Simplon Stomp Pmax XT-12 Review

Bosch is the major motor manufacturer in the EMTB world, alongside Shimano - and it's no surprise, as the Performance Line CX shows. The very well-rounded motor control and the progressive power output characterise the character of the Bosch motor. The well-tuned riding modes cater to bikers of all preferences. The average range can become a problem especially for long mountain bike rides.

In the about 7500€ price range, most manufacturers use aluminium as the frame material. With a carbon frame, Simplon turns the weight screw and sets itself apart from the competitors. The Rock Shox chassis provides safety and traction, even when the trail gets rougher. However, it comes to its limit at high speed. On rough descents, the moderate chassis limits you and demands a more precise line choice than bikes with better chassis. The mid-range brakes from SRAM do their job but could be a bit firmer. The power of the four pistons setup is only average. At the drivetrain components and the rest of the parts, Simplon uses average parts. The moderate head tube angle provides a good compromise between stability and agility when going downhill. The reach is also right there in the middle ground. The bottom bracket is high, which costs handling points. This tends to make the rider stand on the bike. On other EMTBs it feels better integrated.