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Rocky Mountain
2000 Element Race
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Submitted by
stonemonkey
a Weekend Warrior
from uk
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Strengths: | I've hAD THIS BIKE FOR 8 YEARS NOW AND I STIL LOVE IT. MY MATES BIKES HAVE COME AND GONE BUT THE ROCKY HAS BEEN THROUGHT IT ALL , A TESTEMENT TO THE BUILD QUALITY AND DESIGN THIS BIKE CLIMBS WEEL WITH LITTLE ENERGY LOST THROUGH PEDAL BOB , IS NIBLE ON THE SWITCHBACKS AND DECESNDS WITH CONFIDENCE. | | Weaknesses: | LOW BB RESULTS IN SMASHING CRANKS AND PEDALS INTO ROCKS , TOPS OF GULIIES ETC BUT KEEPS THE CENTRE OF GRAVITY LOW. BUSHES NOT PIVOTS | | Similar Products Used: | GT LTS1, GT LTS DH, SPOOKY METAL HEAD, | | Bike Setup: | SIDS, ATOMIC STEM, HAYES HF 9 DISCS , XLITE SADDLE , XT ALL ROUND, PANARACER FIRE XC | | Bottom Line: | 8YRS OF RIDING SPEAKS FOR ITSELF, I CHANGED ALL THE COMPONENTS EXCEPT THE RACE FACE CRANKS SINCE I HAVE HAD IT BUT THE FRAME IS STILL THERE ITS GOT ME OUT OF TROBE WHEN I'VE NEEDED IT AND ON A PARTICULAR FAST FLOWING , ROCKY , BRIDLEWAY IN THE PEAKS THERE AINT NO BETTER BIKE . JUST ASK THE GUY ON THE 2008 YETI BIKE I FLEW PAST THE OTHER DAY MIND YOU I WOULDN'T WANT TO SCRATCH IT EITHR. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Salespunk
a Cross Country Rider
from Encinitas, CA
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Toads | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR | | Strengths: | Light, tightest tolerances in the industry, did I mention that the frame is light | | Weaknesses: | Not the plushest bike around, bushings instead of bearings so you need to do regular service on it. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Intense UZZI SL, Ellsworth Truth | | Bike Setup: | Full XT, SID, etc | | Bottom Line: | This is my second Element (number one was stolen) and I have five years of experience on this design. This is the choice for a sub four inch travel XC race bike. For those of you that do not realize what you have this is one of the lightest full suspension frames on the market. The tube set is Easton Elite HBO (Hand Built Only). This is Easton's highest end tube set and there are only a handful of builders that are even allowed to purchase it. If your bike is heavy then it is your build and not the frame. This is an extremely fast XC bike, but it is not super plush around the parking lot. It comes alive once you hit the trail though. It is built for technical single track riding and not open fire roads so make sure you consider your riding environment. Also if you ride in a wet climate you will be rebuilding the rear end on a regular basis. For single track riding and those long brutal climbs it is tough to beat. Overall it is a great value for any price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris H
a
from Doylestown, PA
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Strong, stiff, reasonably light frame that handles like a dream. Marzocchi fork. Good components and geometry. Not the same old bike everyone else is riding. :) Very confident downhill and not too bad uphill. Also looks very sweet in black and yellow. | | Weaknesses: | Not the lightest thing. There is a bit of pedal induced movement but not terrible, and unless you're on the road, the traction improvements cancel out the disadvantage of the bobbing. | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Sugar 3 and Klein Mantra | | Bike Setup: | Original spec, replaced rear rim (517 after I bent the OEM 221), cassette (XT), crank/BB (Truvativ Stylo Team), chain (SRAM 89R), grips (ODI LockOn), tires (Michelin semi-slicks), seatpost (Thompson) and saddle (Flite). | | Bottom Line: | Researched the heck out of bikes here before buying until my head was ready to pop. Couldn't make up my mind then decided to just land the plane and get the Rocky. Test rode the Rocky, Fisher Sugar 3, and the Klein Mantra. The Rocky felt the best to me, definately the most agile and stiff. Not the lightest, but neither am I so that works just fine.
I replaced the Marzocchi M3 Z80 with a RockShox SID XC to save some weight. *bad move* The SID was flexy and I could feel the loss of steering precision. Put the SID on my wife's bike (she gave it to me for Christmas!) and went back to being able to brake without seeing the fork deflect back 3". Upgraded some components but not because the stock was weak, looking more to save some weight.
In short, I love this bike. Very comfortable with it and so many times it has saved my butt in some hairy situations. Learning to just let it ride through the rough stuff and it still amazes me. Many times I get through a nasty section and can't help but laugh out loud and yell "I LOVE THIS BIKE!"
If that's not worth a pair of five flamers, I don't know what is. Rocky rocks. :) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kazimar
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | McKenzie River | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr.com classifieds | | Strengths: | strong, light-ish, handling, climbing | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | tested a lot before choosing rocky element race | | Bike Setup: | xtr rear der., lx front der. thompson elite headset, easton carbon fiber bars
| | Bottom Line: | i love this bike! it rides like a dream-- got it used off of these classifides in mtbr.com, and it was in perfectly new shape, for $1000!! even new from the store, in it's price range i wouldn't buy anything else. i am an agressive rider and like the steeps, both up and down. this bike handles it all. the best part about it is how it handles the technical. thank you rocky mt.! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke DeVoe
a Cross Country Rider
from Bozeman, Mt USA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Is one trail really any better than others. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Edge Sports, Jackson Wy | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up review just to let you know how the bike is working.
