I have only ridden this bike 6 times since I have gotten it and I don't want to rush to judgement. My initial impression is that it is extremely well made. The frame is light, tracks well and is designed to minimize bobbing. It takes a little adjusting to get the fox air shock set up correctly. I set my sag between 10-15% of total shock travel and am very pleased with the performance. You don't know you are on a Full suspension bike until big hits or big downhill. JUST what I wanted.I'll rate it high today and review it again in a year with updates.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nathan goldsmith
a Cross Country Rider
from sacramento Date Reviewed: November 19, 2001
Favorite Trail:
top secret
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2150.00
Purchased At:
new york
Strengths:
nice paint, handles well, good quality frame
Weaknesses:
weak derailer hangers, poor shifting, never able to get it fully dialed.
I really like this bike, after a year i jones after no other, save perhaps a ellsworth. I am really writting this to let all you r.m. owners know about a little mod i came up with to increase your rear wheel travel! It involves making a new rear 3d link out of aluminum plate.It will be a little longer sort of like a slayer. It wasnt easy but with a little careful calculation I was able to increase rear travel to about 4.5 or so inches without altering b.b. height or head angle so the bike rides the same just a little more active and compliant. this sacrifices a small amount of efficiency as does any increase in usable rear wheel travel but if you dont like it you can always put the stock links on. you can reach me by kliking on my name in blue at the top of the screen and Ill give you the geometry i used. by doing this you will also be able to drill a few holes in the new plates where the shock mounts to give yourself adjustable travel. everyone Ive shown my custom setup too was stoked.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ricksom
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Canada Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Deep Forest Single-track
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Chain Reaction
Strengths:
- Confidence inspiring - Active suspension that doesn't annoy you - Handles technical situations well - Shines when riding deep forest Ontario single-track - Frame doesn't feel like a wet noodle - Can deal with less than delicate situations
Weaknesses:
- Like all full-suspension bikes, heavy - Paint job a little too "conservative"
Bike Setup:
Instinct frame with custom components like Marz Atom 80 fork (coil), SRAM throughout, Mavic wheels, Shimano XT crank
Bottom Line:
If you love your hardtail but want a full-suspension bike to supplement your advanced XC riding requirements, buy this bike. It has a fully active rear suspension that handles ALL the bumps, unlike the popular Gary Fischer Sugars and others these days. It handles the really rough and technical trails well, where your hardtail will start hurting you too much. You will especially notice the improvement at high speed, and up technical climbs. I don't notice any suspension bob, except for the front (which is the same with my hardtail). I have a lockout for the rear shock, which I rarely use. I don't notice any traditional rear-end flexing common with full suspension bikes.
The bike manages gnarly, twisty single-track really well; but not as well as my Rocky Vertex hardtail. When it comes to all out agility and responsiveness, my Rocky Vertex is still the best. Leaning the bike to turn through tight corners still works better with the Vertex. I guess all full suspension bikes have a more forgiving and "damped" ride without the "racy edge" of a full race-on hardtail.
At 26 lbs. (my scale), and my Vertex being 23 lbs., the extra 3 lbs. is really noticable (I don't care what the "blind, deaf, and dum" reviewers say). The extra weight comes in handy when going downhill, speeding through level rough sections, and flowing more through technical obstacles. However, uphills are more of a drag, carrying the bike is a pain in the shoulder, and the extra weight contributes to why the bike doesn't handle with that snappy "racy edge". Apparently these are issues with all full suspension bikes (except the ultra-light ones).
For the price of the frame ($1,200 CAN including a sweet Fox shock with pump), this bike is the best you can get if you live for challenging single-track and avoid fire roads.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Justen
a Cross Country Rider
from Dayton Oh Date Reviewed: July 16, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Strengths:
Bike has a solid feel. butter smooth ride.
Weaknesses:
None as of yet.
Similar Products Used:
GT LTS, super-v
Bike Setup:
Hope pro dics brakes, race face cranks, xtr 9 sp., Kore elite, Marizochi shock, chris kind headset
Bottom Line:
It would be virtually impossible for me to complain. I feel a big part of this is because i choose and set up all the componets myself, so i am only using the rockey mountain frame. If your looking for a solid dual suspension frame then the instinct will more than fulfill your demands.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerry Bourck
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Waterdown
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Brant Cycle
Strengths:
Since my initial pains highlighted last year (see other review), RM did replace a biting granny gear Raceface and all my chain suck woes faded. I've also tried various FS bikes since and the rear suspension on the Instinct is perfect for XC, It's solid for hammering but absorbs impacts just right.
Weaknesses:
Cost me $70 for a full replacement set of pivot bolts. Robbery for any components. But the bike is king.
