Submitted by
J Citizen
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto ON
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004
Strengths: Good solid steel frame, great dimensions; low centre of gravity, stable, responsive and a nice paintjob with removable decals. Its handled my 200 pounds for years. im still loving the Avid V breaks, has a pretty nice headset and decent rims
Weaknesses: Although heavy, I like the bike for the frame, But the components leave something to be desired. I personally would have loved to pay an extra two hundred dollars and ditched any STX junk. And I know you all hate the seat, but I dont mind it. Any of you out there interested in disc brakes need not apply
Bottom Line:
6 years ago 1000$ Canadian (725american) wasnt bad for this bike, Ive been happy with the ride. The frame feels great so I plan to ride it into the ground, replacing things piece by piece. If you can get one of these cheap I totally recommend. It will last you forever. + I love buying Canadian
Bike Setup: In the last 6 years Ive replaced/upgraded almost everything. Right now Im riding with Manitou SX forks, Deore FDR, LX RDR, LX Cranks, replaced cassette/chain/freehub, IRC Mythos, Hellbent risers.
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Submitted by
Rob Vandereyken
a Cross Country Rider
from Monterrey, Mexico
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2004
Strengths: Sweet handling and very reliable.
Weaknesses: Probably a little heavy
Bottom Line:
I used to ride a lot. My old Cannondale mountain bike (1989) has been ridden around the world. When I started racing 8 years ago this Rocky was about all i could afford. I raced her for 3 1/2 years. i would have been national champion in my second year for advanced men but broke my hand three days before the championship. My second last race was four years ago and I placed third in the Grand National in Mexico . this was against much much more expensive machines. Since then I have just used it for cross-country exploring. It has over 7,000 miles on her. I have stripped some of the parts off my daughters diamond back to replace worn out parts without spending any money so the bike is probably heavier than when I bought her. It is a very reliable bike, the LX derailler just blew out last week. I essentially stopped true maintenance about three years ago other than oiling and occasional cleaning. if it was a cheap option I would upgrade all the parts and race her again but it will be cheaper to just buy a new bike. One question- How do I remove a seized seat post? An awesome ride for the money.
Purchased At: some on-line store years ago - cambria I think
Bike Setup: Originally stock. I have replaced the rear derailler just this week with a used STX of the same vintage. Original rock shox which are the same color as the frame - kind of stylish. Rapid fire 7 speed all pretty much stock. I have not been able to remove the seat tube in about three years. Probably on my third seat.
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Submitted by
Ottawa xc rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ont.
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2003
Strengths: A good bike, pretty light for steel. Good components, average shocks. I liked the dimensions of the bike more than some other bikes, for exapmle, the 2002 norco charger.
Weaknesses: Steel isn't the best product for riding up-hill but it does the job well enough.
Bottom Line:
This is a great bike for my purposes (urban riding, x-c), I love rockey mountain, this was actually my second choice to a 2003 trailhead but the price made the difference. so far the frame and shox have been able to take all the pressure i put on them -- two foot drops, from a standstill hopping horizontally and moving. I should say more but i've only had the bike for two weeks so i'll stop here.
Submitted by
WILSON
a Cross Country Rider
from Wake Forest, NC
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2001
Strengths: strong, shox, looks great, good shifting and grips
Weaknesses: saddle
Bottom Line:
Perfect for me, lightweight and strong. good shox. I got a really great price (almost 500 dollars off retail) and it was never used before. get this bike if you can find it $500 or less. For intermediate trail rider
Similar Products Used: mongoose(cheap junk), Kona(similar to soul)
Bike Setup: stock, new sadle and pedals
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Submitted by
john
a Weekend Warrior
from sheffield england
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2001
Strengths: great frame,
Weaknesses: saddle was changed quickly
Bottom Line:
great frame, I have ridden loads of different bikes over the years, and can honestly say that nobody builds bikes like rock mountain. I know the soul is low down in the rocky pecking order, so god knows what the top end bikes ride like.A great bike for hacking the mud, from novice to entry level racer.
Submitted by
josh mackenzie
a Racer
from charlotte nc usa
Date Reviewed: May 10, 2001
Strengths: strong frame, ok shox, and headset
Weaknesses: everything just wasnt strong enough but its not bad never broke
Bottom Line:
good bike if upgraded will last untill u can come up with money to upgrade toook me a year and i ride hard im the hardest rider i know the frame will take anythin u give it a good overall bike a little heavy
Strengths: It's an awsome bike for anyone who is an entry/intermedate rider. The LX components are holding up perfectly. Tru-Vative Cranks are very nice
Weaknesses: Indy c
Bottom Line:
People shouldn't hack the bike just because they ride it like maniacks. It is an excellent bike for the price!!
Bike Setup: Lx front/rear. Indy's. Everything else is rocky.
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Submitted by
Clay MacEachern
a Cross Country Rider
from Truro
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2001
Strengths: Everything. Adding heavier springs in the Judy's. Great feel..fun
Weaknesses: None...well I wish the frame was set up for disk brakes.
Bottom Line:
this is my second Real bike.. I think it is great! very well balanced good parts ..nothing broke yet.. Iam looking foward to hanging on to it.. I got a GREAT deal on the price, it was a clear out(Thanks Bruce). I am a heavy rider and this thing has taken all the hits so far.