I upgraded to XT Disc brakes and these brakes promply decided that they were much to powerful for the frame and cracked my left chainstay into two pieces. I am working on warranty stuff right now and rocky bikes looks like they will handle it very well but if you don't want to deal with this problem be carefull when upgrading to a rear disc. The newer bikes all have been strengthened to fix this problem. Ride because you love it. And realize all that you have. If you can ride you have a lot more than a lot of people do. Respect that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gordon vogell
a Cross Country Rider
from cranbrook B.C. Canada
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | mt. seven | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | I have the original | | Strengths: | Having the proto I can say without hesitation that anyone buying a Rocky can ride the snot out of it and other than routine maintenance its always ready to go.H | | Weaknesses: | Have changed pivots twice | | Similar Products Used: | Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bike Setup: | Crosscountry | | Bottom Line: | Being the one the boys from Rocky tested then went into production its a bit heavy, Ive riden this years model and its pounds lighter. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kolapore in Collingwood, Ontario | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1450.00 | | Purchased At: | Squire John's | | Strengths: | Great geometry and frame. Rear suspension is as good as a Specialized or better. Loves to climb and is solid as they come. Superb quality...not too flashy looking. | | Weaknesses: | I'd upgrade the rims and seat post. Otherwise, great. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar 2, Trek Fuel 90, Specialized FSR XC | | Bike Setup: | XT LX XT (upgraded)
Hayes discs (upgraded)
Fox Float R | | Bottom Line: | As always, make sure the bike fits. But if it does, this is as good as it gets. Top tier XC bike with a frame you'll keep for a long time. It is durable, but you can upgrade when things inevitably break. You won't be sorry that you are upgrading this ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Skillet
a Cross Country Rider
from Huntsville,Al
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali Left loop North Carolina | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$650.00 | | Purchased At: | MTBR | | Strengths: | everything the rear triangle. The ability to tear up the hills without losing your energy to the suspension. It's Canadian. | | Weaknesses: | None that I have found. | | Similar Products Used: | Don't know! | | Bike Setup: | manitou SX front suspension XTR shifters/brake levers, brakes, hubs. Mavic 517 ceramic rims. XT deraileurs (front and rear). Syncros Stem w/ carbon fiber bar. Shimano pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This bike frame rules. I have a Marin Indian Fire Trail that I have broken again. It's my second frame to brake in six years. I have never had a full suspesion frame b4. I rode up in Tsali on the left loop (14 miles long) and finished in about 52 minutes. Fast! Wasn't even tired after I was done. Rode on the rocks down in Alabama. Not a problem I was not even tired then also. Excellent goin' up hills. It helps to have all XTR stuph also. Thanks Rocky! You guys rule. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Longmont Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Frontside/Fruita | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great Frame, and good component selection make a greta XC ride. | | Weaknesses: | None that I've found. | | Similar Products Used: | GT I-drive, Treck Y5 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | I was visiting my brother in Upstate NY and I needed to ride BAD. We went over to Lenox MA and I rented it. What a sweet ride. It does everything a good XC bike needs to do and well. The handling was just great - it was also forgiving of my mistakes on WET logs and rocks. I fell in love with the damn thing, now I have to get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon theman
a Racer
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | porcupine rim | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | theoneandonly SPORTS GARAGE | | Strengths: | perfect mix of light weight and strength
good components
its a Rocky, need I say more?! | | Weaknesses: | what? | | Similar Products Used: | sugar 2, gt 3.0 | | Bike Setup: | ELEMENT stock other than z.1 xfly, 519s on xt disc, magura disc up front. brand new PIPELINE w/z.1mcr | | Bottom Line: | this is an incredible cross country machine, rocky always comes with the quality, but this is above even there standards. I have had this bike for over a year and it have never let me down, but BE WARNED this is a strong bike but it is not a freeride rig, i tried to freeride on it when I did not have the money for a freeride bike, but I just got my pipeline, so that will change. This is a great ride, none of the bigger companies like trek, fisher you name it can match this bikes quality, if you are looking around for a sweet full suspension, race-able, upgradable long lasting XC ride with an unbeatable paint-job, STOP LOOKING, THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO BUY!!!!!! nothing from rocky should ever get less than full chilly rating.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Chapel Hill
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$960.00 | | Purchased At: | Peddle and Paddle | | Strengths: | Smooth and responsive design, efficient, slightly longer top tube fits me better | | Weaknesses: | Prodigy rings broke within a year
Rims came out of true often | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Race Face flat bar & barends, Specialized seat, SRAM Rocket shifters. Just replaced wheels with XT/Mustangs and the crank with XTR rings and XT arms. | | Bottom Line: | This is a follow up to an earlier review. After a year I still love the bike. Upgrades have made it even better and it continues to make me a better rider. I would recommend the Mustangs, not the lightest but have definately added stiffness to the ride. Cranks are great. The prodigy rings bent and lost teeth. I got an amazing deal on a demo but Rocky's are still one the best deals out there for dual suspension XC compared to Sugar/Fuel options.
Have taken this bike to Pisgah/Bent Creek and it was great in tougher conditions. Quality and design are great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Chapel Hill
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$960.00 | | Purchased At: | Peddle and Paddle | | Strengths: | Smooth and responsive design, efficient, slightly longer top tube fits me better | | Weaknesses: | Prodigy rings broke within a year
Rims came out of true often | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Race Face flat bar & barends, Specialized seat, SRAM Rocket shifters. Just replaced wheels with XT/Mustangs and the crank with XTR rings and XT arms. | | Bottom Line: | After a year I still love the bike. Upgrades have made it even better and it continues to make me a better rider. I got an amazing deal on a demo but Rocky's are still one the best deals out there for dual suspension XC compared to Sugar/Fuel options.
Have taken this bike to Pisgah/Bent Creek and it was great in tougher conditions. Quality and design are great. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from Idaho Falls, Id
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Buckskin Morgan | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | The Edge Sports in Jackson, Wy | | Strengths: | Its perfect for what I like to do. Anything that is perfect for the type of rider you are is a strength.
