The Rocky Mountain Reaper Powerplay is a groundbreaking addition to the kids' eMTB (electric mountain bike) market, delivering high-end mid drive performance in a compact form. Designed with kids and terrain in mind, it offers a blend of adjustability, power, and capability that until now was non existent in a kids's eMTB. Whether your child is just starting their e-bike journey or ready to tackle more challenging terrain, the Reaper Powerplay delivers with its high-end components, adaptable geometry, and parental control features for peace of mind.
Motor/Battery
At the heart of the Reaper Powerplay is the Dyname S4 Mini motor, a mid-drive system designed specifically for younger riders. Offering 40Nm of torque and a peak power output of 300W, this motor provides a responsive yet controlled ride that helps kids tackle climbs and enjoy descents without overpowering them. The motor’s low RPM tuning is ideal for kids, who typically pedal at a slower cadence compared to adults.
The 240Wh fully integrated lithium-ion battery is well-suited for the bike's size and intended use, balancing power and weight. We never ran out of battery on the Ludicrous setting (full power). For parents, one of the standout features is the customizable power settings, which allow control over the assistance level and speed limit via parental controls, ensuring a safer riding experience for younger users, tailored to their skill and comfort level.
The Rocky Mountain Jumbotron Display, integrated seamlessly into the top tube, provides key ride information in an easy-to-read format. It shows battery life, assist level, speed, cadence, and trip data, giving both kids and parents details at a glance. Additionally, it allows for drive system customization, letting you adjust settings as needed without complex setups. This feature adds to the convenience and user-friendliness of the bike, making it accessible for younger riders and ensuring that adults can stay in control of performance parameters.
Geometry
The Reaper Powerplay's geometry is highly adaptable, ensuring the bike grows with your child. Rocky Mountain has designed it to accommodate 24-inch and 26-inch wheels, with a flip chip on the rocker link to maintain the bottom bracket height across wheel sizes. This means that as your child grows, the bike’s wheelbase can be extended by around 30mm, and the head angle slackened by 1.7 degrees, offering improved stability and handling. The RIDE-2™ Adjustable Geometry feature allows further tweaks to the reach and cockpit (pictured), enhancing comfort and control for riders between 4’2” (127cm) and 5’1” (155cm).
Specification
The Reaper Powerplay is built with high-quality components that all performed great:
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Frame: FORM™ Alloy with 130mm of rear travel via a RockShox Deluxe shock
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Fork: RockShox Reba R with 120mm or 140mm travel depending on wheel size
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Brakes: Tektro HD-J285 with short-reach levers for smaller hands
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Drivetrain: Shimano CUES 10-speed that shifts great and lasts longer than other drive trains
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Wheels: WTB ST Light i27 TCS tubeless-ready rims paired with Maxxis Minion DHR II tires for excellent traction
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Dropper Post: X Fusion Manic Composite 30.9mm, with 80mm or 125mm dropper post depending on size (we used 100mm a oneup V2 on the 24)
Despite its 19 kg (41 lbs) weight, which is relatively heavy for a kids' bike, the thoughtful geometry and motor assistance help mitigate this when it comes to handling. The extra weight actually makes the already excellent reaper suspension work even better. Our 10 year-old 4'6 tester had no troubles managing the bike and rode all the terrain and trails he normally rides. To put it mildly, he's sold on ebikes and asks me weekly when he will be able to get one.
Ride Impressions
On the trail, the Reaper Powerplay delivers an impressive ride quality that is similar to an adult eMTB. For comparison sake, I matched my ten year-old in trail mode on an Orbea Rise and between eco and trail on a full power adult ebike. If you were looking for a self-shuttle pint-size bike for sustained steep fire road climbs the Powerplay would need another 20 NM to serve like boost on an adult eMTB. Dad on a full power eMTB with a tow rope would still be a better option for pounding out enduro laps for the gnarly kids.
That said, this bike is barrels of fun to rip lower elevation trail systems. You will be out for longer and cover much more elevation and terrain...smiling the whole time! We would ride from our house to our local trail head rather than drive. Sometimes I would ride my pedal bike and chase kido inevitably getting dropped. Other times, I would take my eMTB and we would buzz around sessioning jumps and features or try to climb steep bits of trail. Even flat terrain is super fun to buzz around at 20mph!
The 130mm of rear travel and adjustable front suspension provide ample cushioning, making rough terrain manageable for young riders. The motor’s power output is smooth, giving kids just enough assistance without making the ride feel disconnected. The bike’s ability to switch between 24" and 26" wheels also offers a lot of versatility, keeping the bike relevant for years as your child grows in skill and size. They should be able to move into an adult XS or Small eMTB once they outgrow the Reaper.
The Rocky Mountain Reaper Powerplay is a well-engineered eMTB that brings a taste of adult performance to the next generation of riders. With its adaptable geometry, mid-drive motor system, and premium components, it’s built to grow with your child and handle a wide variety of trails. While the price may be steep at $4,600 USD for the 24", it’s a worthy investment for families seeking a high-quality, long-lasting eMTB for young riders to ride longer and farther.