Similar Products Used: Diamond Back-Ascent EX, Giant Boulder..
Bike Setup: stock..with exception to clipless pedals and beefier brake pads...
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Submitted by
Rob Ralph
a Weekend Warrior
from St. Catharines Ontario
Date Reviewed: January 5, 2001
Strengths: Good Frame, Components
Weaknesses: fork?
Bottom Line:
Good bike for entry level guy like me. I don't use it all the time so I really can't feel many weaknesses or strengths but it gets me around. This is a great B.C. bred bike with decent components and a good value for a guy who hits the trail on weekends.
Submitted by
Dave Bohdal
a Weekend Warrior
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 15, 2000
Strengths: Frame, Tires, Climbing
Weaknesses: Front Derailer, Front Susp,
Bottom Line:
This is my first "real" XC bike. Everythingthing else has been a Sears special. I had 4 friends buy bikes in a similar price range. Kona, Specialized and KHS, all entry level bikes. Mine has taken a beating and hold up nicely. It's been in once for a tune up (bent outside chainring and a potato chip in the tire) Other than that, like I said this bike can really handle the punishment of off roading. If you're looking for an entry level bike to do some serious crashing (learning) on this is the one.
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2000
Strengths: Judy C Shocks, Rims
Weaknesses: Front derailer, Seat.
Bottom Line:
My brother and I both have the same bike. We have not been the most kind owners to it. We have raced with this bike and tortured it over the summer. Except for the necessary tune ups and replacing of cables and brake pads it has proven to be the best buy ever for a bike. Compared to many of our co-cyclist who, on average, have more expensive bikes, theirs have not stood up to the same punishment we have subjected ours to.
If you are looking for an entry-level mountain bike this is the one for you.
My only reservation would be that on the 2000 model the quality of the shock would appear to be less. Instead of the Judy C, it has been replaced by the Jett XC. I am still not sure if it is of comparable quality?
Submitted by
John k
a Weekend Warrior
from North Vancouver
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000
Strengths: frame......cranks, derailleur
Weaknesses: rims, seat, riser bar
Bottom Line:
This bike won't break off a 10ft..that's pretty kewl....i broke the cr18 rims in 2 months, everyting on my bike is pretty much fuked up now....i replaced the riser bar, brakes, seat (3 times)....but hey man...great starter bike to learn the traits of the shore...i dunno....anyways..me not saying buy this bike..but if you are buying a bike....BUY A ROCKY MOUNTAIN>.....it's the best brand out there.....Wade simmons rides a rocky and so should u........
Bike Setup: stock, with rhyno lite rims, rock ring,
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Submitted by
Randy
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfield, Idaho, USA!
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2000
Strengths: Everything but the Seat, and the rear der. The Judy "C" is fantastic.
Weaknesses: The seat was awful. It didn't last long. The rear der is the Deore LX and it is adequate, but something a little better on such an awesome bike would have been nice.
Bottom Line:
This is the best bike in the 5-7 hundred dollar (retail) range in 1999 & 2000. I live 7 miles from the Southern border of the Sawtooth National Forest and we have everything here, but nice urban bike trails. I have put at least 500 miles on this bike and they were not easy miles. Everything has held up very well and the experience has been a very good one. Uphill needs some getting used to with the frame geometry, but once you figure it out you wouldn't want to live without it. The downhill has lots of awesome handling. My hats off to Rock Shox on the supposedly lowline Judy "C," because it is plush and is an integral part of this bikes stellar handling. The fork is a bit heavy, but the extra pound has never bothered me. Its too late to purchase this bike new, but if you are looking at buying one used, I would reccomend it highly. This is a great beginner to intermediate bike. I am a recreational cross country rider that rides twice a week on average, and it will take me quite a while before needing an upgrade. Of course I want dual suspension, but the Rocky Mountain Soul will fill my needs for quite a while.
Bike Setup: Specialized seat, better grips, but everything else is stock.
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Submitted by
Dustin Bustin
a Weekend Warrior
from Nova Scotia
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2000
Strengths: THIS BIKE IS THE STONGEST BIKE EVER MADE! I run this bike in to the ground and still nothing breaks.. The only thing I have broken on this bike was the bottom bracket and the rims, but only because I ride urban and do 6-8 foot drops on pavement, and its CANADIAN!
Weaknesses: The bottom bracket could be a bit stronger
Bottom Line:
This bike is awsome, even doing 6-8 foot drops this bike stood up. Even though this bike is meant for xc riding its still tough enough to take any thing on.
Bike Setup: Sun rhino lite rear, xt rear derailur, new yeti grips (rocky mountain grips are not the greatest).
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Submitted by
Matt Guse
a Racer
from Waterloo ontario canada
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2000
Strengths: awsome fork,frame, im a freerider who races the same bike on the weekends, it takes a beating,
Weaknesses: lx dereillieur (only cause i snapped it in half) BB, creaks a lot, tektro brakes, i can never get them set up good. rims bend to easy,(maybe i just shouldnt ride off of 6 footers), seatpost (i bent it, but i cant buy a new one cause i just bought a XT rear changer)
Bottom Line:
The best bike ive ever owned, itll take a beating if you know when to stop, i race it and i love it, climbs good and doescends awsome. the fork is in my opipnion the best fork for the proce (Judy C)