People see it and go "Holy moly is that a Rocky Mountain!"
| | Weaknesses: | I'm probably retarded but I just can't seem to get the tire to feel aligned with the handlebar. It looks as if it is alighned but just won't feel like it is. But that means nothing when I'm in the zone. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Rebound 00'-GT XCR 2000 99'- Gary Fisher Sugar 3 Disc 01' | | Bike Setup: | Stock accept for Stem and Handlebar | | Bottom Line: | I took off one flamin Slug thing, because I think that a custom built bike is the only one that deserves five of em. Anyway. I love my bike and I will always love it. IT was made for what I do. Not to extreme and not to racey. Before you buy a bike make sure you know what kind of riding your going to do. You could waste a lot of money if you go with the bike with an expensive paint job. The ride is always as smooth as butter on my sweaty toosh. The bike goes where I want it to. This has gotten me in trouble a time or two. Once while flying by a girls camp I sucked the grit bar(trail) hard. (gotta stop checking out women) I really love this bike. Nothing else to say. Don't buy this bike because these reviews told you to buy the bike because its right for what you do. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Adams
a Cross Country Rider
from Manchester, NH USA
Date Reviewed: May 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bow Ridge a.k.a "THE ridge" | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Northeast Bikes | | Strengths: | The frame can be set up to feel and act just like a hardtail. But just screw around with the FOX Float R and you
can set up for anything within XC reason. Great paint,cool decals, fine touches and a reasonable parts group. Also this bike can climb. I mean it wants to climb. The front end feels very light, and it just wants to go up... | | Weaknesses: | Bent a couple rear hangers, in just the first couple of rides. But I have since adjusted the rear derailer, and this seems to have solved the problem. O yeah the Marz. Z3.
I just didnt like it. | | Similar Products Used: | GT XCR 3000 Ted Wojcik FS | | Bike Setup: | Psylo XC (outstanding in everyway),Race Face SYStem stem 5x120, Race Face Air Alloy 1inch riser bar and Mavic Crosslink wheels.. also OURY grips | | Bottom Line: | I feel that this bike has it all. The most important part of any bike is the frame. And if you have a great frame, You
(should) have a great bike. Light(enough),fast(as hell),Good
looking(like me!! just kiddin) and priced well.
Bikes like this can climb with the best hardtails.
It erases the bad image of a full suspension not being able to get up the hill. Cause it will, and then it will kick the hardtails ass on the way down. Now what more could you ask for? Also its Canadian made. And I had the pleasure of going to B.C. this last year. And let me tell you, its no wonder they build this stuff like this. Cause it is insane
up there. Beautiful country, Go if you can. I was skiing this time. But next time I am bringing my ROCKY back to her
birth place.
RIDE FAST...... AND TAKE CHANCES... ADAMS
Buy a ROCKY.... Cause life is too short not to. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Worstell
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen, CO
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bergens Peak | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike and Ski | | Strengths: | - Overall bike performance
- Frame and suspension design
- The Marzocchi Z3 M80 fork is sweet and simple
| | Weaknesses: | - The SRAM componentry stinks | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing FS, just GT Zaskar | | Bike Setup: | Stock except XTR brakes | | Bottom Line: | Coming off my GT Zaskar hardtail, it was quite an adjustment to learn to ride the Element. But after a few months and many miles, I have come to love this bike. I have had some problems with some of the components, which has forced me to deduct one chili, but the bike is otherwise solid.
I initially thought the Z3 M80 was subpar for a bike in this price range because it was heavy and lacked adjustment, but it hasn't taken me long to be convinced otherwise. While a solid 1.5 pounds heavier than my SID XC, the Z3 is plusher, stiffer, simpler to set-up, and requires less attention and maintenance. In short, I set the preload on the Z3 and it does the rest. Unless your racing, don't pass over a fork like this just because of the weight. It's performance is remarkable.
The componetry is another story however. I replaced the SRAM brakes with XTR after only a few rides because of poor performance. The pads on the SRAMs were nearly gone after only a few rides and were lipped over the inside of the rim. The clearance between the brake arms was less than the minimum of 37 mm specd in the SRAM manual, perhaps leading to poor braking and fade. The XTRs perfomance is noticeably better. The SRAM chain broke on the third ride. And I noticed a bend in the large chain ring about the same time which I didn't think I had caused. As for the Rocky Mountain stuff (seat post, hubs, etc..), it seems to perform just fine and I don't see a need to replace it (except maybe to shave a little weight). The Geax Beaumount tires seemed unpredictable in sandy corners at first, but now seem okay.
Despite my complaints about some of the componetry, I feel that this is a great bike. It climbs well, handles the technical stuff with ease, and descends incredibly fast. I haven't noticed any feedback from the suspension. The frame is laterally rigid and well constructed. If you buy this bike you will enjoy riding it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nic
a Cross Country Rider
from YC CA USA
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | All of them | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Green Lake Cycles | | Strengths: | This bike is virtually solid, climbing, desending and everyother trick you can throw at it. The Rocky eats up everything in sight. The frame is tough as well as light, and is great for long rides. | | Weaknesses: | The rear hub is not that great, I can't belive Rocky put such a terrible rear hub on this otherwise solid bike. Sometimes when I'm down shifting the chain gets stuck and has to be removed with a little force. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized FSR Extreme (Save your money and spend it on a Rocky!!!) | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except for the handel bar and stem. | | Bottom Line: | The price is a little steep but well worth it. My advice is to spend the extra bucks and buy a Rocky, it will last much longer, and you will be pleased with its preformance. Rocky also offers a great warranty if you happen to ever need it. The bottom line, this is an excellent bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Okinawa, Japan
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | La Luge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | Fat Tire Cycles | | Strengths: | Light but strong. Can handle almost anything | | Weaknesses: | Rear suspension bushings started making noise after 6 months. Clean and lube them but it comes back after a few rides. No noticeable play though. | | Similar Products Used: | K-2 razorback, Specialized FSR-XC | | Bike Setup: | Stock frame and wheels, Titec TI flat bar w/ titec bar ends, SRAM 9.0 shifter/derailers, Avid speed dial brake levers, Thompson seat post w/WTB SST.98 saddle, Shimano XT hollowtech crank set. | | Bottom Line: | Outstanding bike for almost any kind of riding. Climbs better than my Cannondale hardtail and handles rough trails and moderate downhills with the best of them. Not as light as some "race ready" bikes but could be made to be if you spend some bucks. And this bike won't let you down 5 miles from the parking spot. Yet to have a mechanical for anything except a flat tire. Handles great and is comfortable enough for 6-8 hour rides over all terrain. Not the cheapest on the market, but may be the last bike you ever need. Or want. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john rynders
