The best mountain bikes of the moment
Decathlon is one of the leaders in the sale of affordable electric bikes. In order to guide you to make the right choice, we have made a selection of the best references.
Today, it is difficult, if not impossible, not to have already heard of the Decathlon brand. Indeed, the latter has quite naturally imposed itself in the universe of sports equipment but accessible to the general public. You have certainly heard of it thanks to the numerous bikes it offers. And more specifically its Rockrider range, like the Rockrider 9.1 for example, or its versions with electric assistance. Let’s take a look at one of the brand’s models.
Presentation of the Rockrider 9.1 Decathlon
The Rockrider 9.1 is part of the big family of mountain bikes. It has been specially designed for use in rough terrain and mountains. Formerly known as Btwin Rockrider 9.1, it has therefore like all other models of the brand known the change of name.
This is a bike specially designed for off-road riding. It is adapted to people who already have experience of this practice. Both robust and comfortable, it will undoubtedly provide you with everything you can expect from a mountain bike. The Rockrider 9.1 mountain bike will allow you to fully enjoy your excursions and your riding experience. All within a reasonable budget.
Technical specifications of the Rockrider 9.1
We propose you to discover all the technical characteristics of this model in order to appreciate its advantages and to be aware of its disadvantages.
Available in several sizes
To ensure the comfort of users, Decathlon offers several sizes for the Rockrider rr 9.1. Indeed, there are 3 sizes: M, L and XL.
You will have to ask yourself a certain number of questions, especially if you are between 2 sizes. Indeed, if you wish to gain in performance then you will have to opt for the larger model. The latter will allow you to adopt a more elongated position and therefore conducive to sports performance.
Conversely, if you want to gain in comfort, the size below will allow you to opt for a more upright position. This way, your back is relieved and you enjoy a more comfortable driving experience.
A mixed framework
The Rockrider 9.1 has a 120mm aluminum frame. The top tube is neither high nor low. This means that it is mixed and makes it easier to get on and off the bike. Indeed, the inclination of the upper tube allows a much faster striding.
The material used for its realization is a pledge of quality. It ensures lightness and robustness to the Rockrider 9.1 mountain bike.
Suspension
This road companion proposed by the Decathlon group is equipped with a Rock Shox Recon Silver Solo Air fork with locking with 120 mm of travel. In addition, you can also count on an X-Fusion E1 rear shock with 120 mm of travel as well.
This model is called “all-suspended” because of its different suspensions. The purpose of these suspensions is to absorb the shocks related to the practice.
Thus, the user will experience less discomfort during use, especially in the mountains. The presence of a rear suspension is a real asset. However, it is important to keep in mind that the presence of the rear suspension will have an impact on the weight of your bike as well as on the way you ride it.
Derailleur and transmission
The Rockrider rr 9.1 mountain bike will adapt to all circumstances, both uphill and downhill, thanks to its different speeds. Thus, you can count on 9 speeds and 3 chainrings. A total of 27 gears for an optimal riding experience. These can be changed directly on the handlebars with 2 dedicated triggers. The front and rear derailleurs are from SRAM and the crankset too.
The brakes
Because safety is also a matter of braking, the Decathlon group did not go into detail. Indeed, it chose the best by integrating hydraulic disc brakes of 160mm. These will ensure a powerful, responsive and progressive braking. From now on, you will have no more doubts and full confidence in your road companion.
Wheels and tires
The comfort and safety of the user also depends on the tires and wheels. That’s why, when you choose the Rockrider 9.1, you can count on 32-hole Rockrider Comp rims by Rigida.
The spokes are made of 2mm stainless steel so no maintenance issues. Next, the tires are Hutchinson Barracuda 2.10 airlight. They provide a better grip but do not neglect the performance.
The price of the Rockrider 9.1
From now on, it is no longer possible to buy this Rockrider 9.1 mountain bike from Decathlon as new. However, it is still available second hand. If you want a new product, you should know that Decathlon offers other models that are just as good or even better.
Accessories and warranty
The Rockrider rr 9.1 proposed by the tricolor group, like the other products sold by the latter, has a lifetime warranty on the frame, stem, handlebars and seatpost. It is also important to underline that there is an insurance to find the spare parts of your companion of road near the sign during the 2 years following its acquisition.
If the Rockrider 9.1 mountain bike already has everything you need for a good ride, the user may think that it lacks some accessories such as a bell, mudguards or a light. So many elements that you could add if needed.
Weight of the Rockrider 9.1
The size M model without pedals weighs about 13.60 kg. This may seem substantial, especially for use on difficult terrain.
However, it is important to keep in mind that this weight is mainly due to the presence of a rear suspension that improves the comfort of the user during the practice. The user will have to make a choice between the weight of his travelling companion or the comfort of the use.
Maintenance and storage tips
No need to have a very elaborate equipment to take care of your road companion. Indeed, Decathlon advises you to clean your Rockrider 9.1 mountain bike well, but also and above all to use a dry cloth to remove all particles of moisture from the frame in particular.
Finally, to store your riding companion, make sure to leave it in a dry and temperate place away from any corrosive product or salty atmosphere.
The Decathlon Rockrider 9.1 against the competition
Bikes have literally invaded our environment. Whether they are classic or electric, they have all found their place in all environments (city, mountain, countryside). Thus, you will find a whole range of means of locomotion adapted to each practice.
If you want to go hiking in the mountains, your needs will not be the same as for city travel. More and more, green mobility is taking precedence over the rest.
Thus, many people wish to favour low emission or zero emission transport. The different brands are fighting a merciless war in order to offer ever more efficient and qualitative models.
