Strengths: Geometry, stiffness, weight, beautiful paint job (I hvae the '98, by far the prettiest one they have ever made), handles like a cat on velcro.
Weaknesses: none with the setup I have now (had trouble with the 98 Race Face cranks with XTR shifters - wouldn't go into granny under load, remedied with XTR crankset).
Bottom Line:
As set up above, this bike is 19.5 lbs! That AMP fork only weighs 2.2 lbs, so that helps alot going from the Z2 anchor that was on it stock. This bike is amazing, handles beautifully up and down, gotta say it is a little light on the front uphills, so you need to get used to leaning that much more forward. Never had or ridden a better bike, highly recommend it. I rarely give 5 flaming dead horses, this is one of the products that deserves it.
Similar Products Used: Specialized M2, Cannondale, Rocky Mountain Hammer Race, etc.
Bike Setup: AMP F3 Carbon fork, full XTR, Ti Cane Creek wheelset, Frogs, Race Face Carbon bars, Dean Ti post (Ti post a must), Conti Dual fighter tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bill
a Racer
from Canmore,Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2000
Strengths: this is a very responsive bike!!great for the extreme technical riding and nice and true downhill!!have a Dekerf as well and for the price difference between the two would take my Rocky in a heartbeat
Weaknesses: the 0 degree rims are very heavy and would recommend changing as well as the z1 bam fork !! oh ya i have the 98 model!!the bam fork i seem to go through seals like mad,they are cheap to redo but gets annoying after a few times,tried the superfly fork but didnt think the adjustments were good enough so stuck with the bamz1
Bottom Line:
This bike is great for beginners to racers,although the price may scare a few away i would highly recommend it anyday for those whom wish to ride,race or even learn and progress to the higher levels,i would like to give it a 4.5 for overall because of the rims and fork but is leaning toward a 5 !
Submitted by
Mark Davidson
a Racer
from Palo Alto, CA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2000
Strengths: Nimble Handler. Great geometry. Nicely spec'ed out.
Weaknesses: None. I've broken two deraileur hangers and they are pretty hard to come by.
Bottom Line:
This is such a nice bike that my wife wishes she got one as well instead of buying a Trek 8900. I have raced this bike and have taken it to Moab, Mr. Toad's and other places and it's beed an incredible performer. This is the best handling bike that I've ever ridden. I would gladly buy another one in a second.
My only problem is with the Marzocchi Z2 Bam (on the 98). It's a wonderfull fork, feels great and fairly easy to maintain except that it's pretty heavy and I go thorough seals every 6 months. I guess that's to be expected for heavy use. My wife's SID has long bit the dust on her Trek.
Strengths: The Vertex screams through tight and twisty singletrack, keeps it's line up the most deadly technical uphills and descends like a dream, as well as having one of the nicest paint-jobs I have ever seen.
Weaknesses: Besides the heavy sun 0 deg. xc rims. Nothing!
Bottom Line:
Even at four and a half G's,the RM Vertex t.o represents one of the best bikes for value and performance. I recomend it to any hardcore x-c racer who can shell out the extra cash for a superior product; if not, just get a thin air instead. Nothing less that five chilies for this machine.
Similar Products Used: Other Rocky's, Kona's, Klein's etc.
Bike Setup: XTR, Race Face, Chris King, Profile.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RGS
a Cross-Country Rider
from SAC CA.
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1999
Strengths: BUILD QUALITY, WARRANTY,HELPFULLNESS
Weaknesses: YOU CANT STOP LOOKING AT IT,
Bottom Line:
YOU SPEND TIME RIDING THIS BIKE NOT FIXING AND OR WAITING FOR WARRANTY ISSUES, AND IF YOU DO BREAK IT LIKE I HAVE IT IS TAKEN CARE OF IN A PROFFESIONAL WAY QUICKLY. GREAT JOB ROCKY, AND WHATS BETTER THAN TO RIDE A NORTH AMERICAN BUILT BIKE!!!!.
Strengths: a good fast cross country race bike. Good climbing and excellent decents.
Weaknesses: the warranty sucks ass, the frame and fork warranties are good but when it comes to the parts that break, nothing is covered and when you pay that much for the bike you want some security
Bottom Line:
A great bike, a must try. If only the ass holes at the dealers would warranty the parts i would have no complaints.
Similar Products Used: RMB thin air, Rmb cardiac, Fisher Mt tam, Giant 890, Marin Indian fire trail, Rmb hammer race, rmb blizzard
Bike Setup: pro set up
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
CheeseDevil
a Cross-Country Rider
from London, ON
Date Reviewed: August 25, 1999
Strengths: all
Weaknesses: none (well, the price...)
Bottom Line:
I no longer seem to need to be in shape for riding, as it has quite a large weight difference from my old bike. Frame geometry is great for climbs and maneuvering, very stiff. Looks great, and works great.
