Weight, geometry, steering, no bob, reliability

Shock tuning requires some knowledge and that info is not easy to find.

I don't have enough good words to say about this bike. Plain awesome XC machine. Light, paddles efficiently, the suspension is great stock. The shock takes some tweaking to set up correctly, but once set, works like a charm. It can be set for less pedal bob (stiffer initial stroke) or more progressive for larger impacts. In either setting it does not bob on climbs, so set it to whatever feels right to you and gets more shock travel on your local trail. A good starting point for the shock is your body weight in PSI in the positive and body weight + 10 in the negative. Fork works better for me with 10wt suspension oil.

The bike handles so well it makes me wonder why my other bikes do not handle so nicely. Great steering on climbs, stable down the hill, when riding fast or taking turns it is on rails. It handles great on high speed and walking speed, like taking a switchback up the hill.

Another great thing is that after years of zero maintenance on the rear linkage it is still tight. Compare that to the noisy Blurs that need constant maintenance.

The brakes are great, with proper pads (KoolStop orange) they stop better than many 160mm hydraulic discs, and unlike hydraulics they are zero maintenance and absolutely no issues of brake fade, ever.

I have two fancier and more high-tech bikes (Marin and Santa Cruz) but I love my Carve and still use it a lot. This bike makes you wonder if all the heavy machinery we use today is actually necessary.
Granted this is not a bike for 6 feet drops, but it is not intended too.

The only design mistake Rocky Mountain did is that they made a bike so good I don't want to upgrade. I was thinking many times about replacing it with the next great Rocky Mountain XC bike, but I just can't let myself do it.

I don't believe I give a product 5 chillies, but I just did.

Excellent all rounder enduro bike.
Basic but quality shocks, simple to adjust, very stiff.
Coherent componentry for price.

BB and Headset are crap.

Mine is 18size, i needed to shorten stem for more control in low speed technical

the transfer of braking power with disc make the bike feel
more under control than with the stock Deore Vbrake.
Curious feeling.
Handling is improved in severe conditions. And that's cool.

Similar Products Used:

Fuel, Bear, Essence, kinesis4bardesign

Efficiency, comfort

Will need upgrades in the future. especially the Deore crankset.

For the price an incredible full suspension bike. Better than my stumpjumper hardtail on a climb!

Similar Products Used:

Trek Fuel 90

Awesome semi-active design, little to no bobbing on the trail. stock Raceface components are great, like usual.

the brakes, wheels, seatpost/saddle, and bars are trash, but i'm a veteran, and to a newbie, it won't make much of a difference. i knew i was going to upgrade, so nothing bad here really.

It's too bad this bike doesn't get more publicity, because it is right up on par with the great fs bikes as of late. kind of the strong, quiet type if you could say that about a bike. anyway, with the upgrades, its should be a fine racer next season. peace.

Similar Products Used:

Cannondale hardtail, Cannondale Jekyll, Fisher Sugar, Specialized FSR,

real nice flow to the whole bike extremely easy on the ass on the down hill and no problems on the uphill for a dualie. the air shox make the bike really fun to cusr omize to your own strengths and weakness's

to many canadian decals and seatpost is a maple leaf. arghh!!!! nah nah just playin canada

this bike is definately a great bike for the normal person it mixes a little of everything you could want on a nice starter bike or even an upgrade. it was very affordable for what you get and there's no bike like it for the price. not to mention you cant go wrong with a homemade rocky mouuntain frame set!! i recomend this bike to anyone because it is a really awesome deal and no one beats it on the trail. nice smooth on the downhill and easy to ride on the uphill. this bike would be a sweet ride for either the casual weekend rider or a decent deal for the person who doesnt mind going a little extreme sometimes.

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last bike was a giant iguana from like 1996 or 1997 but i just kept adding stuff was still a great frame just to small

Great frame design. Feels strong with no lateral movement or bobbing coming from the rear. Hand made frame c/w a good standard package of components. My carve came with a free uprated wheel and disc package.

Crappy tires which were replaced quickly. Slightly heavier than some of the competition I tried.

Cracking bike which climbs well for a full suspension and looks the business. Can't really find anything as good for the price.

Similar Products Used:

Diamond back x-link. Trek fuel 90.

A great stiffness. No bob when we´re out of the saddle. Easton Elite. Great weldings.

Not a MXC, but a Z3 '01. :-((
Not Race Face ISIS in the craks. I've got to pay a XT crakset (90$ more). :-((((
Rocky Mountain components (seat post, headset) are only regular...

A rocket bike. No contemplations. The frame is really cool. The components can be replaced with time and money. It's my dream bike. I'm not objective...

Rock solid bike at a great price.

Entry level shocks and components but nothing that can't be upgraded later.

Smooth ride, Shifts good. Suspension irons out the ruff stuff.
I looked around for a good deal and found the Carve.
I've had the bike for a week now and am very, very pleased.
3 rides over 50 miles total. Hitting some really fun DH's. The bike's suspension handles great. NO PEDAL BOB!!
I felt less fatigued after a long ride.

Similar Products Used:

Fuel 80,Giant AC3

This bike has AWESOME suspension!!! Rocky Mountain quality! VERY nicely spec'd.

NONE!

If at all possible, GET THIS BIKE!!! This bike is a super value for the money and it's a Rocky Mountain!!! What more incentive do you need?

Similar Products Used:

Trek Fuel 90

Reasonably priced, good suspension design, well built

lower pivot bushing seized, but it's not too painful to fix

A great all around bike for the price. Almost as efficient with the slayer rear link, but more plush. (you can order the link form Rocky for about $60 and it takes 5 minutes to change) More of a trail bike than a cross country bike now, but still climbs great and goes downhill really well. The only complaint I have is the bushings, but they're easily fixed.

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fisher sugar