I have had my vertex for a little more than a year. Generally I have been pretty happy with it. Unfortunately a crack has developed in the head tube. I am 135lbs and have been using this bike strickly for XC riding. The frame shouldn't have a cracked already. Rocky Mountain will probably warrentee it but it is still a pain.
Submitted by
Hakan
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY, US
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2001
Strengths: Strong and sharp looking frame, excellent balance, awesome Marzocchi Atom 80 shocks, great mic of components
Weaknesses: Nothing so far but will make some minor upgrades
Bottom Line:
Purchased this 10 month old bike recently for $900 and it handles perfectly. Stiff and strong frame for a large rider like me. Awesome to ride, climbs well and has a great overall set of components. Flawless shifting and the SRAM brakes stop on a dime. Absolutely one of the best bikes out there without spending a fortune. Will upgrade to stiffer springs in the Atom 80 (I weigh 195 lbs.). The shocks handles well but the the preload needs to be adjusted almost at the stiffest level. Will also uograde to a RaceFace BB since I have slight creaking in the BB area. But that's about the only adjustments I will make. The only item that seems a bit weak is the Richey headset but I will use that for a while to see how it holds up. Overall I'm extremely happy with this bike and would highly recommend it
Similar Products Used: Cannondale F2000, Cannondale Super V 900
Bike Setup: Stock (Marzocchi Atom 80, Xt hub with Mavic wheels, XT front der, XTR rear der.,RaceFace cranks, bars, stems, seatpost,Sram brakes, XTshifters/levers
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Submitted by
Jeffrey Morash
a Racer
from Liverpool,N.S. CAN
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001
Strengths: *great look *light weight *climbs well *great components *fast as f~ck
Weaknesses: *grips
Bottom Line:
I cant even go to the light house with out people staring at it and where i come from im scared some kid will steal it but i never leave it unattended this is a great bike if your willing to pay the amount it cost!!!!
Bike Setup: xtr rear der. mavic rims same as stock
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Submitted by
Michael
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancouver, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001
Strengths: The frame is the primary strongpoint on this bike. It climbs like a monkey on coke and holds a line through all of the rough stuff. The bike weighs more than some race only models but will hold up a lot better too. This is the perfect trail/race bike for those of us who can't afford two separate machines. The Zokes aren't butter smooth but really absorb the big hits and don't bounce all over the place when climbing. The brakes were suprisingly good. The seat is very comfy and it's made in Canada by an actual human being that is getting paid and feeding his family with his wages (okay maybe he's single and drinking beer)...But there is no robots or thrid world slave labour here.
Weaknesses: The Shimano 515's that came stock are garbage--very difficult to clip out of. The Michelin tires are nice when new but the casing breaks easily. I got a good price on mine but I know the bike is kind of expensive if you pay something close to retail--but it's worth it, and knowing what I do now about this bike I would have no qualms about dropping some more cash on it. Oh, the grips suck.
Bottom Line:
This is an excellent bike that will improve the quality of your life immesurably--don't let anyone tell you you're shallow if you perue material possessions. I was really tempted to go full suspension because of the hype--and I admit that some of it is warranted--but, there's nothing on earth like the crisp climbing feel of a hardtail. I'm also not replacing bushings and tightening linkage nuts every two minutes like some of the full suspension people are doing. Do yourself a favor and buy it.
Similar Products Used: Thin Air, Element Race, Pipeline, Norco Sasquatch, Big Wheel--my first ever ride!
Bike Setup: Stock except Panaracer Fire XC Pro's and Shimano 636's for extreme trails and 545's for putzin around.
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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Durham
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001
Strengths: Literally floats down hills. Light enough in relation to its generally indestructable nature. Practical RkyMtn geometry
Weaknesses: Have ridden bikes that climb a bit better, but the Vertex surpasses them in all other areas.