Similar Products Used:
GT I-drive, Specialized FSR Expert
Bike Setup:
Added Hayes discs - heavy but could never go back now.
Bottom Line:
Contrary to my last damning review, I would buy another Instinct. Have you seen the Element Team - Sweetness.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
"Big" Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood, Colorado, USA Date Reviewed: March 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Porcupine Rim, Moab
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
Sports Garage, Boulder
Strengths:
Great handling, climbs better than my previous Bianchi hard tail, good down hill, accurate feel of the trail, not a mushy FS, good component setup, well balanced between front and rear suspension. I'm a Clydesdale class rider and very clumsy and for the most part it has held up, thank you for putting a separate rear-d mount.
Weaknesses:
The Atom 80 is a little twitchy on fast fire roads and washboards, but is fine, plush, and accurate on single track. I had some chain suck with the race face cranks at first, but they seem to have broken in and it's no longer a real problem, I like them better than my old XT's. The Mich. Wild Gripper Comps SUCKED, at least for my application in Colorado (dry, sandy, rocks big and small, and lots of gravel). The stock peddles Shimono 513's were defective. The front end seemed squirrelly at first, on climbs, but I got used to riding a little more forward and that disappeared.
Similar Products Used:
I tried 15 FS bikes before buying the Rocky Mountain. The bikes that didn't feel mushy or had poor handling were the Titus (same component package was quoted $400 higher) and the Schwinn Rocket 88 (a friend had one and the rear suspension literally fell apart).
Bike Setup:
Changed from stock: went with straight handlebar, XTR brakes, heavy duty springs in front. I broke the rear-d in a crash and went with XT, XTR being a little pricey for something that WILL get bashed. Put my own Shimono 747 peddles on.
Bottom Line:
If you are a cross country rider, have some spare change, and want a full suspension bike, this is a fantastic ride. With the Fox RC with lockout, hardtailers will be happy. It has a long top tube, so short torso'ed riders should really test it. I would not recommend it for downhill mashers, not enough of a heavy-duty frame and not enough travel.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Dupont Date Reviewed: December 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Porter Creek/Capital Forest
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2300.00
Strengths:
Excellent balance between front and rear suspension. It really rocks over everything downhill.
Weaknesses:
Ritchey headset gave out early. Geax tires had poor traction. Bolt holding on rear suspension backed out into small chain ring and sheared the heads off the bolts.
Similar Products Used:
PROFLEX full suspension, K2 razorback
Bike Setup:
Atom 80 front shock,Fox RC Vanilla rear shock, XT/XTR/derailleur, race face crank.SRam brakes
Bottom Line:
I'm a 220 pound rider that has enjoyed riding the bike over muddy terrain in the forests of the Puget sound for over 500 miles. The bike configuration is excellent and can take me anywhere that my intermediate skills limit me. The bolt problem was solved with some lock tite even though the chain ring had to be replaced. I think this is a great bike for someone who likes to ride moderate to hard over rough terrain who doesn't mind upgrading/replacing components every once in a while. Don't buy this bike if you have to have the best of everything.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Seth
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Gatos, CA, USA Date Reviewed: November 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Grizzly/LOGS
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
TRAILHEAD CYCLERY
Strengths:
This bike, the 2001 Rocky Mountain Instinct, is an absolute cross country/ free riders dream. The Z2 shock in the front and the fox in the rear are perfectly matched. The rear end on this bike is not slopy in the super technical sections like most of the other bikes in the market place.
Weaknesses:
3d link!! After 20 hardcore rides on some of Nor Cali's most brutal trails i managed to snap the rear drop out into two pieces!!! (this is not a fault of Rocky Mountian design, However just a bad piece of tubbing and some serious hardcore riding!!!!!)
Similar Products Used:
specialized stump comp hard tail, specialized FSR, Santa Cruz Heckeler
Bike Setup:
my bike was a bomber straight from the factory. However i have changed the pedals to my shimano clipless mountain platform pedals and, I have thrown on new IRC meats for better traction. The magura disk brake system, Race Face Next Lp crank set, sram hubs all work extremly well. You will here complaints from other riders about rust bleeding from the head set and the shocks being sub-par!! It all boils down to where you purchase your bike. My bike was purchased at Trailhead Cyclery. this is hands down the best bike store i have ever worked with. They re-build every bike from the factory before it hits the street to ensure quality and maximum fun for each and every rider.
