Submitted by
Sean Reid
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2003
Strengths: This is my second Rocky Mountain, my first being my 98 Hammer race.I would just like to say there is nothing I love than riding that bike. The bike has had alot of Kilometers put on it as well as endless abuse and still almost three years later I haven't had a single problem. I can't say enough good about either of my Rocky Mountains. I would highly recommend anyone looking for a new bike to atleast try out any of the Rocky Mountain bikes. Try www.bikes.com Several of my buddies ride Rockies as well and love them.
Submitted by
Bobby T
a Cross Country Rider
from Uxbridge, Ontario
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2002
Strengths: Strong, light, shifts well and takes my abuse
Weaknesses: Seat hurts, hubs smooth but weak, plastic pedals
Bottom Line:
I've been waiting all summer to write this review. It's just a great bike. I love it! This is a great bike for the average enthusiast. I waited a year for the price to drop and got a pretty good deal on it. The grips are really basic, just flat rubber. This works REALLY well with gloves but gets a bit slippery without them. I've never had the chain pop off or any problems shifting. The tires work great in sand and are pretty good in mud as long as you don't go too fast. They bake the paint on making it really durable but the clear coat they used is prone to scratching. If you don't care about looks that's not much of a problem then.
The shocks are light and well balanced with the bike. They should put covers on the forks since all the dirt starts to destroy the rubber seal. The bike seat has a nice slim profile and stays out of the way. It's impossible to damage which is a plus if you take a few spills... but the down side to this seat is if you use it a lot it hurts. It puts all the pressure on two points. This is how a seat should work but if you take a bump sitting down it isn't fun. You'll either adapt to it or be in a lot of pain. The hubs started to grind and squeak after a bit of use. I don't know what that was about. I've heard a few people complain that rocky's house brand hubs aren't very durable, but they roll very smoothly. The pedals would be my last complaint. They're meant to be used with biking shoes but you can flip them over and use the flat side. Unfortunately they squeak a lot because the flat side it made of plastic and it rubs against the metal shoe clip when you press down. It's a little embarrassing riding by someone on a $1500cad bike that creaks loudly. But nothing that can't be fixed with biking shoes. I was surprised that they didn't include disc brakes at that price. But they still gave top quality parts. It's everything I wanted.
note: the above photo and price are for the 99 bike. For 2000, the bike received some component upgrates, a flaming yellow paint job, and a $1389 sticker price.
This is an unbelievable bike. I don't know how they do it, but they do. At this price point, you may be able to find a slightly lighter bike, or a bike with a slightly better spec, or a little something here or there, but I defy you to find a better performing bike overall.
I rode a Klein that was hundreds more, but still did not leap forward half as eagerly when stepped on. I rode a K2 at the same price that was (advertised) at a full 2lb less, but felt like a sluggish dog in comparison. Everything works together to be greater than the sum of its parts on the Rocky. I have to give credit to the meticulously crafted frame that squeezes the maximum performance out of every component. Talk about "dial and shoot," this bike is so incredibly well balanced, you can swing the tightest switchbacks, yank and bank through the narrow and twisty in the woods at ridiculous speeds, and follow it up with some trials on the rocks. No weaknesses!
While it may be suited to entry level racing, somee things belie the "race" moniker--namely the low riser bar and the 26 lb total weight. However, it performs well beyond its price point and is probably the best hardtail trail bike in the world. The Bomber Z3 is an absolutely bombproof fork that remains plush throughout its travel, never bottoms out (even at my 200lbs) and goes forever without servicing. I have hammered this ride down trails most folks wouldn't even approach without a F/S, and it simply asks for more. You don't know just how good you've got it until you abuse it.
The counterpoint is the Rocky hubs (probably some tiawanese knock-off they put their name on). I broke my rear hub (granted, it was my second year on the bike) and replaced it with XT and life is good. The traction from the GEAX tires was unimpressive. When they wore out, I replaced them with Michelins and once again, life is good. For 2001, Rocky is speccing Maxxis which also work extremely well with this bike.
Overall, I couldn't be happier. When I'm not riding it, I'm staring at it in the garage, longingly, wishing I was riding it. I guess you could say I have a "crush" on this bike, but it hasn't faded, but rather grown stronger with time.
