Submitted by
tom skinner
a Cross Country Rider
from Kingston, ontario, canada (now in vancouver bc)
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2002
Strengths: a kick ass machine. fast, strong and tight. it is a cross country racer, with a trials mind set. you couldn't expect anything more from a hard tail. comes set up perfectly, no additons needed. everything is as good as you could want or better, yet still kepps things in a reasonable price range.
Weaknesses: um not a chance. (actually the bb is kind of creaky, but nothing serious)
Bottom Line:
this bike is amazing. i got it in 2002 even though it was a 2000 model. i called everystore in ottawa, no one had it. so i called everystore in toronto and the last place on my list had one and it was my size. i didn't even have to think about it. if you can find one, buy it. trials is not easy on bikes (especially light weight cross country racers) this bike is quick responsive and has andled everything i have done to it so far. and with 2 hours of riding a day, it has seen a lot. dont look around buy this bike, or any rocky, you wont regret it. incredible quality for the money. yes its pricy, but you get more than what you pay for. this is a life long friend if thats what you want.
Favorite Trail: fort herny, urban trial(UBC campus), anything technical
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$1245.00
Purchased At: mc bride cycle. toronto
Similar Products Used: 2002 oxygen, 2002 stratos and tons of other companies. if its not rocky, forget it. it out performed (and looks better) than any of this tears models.
Bike Setup: stock ecept for an envy rock ring an outland platform pedals.
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Submitted by
Rideguy
a Cross Country Rider
from Garibaldi B.C.
Date Reviewed: January 27, 2002
Strengths: Great frame, excellent Groupo for the money. Race Face!! Shimano!!.....need I say More! Beautiful Cross Country Machine!! Reliable.Period.....Disc brake Tabs!!....sweet
Weaknesses: Geax tires.......the saddle....fixed with WTB Velociraptors and WTB saddle.
Bottom Line:
When I shopped for a new bike I looked at every other brand in my price range. The Thin Air was spec'd the best for that year and I went for a spin and that was it. The bike is light and extremely responsive, I've increased my overall riding speed by who knows!!! Love the Z 2! The bike leaps over logs and obstacles like they don't exist........Anyone who has ridden long rides like the Test of Metal and Cheakamus Challenge know how important a reliable, lightweight and strong bike is. I can honestly say I have never had a breakdown in either of these epics. A testament to Rocky's quality!!
If you wanted a Sweet, Cross Country, log hopping, trail scorching bike, you should have bought a 2000 Thin Air... 'cause I'm not selling mine!!!
Purchased At: Tail Wind Cycles ( John is Excellent)
Similar Products Used: I've only ever owned a Rockymountain. My first was a Rigid 1990 Stratos..........and I still ride it on the trails. Did 2 Test of Metals and Cheakamus Challenges with it!!
Bike Setup: Stock except...for the Race Face riser bar and Head set......Beefed up springs for the Bomber....WTB saddle!!
Weaknesses: Saddle kills, had to replace seatpost clamp because post kept slipping no matter how hard I tightened it. After I put a Salsa on there, no more problems.
Bottom Line:
With the exception of the Stock "Rocky" mountain saddle, an excellent rig, worth even the retail cost.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rock Hopper(doesn't even compare to this rig!)
Bike Setup: XT/LX trans, SRAM 9.0 brakes, Z.2 Atom 80 fork, blah blah blah
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Submitted by
Joshua King
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethesda, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2001
Strengths: Great Climber, Great spec line up
Weaknesses: Weak derailleur hanger?
Bottom Line:
Love the bike. Stiff frame and sloping top tube provide great climbing. Z2 Atom is a great shock, takes everything I throw at it. I am a fan of the SRAM breaks, no squeaks and great stopping power. Just finished the 24 hours of Snowshoe and no problems at all with my bike. The only complaint I have is that I have bent three derailleur hangers over the last 6 months, but that could just be some bad crashes.
The bike is solid. Will take a beating and love it. Too bad it is not in the 2001 line up
Rocky Mt put together a fabulous bike here. It is worthy of racing right out of the box. Fast, solid and nimble. Weekend warrior or wrecking crew racer, take it out and have fun
Similar Products Used: Looked at Jamis and GT products
Bike Setup: Stock: XT shifters/rear derailer/leavers, SRAM 9.0 brakes, Z2 Atom Fork, Race Face Cranks and Stem.
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Submitted by
Trevor
a Cross Country Rider
from Valemount, B.C, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2001
Strengths: light, good climbing, great fork.
Weaknesses: geux tires x221 rims ,seat is very uncomfortable.
Bottom Line:
Great bike went way faster with new tires. This bike is great for racers. I am 5'9 and my bike is a 19.5 it was a little big but i got used to hit and can handle it fine.
Bike Setup: race face lp cranks michlen tires. otherwise stock
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Submitted by
Moose
a Cross Country Rider
from Kodiak, Alaska
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2001
Strengths: Durability, looks, and function. Canadian, eh! That's what it's all aboot.