Bottom Line:
For those of you looking to buy a totally trick custom bike from the factory look no further than Rocky Mountian. Whether you are a DIE HARD Cross Country free rider like my self you will find the Rocky Instinct far superior to all of the competitton out there. Lastly, for those of you loking to buy a bike i reccomend working with TRAILHEAD CYCLERY. The TRAILHEAD staff takes time to fit each and every bike that comes through their doors to the rider that is buying it. I do not work for TRAILHEAD or have I been payed for this testimonial, a good shop makes the world of difference for riders of all types when setting up a new rig. Lars and his staff will treat you right hopefully they will set you up on this bomber of a bike the 2001 ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTINCT. and as they say
RIDE HARD AND TAKE CHANCES!!!!!!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Res Röthlisberger
a Cross Country Rider
from Switzerland Date Reviewed: November 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
is in my backyard
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
- superior climbing - great frame (excellent geometry) - handling - great specs (i.e. best tires ever ridden!)
Weaknesses:
- chainsucks during the first 15 rides
Similar Products Used:
- cannondale super v - secialized fsr & enduro - cyclecraft
Bike Setup:
stock except wheels (mavic crossmax, bekause of the ceramic sidewalls) and brakes (magura rim brakes, the next best thing to discs).
Bottom Line:
this bike makes you a better rider, it's just that easy. after some years on my c'dale and some weekend test rides on the above rigs, my dealer gave me a '99 instinct for a ride. despite the wrong frame size, i was instantly sure, that this was the one to buy. now, that i've ridden it a lot (really a lot!), i can only recommend to anybody out there looking for a new bike: TRY THE NEW RM INSTINCT! only bad thing about mine is that i bought it a year too early. the new ones comes with disc brakes. but other than that i couldn't imagine sth better at this time and i would be surprised, if my next bike wasn't a rocky mountain!!! buy this bike if you: - are canadian (or you would like to be one) - are a xc-rider and want fs that really works - are looking for a proven but not outdated design - like singletracks
don't buy this bike if you: - don't like maple leafs - don't know how to spell 'canada' - are a freerider (skip to the slayer or rm6 instead)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah Date Reviewed: November 18, 2000
Favorite Trail:
desolation lake
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Sweetest cross-country ride available: front-rear suspension integration (dig that frame), nimble and predictable handling characteristics (dig that frame), takes to the air with noble righteousness (dig that frame), superb lateral rigidity (dig that frame) sweetest paint job out there (dig that frame).
Weaknesses:
Well, I bothered to drain the rear shock and measure the actual rear travel, which, it turns out, is 3.75" on both the medium and (my brother's Element Race) small frames, not 3.0" as I said on my last review. That said, I guess I will agree with some of the lower reviews that Rocky should warranty up to 4" forks on this bike, just for the sake of balance. I noticed an earlier review commenting on rear-end flex. Older Instincts, I recall, used different bearing material which supposedly wore more quickly. Newer ones should not have that problem. My Instinct is waayyy laterally stiff.
Similar Products Used:
Same as my last review, but now add Santa Cruz Superlight, Intense Tracer, and Rocky Mountain Pipeline and Slayer.
Bike Setup:
Same as last review, though I forgot to mention the Frog pedals and Terry Fly seat.
Bottom Line:
The more I ride this bike, the less I think of the competition. The vast majority of other cross-country designs are just poorly thought-out or poorly executed or just plain suck. Hey, sorry, but I think the real reason there are so many hardtail diehards out there is that they test ride those big-company gimmick-of-the-season designs, see them for the pathetic bikes that they are, and then think all full suspension bikes will ride like that. I'm not going to say this bike is completely void of competition, but so far the Superlight is the only bike I feel is comparable (I can actually say there are tradeoffs). When it comes to rearend dampening, the FSR feels like a sponge, the Cannondale Jeckyll feels like a motor-servo without batteries, and the Gary Fisher Sugar feels like a brick. I could set my Instinct's shock pressure too high to where I'm only getting 2" travel and it still feels better damped, more composed, more neutral than those others. The Intense Tracer felt like it was getting in the ballpark, with a smooth motion and not-too-progressive springrate, but it was way susceptible to ghost-shifting. Handling is obviously dependent on the stem length and rise and fork rigidity in addition to head angle and frame rigidity, so when I say the afore-mentioned bikes also do poorly in the handling department I don't have to feel as guilty. But in comparison to the Instinct, most of the bikes I have ridden or demoed somehow manage to feel both vague and nervous at the same time. I'm trying to figure out just how that's possible. Too-quick steering with flexy forks and rear-ends perhaps. The Instinct's tail is way stiff as is my parts selection (with a long Thompson stem) up front. It feels precise and forgiving at the same time; I can blast through turns with wreckless abandon and can almost always recover when I go too far. I think the only bikes that I have