Similar Products Used: Virtually every Al hardtail between $800 and $1500
Bike Setup: Stock except XT rear hub and Michelin tires
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Submitted by
Dale Wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR USA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001
Strengths: Marz forks, smart mix of components, great house hubs & wheelset, great Easton Elite frame, excellent geometry & build quality
Weaknesses: Ritchey Logic headset (hardly any sealing, gets contaminated with mud and water fairly quickly), painful seat, thin grips.
Bottom Line:
Rocky Mountain are experienced when it comes to building and spec'ing bikes and it shows with the Oxygen Race. As you can see above, it doesn't have any significant weaknesses except for the headset, which should be changed for a cartridge bearing H/S at time of sale, along with the more minor stuff like the seat and grips. I've been riding this thing for a year now, really hard (3 ft. dropoffs and heavy loading) and in messy conditions, and the only thing that got messed up was the headset, which I subsequently changed over to Scuzzy Logic Pro. The wheels are amazing, they haven't come out of true yet - a testament to the Mavic X221 rims and the quality Wheeltech construction. The bike feels a bit heaver now that when I first bought it, mainly to my picking up lighter (and more expensive) models far too often. The main weight comes from, in my opinion, the solid Deore cassette freewheel and the SRAM brakes (excellent but heavy). I'll be upgrading to an '01 XT freewheel and Avid SD5 or SRAM 9.0SL brakes soon enough to shave some grams. I have just stripped down the bike to its individual pieces, and when you do that it's easy to see what parts are relatively hefty. The wheels and hubs are really light and are of an excellent sealed quality (no contamination yet, they're rolling silky smooth as ever). The frame is also very light, suprisingly so. Excellent bike for the money and worth keeping for many a year and upgrading the components. This bike deserves the 5 star rating despite it flaws.
Bike Setup: Stock except for Ritchey Scuzzy Logic Pro headset, Coda Crossbow seat & Race Face gel grips
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Submitted by
Fraser
a Cross Country Rider
from Newmarket
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2001
Strengths: This bike is a great climber, light and has an impressive frame. Components are pretty good but if you can upgrade do it at the dealer's. I took it out on some tough stuff and it took the abuse without any problem. It is nimble enough that it doesn't get away from you. Great colours and the dealers stand behind their products.
Weaknesses: The Geax tires are pretty crappy in wetter conditions. I put on some Wildgrippers Comp and it makes quite a difference. The front bearings and chain went early.
Bottom Line:
If you are a novice or a serious biker and would like x-country bike that will do a good job, check out the Oxygen. For racing, you may be limited and want to customize the weaker components. This is my second Rocky and for the money you can't do much better. I am keeping this one as my hardtail and saving for a full suspension (a Rocky too!) The best thing about them is their frames are so good all you need to do is build up around it and you have a bike that will last. I haven't heard much against this bike.
Bike Setup: Everything stock except upgraded to Wildgripper tires, XT brakes and levers, XT rear 'D', a MEC bike bell (for those busy trails with lots of intersections)
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Submitted by
Robin
a Weekend Warrior
from Thornton Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2001
Strengths: (2001 model)Fast as Hell. Light as anything I have ever tried. Colour is amazing and I love it. climbs a little too well that it should be outlawed. Every one hates the seat but it's not theat bad (besides being hard).
Weaknesses: Chain skipped on first ride. Maxxix hard drive 2.1 sucks ass on sand and wet wood. Could use better hubs and rims and better brakes and a XT front derailer.
Bottom Line:
wicked bike. the machine is really powerful and super great. Buy it if you have the money. Definatly worth every penny. Think about different tires if you rtide sand or in wet weather.
Similar Products Used: I have never tried anything as good as this.
Bike Setup: stock, but I wish I had put wild grippers on it.
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Submitted by
Lee Hammons
a Weekend Warrior
from Moscow, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2001
Strengths: super tough but light frame, great component package, MARZOCHI!!!
Weaknesses: Crappy grips and narrow bars. Easy to upgrade, but still necessary. Wheels are good, but I would prefer Sun over Mavic.
Bottom Line:
This bike is sick!!! The frame is stronger than just about any other aluminum, and the geometry is the best there is. I have beat this bike and it loves it! Despite being a cross country bike it likes to get big air. Six foot flat to flat drops no problem. The wheels are great, but I don't think that they were meant for the type of riding that I do. They are great for most riding, but after I started launching off of really big drops, they needed a little lovin from the spoke wrench. If you don't regularly drop off of rocks taller than you are, onto piles of loose rocks, or maybe weigh less than 185 lbs, these wheels would do just fine. I have no beefs with any of the parts besides the grips and bars. I have beat this bike harder than any other I have owned, and it has performed better than any other, and at $1000 I feel I got an amazing deal. Buy this bike!!!
