Submitted by
Ben Horney
a Cross Country Rider
from Gunnison, CO
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003
Strengths: The frame on this bike rocks. Extremely durable, The brakes are pretty good too. The hubs are pretty swell also. Tires & Rims too!
Weaknesses: JETT XC, This shock is a pile of SH*%. It feels like the front of my bike is on a pogo stick. Also the derailers are not the best, Don't shift when your pedeling hard up hill or else the chain pops off.
Bottom Line:
THis bike has an awsome feel to it on the trail, it is extremely agile and light. The shock needs to go, cause it is out of control on the downhills with it. The brakes are pretty good along with the tires and rims. I would recomend this bike to anyone, but without the JETT XC(pogo death shock). It is a 5 out of 5 chilis with a better front shock.
Strengths: It's a Rocky, handbuilt in Canada, lifetime warranty on the frame. (So buddy that cracked your frame, I'd be takin that back and raisin a ruckas!!!) Deore hubs are a plus.
Weaknesses: The Jett. I don't know how any self respecting bike company could put that on something they made. Lower end componentry too. (front der, shifters, breaks, rims etc.)
Bottom Line:
If you've watched any of the Calc Risk films, (Evolve, Contact etc) You can see they ride pretty much Xcountry frames that are beefed up for urban/trials riding. Anybody can do this, it takes time and money and patience, but in the end, you'll have your ride, custom set up for your style. I love this bike now, had no troubles with the frame even after countless beatings. (10 stair gaps to flat grass landing etc) It's built in Canada, it's got a good warranty and it looks slick. I give 5 chilli's for my custom setup!
Similar Products Used: Giant ATX 830, Trek 6000, GT Aggressor....
Bike Setup: Urban machine now. Way too much money put into it. 2000 Soul frame, 2001 Psylo XC (5inch setup), LX shifters, LX front and Rear der's. Truvativ crank. Blackspire Ring God bash ring, Mavic D521 rear rim, Mavic F519 front. The breaks are gettin upgraded next. Probably Magura's.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001
Strengths: This bike is awesome at climbing. The tires hook up well even in the mud and the frame geometry fits me quite well. I am happy with the drivetrain at the moment. The LX rear derailler shifts with authority. The bike has overall been very reliable and I have not had to do any major repairs despite taking in the Motorolla 24 Hours of Adrenaline at Hardwood Hills and on a four day mountain biking trip. I ride very hard so I am confident that I made the right decision in buying this bike.
Weaknesses: The biggest weakness I came across was the front suspension. The Rockshox Jett XC's just didn't cut it for me. I went out 4 months after buying the bike and bought myself a set of Manitou SX shocks. These shocks rock! The only other weaknesses on this bike are the sluggish front derailleur and the brakes. The SRAM 5.0's are more than adequate in the dry but fade quickly in the wet. They also jam up in the mud from time to time. I am looking into buying some Avid Mechanical Disc Brakes. I tried them at the Toronto Bike Show and I was very impressed. The frame also flexes a little bit. I also traded the pedals for Shimano 535's at the time of purchase.
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive yet reliable bike, you will be impressed with the Rocky Mountain Soul. I highly recommend it. It is a good entry level bike that you can go out to race and have a great time on. It also looks very cool with the withe paint job and the riser bars if you are into looking good.
Similar Products Used: Almost every Bike in this price category. I tried them all at the Toronto Bike Show.
Bike Setup: Alivio/LX Derailleurs, SRAM 5.0 Brakes, Manitou SX Front Suspension, Michelin Tires (Awesome!)
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Submitted by
Jared Riley
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2001
Strengths: Fast and Light
Weaknesses: Some problems with assembly. Maybe what you get for buying at a bike show.
Bottom Line:
Went with my hardcore brother on a budget of $500 CAD. This one ended up being $800, but it was worth it. It's nice and fast. I have some room to grow before anything has to be replaced.
Submitted by
Hiroshi
a Downhiller
from Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2000
Strengths: I did't find alot of strength in this bike for the time I was riding it.
Weaknesses: when I went off a 2' drop at the shore the frame broke at the bottom bracket. the guys at the bike store said that the drop was too high for the SOUL. this bike also rolled better with training wheels. I think that this bike can suck my left nut. also sounded like a fat kid on a trampoline when shox went down.
Bottom Line:
this bike licks. I expected more from a rocky mountain. also do not ride downhill with this bike, or up hill or flat hard land. DO NOT BUY
Similar Products Used: tricycles, wal-mart bikes, coin opperated bikes
Bike Setup: broken now so no set up at all
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Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2000
Strengths: Good, very cheap (paid $900 canadian). Nice frame, lightweight, reliable, good components..
Weaknesses: About a week ago the back rim warped when i was going down a hill, i dont know why, but, according to the sales rep that looked at it there was nothing "defective"......sure.....otherwise, pedals thats about all... oh and the Fork feels kinda cheep
Bottom Line:
Great bike for anyone on a budget. Quality components (deore LX), front derailur shifts kinda slow, but nothing to worry about... Its light, good quality frame, and good braking power. The aluminum frame has a nice look for those fashion concious, and handles well. THe only bad thing is the shock's. There good enough for me, but i dont have any money to upgrade, if possible get manitou or upgrade to judy's. Great bike, Great value, Great company....
Similar Products Used: trek 6000, haro in same price range....
Bike Setup: All origonal, except new rim, and new pedals (flats).
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Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from New York
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2000
Strengths: Ultra light, pretty good entry level suspension (jett SL), awesome rims, very nice tires, nice very light headset.
Weaknesses: None so far, but i would like to upgrade to clipless pedals eventually, but no biggie.
Bottom Line:
If you want an ultralight light bike that climbs like a moutain goat this is it. If you are looking for a top of the line bike this isn't it. I love this bike so far , its light, durable, lifetime guarentee on everything, nice shfters. By the way , my shifters standard are deore shifters, they are sooooo smooth. I would recommend this bike to the penny pinchers out there. For $600 (U.S) , i can't belived that i considered another bike. This bike is a real steal. Happy trails.
Bike Setup: Standard as is, which is awesome by the way.
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Submitted by
scott russell
a Cross Country Rider
from barrie,ontario,canada
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2000
Strengths: The bike is cheep but performs very well. A few upgrades and you truly have a race worthy bike.
Weaknesses: The saddle is uncomfortabl and the shocks are a little week in performance. Clipless pedals are a worthy add on.
Bottom Line:
This bike is great to grow on. It is cheep to buy but totaly worthy of upgrades. Spend some extra money to get a seat,pedals and suspention of your likings and you will be very happy with a race bike that saved you a lot of coin.
Similar Products Used: Go Rockey or go home. I have trusted Rockey Mountain and so should you.....Bottom line!!!
Bike Setup: I upgraded my pedals, put on different suspention, changed the saddle.
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Submitted by
RS S
a Cross Country Rider
from Winnipeg Canada
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2000
Strengths: The frame is amazing. Light weight. And the components are pretty good. Rockey Mt. products are amazing.
Weaknesses: The Rock Shock XC's were no good. They are too heavy, too bouncy and felt like a pogo stick. Had to upgrade. Seat was uncomfortable. No clipless.(Stupid straps)got rid of!
Bottom Line:
This bike is great, upgraded the fork as soon as I got it. Climbs better that anything else I've tried. And for the money you really can't get a better bike. Extremely responsive ride. Handles downhill very well also. I am amazed at how well this bike performs for the money. If you are looking for an excellent bike to perform like the expensives ones...Right here baby!! (Just buy a better fork and clipless and its right up there)