Nevertheless, Decathlon does not lose its will to offer the opportunity to the general public to have access to means of transport at very attractive prices while keeping a certain quality of finish.
Thus, you will be able to find at the tricolor group of the models of classic bicycles but also in version having an electric assistance. Always at reasonable prices, the bikes are of good quality and have a design that will not leave you indifferent.
Rockrider in electric version
Already present for a number of years, the Decathlon group has been able to impose itself in the world of cycling thanks to the numerous models it markets. You are probably wondering why this last one knows a real craze. Well, in reality, the answer is very simple.
It is based on the simple fact that Decathlon has been able to offer sports products and equipment to the entire population. In other words, the group has bet on the large distribution of accessories for the practice of physical activity and sports. Thus, by turning to this brand, you are sure to find the right equipment for your practice.
It is in this perspective that this one knew to impose itself in the universe of the cycling. That’s why whether you are looking for a particular model for urban use, on rough roads, in the mountains, in the countryside or on the road, you are sure to find a model that suits you.
Moreover, Decathlon also offers a whole range of electric bikes. In this way, your favorite road companions are also available with electric assistance.
The Rockrider electric bike is simply a classic Rockrider but with a motor and a battery. Indeed, it has all the characteristics of the classic version, the electric assistance in more. You are sure to choose a quality bike at a reasonable price. Moreover, the electric assistance will allow you to enjoy your rides even longer !
What is Rockrider ?
A short time ago, the tricolored brand wished to change the name of its different models of bikes. This in order to facilitate the task of customers and thus allow them to better identify the different ranges and therefore the products between them.
Indeed, this step taken during the year 2019 is therefore intended to facilitate. Thus, to choose among all the models of all-terrain nothing could be simpler, you will only have to go to the range of Rockrider. Formerly known as Btwin Rockrider today the name requires the removal of the first part to give only Rockrider.
This was a major element to be modified by the group with many repercussions, both positive and negative. The risk was to lose customers. Indeed, the original Btwin name is known for being a quality bike at a very reasonable price and accessible to all.
It would have been a shame if customers had lost this fundamental notion for the group. The quality of the products, the price and the design of the latter are not altered in any way.
A new signature
So, it is in 2019 that Decathlon has decided to make things clearer and allow customers to easily identify the different ranges by changing the denominations.
From now on, when you want to choose a particular model, it will be much easier for you to go for one model rather than another because you will know to which category it belongs. It will therefore be easy to differentiate between mountain bikes, city bikes and road bikes thanks to their names.
Even though this was a complex process at first, today it is not. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that some models still keep the original Btwin name. This is certainly to reassure future users. The name changes but not the quality of the products.
The different ranges of Decathlon
You will have understood that today, when you go to a Decathlon store, it will be easy to identify the different ranges of bikes according to their names. This approach was all the more important for the group since it offers a very large number of references. Let’s see now what the new names correspond to:
As you can see, the Rockrider is the name given to bikes specially adapted for off-road use. For the greatest pleasure of cyclists, the Tricolor group offers these bikes in classic versions but also with an electric alternative.
And why not switch to electric ?
With the desire to protect our environment and reduce the production of greenhouse gases, why not switch to electric and take part in this clean movement.
Does the rockrider 9.1 exist in electric version ?
Wondering if switching to electric is a feasible solution is no small matter. Indeed, it is necessary that it corresponds to you and answers a real need of the user. As for a classic bike, it is necessary to make sure that the chosen electric bike is the ideal road companion and adapted to your practice and your needs.
If all the indicators are green, then you can move on to the next step and opt for a model with assistance. You should also know that Decathlon offers a wide range of bikes to suit all types of cycling (mountain bikes, cross-country bikes, city bikes, children’s bikes, folding bikes).
Despite this, the French company is still committed to offering quality products that meet the budget of the entire population. Thus, even the electric versions remain at a reasonable price. Thus, you have no more excuses to switch to green energy.
You will have the comfort of the assistance and your bike as well as the pleasure of seeing your rides lengthened. You could really enjoy your rides, like with the Rockrider E ST 500 for example.
Purchase aids
If you are still hesitating, you should know that the government, the regions and sometimes even the communities have put in place aids to help households to take the step and opt for alternative means of transportation and running on green energy.
The amount of money to spend can sometimes exceed 1000€ and it represents a real investment. It is thus advisable to take into account this element. This is why the government as well as the regions and some communities have set up these aids.
Moreover, some of them can even be combined. They therefore make the basic investment less important for the future user. In order to enlighten you on this subject, we can give you these pieces of information as an example:
- National aid: equal to 20% of the purchase price including tax or 200€ maximum
- Regional aid: variable according to the regions, between 150€ and 600€
- Municipal aid: it depends on the municipalities, in Paris for the purchase of an electric bike, the buyer can receive up to 400€
The amount that you would have to pay in the end to acquire an electrically assisted bicycle should be much less than the initial amount, depending on whether you are eligible for this aid or not.
To do so, you can either go directly to the government website to find out the conditions for obtaining the subsidy and the steps to take. Or you can go to your local town hall to find out more about local support and the amounts you can receive.
Conclusion
If you want to ride a mountain bike at an advanced level, the Rockrider rr 9.1 is a good companion. Indeed, it will bring you the comfort you need thanks to its suspension and its numerous gears. Then, you will be able to ride without fear thanks to its wheels but also its hydraulic disc brakes.
As for all the products offered by the company, the price remains reasonable and within the reach of all pockets. If you have doubts and are considering going electric, why not take the plunge ?