R.X290 2026

The Rotwild R.X290 2026 is a German lightweight all-mountain eMTB built around TQ's latest HPR60 motor on a carbon chassis, with one of the most aggressive weight targets in the segment. It runs 140 mm of fork travel and 135 mm rear, with a 290 Wh integrated battery and a claimed sub-16 kg system weight. Headline numbers: 60 Nm of torque, 350 W peak power, a 1.924 kg motor weight, a 66 degree head angle and reach growing from 430 to 510 mm across four sizes. The R.X290's chainstays at 437 mm are among the shortest in the lightweight eMTB market. Community verdict: a niche, properly engineered German lightweight aimed at riders who prize pedalling feel and absolute weight over range and rugged geometry.

Drive system and range. The TQ HPR60 is the upgraded sibling of the HPR50, lifting torque from 50 to 60 Nm and peak power from 300 to 350 W while keeping TQ's signature Harmonic Pin Ring drive architecture for exceptionally quiet, natural assist character. At 1.924 kg the motor is the lightest full-system option on the market, lighter than the Fazua Ride 60 (1.98 kg) and Bosch SX (2.0 kg). The 290 Wh integrated battery is the most distinctive choice on the R.X290: it is unusually small, optimised for chasing the sub-16 kg system weight headline. Real-world range on 290 Wh in mid assist will likely deliver 25 to 40 km depending on terrain and rider weight, with a range extender (typically TQ-provided through OEM partners) the realistic option for longer rides.

Geometry and handling. A 66 degree head angle is on the steeper side of modern trail platforms, suiting the R.X290's positioning as a pedal-up, short-travel quick trail tool rather than a steep-and-aggressive descender. Reach grows from 430 mm in S to 510 mm in XL, a generous 80 mm spread. The 437 mm chainstay is identical across all sizes and is among the shortest in eMTB, which contributes to playful, manoeuvrable handling for size M and L riders but leaves XL riders with less proportional rear centre. Wheelbases run 1174 to 1266 mm, on the shorter side of the lightweight market. 29-inch wheels across the range.

Build and value. Rotwild publishes a single trim with detailed component spec confirmed at the dealer level. Pricing is not yet recorded in our gold dataset. The standout strength is the chassis weight: sub-16 kg on a carbon 135 mm rear travel platform is properly competitive against the lightest sub-17 kg eMTBs in the lightweight category. The carbon construction, TQ HPR60 motor and short chainstay focus on weight, pedalling feel and playful trail handling above all else.

Caveats and known gripes. The 290 Wh battery is the most striking trade-off in the R.X290's design: it sits below most lightweight rivals which run 360 to 580 Wh, so range is the most consistent caveat. The 66 degree head angle and 135 mm rear travel limit aggressive descending capability compared to a Spectral:ONfly or Trek Fuel EXe. Rotwild dealer reach outside Germany is modest, which can complicate warranty and motor service. Community visibility for this specific platform is also limited at launch, with no curated owner reports yet available. And as a small-volume German boutique brand, pricing typically sits at the higher end of the carbon lightweight market.

Verdict. The R.X290 2026 suits the experienced lightweight eMTB rider who prizes absolute weight, playful chainstay-short trail feel, and the TQ HPR60's quietest-in-class drive, and who is happy to live with a 290 Wh battery in exchange for the sub-16 kg chassis. Riders chasing bigger range, slacker descending geometry or wider dealer reach should look at the Rose FILE Plus, the Yeti MTe or the Trek Fuel EXe. Production status: current.