a Cross Country Rider
from williamson,NY,USA
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Spencer Park | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | Park Ave Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Frame design and most of the stock components | | Weaknesses: | Rear hub. For some reason I get chain suck way more than on my GT hardtail. | | Similar Products Used: | None. Other bike is a hardtail. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Crosslink rear wheel and hub. Kore Stem. | | Bottom Line: | Very pleased with the bike. I am a climbing maniac and was worried it wouldn't climb like my GT. This thing climbs as good or better and is a great F/S to stand up and climb on without any ill rear suspension effects. Factory rear hub was bad and had it replaced by dealer. New hub from Rocky was worse than original so dealer obtained Deore hub from Rocky.(Then I put Crosslink on rear)I gotta say Park Ave has been a great shop so far. I'm not sure why but I seem to get regular chain suck on this bike,especially when muddy. Other than above problem I really love how this bike rides. I ride mostly techy singletrack and can not believe how fast this bike is. Its almost as if it can read read the trail before the rider and react instantly. Must be good geometry. Anyone considering a full suspension bike for heavy duty cross country riding that includes techy singletrack,climbs of all amplitudes and tricky fast downhills will do well to consider this bicycle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron Sandberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | e-bay | | Strengths: | Frame construction, finish, linkage, Great Fork. | | Weaknesses: | Wheelset a bit heavy for XC. | | Similar Products Used: | K2 5000(free-ride, don't let anyone tell you the K2 design is XC worthy. | | Bike Setup: | Sun/ ringle RPM lite, Kore steam and post, monkey lite bars, avid 25 brakes , xt 9 speed cas. Truvatic ISIS | | Bottom Line: | great reliablity, climbing, fit. I was able to drop a few $$ and remove 2.5 pounds. Rocky Mountain's customer service is also top of the line. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Norm
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Excellent value and easy to climb with. Nice rigid frame. | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock, changed to shorter stem and diff. pedals | | Bottom Line: | Good climbing setup for a FS. Excellent XC bike...Ready to race as is. I had the bike for only 3 weeks before I raced with it. Ideal for long XC rides/races, NOT a Shore bike...
but you will have fun trying.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rock Ford
a
from Canada
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | White Track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Canadian made, relatively light, sweet linkage. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | 99 Element Race. | | Bike Setup: | 00 Element Race frame, Race Face cranks, full XT, Thomson post, Mavic 519 on WTB Tyrannoraptors. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is the bomb. This isn't your average Giant, Norco or beat up old Marin. But every bike has it's charm. This bike burns the paint off the marin, if it's still there. If you're looking for a bike that will give you every penny's worth, then stick with the Element Race. It's the bike for every Ted, Paul and Jason out there. Stick with the Canadian made stuff, and you're good to go.
Now if i could just get a steak that is as good as this bike....
Only five chilis? Too bad...i'd have given 6.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Chapel Hill
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$960.00 | | Purchased At: | Peddle and Paddle | | Strengths: | Very responsive, great handling. Does everything well that I come across in cross country riding. Made the switch from a hardtail very enjoyable without any felling of loss of power or handling. | | Weaknesses: | none, though this would not be a good choice if you are heavy-duty free rider. | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Race Face flat bar and bar ends, switched out LX shifter pods for SRAM Rocket Shifter and SRAM 7.0 brake levers. I prefer the gripshift and was having trouble with the shifters. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike I was lucky to get so cheap as a demo/rental less than a year old. Would never have been able to afford one new. This bike has definately made me a better rider while reducing the pounding I was getting from hardtail (even though it was cro-moly). Have ridden at Pisgah and Bent Creek in the mountains on all day rides as well as my regular rides in town and have had nothing but great experiences. I can't imagine a better bike for the money. Folks at Peddle and Paddle are great, I highly reccomend them to folks in the area looking for a new bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim - Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Fat Tire Farm | | Strengths: | Everthing is Perfect! | | Weaknesses: | A little chain suck a first | | Similar Products Used: | FSR, Sugar | | Bike Setup: | Stock - except a stem change for comfort | | Bottom Line: | This bike Rocks. I have ridden it several time in varied conditions and this keeps on elevating my level of riding. The suspension hooks up so effortlessly that it was saved my bad form from several potential crashes had I been in the same situation on my old hardtail.
This bike is fast! Climbs like a mt. goat with little or no noticable bob.
I rode most of the FS and softail products on the market before I purchsed the RM. This bike felt the best of the bunch and was spec'd with equal or better parts.
Best thing - its not a Trek!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcus
a Racer
from Tampa, FL. USA
Date Reviewed: December 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Santos, Hard Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1784.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Outfitters in Seminole, FL | | Strengths: | Proven frame design and strength, great acceleration (no bob unless your standing....hard !!), Very tight on technical and effortless jumping. Responses like my motocross bike and eats roots for a warmup snack. | | Weaknesses: | Cheapy intertubes and not enough room under the Fox for the 2nd h2o bottle during C.C.
No room left over for the rocket launcher...(it just feels like it should have one) | | Similar Products Used: | GT, Gary Fisher-Sugar 3 and 2, Klein, and Stump Jumper (for laughs). | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z3 M80 Bombers, Fox Air Vanilla Float "R" shock w/ rebound adjuster, Shimano XT brake levers, shifters, front derailleur. XT rear derailleur, Race Face cranks and rings. Upgraded to Profile B.O.A. 130 stem and Triple Trap pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I did the motocross thing and the BMX thing, both with full sponsership.
I have never ridden a bike like this Rocky. It slams over everything. I have left so many riders with their mouths hanging open as this Rocky eats 'em for lunch, then takes a dump on their front tire.
As far as tech and jumps. This thing is very well balanced. It stays under me when my body is 2 feet to the side and is easy to maintain when your flyin' with the birds.
I've let Sugar and GT owners ride this thing, and I get the same response. Their faces turn worried and they look like their favorite dog was just hit by a truck. Sorry guys if ya spent your $$ on the wrong bike.