ridden thus far that have the same composed, neutral, unflappable feel are Rocky's own Pipeline and Slayer, both dedicated freeriding bikes with weights to match. The Santa Cruz Superlight, the only cross-country full-suspension that rides overall comparably to the Instinct, is lighter, quicker steering (but not too nervous), with a more progressive spring rate and somewhat flexier rear-end. The front to rear integration does not feel as seamless as the Instinct's. The Superlight does not feel as composed on descents, technical riding, or in the air. Landings and stutter-bumps are a bit harsher which adds drama at speed. The Superlight does do a bit better climbing, particularly on acceleration, and feels more at home than the Instinct on stretched-out singletrack. Basically, the Superlight feels like it was made by a California fire-road bike that aspires to downhill while the Instinct feels like a BC freeride bike that aspires to cross-country. Which is what these bikes are, respectively. When it comes down to riding style, I like the Instinct more. Actually, a lot more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
MikeD
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria Date Reviewed: November 7, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Milstream
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
russ hayes
Strengths:
-super nice handling bike -very fast descender, not bad climber -you'll burn any hardtailer who thinks they can rip on the dh's -very nice versatile bike, can do almost anything
Weaknesses:
-the brakes kinda sucked in the wet sloppy rides, so I bought magura rim brakes -I needed new pedals so I went with time atac's with the grey body
Similar Products Used:
98 kona kula
Bike Setup:
stock except for tioga factory xc's and the pedal and brake thing
Bottom Line:
This is a very versatile bike, it can ride xc for a long time and keep you feeling fresh and it dosen't ive you a beatingat all when you ride it. It can play on some mild north shore stuff but not too much because it is an xc bike and it will break, BUT I did find myself looking at a 6 foot drop one day out on the trail so I took it and bike didn't seem to mind, but my wrists did. All in all I believe that hardtails are the ultimate but I wanted a more comfortable bike that was amazing on dh's yet still climbed fast so I picked this and am not at all regreting my decision, but I will always own a hardtail.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken Masi
a Racer
from Hamilton,On.Can. Date Reviewed: November 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
all over southern ontario
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Ancaster Cycle
Strengths:
The Fox RC and marzocchi Z2 are a nice plush feel that needed minor tuning. The frame paint is durable and looks great (blk/gry). Bushings are holding without any problems. Raceface cranks. Smooth ride in the bumps, climbs well and fast downhills.
Weaknesses:
Some Stock Stuff: Michelin comps had fats and suck in the mud (put on IRC's) Headset bled rust (had to regrease). Sram 9.0 were lame (put on my XTR brakes). Mavic x221 rims needed truing a number of times.(also used my other wheelsets instead). I also interchanged the XT shifter combo with my XTR shifters and levers. Not that the XT was a problem , just because XTR rules. Everything else seams ok. Except the weight 26+lb
Similar Products Used:
Specialized FSR and Cannondale Demo
Bike Setup:
Stock but changed some parts as above.
Bottom Line:
This bike with some changes has been alot of fun, fast and fun! Isn't that what it supposed to be - fun. right?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kelsey
a Cross Country Rider
from Nova Scotia, Canada Date Reviewed: September 17, 2000
Favorite Trail:
In the woods by my house.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Hub Cycle Truro Nova Scotia
Strengths:
Every thing except tires Marz Z-2 really great, rear shock is matched very well to front.
Weaknesses:
Wild Gripper Comp S tires. I had 9 flats in a couple of weeks with lots of pressure and no hard driving.
Similar Products Used:
Not many. some junk GFishers...
Bike Setup:
stock except, platform peddals.
Bottom Line:
I am not a cross country rider but there was no other choice, I really like diving on any thing, except pavement.
Every one should buy this bike, take off the pedals and the tires, put on some new ones and go where ever you want. Disk brakes might also be a good investment from the start, trade in the wheels, shifters, brake levers etc and go hydriodic. Don't pay attention to anyone who tells you it is a crappy bike, if mine got crushed by a garbage truck today (just an example!, I would never let this happen) I would go out and buy another one tomorrow. In my opinion after the tires there is not a single bad part on the bike. Also the blue and silver paint job is by far the better choice!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah Date Reviewed: September 8, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Desolation Lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Suspension design and integration, Frame structure and geometry, gorgeous and durable powder finish
Weaknesses:
Deceptively plush, probably sit and spin oriented
Similar Products Used:
FSR, Super V, Fisher Joshua and Sugar, Trek Y, Proflex, GT LTS and i-drive
Bike Setup:
Z2 Atom 80, King headset and rear wheel, Spinergy front, Precision billet brakes/levers and derailleurs, XTR shifters, XT cassette, Thompson seatpost and stem, Continental Survival and Explorer tires, waiting on splined RaceFace Next cranks and King front wheel. Everything is black and silver and gorgeous.
