Rocky Mountain Altitude 29er Full Suspension

4.5/5

(10 Reviews)

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MSRP : $1839.00

Product Description

Rocky Mountain Altitude 29The Altitude 29 is a big-wheel re-interpretation of Rocky Mountains best sellingTrail bike. Straight Up geometry, FORM™Tubing, and SmoothLink suspension all come standard, as well as choice componentry and Rocky Mountains reputation for well-built and excellent handling bikes (which you absolutely cannot get anywhere else). Features: Straight Up Geometry: Rocky Mountains first of its kind 76-degree seat angle gives you a bio-mechanically correct seat positio

Rocky Mountain Altitude 29er Full Suspension Pro Review

by LeeL Nov 11 2011, 1:28PM

This is a bike that’s very biased to the more cross-country side of “all-mountain”. It has minimal free-ride or downhill pretensions without some serious tweaks to components. For use in Sea-to-Sky country (ie North Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler) it is more of a niche offering. Continue reading →

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Reviews 1 - 10 (10 Reviews Total)

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Submitted by Kyro a Weekend Warrior from Houston, TX

Date Reviewed: April 4, 2012

Strengths:    Bike has great component and lightweight overall.

Weaknesses:    I ordered the small frame and I immediately had issues with pedal wheel interference. I could correct this even when pushing the SPD cleats to the front of my size 8 shoe.

Bottom Line:

Great bike in regards to build and components. Be aware of wheel/pedal interference when ordering the small frame.

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Favorite Trail:   Terry Hershey

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $1850.00

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Submitted by mtbchik a Cross Country Rider from Telluride, CO

Date Reviewed: May 14, 2011

Strengths:    Relatively light for FS, responsive handling, fun! fun! fun!

Weaknesses:    Rear shock tricky to set up....still don't know if I have it dialed right

Bottom Line:

I've taken this out on twisty, turny trails and find that it handles as well as my 22lb Ti XC race bike. Rolls fast, corners, fast. Granny is a little big for my multi-injured knees, but getting used to it.

This is my new go to bike. Can't wait for the snow to dry up here in the high country. I'll be finding an excuse to ride it everyday!

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Favorite Trail:   Phil's World

Duration Product Used:   6 months

Similar Products Used:   None

Bike Setup:   Stock except for Sram X0 Shifters and Rear Derailleur, Terry Butterfly Ti Saddle and Crank Brothers pedals

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Submitted by spadmike a Cross Country Rider from Edmonton

Date Reviewed: May 13, 2011

Strengths:    Easy to set up, decent part spec, fun, fun, fun

Weaknesses:    Straight up geometry, seems to put you a bit too foward. I use a seat post dropper to get it out of the way when descending. A bit too much chainslap.

Bottom Line:

This bike is blast to ride. Corners and climbs like a 29er should. You start riding and then you totally forget you are on a 29er, but just on a great bike. For the price conscious this is a great bike. The complete bike is not much more than a Carbon Tallboy.

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Favorite Trail:   Roller Coaster

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $2800.00

Purchased At:   River Valley Cycle

Similar Products Used:   Tallboy

Bike Setup:   stock, except for Chromag stem and bars

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Submitted by Flip Z Bird a Weekend Warrior from PHX. AZ.

Date Reviewed: March 2, 2011

Strengths:    I have a brand "2011 Altitude SE 29er" and I want to start a new form thread to review it?

Weaknesses:    SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Bottom Line:

How can aI start a new thread for the kind of bike that I have and want to post a review on?

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Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Purchased At:   Slipper Pig Bike Sho

Similar Products Used:   EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Bike Setup:   2011

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Submitted by Mtn Josh a Cross Country Rider from Salt Lake City, UT

Date Reviewed: October 20, 2010

Strengths:    Climbing was fantastic and the additional tire contact made rolling over rocks a lot easier. I've been riding it for a few weeks and I'm a believer in the 29er. Great bike and components made this a nice buy. I have a Specialized Epic Expert and I can say that this bike gives my Epic a run for the money...

Weaknesses:    Tires will be changed out for a narrower tire, the Conti 29 is a little wide for what I like. I prefer a 2.1-2.2 rather than the stock 2.4 Conti Mtn King.

Bottom Line:

I'm 6'3" and I bought the XL frame. I test rode the GF HiFi and Specialized FSR I also looked at the Niner and Turner, but thought for the money this was a better buy. I like the ride and cockpit of RM compared to the others. Overall I like the ride of the 29er and can see why they are becoming so popular.