Bottom Line:
What else can I say? I did a lot of research/testing before deciding to buy this bike - the final descision was very easy. The bike came perfect! The sales guy tried to talk me into discs for added stopping umpfh but im interested more in going than sstopping. The bike is expensive because of the Rocky name tag but there are advanteges to buying from the worlds best bike maker - pride is one of them!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper, GT Zaskar, Shwinns, KHSs,Treks
Bike Setup: XT (XTR RearD), Race Face: Cranks, rings, stem, bb, bar, post, SRAM V's, Mavic/XT/Michellin Wildgrippers
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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Durham
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001
Strengths: Literally floats down hills. Light enough in relation to its generally indestructable nature. Practical RkyMtn geometry
Weaknesses: Have ridden bikes that climb a bit better, but the Vertex surpasses them in all other areas.
Bottom Line:
What else can I say? I did a lot of research/testing before deciding to buy this bike - the final descision was very easy. The bike came perfect! The sales guy tried to talk me into discs for added stopping umpfh but im interested more in going than sstopping. The bike is expensive because of the Rocky name tag but there are advanteges to buying from the worlds best bike maker - pride is one of them!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper, GT Zaskar, Shwinns, KHSs,Treks
Bike Setup: XT (XTR RearD), Race Face: Cranks, rings, stem, bb, bar, post, SRAM V's, Mavic/XT/Michellin Wildgrippers
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Durham
Date Reviewed: July 9, 2001
Strengths: Literally floats down hills. Light enough in relation to its generally indestructable nature. Practical RkyMtn geometry
Weaknesses: Have ridden bikes that climb a bit better, but the Vertex surpasses them in all other areas.
Bottom Line:
What else can I say? I did a lot of research/testing before deciding to buy this bike - the final descision was very easy. The bike came perfect! The sales guy tried to talk me into discs for added stopping umpfh but im interested more in going than sstopping. The bike is expensive because of the Rocky name tag but there are advanteges to buying from the worlds best bike maker - pride is one of them!
Similar Products Used: Specialized Stumpjumper, GT Zaskar, Shwinns, KHSs,Treks
Bike Setup: XT (XTR RearD), Race Face: Cranks, rings, stem, bb, bar, post, SRAM V's, Mavic/XT/Michellin Wildgrippers
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Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001
Strengths: damn bombproof frame, great setup, climbs like a goat on amphetamines, tracks straight at speed
Weaknesses: not a single thing - maybe the aheadset (ritchey), but that's a stretch
Bottom Line:
the vertex rocks. if i ever find the guy who built it (his initials are on the frame, defineately a sign of a quality product) i'd like to buy him a (canadian) beer. if you're at least an intermediate rider who spends more time on the trails than sitting with your bike sipping a double latte at starbucks, this is a bike you should consider.
Similar Products Used: an old RM stratos, spec'd stumpy
Bike Setup: marz atom up front, mostly race face components, srams, and a bit of xt thrown in for good measure
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Submitted by
Chris D
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2001
Strengths: Damn light and hand made quality you just can't get from frames pumped out by the millions in taiwan.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
I actually got the frame for $500CAN (about $325US for you southerners) and threw together a bike for a sweet, sweet price of about $2100CAN by shopping around for parts and stripping about $200 worth of brake gear from my old bike (good stuff). The new set up is super fun. Great, snappy frame and all-round smooth ride with the gooder judys. We know damn well up here how to build a hand welded frame right. Oh yah, the paint job is cool too. DAMN DAMN is this bike light
Similar Products Used: Old Mongooses (when they used to make good bikes)
Bike Setup: XT fron/rear der, brakes arms, Judy Race, Avid 2.0 Levers, race face cranks + head set, pro logic, body geo seat, bontrager bar, mavic 517s
Similar Products Used: Tried out at least 20 different bikes of similar price and quality and none compared to this.
Bike Setup: Stock, like the race face. Super paint job, blue/silver. Had to give up my saddle & Race Face stem for a higher shorter stem to get just the right fit. I'm old and spoiled.