Bottom Line:
I rode a Proflex 756 for three years and loved it. Except for lateral stiffness, all the new suspension bikes that have come out don't seem like much of an improvement over the 756 design, so I had no plans to replace. One day I walked into Canyon Bikes (my fave) and Mike gave me a grin and told me "This is the bike you gotta have". He knows what a finicky, picky, hard to please, frustrating customer I am, so when he said that so convincingly I knew I would be sold. Test rode it down the stairs and was blown away, turned around and rode it up the stairs and that was that. I was so convinced I went all out custom and spoiled myself on the parts selection. Yeah, I'm happy. Dialed in right, the front and rear suspension are seamlessly integrated. It's plain unbelievable to me that such a plush, linear, predictable ride exists on 3" of travel. More, that the front and rear behave in exactly the same perfectly aligned, damped and sprung manner throughout the travel despite the front being coil-over-oil Marzocchi and the rear air-sprung-and-damped Fox. It's easily the most perfect front and rear union I've ridden. The lateral and torsional rigidity all around is excellent. I'm picky about handling, and this bike is spot on. Just point and shoot. Nimble but not nervous, always composed, precise, unflappable, fluid. At any speed. Like a BMW 5-series. Combined with the suspension I feel like I can recover from anything. Downhill, uphill, I don't care. I am a mellow cross-country mountain biker that also happens to be pretty good and I blast and slash when I want to. I can't fault anything this bike has done thus far. Now, a lot of what I have said depends on picky parts selection and riding style. It is a bike after all. The stem had to be just the right length and I worry about how precise the steering will be when I go back to steel spokes up front instead of the carbon fiber Spinergy. Ultimately this is a 3"-travel cross-country suspension bike. I think the plushness can fool you into thinking it's an all-out 6"-travel free-rider, but it's not. It bombs wonderfully but be real. If you ride serious cross-country for the sheer pleasure of it, you should test ride this bike. It has done everything so right for me that I pretty much take everything for granted already. For me, it's Absolut perfection.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Don
a Weekend Warrior
from Corte Madera, CA Date Reviewed: August 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
China Camp
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2300.00
Strengths:
Nice, solid x-country rig. Very stable on descents and reasonable climber given the weight. Beautiful metallic paint on the grey/black combo. Love the Atom 80 front shock.
Weaknesses:
Fox shock blew in the first month but replaced under warranty (probably an isolated incident). Not as light as Santa Cruz Heckler and Superlight.
Similar Products Used:
Santa Cruz Heckler/Superlight, Specialized FSR
Bike Setup:
Stock except for Serfas saddle.
Bottom Line:
A good,all round x-country machine with a touch of free ride stability for beginner (me to advanced riders.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Geoff Power
a Racer
from st Johns nfld Canada Date Reviewed: July 31, 2000
Favorite Trail:
mini shore(white hills)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Fast climber, fast decender, it accelerates!
Weaknesses:
The stock tires were too weak.
Similar Products Used:
All of rocky's full suspension bikes.
Bike Setup:
Fox rc shock,atom 80 fork,all raceface, xt/xtr
Bottom Line:
If you want a fast full suspension XC bike get the rocky instinct.I put in about 14 hours of hard core biking a weak and the pivits are still in great condition.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robby D Dogg
a Cross Country Rider
from SLO, CA, USA Date Reviewed: July 19, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Chiva Falls, Tucson and just about any singltrack (I'm a singletrack slut)
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
- awesome paint job (black/silver) - super strong and stiff frame - climbing and decending - sweet parts selection - the ride, the ride, the ride!! - no flex, very fast and quiet
Weaknesses:
- rear rim needed some love quite a few times (mavic 221) - like every other pivoted fs bike,the pivots need some attention now and then, but unless you rode the short bus to school, maintenance is no problem!
Similar Products Used:
SC Heckler, GT LTS, long-travel hard tails... have tested all c-dale fs models and schwinn fs... nothing compares
Bike Setup:
all stock except for Z1 CR, shorter stem (80mm), SDG Grand Prix seat, and rubber(velociraptor 2.1 in rear, Maxxis Helter 2.35 in front), and about 130psi in rear for my 180lbs
Bottom Line:
This bike rips! This set up is the perfect combo... a little bit of downhill soul with a dash of xc race! The rear suspension works so well I never lock out the rear... even on pavement climbs! This bike excels in rough, technical climbs, traction is awesome! When it comes to the downhills, this bike loves rocks, ruts, jumps and drops! Everytime I finish a nice, rough downhill I'm smilin' from ear to ear and wishin' I could be at the top again. I race downhill, with a different sled, (so I wanted a bike that performed when headed down), and I ride cross country all the time (so I needed a bike that climbed well too and was comfortable for all day adventures) and I found the perfect trail beast!! So far, I love this bike and could not imagine a better all-around trail bike... if I find out anything to the contrary I will submit another review!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerry Bourck
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario Canada Date Reviewed: June 26, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Waterdown Bruce Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Components are all good
Weaknesses:
Bad case of chain suck - always (even with anti-suck tool), ruined a chain, scratched the paint. Rear suspension yokes (brackets) squeak (metal on metal wear). Rear suspension not very plush - very limited range (hard or bottom out).