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Moab, Trec 7000, Specialized stumpjumper
Bike Setup: stock except new bigger grips, new wider bars, platform/clipless pedals and now putting on Hayes hydralic disc brakes.
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Submitted by
Patrick Cabral
a Weekend Warrior
from Stanford, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001
Strengths: Just about everything...i've actually got the 2001 model...the Easton Ultralite frame rocks, the stock Marzocchi Z2 is so smooth, Race Face components are sweet, and this thing is so damn light and fast.
Weaknesses: Rocky Mountain Hubs... they should have gone all out on this bike and put on shimanos.
Bottom Line:
for $1300 you are essentially getting a $3000 bike.
toughest bike i've ridden... last gary fisher i had broke at the bottom brocket from a 3ft drop... i went back to that same drop with this Oxygen, and well... it's still in one piece.
note: this is not a novice rider bike... to fully appreciate it, you must treat it like sh*t
Similar Products Used: Specialized M2...etc...etc...
Bike Setup: stock except for Flite Gel Ti saddle and all XTR components.
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Submitted by
Mister Hoop
a Cross Country Rider
from Gold River
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2001
Strengths: See Earlier Review
Weaknesses: See Earlier Review
Bottom Line:
This is the follow up to my earlier review. Last weekend I competed in my first cross country race and this bike ripped. I competed as a beginner at the Napa Valley World Cup in the 30-35 category. Most of the racers were using full suspension bikes in my race and for this course I thought a soft tail would have serious advantages, but I did just fine. In fact probably 90% of the elite class riders were using hardtails. The only problem I had was with the Bomber, I still can't get it dialed in right. If I don't remedy the problem soon I am looking for a replacement, probably a SID Race.
This is the best hardtail mountain bike at this price point, bar none! I have owned quite a few mountain bikes over the years, all hardtails, (I'm a mountain bike purist at heart)and this bike rips! Rocky Mountain has always been a leader in mountain bike manufacture and they put a lot of research and technology into producing some of the best mountain bikes in the world. I love the Oxygen Rage for one reason, it's frame geometry. As a smaller rider I've have always had a difficult time finding a frame that fit (standover height). I always felt cramped in the cockpit because of a short top tube or like I was flying because the top tube was too long. None the less I was always swithing out my stem and pusing my saddle forward and backward to compensate, therefore giving up performance. That is until I found the Rocky Mountain Oxygen Race. As for the components just about all manufacturers at this price point have the same components. With the exception of the handbuilt WheelTech wheels, which sets this bike apart from the rest in it's class. The Bomber is both a strength and a weakness. It is one of the strongest most durable forks on the market, but for a, Race" I probably would have gone with a SID or a Flylight, none the less it is a workhorse and performs very well. The SRAM brakes lack stopping power. I am used to hitting the brakes and going over the bars, these brakes will not allow that, which concerns me under heavy braking conditions. The Rocky Mountain Grips are absolutely horrible. They are so painful I think my hands still hurt and I switched them out after a month. Overall, I believe this is the best bike I have ever ridden. It's light, agile and fun!!
Similar Products Used: Kona, Fisher, Trek, Cannondale, etc.
Bike Setup: Stock, with the exception of the Shimano SPD-M545's
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Submitted by
BAABOOT
a Weekend Warrior
from TORONTO
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2001
Strengths: EVERYTHING. I have owned this bike for over one year and it is amazing. The paint job is flawless, (deep blue colour.)and the welds are perfect. This bikes climbs like a rabbid racoon and decends like a dream. The hand built wheels are a definite bonus and the Z4 bomber is as smooth as butter.
Weaknesses: Uncomfortable seat. cheap seat post, handlebars and stem. These things are easy and inexpensive to replace and do not compromise this amazing bike!!!