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Favorite Trail:   Wasatch Front trails

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $2800.00

Purchased At:   HucknRoll

Similar Products Used:   Test rode the Gary Fiser HiFI, Specialized FSR and looked at Niner and Turner.

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Submitted by fakeatty a Weekend Warrior from Glendale, AZ USA

Date Reviewed: October 17, 2010

Strengths:    Formula R1 brakes. Stan's Arch wheel set. XT shifters and rear derailleur. Race Face Deus crank set.

Weaknesses:    Formula brakes seem to be a bit touchy in their set-up, but their performance is worth it. Nothing else so far.

Bottom Line:

I wasn't sure what to expect switching from a 26er and my Trance X was no slouch, but this bike is amazing. I've ridden it twice and I have cleared two sections of my local trail that have eluded me the entire time I've owned my Trance. I have concluded, the primary reason is the geometry of this frame. I rode an XL before, but my Altitude is a L. Additionally, the 76 degree seat tube angle allows me to sit in the cockpit, rather than on top.

The chainstays are a bit long, but I've perceived this to be a benefit while climbing. All though the bike is equipped with the venerable RP23 shock, this bike wants to stay planted and doesn't require artificial platform to get up the steep climbs.

I was ready to buy a Trek Hi-Fi, but they are not equipped with a thru-axle fork. As this will be the last bike I have for awhile, I wanted everything up front. Don't compromise here. The additional height of the 29er wheel will allow the lowers to flex in the rough stuff. With the F29 RL FIT and 15QR, this bike is truly a point and shoot trial weapon. In fact, I have to be much more attentive as this bike will corner quickly enough to cause whiplash. Okay, all hyperbole aside, the 15QR works.

Finally, this bike makes me faster. I'm rolling over stuff that used to slow me down. I'm less tired at the end, partly due to the 36 tooth rear cog. I'm grinning from ear to ear through out the ride. Compared to the competition, this bike will stand up, but for the price I paid, this is best 29er in the world.

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Favorite Trail:   Trail 100

Duration Product Used:   Less than 1 month

Price Paid:    $2000.00

Purchased At:   eBay

Similar Products Used:   I used to ride a Trance X2

Bike Setup:   Stock except Maxxis Ardent (F) and Crossmark (R), Stan's tape for tubeless and Sunline lock on grips.

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Submitted by bluesbrother49 a Cross Country Rider from Squaw Valley, CA-Girdwood, AK

Date Reviewed: July 21, 2010

Strengths:    Lightweight, plush, fast, great spec's, great suspension

Weaknesses:    Rear tire size, slight flex in the wheels

Bottom Line:

I bought this a month ago and have been riding it exclusivly in Alaska, but will soon take it back to Tahoe. Wanted a full-suspension 29r- I demo'd Santa Cruz tallboy, a Niner (not sure which, one) as well as the standard Rocky Mtn Altitude 70. Part of the reason I went with the Rocky Mtn was because I have had such great times on my Slayer and the day i was able to try the 26' Altitude.

I am 6'2, 215lbs and I ride hard. Usually 4 days a week with at least a all day epic thrown in once a week. I beat up my stuff pretty good.

My initial impressions was that the 29'r wheels were an immediate difference over my Slayer (duh), and the thing climbs so dam well. Just sit in the cockpit and spin, responds well to getting out of the saddle too. I felt the stock Easton EA 70 flat bar made the bike feel a tad twitchy- the cockpit is small, but not cramped- so I switched to the Race Face carbon 3/4 riser and it completly changed everything. A little more up right (not moto style, like my Slayer setup) and it made the downhills so damn fun. The suspension is worry free-set it up and forget it. Loved the additional clearance as well.

Complaints-
Not many, but I thought there was a couple I should point out.
Continental 2.4 tires- great tire, hooks up amazing in wet, rooty stuff. The problem is a major over site in design- The rear tire is to wide when in granny gear or the top 3 rear chainrings. The chain rubs on the side of the tire and causes it to ghost shift when you really are cranking up steep stuff. I was really surprised that they had not seen this in testing and R/D. I have just got the same tire for the rear in a 2.2, which should fix the problem.

Wheels felt a bit flexy at points, but that could just be me getting used to the bigger hoops.

I would highly recomend this to someone looking for the 29'r feel, but still values the "all-mtn" riding. It is really at home for all day riding as well as quick cross-country loops. Alaska is very much like the Northwest- rooty, wet, and good packed dirt. I will post a Tahoe follow-up to see how she does in the high-ALTITUDE rocky,dusty rides. It delivers.