Similar Products Used:
GT 5000 I-Drive (now that's suspension).
Bike Setup:
Added Hayes 2000 discs.
Bottom Line:
Wouldn't buy it again despite excellent dealer support. Would buy my friend's Specialized Expert "WITH" Hayes discs already on, and a very nice customizable suspension system. Sad really. Also, the suspension pivot bolt backed off into my sprocket while I was 5 miles deep in the woods. Can you say "I don't have a sprocket puller in my bag to access this bolt so I must walk"? Over $4G canadian with discs installed and I'm not happy. Only about 100 kilometers on it and all this depressing news. If Rocky Mountain reads these reviews (or cares) e-mail me to discuss my woes.... You were really well sold to me.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Barry
a Cross Country Rider
from North Vancouver Date Reviewed: June 24, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
great handbuilt frame, great paint, stiff frame tubes, did I say great paint?
Weaknesses:
not cheap, but you get what you pay for in frame build and paint quality
Similar Products Used:
Jamis Dakar Team, Mtn. Cycle San Andreas
Bike Setup:
Stock frame with full Race Face/XT/XTR/Syncros parts and 80mm RockShox SID XC
Bottom Line:
Noticeably stiffer front triangle than the 97 Jamis Dakar Team frame I just retired, plus the higher pickup points for the seat stay pivots seems to keep the tail from wagging as much while cranking hard. I bought a 19" frame only and moved all the bits over from my Jamis Dakar Team, including an 80mm travel SID which is much lighter than the stock Bomber Atom 80. (everything was the same size, gotta love that). I like the Fox RC shock better than the AD-8 Cane Creek that the Jamis used. This could be the all-round XC bike, I may sell my hardtail, it's nice and light and responds well (and has a nice long top tube).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
joe blowyomama
a Cross Country Rider
from boulder Date Reviewed: June 21, 2000
STOCK. NEW EASTON CARBON BAR. RACE FACE STEM. ATAC PEDALS.
Bottom Line:
IT GOES WHERE YOU WANT IT TO. SPEEDS UP WHEN TOU WANT IT TO. STOPS WHEN YOU WANT IT TO. WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT? IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A NEW BIKE THIS IS IT. IT'S CROSS COUNTRY WITH A LITTLE DOWNHILL THROWN IN FOR FUN. AN ALL PURPOSE RIG. TRY IT TODAY AND I'LL READ YOUR SUMMORY TOMORROW. SEE YA' ON THE TRAIL.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Shunk
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, AZ Date Reviewed: June 2, 2000
Favorite Trail:
National
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Performance, performance, performance
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
First FS, but had a RM hardtail for 2 years, didn't need to ride any other bikes after riding this one
Bike Setup:
XT/XTR/RaceFace, IRC rubber
Bottom Line:
I don't really know what all to say other than this bike is the sweetest thing I have ever ridden. RM, my ass thanks you for a beautifully designed ride. I've ridden the best trails in AZ for over 10 years now, and with my first ride on my new Instinct I felt like this trail I had ridden hundreds of times is suddenly new again. Technical sections are not only easier, but now seem to pass under me like a pillow of air. I often wondered how I could get any faster on some of the decents I've blasted over the years on hard tails...now I know. I just hope those SRAM 9.0 brakes can sustain all the extra force they'll be under now that my speed has been multiplied to the nth degree. Honest, I'm not exagerating at all, this bike is phenominal. I feel like I'm in love for the first time...BUY THIS FOKING AMAZING BIKE!!! Or at least get off the net and go give one a test ride for yourself...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob O
a Racer
from Vadnais Heights Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
anywhere on dirt
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Race Face Cranks, Fox Vanilla Float RC shock, Marzochs
Weaknesses:
Stock bike is a little on the heavy side for racing
Bike Setup:
Stock except for: Mavic Crossmax wheels, Easton Monkey lite bars, Easton CT2 Carbon seat post
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up review. Awesome frame and geometry. Great for racing if you get the weight down a bit. The Race Face cranks rock over XTR. Handles like a dream with great tracking by the Z2 80s and the rear Fox. I will definitely buy another one when the time comes.