Rocky has proved this frame design for over 7 years. There's not many other OEM's that can say that.
Thank GOD I rode a Rocky before I wasted my money. ;-)
(p.s. Oh yeah...I've heard this a million times, "....wow, I've heard of them, but never actually saw one."
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I can see in the distance. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Local shop | | Strengths: | Mostly the rear shock, Shimano parts, frame quality, wheels, and overall good looks. Also, interestingly thought out. | | Weaknesses: | A pivot wasn't torqued properly at first; there was the slightest bit of side to side play, upon hands-on examination. This wasn't a safety or performance concern, but WAS a scratch against an otherwise solidly-built bike. Local shop owner took the pivot out, soothed in some goop, retorqued it, and everything's fine. In two years of avid riding using RM suspension bikes, this is the closest I've ever come to having any problem with my frame. | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Specialized StumpJumper (just a few seconds), 1998 Rocky Mountain Spice (two sweet years, bike got stolen). | | Bike Setup: | The way it came: Marzocchi Z3 M80 fork, Fox Air Vanilla Float R shock, Shimano LX brake levers, shifters, front derailleur. XT rear derailleur, Race Face cranks and rings. | | Bottom Line: | The Fox is just incredible. It's smooth, elegant, and (best of all) equipped with a rebound adjuster. This knob really, really works, and lets you tune the shock from super stiff to super lively. The bike will transform from a plush soaker to an efficient racer and back again, whenever you want. It gives you all the option you can ask for in a fs bike right at your fingertips. It's that simple, I'm not kidding you.
The Shimano brake levers are well crafted, with great feel. Levers may seem like a small deal, but you have to spend a long time seeing and touching them, so they might as well be good. The XT rear derailleur is just about flawless; it does everything a derailleur should do, and even has a cute boot at the end to keep grit out.
I've always loved RM's 3-D Link suspension, because it's good looking and well suited for cross-country. Since '98, they've made it even better, improving the parts and tweaking the pivot locations to give the wheel a more independent line of travel.
The wheels are handbuilt, which is good. Having Mavic rims, DT spokes, kevlar Geax tires and high-quality RM hubs adds up to light wheels, which also look sleek.
My Element is yellow with a black front fork and black rear triangle... awesome. In comparison, the black StumpJumper with its red fork was a more conservative looker. What's also worth noting about the Element is that it looks like a normal bike in design. This bike has a normal seat tube, and hikers who aren't mechanically-minded (mostly the ladies) won't even know that there's rear-suspension (not that they'd care... the ladies that is).
So I think that in the grand scheme this bike is superb, but there are also nice little things. The Selle Italia saddle is custom embroidered with maple leaves (not Leafs). This is unusually thoughtful of a company, and there are also many other maple leaves across the bike (though I'm not sure how this will come across to someone who's not Canadian.) The house brand grips are nice, not too slippery, not too grabby. The house brand riser bar is simply beautiful, and I wouldn't trade it for any riser on the market. The 'top of the top tube' cable routing makes sense to me, because little dirt gets there. The wheels have obviously been planned to be almost entirely black; the insides of the wheels, spokes, and hubs are all dark. Good taste call. Another thing companies don't often think about.
But, I won't give you the regular low-down that you hear about the Marzocchi. So far, (I weigh 130lbs) after maybe 10-15 hours of riding, it still isn't as plush as my old '99 Judy Hydracoil was. And it's not notably stiffer than the Judy was (when that fork was also new, before its bushings quickly wore thinner and created a tad of play). Up till now, it's almost exactly the same in behaviour; it just has less low-speed damping. It does look very different, though. Those bold, bare, 30mm stanchions sure give the bike a different look.
So if this bike is not considered unique, then no bike is. It's a versatile performer, thanks to the Fox shock. It's well designed, well specked, and thought out till the end. Do I recommend it? To someone looking for a world class racer, no. The Thin Air, which has the same price tag, will finish a smooth xc course a little sooner (at the expense of your comfort). But to someone wanting a noble, realistic bike, yes. Of course. If you let it, this horse will become your dream ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver,Wa,USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | larch mtn | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Strengths: | Awesome ride and handling | | Weaknesses: | Race Face chainramps catch chain on downshifts sometimes causing chain to become sucked up to the chainstay=scratches on frame | | Similar Products Used: | schwinn rocket 88 stage 2, sugar 2+3 | | Bike Setup: | stock except time carbons and wtb ssx-3 saddle | | Bottom Line: | Very pleased overall except for chainring issue. Race Face is being contacted by dealer to resolve... we'll see. Excellent suspension and ride quality. Great value for the money | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darren Love
a Cross Country Rider
from Coquitlam,B.C,Canada
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | L.O.L.A.H. Logs of Love and Hate | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | The Ridge Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Its an sweet ride, best looking bike and the frame is awsome. | | Weaknesses: | I am 12 and I only 100lbs and Ive broken pretty much everything already, like my rear set, it has snaped twice already, the crown on the forks pop up, the derailers suck, chain ripped apart and every thing else I customized and screwed up too. I treat it like its my baby. | | Similar Products Used: | GT Zaskar, Rocky Mountain Stratous | | Bike Setup: | hayes disc brakes, tioga tires, rhino lite rims, full XT equiped, race face drive-train, sram shifters/chain | | Bottom Line: | Its a bueatiful bike, its a nice ride but it breaks too much, Ive owned the bike for 2 1/2 months but its been in the shop for a total of about a month. Now im trying to get an RM6 from Rocky Mountain | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eugene
a Cross Country Rider
from Cave Creek Az USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Go John at Cave Creek Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1650.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Ranch at Trailhead | | Strengths: | Everything. Especially the frame. It is so responsive. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found any yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized fsr, Sugar 3 | | Bike Setup: | Stock except 9.0 brakes | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. It's my first f/s and i really sweated over the decision. After reading all the reviews and test riding different bikes i decided on the Rocky. I'm glad i did. This bike is awesome. It climbs like a hardtail, descends like a rabid devil and handles tight twisty singletrack as well as technical terrain like a tazmanian devil. With the 9.0 brakes i have so much control i'm riding stuff i never thougt i would ever be able to. If you want a bike that's going to give you great control so you can have maximum fun,go out and buy this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hugh
