Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL: suspension setup & specs

Manufacturer data retrieved on 26 September 2026 · 4 builds · Bike type: Full-suspension e-MTB

The Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL is an e-MTB for trail and touring with 160 mm of fork travel and 150 mm at the rear. It is powered by Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0. Here you will find all 4 current builds with fork, shock and shock size, plus matching SAG and tyre pressure starting values.

Calculate the setup for your Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL →

All builds

Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, motor, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29.

Build	Fork	Shock	Shock size	Rear travel	Motor	Weight	RRP	Calculator
Alloy 30	RockShox Psylo Gold RC (160 mm)	RockShox Deluxe Select	–	150 mm	Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0 480 Wh	–	–	Setup →
Alloy 50	RockShox Lyrik Select (160 mm)	RockShox Super Deluxe Select	–	150 mm	Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0 480 Wh	–	–	Setup →
Carbon 50	RockShox Lyrik Select (160 mm)	RockShox Super Deluxe Select+	–	150 mm	Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0 480 Wh	–	–	Setup →
Carbon 70	FOX 36 Float EVOL GRIP X Factory Series (160 mm)	FOX Float X Factory Series	–	150 mm	Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0 480 Wh	–	–	Setup →

How it compares

Up front the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL runs 160 mm – 10 mm more than the 150 mm median we calculated from 101 bikes in the “e-MTB for trail and touring” category. The fork has 10 mm more travel than the rear end with 150 mm – a common layout that takes load off the front on steep terrain. Rocky Mountain builds the frame from carbon.

Depending on the build, fork and shock come from FOX and RockShox. In total, 3 different forks are used, from the RockShox Psylo Gold RC to the FOX 36 Float EVOL GRIP X Factory Series. It is powered by Rocky Mountain Dyname 4.0 with a 480 Wh battery.

Setup notes for this spec

Air fork (RockShox Psylo Gold RC): the air valve is on top of the left leg under a cap. Change pressure in small steps (about 5 psi (0.34 bar)) and cycle the fork a few times afterwards so the air chambers can equalise.
Rebound: on FOX and RockShox suspension the rebound adjuster is red. Always count clicks from fully closed (clockwise to the stop) so you can return to any setting.
Air shock (RockShox Deluxe Select): measure SAG in your riding position, ideally with a helper holding the bike. Cycle the shock a few times after every pressure change.
e-MTB: the extra weight mainly affects tyre pressure, which is why the table below already includes a surcharge. SAG is measured just as on a bike without a motor.

Target SAG for the Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL

The table converts the recommended SAG percentages into millimetres, so you can check them with the O-ring directly on the stanchion and on the shock shaft. Adjust the air pressure until the value is right. If Rocky Mountain specifies its own target SAG for your model, that takes priority.

160 mm fork (all builds)

Riding style	Fork SAG
XC / touring	17 % = 27 mm
Trail	20 % = 32 mm
Enduro / rough	22 % = 35 mm
Bike park	20 % = 32 mm

How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.

Tyre pressure starting values

The values apply to 2.50″ wide tubeless tyres with a trail casing, including the e-MTB surcharge. With an inner tube add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi), with an insert take off about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi). Stock tyres: F: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ Tubeless Ready | R: Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ Tubeless Ready.

Ready-to-ride weight	Front	Rear
60 kg	1.48 bar (21 psi)	1.68 bar (24 psi)
70 kg	1.60 bar (23 psi)	1.80 bar (26 psi)
80 kg	1.72 bar (25 psi)	1.92 bar (28 psi)
90 kg	1.84 bar (27 psi)	2.04 bar (30 psi)
100 kg	1.96 bar (28 psi)	2.16 bar (31 psi)
110 kg	2.08 bar (30 psi)	2.28 bar (33 psi)
120 kg	2.20 bar (32 psi)	2.40 bar (35 psi)

Air pressure in the fork and shock

You will find a guide value for air pressure on the fork sticker (or on the shock) or in the suspension makers’ charts. Our calculator also takes riding style and rebound into account. In the end, measured SAG is what counts.

Note: all values without guarantee. Specification can vary by model year, frame size and market – if in doubt, the type plate, the manual and Rocky Mountain’s information apply. Never exceed maximum pressures.