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?
[emaillocker id=”132050″]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.
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.
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.
Details of the ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo
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.
[/emaillocker]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
All bikes in test: Canyon Lux CF 9.9 Race | Giant Anthem SX Advanced | Pivot Mach 4 Carbon | ROSE THRILL HILL 3 27,5″ 2016 | ROTWILD R.R2 FS 29 Evo | SCOTT Spark 710 | Specialized Epic Elite Carbon 29 World Cup | Trek Top Fuel 9.8 SL
Words & Photos: Christoph Bayer
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