it’s always good to see that an aluminum frame can still mix with the big dogs.
Strengths
- Mega-balanced handling
- Responsive and plucky suspension
- Clean aesthetics
Weaknesses
- Low front end with too little rise on the bars
For more information head to the ROTWILD website!
For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: Does it get better than this? – 9 high-end enduro bikes in comparison
All bikes in review: BMC Trailfox 01 XX1 | Bold Linkin Trail LT 29 | Canyon Strive CF 9.0 Race | CUBE Stereo 160 C:68 Action Team 27.5 | Giant Reign Advanced 1 | SCOTT Genius LT 700 Tuned | Yeti SB 5.5C X01 | YT Capra CF Pro Race
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