We first got wind of the new e-bike range from Kinesis at the 2019 NEC Cycle Show back in September, and the new Rise hardtail e-mtb didn't disappoint. With a lightweight Fazua motor, 29er wheels and some pretty progressive geometry, we liked the look of the brands first foray into the electric mountain bike market... and now, it's here in the flesh at eBikeTips HQ!
Buy the Kinesis Rise here
Review: Voodoo Zobop E-Shimano
Kinesis says that this bike was born from their love of a trail hardtail, with the lightweight Fazua drive system used to make a bike that 'naturally' assists with the 400W motor and a 250Wh battery. They reckon you can eek out up to 55km range and about 1000m of climbing on this bike using a range of the three modes, but this will vary with terrain and rider weight just like any other e-bike.
Power modes operate pretty much like any other e-bike too, and there are three to choose from: Breeze mode giving up tp 125W of power, River mode (!?) with up to 250W of power, and Rocket mode benefiting from the full 400W of power.
The battery and part of the drive system can be removed from the downtube in one package too and replace this with a blanking plate, if you'd rather go under your own steam occasionally. The bike weighs in at 18.85kg with the battery in place, and 16kg without it. Kinesis has another trick up their sleeve too; this is one of the first Fazua-powered e-bikes with the power mode buttons integrated into the bike frame (another example is the recently launched Canyon Roadlite:ON).
Rather than use a cumbersome-looking handlebar remote, the power modes on the Rise are controlled by a small back unit on the top tube. This does mean you'll have to take your hands off the bars in order to alter the mode - kind of like downtube gear shifters of yore - but Kinesis says they reckon tidying up the bars by removing that remote was of more importance with this bike.
The hardtail we're testing gets a 130mm fork and some pretty progressive geometry too; think a 485mm reach on a size L3 (large equivalent) with a short 440mm seat tube, 75.5 degree effective seat angle and a 170mm dropper post to match (150mm on the L1 bike). As you can see, Kinesis have followed the likes of Specialized and done away with using small. medium, large etc to describe the size of their bikes, using L1, L2 and so on. This is to encourage customers to choose a bike that fits them best and suits their riding style, rather than being contstricted to thinking they need a small/medium/large etc frame based just on their height alone.
The Rise is in stock now via the Kinesis website and numerous retailers in-store and online, priced at £3,200 for the version with Shimano SLX and £3,500 for the Rise with a SRAM GX Eagle groupset. The folks over at off.road.cc will be reviewing this one which we'll be sharing on eBikeTips, so check back for the verdict soon...