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco, CA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Suspension is 'just right,' no skimping on parts, good compromise between cross-country and more extreme geometry, simple & elegant design, same frame as more expensive models, disc-ready. | | Weaknesses: | Slight flexing around the bottom bracket; bottom bracket perhaps a shade too high for seated hill-starts | | Similar Products Used: | Stumpjumper FS (Comp & Pro), Specialized Enduro, Sugar 2, Santa Cruz Heckler X, GT I-Drive (2000?), C'dale Jekyl | | Bike Setup: | Stock (w/upgraded BB); thinking about switching to a longer stem, maybe the tires, and eventually the brakes (once discs become viable). | | Bottom Line: | I'm delighted. It's taken me a little while to get the suspension dialed, and a little longer to get used to the geometry, which is a little more upright than I have on my trusty, fits-like-a-glove hardtail. Now that things are settled I'm loving it, and my hardtail seems much more twitchy and (obviously) more harsh. The Element really comes into its own on single track and low-speed technical trails. The uphill traction is amazing, especially on rooty and rocky climbs. The front end is much lighter than I'm used to, which, combined with the riser bars, means that the front wheel pops up more than I'd like. I lowered the pressure in the front tire, and the upweighting didn't bother me as much (since I was getting better traction anyway). I'm continually amazed by what this bike can get through; even when I stall in the technical stuff, I can generally just jam on the pedals before putting a foot down and get through the section clean. And the rear wheel stays hooked in the whole time! I'm a little conflicted about the high bottom bracket; it's great for clearing logs, etc., but makes seated hill starts quite tricky since I'm a little reluctant to bring the saddle down. When I do, the geometry feels little off and the bike sluggish. I guess if you want cross-country performance you have to keep a cross-country set-up. No complaints with the frame so far; good cable routing, clean welds, two fully-functional bottle mounts (NO other bikes had this: I hate camel baks), perhaps a few too many decals (about a dozen maple leafs) and decent weight for this price range. It's the same frame as the Instinct, which costs $600 more for parts that I wasn't convinced were going to give me any substantial performance improvement.
As for the parts, I have few complaints. There's nothing too glamorous, which is no surprise given the price. I was really tempted by the lockout on the Float RC shock spec'd on the more expensive model, but decided I could do without it. So far the plain-old Float has been satisfactory (although I have a suspicion that it's leaking air ... maybe I'm just being paranoid). The SRAM brakes are a little fishy and harsh, but do their job. The GEAX tires I hated at first, but came into their own once I took the pressure down and performed REALLY well in sand. The rocky mountain parts seem fine; I see no reason to change them. And the raceface prodigy cranks look cool, but I'm not really convinced that they're any better than Shimano; these are the OEM set and are quite a bit heavier than their popular LP series. But I'm just as much a sucker for glamor as the next guy. Which brings me to the fork: drool! The marzocchi is beautiful; I was a little leery of the Z3, since it lacks the compression damping (unless you want to change oil) of the Z2, which is spec'd on the more expensive Instinct, but so far the damping feels just right, maybe just a shade on the fast side. I think RM's made some good part choices in order to keep the price in this range, and I like the spec's much better than any comparable bikes of other brands.
In general, the element suits my riding style really well, preferring slow technical stuff over fire road bombing. RM's hit the cross-country trail bike right on the nose, making compromises on the freeride and racing ends of the spectrum to make a better all-around trail bike. I'm a little confused about the element "Race" part, since this thing's not going to be winning any races any time soon. It's too heavy, and to get the best performance out of it you need to run a slighly more plush suspension and low tire pressure. And unless you have the saddle high it seems to want you to crank on the pedals instead of spinning circles. The geometry made spinning feel really inefficient and energy-sapping (and it wasn't because of suspension bob, either, because I checked) relative to my stretched-out hardtail. So this isn't really the bike for racers. I couldn't care less. As my first foray into full suspension, I'm delighted with my choice (and I shopped around and agonized over it A LOT). Great design, great value, great ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, (Radically)CANADIAN
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Credit River | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | SMOOOOOOOTH as silk. I tested this beauty this past weekend while trying to decide what bike I was going to buy in the $1,500 to $2,000 range. The test drive made my mind up in a hurry!!! I accelerated almost effortlessly and braking was good. What more can I say except that when one of my investments matures the end of this month, I will be the proud owner of this superbike. | | Weaknesses: | Are you kidding??? | | Similar Products Used: | Trek, Specialized, ORYX | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Read the strengths. If you have the "coin", and you want a full suspension bike, look no further. You have found the ultimate in every enthusiasts desire to ride and fly. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a
from Ottawa Canada
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Gatineaus | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | lean light... one of the best balanced bikes I have ever ridden.Solid solid frame.Quality QualityQuality....And as a Canadian I love the Maple leafs all over the bike | | Weaknesses: | not impressed with the pedals...changed to time atacs alu's....makes a big difference in the wet riding conditions | | Similar Products Used: | rented a josha Z few yrs back ok was not that impressed | | Bike Setup: | stock except for pedal changes | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding for over 12 yrs there was no suspension when i started. I love this bike..if i could have it surgically attached I would. It wants to fly!It is quick descender.. smooth. Sucks up bumps great....makes the log crossing possible..it is like the rear end is glued to the trail, when doing those creek crossings. Rocky Mountain Rules!!!