Bottom Line:
THIS BIKE IS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. ANY RIDER WHO IS LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE CROSS COUNTRY, HARTAIL TRAILBIKE FOR ABOUT $1200 U.S. SHOULD CERTAINLY CONSIDER THIS BIKE. ROCKYMOUNTAIN HAS SOME OF THE BEST WELDERS IN THE BUSINESS, AND THIS BIKE HAS GREAT PART SPECS FOR THE PRICE.(FULL LX GROUP, Z4 BOMBER, HANDBUILT WHEELS ETC.)THE PAINT JOB IS DURABLE AND LOOKS IMPRESSIVE. GET THE DEEP BLUE COLOUR IF YOU CAN. DID I MENTION THIS BIKE IS FASSST!! IT HAS AN UNCANNY WAY OF LEAVING OTHER BIKES BEHIND ON THE CLIMBES AND THE Z4 TAKES ALL BUT THE BIGGEST HITS. BUY THIS BIKE!!!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rockhopper A1 Comp. (this is a really good bike too. cool green colour.)Trek 8000,Specialized Stumpjumper.
Bike Setup: EVERTHING STOCK, EXCEPT PANARACER FIRE XC PRO TIRES. SPECIALIZED CLIPLESS PEDALS, RACEFACE GRIPS.
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Submitted by
Gareth C
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2001
Strengths: - Strong as an ox, light as a feather (well, almost) - Well designed all around, great specs
Weaknesses: - A little chain suck, not the best seat, radially spoked front wheel (why??)
Bottom Line:
**UPDATE**
I just got back from riding through Vietnam, Laos and Thailand on this bike, 4000km in all. My only mech problem was breaking a drive side spoke on the back wheel as I was carrying close to 100lbs of stuff on the rear rack. Apart from that, no problems at all - and I PUNISHED this bike. Even the radially spoked front wheel never came out of true. This bike is truly amazing and I'm glad I chose it over the 2000 Kona Caldera I was considering! The 2001 model looks like it has just as good a spec (Marz Z2 Atom Sport's and XTR rear derailleur!) - buy this bike!
Similar Products Used: Many (see my earlier entry)
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Submitted by
shaun benson
a Weekend Warrior
from toronto, ON,Canada
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2000
Strengths: Insane feel, awesome awesome fork, great components for the price, as fast up as it is down, i love the yellow and blue
Weaknesses: seat(not bad but they could do better), chain comes off now and then on a hard shift from middle to small chain ring -- not often but enough to mention
Bottom Line:
This bike was one of the finer things I have ever purchased. It has opened up a world of riding that has blown my mind (it might help that it's the first bike I've had on the north shore). I love the responsiveness and adjustability of the shock (although my next shock will have at least 4") and the beautiful transmission of my pedal-stroke through the racefaceprodigy to the aluminum frame (my first aluminum and I will stay aluminum) to the tire. It rode up the mountain and down and the bike's only limit was me. And that's what I wanted, a bike that has more to offer than I do. I won't upgrade for a long, long time. I hate evaluating on a 1 to 5 because I haven't ridden many other bikes on the kickass trails I've had this on. But for up and down and all across It's 5's
Similar Products Used: 94 kona cindercone,88 diamond back apex
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Aysicks
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2000
Strengths: Weight. It's mean and fast. It looks sick. Can handle anything i've thrown at it and more. The fork is great!!!
Weaknesses: None..except me being a wuss and this bike getting mad because it can handle much more than I've given it so far. THE SEAT REALLY HURTS MY BEHIND!!
Bottom Line:
I haven't ridden hard since I was young(10-12 yrs old)..like the age when death and pain weren't a concern of mine. At that time I lived up north and hit trails everyday. I'm much older, play too many video games, sleep too much and spend too much on cabs and public transit now. I've gained weight in the wrong places and wanted a wicked way to exercise and properly distribute it. Not too mention going riding in the few spots this city has, riding to work everyday, and just getting a chance to get away from pavement concrete and all things city. This bike has boosted my confidence, made me realize how heavy i actually got, put me closer to nature(literally a couple times) and only put me out one paycheque (gulp). This bike rules it annoys rush hour drivers so much when you whizz past them and ignore all traffic laws(yeah i know it doesn't belong on the street but hey i gotta work too), it eats up trails like nothing, loves to climb(though i don't..yet). I can't wait to get this bad boy to BC next summer..Not to mention up north or anywhere other than Toronto. I hate the seat but I might change my tune after buying padded shorts or a new saddle we'll see. The front deraileur seems to be a bit choppy...Other than that this bike makes a lazy guy like me get exercise everyday and also makes me feel 12 years old all over again. Buy it if you can afford to. Peace