4 flamers overall because of the weight. 26.75 lbs is way to heavy to race. But for x-country riding, it's just perfect.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jerry
a Weekend Warrior
from Waterdwon, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: May 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Waterdown - Bruce Trails
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Everything. Those that are complaining about the supplier are complaining about the economy - it shouldn't derate the machine!
Weaknesses:
Nada. There are somethings I'd like different, as personal taste, but everything on this animal performed to the nines!
Similar Products Used:
GT 5000.
Bike Setup:
Custom.
Bottom Line:
She's a bute. I found the rear suspension not as plush as the GT 5000 I had prior (I-Drive), but I think I'm still tuning her in, and that will pass.
The price was about where it should be. When I compared against a similar Giant, and Norco, there were things I liked on each, but the Instinct, (despite being $600 more) was still the best value. If you don't spend it now, you'll regret (and spend it) later.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Bomb-proof frame, proven design,Canadian made, Atom 80, Race Face, Fox Float RC
Weaknesses:
None so far
Bike Setup:
ESP 9.0 shifters and levers, Chris King Nothreadset, Speedplay Frogs
Bottom Line:
Amazing ride !! Ohhh yeahhh !! Once you dial the Float RC in, the rear suspension is active exactly when you need it. Completely takes the edge off of rough trails. Bobbing on climbs isn't an issue as long as you don't mash on the pedals. The Atom 80 steers way more accurately than the Judy on my Homegrown hardtail. Incredible difference.
I would highly recommend this bike to anyone looking for a great trail bike. The added comfort equals longer rides and that is a very good thing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kelsey
a Cross Country Rider
from Nova Scotia Date Reviewed: May 6, 2000
Favorite Trail:
up the hill, around a tree, down the hill, over the bridge, along the field, down another hill...
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Every thing. Race Face, and high end shimano stuff. CANADIAN!
Weaknesses:
price 2800 Canadian +tax (but I still think it is great value) If you want a really nice bike, I think you have to pay a really nice bike price.
Similar Products Used:
Fisher Joshua (a pogo stick), Other lesser bikes mostly hard tails.
Bike Setup:
Stock except peddals, I got the shimano ones with the cage around them so I can ride with regular shoes as well.
Bottom Line:
I got the blue and silver (it looks way better than the grey) the grey was sold out. It took a little over a week to get here from the other side of Canada. It is expensive but it is also a great bike. Nice ride, nice paint, nice components, great front fork, fox float rc also really good. It is Canadian that is also a plus! To all you people out there who gave this bike a low rating have you ever actually taken one for a drive? Best bike ever driven so buy one if there are any left. Great for any one who like to have fun really smooth and comfortable. Also very fast.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
nathan goldsmith
a Cross Country Rider
from newburgh NY Date Reviewed: April 20, 2000
Favorite Trail:
SECRET
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
NICE COMPONENT SELECTION, good quality frame, nice and active rear, great climber, great descender, freakin beautiful. fox float rc.
Weaknesses:
Rocky mtn. will not get my buisness again, my bike was three months late and they could have cared less. "we have tons of orders, so we pushed back our delivery dates, you will just have to wait." My bike came, three months late, in the wrong color with a big blob of glue on the stem. I am still waiting for the replacement. They promised to send me a team jersey which i havent recieved. A bunch canadian losers eh!
Similar Products Used:
nobody stocks my frame size so none.
Bike Setup:
monkey lite one inch riser bars, xtr/517 wheels, xt cassette 27 lbs even in a 20.5 inch frame
Bottom Line:
The bike handles on the quick side, nice in the twisty trails here in new york. A confident descender, the rear is more active than the bomber up font. The front wheel is a little light in very steep climbs, probably due to the 80 mills. of travel. I am still experimenting with shock pressure, running 130 psi to my 180 lbs. too little pressure relaxes the geometry, but causes the front wheel to be even lighter on climbs. I really like the bike, but my three months of waiting really turned me off to the company. I was promised four or five times that "my bike will be here in a week" only to be disapointed. The cusomer service reps were completely jaded and offered to send me some stickers, which they didnt. If I did it all again, Id have bought a santa cruz.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cross c
a Cross Country Rider
from broomfield co Date Reviewed: March 30, 2000
This bike is XC all the way. If you want big travel look at the pipeline. I can't wait to lighten it up. More later.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
allister
a Cross Country Rider
from atlanta, ga Date Reviewed: March 28, 2000
Favorite Trail:
all of em, bear creek
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Seems like a good ride. Rear suspension works well.