It stops when on a dime ...the only problem is that i dont! done a few endos..... A great bike...Canada Rules | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mountain bike mike
a Cross Country Rider
from ringwood nj
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | RINGWOOD STATE PARK | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | FRAME ....GREAT WELDS CAME FROM A ZASKAR LE HARDTAIL ONLY DIFFERENCE WEIGHT SO I LOSS SOME ....AND i CAN FEEL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE CLIMB SO I GET STRONGER | | Weaknesses: | NONE SOFAR | | Similar Products Used: | DIAMOND .....MONGOOSE....GT | | Bike Setup: | CUSTOM BUILT BY ME RACEFACE CRANKS,STEM 110MM LETS ME STRECH OUT RACEFACE HANDLEBARS...CROSSLINK RIMS SHIMANO XTR BB FRT AND REAR DERILLEUIR PANARACER XC PROS AVOCET SEAT REAL BRAKE LEVERS WITH AVID40 BRAKES MAZZZOCCHI SUPER FLY AND GRIP SHIFTS TIME PEDALS AND THOMPSON SEAT POST | | Bottom Line: | AFTER A SUNDAY EPIC RIDE I STILL FEEL GREAT NOT AS BEAT UP AS I WAS ON THE GT.....BETTER TO BUILD THIS COMFY RACE HORSE YOUR SELF INSTEAD OF GOING STOCK...A GREAT BIKE | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Germ
a Weekend Warrior
from Broomfield, CO, US
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | The whole bike is a stength. The frame kicks A**, The wheel set is super fast, the components rock, the suspension is super plush, which makes for a great ride | | Weaknesses: | There are none, this bike is solid all the way round. For those of you that think it is too heavy, hit the weight room you pussies. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, | | Bottom Line: | This is the best bike I have ever owned, and I don't think there is any other bike that can compare to it for the price. Rocky bikes are the best, they have the best frames that make for a killer ride. This bike can and will out perform any bike in it's class, you can not ask for a better bike. It handles awsome on the down hills and for catching some major air. When climbing with this bike you fly up the mountain, it feels like a hard tail but it makes it so smooth its scary. Rocky Mountain bikes kick some major booty. And thats the bottom line!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gusto
a Racer
from Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | the cliff | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Pretty much everything. The wheelset is super fast and the cranks kick ass. The fork is super plush. Oh yeah, and the incredible Rocky frame. | | Weaknesses: | The rocky components. I cracked the rear hub within the first 5 hours of riding. The guys in the shop couldn't figure out how I did it. I bent the seatpost too, but I didn that to the last rocky one I had too, so it's normal already. | | Similar Products Used: | Klein Mantra, Giant DS/3 Warp, Sugar 3 | | Bike Setup: | Stock for now, gonna put a raceface seatpost and WTB Velociraptors when money comes. | | Bottom Line: | Very good bike. I love the handling, typically Rocky. It's my second rocky, and my first full suspension. I love it, it climbs super fast which surprised me. I am unimpressed with the rocky stuff, as it seems to wreck, but whatever. The frame is amazing, and everything else is good. I want to change the tires because they feel a little squirmy where I ride, I like my WTB's. The handling is super good for technical stuff, like drops and rocks. It doesn't have the super stretched cockpit that some bikes have which I really like. I also like the fact the suspension doesn't bob. Very impressed. I've had no problems with the brakes. I love the wheelset, super fast. Buy it over all others, well worth it, it's Canadian EH! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Mitchell
a Cross Country Rider
from Provo, Utah
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wasatch Crest Trail, SLC | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | It's a Rocky! Killer proven frame design that works up and down. | | Weaknesses: | Ummmm... aaaaa...None come to mind--they're hard to get if you don't have connections. Also, ditch the stock risers--they suck! | | Similar Products Used: | Jamis Dakar Expert, FSR Enduro Comp, Klein Mantra, Specialized Big Hit | | Bike Setup: | Manitou X-Vert 100mm fork, Hayes Disks F&R, Azonic World Riser Bar... other than that it's stock--and I'm not complaining | | Bottom Line: | This bike truly rules the world! I got a KILLER deal on this from AardvarkCycles.com. They are the best bike shop around. The Element climbs like a hard-tail--no bob. It could be a bit plusher in the rear, but I'm not complaining one bit. I keep up with guys who have 5-6 inches of travel on the downhills. The Manitou up front is super plush. If you want to convert this bike into a freeride machine that climbs like a hard-tail, get a long-travel fork and some better risers--you'll be lovin' life... I guarantee it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dick Ayala
a Cross Country Rider
from southern California
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bottom Line: | I have to disagree with the review below that states that having Rocky Mountain parts is a weakness. I got the specs from Rocky Mountain and here they are:
Hubs are = to XT hubs (not the best, but not bad)
Seat Post: 255 gms 2014 aluminum alloy
Stem: 200 gms 2014 aluminum alloy
Handlebar: 280 gms 6061 aluminum alloy
Anyone that knows parts will, I think, agree that these are VERY acceptable parts for a bike at this price point.
Let's all try to know what we're talking about before we knock something! 5 hot poopoos for this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dude
a Cross Country Rider
from baltimore,md
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | patapsco | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | frame, colors, race face cranks, zokes fork, fox rear | | Weaknesses: | what were they thinkin when they spec'd the brakeset? a tad heavy in stock form, 27 pounds | | Similar Products Used: | specialized fsr, gt hardtail | | Bike Setup: | swapped the brakeset for XT brake/shifters and XT brakes for about $100 upgrade charge | | Bottom Line: | Perfect bike for me. raceable as is for the entry level racer and upgradeable for the more competitive. The price is very competitive. I used to ride a coil-over with over 4 inches of travel, so this bike initially felt a little rough on the descents, but the trade off is that I climb with much less effort. I don't have any noticeable bobbing. The front and rear travel are well matched. The front XT brakes do squeal as others have noted. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Johnson
a Cross Country Rider
from Barrington NH USA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | around the mtn. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | just the whole damn thing | | Weaknesses: | some of the components | | Bike Setup: | factory | | Bottom Line: | just had it a few weeks and this thing is great! rode a hardtail for 5 years before and wasn't sure about suspension,but i'm hooked. can't wait to race the thing ,6 more weeks and i will. just have to say those habs know how to build a bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Cross Country Rider
from Glendale, California
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | FRAME FRAME oh and the FRAME, and just about everything on the FRAME | | Weaknesses: | LX front der. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar2; Santa Cruz Heckler X | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for XTR front der | | Bottom Line: | This bike is really just beyond belief. It climbs like a monkey with his tail on fire. It's SO plush that you don't feel how plush it is, if that makes any sense. Stand up in a climb and it seems to turn into a hardtail. The ONLY change i'd make on the stock parts spec is to upgrade the front der to at least XT...it's another 10 or 15 bucks and way worth it. Another cool thing is I get to hear this "Oh wow, I've heard of those..but never seen one"...lots of "ooohs and aahhhs". Anyone who's been riding a sub $1000 bike and want to move up...this is the bike for you.