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Submitted by
Robert Shidla
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN US
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2001
Strengths: This bike is beautiful, comfortable, stable, and bomb proof
Weaknesses: wheel set (too heavy) low end cassete
Bottom Line:
The best bike I have ever ridden. With a good pair of bike shorts and shoes, you will never want to go home again. I now sit at work and look forward to my next 50 mile ride. I can't brag enough about this bike. Those guys/gals at Rocky Mountain know what they are doing. (even if they are canadian)
Bike Setup: I replaced the wheel set with a Bont. Race Lite Ceramic Rims, Hugi Hubs, and Conti. Cross Country Wheels. Shaved 2 pounds. Replaced the Cassette with XTR. Next upgrade will be a murati (?sp) crank.
Strengths: Perfect race bike, wouldn't trade for anything......NICE PAINT JOB...;)
Bottom Line:
Perfect setup, could be a little lighter than 25 especially for racing, but ill live..yes those stupid decals come off the rear triangle all the time(throw a race face sticker over 'em or something), pick up a wheelset for the bike if you can afford it, it'll lighten the bike up about an extra pound or so...if you are even thinking of buying this bike please drop me a mail...mtnbike876@aol.com
Similar Products Used: Specialized M2 Pro, Cannondale Jekyll 900 w/ discs, Schwinn Homegrown Pro...and yes i have ridden these for long periods of time..
Bike Setup: Stock...
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Submitted by
Barry
a Cross Country Rider
from North Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2001
Strengths: Great quality frame construction and paint, Race Face components, light and nimble
Weaknesses: I can't use it as my office chair. Seriously if there are weaknesses they are well hidden.
Bottom Line:
I love this frame, the Rocky has terrific geometry for the few trails that aren't free-ride like up here, the paint would make a Mercedes jealous, and it's light. I've upped the Canuck ante on it with Syncros and Race Face everything, Time ATAC pedals and the Z2 Xfly which is a plush and stable fork. This bike makes me darn happy to be a Canadian.
Similar Products Used: A string of hardtails, Tech Nova, Mongoose IBOC Pro, Norco Java.
Bike Setup: Upgraded with Marz Z2 Xfly Mavic 517 wheels, XTR F&R derailleurs, and... 7 speed bar top XT thumbshifters pure retro.
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Submitted by
Rocky Rider
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2000
Strengths: High quality welds and tolerances Cool Paint job
Weaknesses: Some little decals are not under the clearcoat and get busted
Bottom Line:
This review is for frame only.
This Rocky is a beautiful ride. I was choosing between a Kona Kula, Specialized M4, Devinci Desperado, Marin Indian fire Trail and this baby. The Rocky made in British Columbia (versus Kona). It's not overpriced (versus Marin). It's reasonably light (~1600g for 19.5"). The black-silver rainbowy paintjob is PHAT (as one reviewer said) (versus Devinci). You don't see a lot of other people riding it (versus Specialized) It's comfortable and stiff at the same time. The frame builder puts their name on the frame (whatever that's worth to you) And, last but not least, I just like how it rides and how my body fits onto it.
Can't go wrong with a Rocky
4.8 Chilis overall because the decals on the seatstays tend to chip off every time you take a dirt sample (they can be bought from RMB again though)
Strengths: -Light -Durable -Longer top tube makes for super handling at speed and in sweeping turns -Easton tubes are awesome
Weaknesses: -Original headset, Ritchey. Had Chris King installed at shop -Need heavier springs for 200+ lbs. riders -Not overly hip to the silver/blue paint scheme but I have learned to live with it.
Bottom Line:
Awesome bike.
Made additions mentioned above and this bike became incredible. For my riding style on the tight, twisting, technical trails, it is fantastic. However, at speed the longer top tube offers tremendous stability.
I am constantly amazed at its "one bike does all" ability. The Easton tubing, frame geometry, and tubeless Mavic/Hutchinsons work super together.
This bike is also one super climber as well.
I have a 98 FSR and a custom hardtail Howegrown that are now gathering dust thanks to the Rocky Mountain.
Bike Setup: Stock Vertex with Mavic Crossmax Tubeless UST's, Chris King headset, heavier springs in forks, Hutchinson tires (tubeless), Easton carbon riser handlebars.
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