Weaknesses:
Warranty Void if you use 4 inch or longer travel fork. Lame
Bottom Line:
This Bike was tied with the KONA for my next buy. The voided warranty with a 4 inch orlonger travel fork was laim. Moved on to another bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Headrush
a Downhiller
from Utah Date Reviewed: March 23, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Crest Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Light frame, excellent climber. Stock, it carries enough travel to take the edge off. Great component set up. Did I mention the paint job? Sweetest on any bike around!
Weaknesses:
Not enough travel. Warranty is void if owner adds additional travel-lame. Stem is WAAAYYYY too long!!!
Similar Products Used:
None, this is my first FS bike.
Bike Setup:
'99 frame. 2000 Z1CR. Sun Rhyno Lites. Azonic "Shorty" stem and post. Tioga 2.3 DH tires.
Bottom Line:
Although the frame is a '99, the components are almost all '00. The reason for this is that I felt the bike to be a bit too awkward in its stock form. With the addition of a shorter stem with higher degree rise and a longer travel fork (5") the bike feels comfortable. If you're just a XC cruiser who has a sore ass, the stock form is a great deal for the $$. If you want to do more, then I suggest building up a frame. Freeriders who live in the mountains will love it for it's literally bob free climb. Ironically, the suspension is very active on decents. Do yourself a favor and buy a shock pump. Play with the air pressure and dial it in to your body. I use about 15 psi above my body weight for a more active feel and to get the 3" rear shock in tune to the soft Marzocchi up front. Keep in mind, I just added 5 lbs to this bike and it is a killer when it comes to rotating weight. Oh well, I smoke everyone on the descent.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Bob O.
a Cross Country Rider
from Mpls Date Reviewed: March 22, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Anywhere on dirt
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Race Face cranks, SRAM brakes, XTR/XT drivetrain, Fox Vanilla Float RC shock, Z2-80s
Weaknesses:
Handle bars too short - keep accidentally hitting XT shifters
Similar Products Used:
Gary Fisher, TREK
Bike Setup:
Stock, except tires- went to Continental Double Fighters.
Bottom Line:
Overall an excellent bike...so far. Absorbs the trail bumps beautifully. Marzocchi shock tracks likes a bloodhound, albeit a little on the heavy side. Love the lock out feature on Fox shock-Great for the occasional road ride. Have not noticed the flexy noodle effect on the frame yet. Have yet to take it on a "real" trail yet. Look for future reviews after I've ridden it awhile. Four flaming chiles for first impression. Won't give it a higher rating until I've ridden it more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joe H
a Cross Country Rider
from Eatontown, NJ Date Reviewed: March 5, 2000
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Great Frame, light Fox Shock with lock out.
Weaknesses:
None.
Similar Products Used:
Treck Y-bikes, various Cannondales
Bike Setup:
RST XMO air fork, Hayes discs, Scram 9.0 SL/Race Face drive train.
Bottom Line:
I got an early 2000 model last November. This is an update after getting the bike dailed in and putting on a few more months of winter riding. I agree with the previous rater and would not go with over 3 1/2 inches of front fork travel. The bikes have a relatively short top tube and seem best matched with a 3 - 3 1/2 fork. With the right amount of sag in the rear shock, that's all you'll have left anyway. I built mine as a fast, all day x-country ride. I'm only 150 and do a lot of road work. For my style the bike is great! It's stiffer than my old hard-tail. Looks great, climbs great, zips down hill and came in just under 27 lbs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Butler
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, CO, USA Date Reviewed: February 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:
secret spot in the county
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
it's aluminum so at least it's recyclable.
Weaknesses:
does not get the advertised travel frame is a flexy noodle pivots suck limited fork selection - 3" and under
Similar Products Used:
intense, ventanna, ellsworth
Bike Setup:
geez, if i tell the truth, i may not have a warranty.
Bottom Line:
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! i bought last years frameset after being told by my local Rocky dealer how great they were. at first i was stoked, but that faded quickly. the rear shock pivot blew - warrantied. then the dealer called me in to warranty another pivot, the main one by the b.b. the bike is sooo flexy i can rub the chain on both sides of the front derailler cage just by cranking hard in the saddle. i can literally feel the front triangle noodle around when i stand up and crank. the website nor my dealer failed to tell me that i could not run a 4 inch stroke fork without ruining the warranty. WHAT A JOKE! that's because the real travel of the rear is only 3 inches, NOT 3.6 like rocky claims. this is false advertising. many people on the trail have asked me about the bike because they were going to buy one, but i convinced them otherwise. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AND BUY THIS P.O.S. BIKE!! save up and go with quality, not this canadian junk. no offense to canadians - i love kona, raceface, etc., just hate rocky mountain now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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