I paid $1625 at the Bike Company in Lake Forest, California. It's the only shop anywhere near L.A. that sells RM's AND they are also the BEST shop i've ever been to. These people know their stuff and aren't just interested in dumping inventory. Please do yourself a favor and BUY A ROCKY MOUNTAIN!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
richard cho
a Cross Country Rider
from white plains, ny, usa
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | blue mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | This bike rides itself downhill. Just point it downhill and it picks its own line. The climbing ability is unrivaled in the 1500-2000 price range. | | Weaknesses: | none. This is a solid feeling bide through and through. | | Similar Products Used: | gary fisher-sugar2, jamis dakar-expert, specialized fsr-fc, | | Bike Setup: | marzocchi M80 forks, LX/XT parts, syncros stem | | Bottom Line: | I went to 6 hard core mountain shops and asked around, saw reviews on mountain bikes on the internet and magazines, and most importantly, test rode all the aforementioned bikes. I believe this bike in the 1500-2000 price range has no rival!! I had never heard of rocky mountain before, but this appears to be "the bike" for those "in the know". I felt as though I could climb walls on steeps, and had lots of control on the downhill. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Clinton ont. Canada EH!
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Blow Chunks | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | So far so good! real nice fox shock & fit and finish A-1. | | Weaknesses: | Crappy Stoppers | | Similar Products Used: | 99 FSR-XC, | | Bike Setup: | Judy XC, XT shifter pods, Avid Arch Rival 50, 2.0 levers & a Bontreger Lite 135X7 stem | | Bottom Line: | The fit and finish of this bike is great! And what a hot paint job! (I'm not just saying this because I am a Canadian!) It acclerates like a rocket , and handles like it's on rail's. There is vertually no bobbing when you hammer it out of the saddle. The bike really shines on tight twisty trails.
The only downer is the lame Sram 7.0 V'S What a cop out for such a nicely spec'd bike.
How well do I like it? The FSR is now being ridden by my father . 1/2 a burning bush off for the stoppers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fast Eddie
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bookcliffs/Fruita | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Extremely well balanced suspension and handling, top notch quality built canadian hoser frame | | Weaknesses: | none unless you're a weight concious xc race geek | | Similar Products Used: | schwinn homegrown/urt, fisher joshua/urt, gt i-drive | | Bike Setup: | Custom: Raceface 1.5" riser bars/stem, full on xt drivetrain (tried, true, and always works), new style XT v-brakes (mega-stopping power/modulation-no linkage slop either), Z.2 Bomber-the only fork for this bike | | Bottom Line: | My Rocky is the bomb! I built it a hair on the beefy side and went for a bomb-proof bike, not an xc breaker. This bike does exaclty what I want it to without any quiver or flex form the rear end. It tracks like it's on rails, and can be flicked onto a new line in the blink of an eye. As for suspension, it's super active and very well balanced with a Marzocchi fork. No more lower back pains at the end of a long day in the saddle. But most of all, this bike KICKS, it has got to be the absolute best xc-full suspension bike on a downhill. It's all about fun! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maniaco
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix,AZ U.S.
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | western express | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very well built frame and it fits me perfectly. | | Weaknesses: | A little heavy in stock trim | | Similar Products Used: | Fisher Montare, Proflex 856 | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z2-xflys, easton monkey lite ct2 bars, grip shift plasma,Xt levers. King no thread set, race face BB,Race face XY post, selle ti rail saddle, cane creek WAM wheel set. XTR cassette, XTR rear derailluer, XT front derailluer, sram 9.0 calipers. | | Bottom Line: | Very quick turning bike, I got it down to 25.5 pounds and with the cane creek wheels this puppy flies! this bike is so easy to make mid turn corrections with, If you crash its only your fault. thats how good this bike handles. I was coming up short on a table jump and it just soaked up the abuse and kept on going. I love this bike the way I have it set up. It's a great bike stock too, but it's a little heavy. Five flaming turds for this bad boy!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charles
a Cross Country Rider
from Bastrop, TX
Date Reviewed: March 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | light, responsive, good paint job, good welding with smooth joints. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | 6 bikes, all department store brands, both rigids and full suspension | | Bike Setup: | Chris King headset and hubs, SRAM 9.0 SL shifters and rear
derailleur. SRAM 9.0 brake levers and brakes. Titus
Titanium bar - 3 degree straight bar. Kore lite 3 stem,
Truvativ Stylo Team crankset. XTR 9 speed cassette,
Marazochi Z-3 BAM fork, Mavic X517 rims, Panaracer Fire XC
tires
| | Bottom Line: | I am setting personal bests on every ride at every distance.
It is VERY sensitive to turns. The weight as spec'ed is a shade over 26 lbs. There is some extra poundage in the forks, but that can be fixed if I ever decide it is that vital. I can see that it will be really something at cornering, but will require practice before I can use it to full potential. Something in the wheel set-up is also very right. I gave another rider a head start down a hill, all I did was to coast and I continued to accelerate past the other bike in a very short distance. There is nothing scientific in this observation, but it illustrates the surprise I felt in the way it free-wheels. - OH BY THE WAY it sleeps inside with me.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cory
a Cross Country Rider
from King Hill, Idaho
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | southern idaho.....all fo it! | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | I only rode this bike on a demo in the parking lot but it convinced me to buy one! The frame was very strong and the forks seemed like they were plenty stiff enough and soaked the cubs very well. | | Weaknesses: | I know that it was just me but I would need a shorter stem, I also don't like trigger shifters | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Sugar3 | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike from what I can tell so far I can't wait until this fall when I can go buy one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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$ 1674.00