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Favorite Trail:   Hillside Trails-Anchorage, Sawtooth Ridge-Truckee, CA

Duration Product Used:   3 months

Price Paid:    $4000.00

Similar Products Used:   Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC 90, Specialized Stumpjumber FSR Comp

Bike Setup:   Stock except- Race Face Dues 3/4 Carbon bar, Race Face Dues stem, Race Face Dues XC Stem, WTB Pure V saddle (sucker for Race Face over Easton EA70, WTB Stock saddle didn't fit)

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Submitted by sjordan72 a Cross Country Rider from San Diego, CA

Date Reviewed: May 3, 2010

Strengths:    Light weight, good compromise in travel between XC and AM bikes, climbs and descends well

Weaknesses:    Only one level available though I suspect that will change next year. A frameset would be ideal. Would like to see a more rigid wheelset, but again this was a demo so maybe they just needed to be tensioned.

Bottom Line:

I was really happy with this bike. It climbed well in PP and full open on the shock. The fork is amazing, and the head angle made for a great descending bike. I felt it rode uphill as well as the VPP Tallboy, and downhill was better. A Tallboy with a 120mm fork might be as good, but I have not been able to try that yet.

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Favorite Trail:   Anywhere in the Laguna Mountains

Duration Product Used:   Tested or demo'ed only

Purchased At:   Zumwalts

Similar Products Used:   Santa Cruz Tallboy

Bike Setup:   Stock

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Submitted by ericfoltz a Cross Country Rider from Laguna Hills, CA, USA

Date Reviewed: April 20, 2010

Strengths:    Really good climber in both the middle and granny with the propedal on and off.

Great descender with a very balanced suspension.

Weaknesses:    None that I found.

Bottom Line:

I'm not completely sold on a 29er but this bike moved me a heck of a lot closer to making a change.

All the benefits of the large wheels were very obvious. The bike had great traction, cornered great, rolled fast and absolutely flowed through the ST.

On the climbs I tried standing, seated with an even spin and mashing the pedals and the bike performed great with the propedal on and off. I was truly surprised at the efficiency of the suspension.

The front and rear suspension were amazingly balanced which was a huge difference from the only other 29er I've ridden.

Who should buy: XC/Trail riders looking for an all-day machine that will take them anywhere they want to go. Would be great for riders who have to deal with sandy, rocky or rooty trails.

Who shouldn't buy: DHers, XC Racers

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Favorite Trail:   Anything at D'Ville

Duration Product Used:   Tested or demo'ed only

Similar Products Used:   Intense Tracer 29 (prototype), BMC Trailfox 01/02, Intense Tracer, Mongoose Teocali, Turner 5 Spot, Yeti 575, Titus Motolite

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Submitted by turtlepaul a Weekend Warrior from Anaheim, CA, USA

Date Reviewed: February 20, 2010

Strengths:    It accelerates well. Suspension is plush. Relatively light.

Weaknesses:    I wish it could be little more laterally rigid.
I wish it could be little more efficient.

Bottom Line:

I think this is an outstanding full suspension 29er.

Rocky Mountain has done a great job balancing climbing and decension. This bike is relatively light, espcially compared to Pivot or Turner. It accelerates well. It is splightly yet stable. On climbing, there is just ever slightly perceptible bob, probably because I was looking for it. With propedal on, there is no bob. Still I like the way this bike climbs better than Pivot or Turner. I think Ellsworth may be slightly more efficint in climbing. But with propedal, I say about the same. It steers and handles easily and accurately.
It absolutely shines in descending. It uses its full 29er 4.5" suspension in a plush, ground hugging, snake-like manner. Its suspension descends at least as well as Turner, and clearly better than Ellsworth. Every different suspension has its unique feel, and I just really enjoyed how fluid the suspension felt and behaved.

It seems that 4-5" full suspension 29ers are divided between cross-country leaning(i.e. Ellsworth evolve, GF Fly) vs trail/all mountain leaning (Turner sultan and Pivot) types. (Admittedly, I think I am realizing that I am favoring crosscountry-leaning types when it comes to fully 29er.)
In any case, I think Rocky Mountain has done a fine job in trying to marry these two types. It is a serious contender. I wonder if I really need to demo Santa Cruz Tallboy before deciding...

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Duration Product Used:   Tested or demo'ed only

Similar Products Used:   Ellsworth evolve, Turner Sultan, Pivot 429, Rocky Mountain Hammer 29, Redline Flight 29er single speed.

Bike Setup:   Demo package.

Reviews 1 - 10 (10 Reviews Total)

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Rocky Mountain Altitude 29er Full Suspension

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