Weaknesses: The stickers...already coming off of the seat-stays. They need to be layered under some clear-coat.
Bottom Line:
Kick-ass bike. I have broken Trek and a Specialized frames in the past (I'm 6'4, 225# and ride very hard). After one year on this bike, nothing broken. The Marzocchi Bomber fork rocks...totally stable, very tough.
This is one tough bike. If you are a big guy, this ones for you. Unfortunately I don't see the Thin Air in the 2001 lineup.
Weaknesses: Short top-tube. Frame is unbreakable (good), but also makes it a little heavier than the earlier thin air frames.
Bottom Line:
You CANNOT hurt this bike. Extremely fast and responsive, but does not forgive your mistakes (FYI I am 5'5" riding a 16" frame). The bike is a blast to ride, and if you want a bike to last longer than you buy this bike. However, if you are a smaller framed person like me, be prepared for riding an exceptionally stiff frame.
Strengths: Responsive Frame, Great Fork, Light Weight and Fast ride over any East Coast trail stuff
Weaknesses: Weaknesses? HA!
Bottom Line:
This rocks, I race andride it year round with zero problems, it is light weight with my own personal mix of components, it is easy to throw around the trail and get over all the rocks in PA. I built it to be fast and comfortable, it rocks, plain and simple!!!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: Cannondale F2000, Trek 8500
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z2, Race Face Crank & BB, Sram 9.0sl, Avid Mag Levers/Arch Rival Mag, Titec stem/118 bar, Thomson seatpost, Selle Italia XO (with the Maple leaves!), Rolf Propel, Ritchey ZMax, ZED
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Submitted by
XaMieL:
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2001
Strengths: Fast, responsive, forgiving frame construction for aluminum, Easton Ultra Light Tubing
Weaknesses: Decals above the clear coat.
Bottom Line:
This frame is sweet. I bought it last year and made it my mission to make it the fastest MTB bike in my stables. I'd been riding my Cirrus for a few years and finally retired it to commuter status (It actually gets ridden more now!). What a difference 7 years in R&D makes. The easton tubing next to the old straight wall aluminum - no comparison. I've been told by my LBD that this frame has the exact same geometry as the Vertex except it made out of aluminum not "Scandium". This frame tricked out the way I've set it up is fast and ultra responsive. I get on and it just goes. It climbs like a goat and corners like a cat. The limited edition paint job is really a work of art: black fade to gold maple leaf pattern. My only beef. I crashed hard early in the season last year and sratched up the decals. If they had been painted under the clear coat they'd be fine, oh well. What more can I say. There may be a better bike frame out there, but I've settled on this one. I couldn't be happier.
Similar Products Used: 1993 Rocky Mountain "Cirrus" <-- still have it!!, and 2000 Kona "Stinky"
Bike Setup: Bought as frame only: Race Face stem, seat post and headset, Easton CT2 flat bar, XTR/XT drive train mix, Avid Mag levers and brakes, Time pedals, Selle Italia Flite saddle,and Bontranger Race Rims
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Submitted by
steve reiter
a Weekend Warrior
from gunnison co
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2001
Strengths: the frame is excellent. it is well-tuned to minimize the harsh feel of some al. frames. solid component specs
Weaknesses: generic seatpost which bent during a hard ride
Bottom Line:
rocky mountain makes awesome bikes. the thin air could be set up as a great lightweight racer or as a heavy-use trailbike
Similar Products Used: bontrager, proflex (K2), and Ellsworth
Bike Setup: Stock, but replaced Geax Tires with IRC Mythos
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Submitted by
Danno Soda
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2000
Strengths: Rides real crisp and smooth. Awesome XC bike. RMB all the way.
Weaknesses: Seat kills. It'll be replaced this week.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, I was originally going to upgrade to the 2000 Oxygen, but none were avail. in 17.5". Ended up paying a little more and got the Thin Air. Really like the dual purpose pedals. Clipless on one side/flat on the other. Just have to watch it leaning on corners.
Similar Products Used: 97' RM Oxygen Race with Bomber Z2. Just sold it for $850 cdn.
Bike Setup: Stock, with addition of my Rhino squeeze horn.
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Submitted by
Greg Bronson
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2000
Strengths: Great components, excellent geometry
Weaknesses: Some shifting glitches, could be cable stretch during break-in. Shimano clipless pedals take some practice to use properly.
Bottom Line:
Very pleased with overall performance. Excellent ride quality, Front end sticks like glue. Light, tight and fast. Good bye CrMo frames! Makes me feel like Im a better rider and motivates me to ride more. You won't be disappointed with this one.
The stock cranks and chain rings were a disappointment. After changing to Race Face LP cranks and chain rings, the bike is an absolute dream. It handles spectacularly, whether hardcoring it across a mountain side or going for a Sunday afternoon ride with the wife. For what I paid, I couldn't have asked for a better bike.
