Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Campbell River, BC
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2008
Strengths: geometry is spot on, comfortable steel ride, sensible component mix, Rocky Mountain quality, braze ons for touring or commuting, multi-purpose bike
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
My first mountain bike was the 1989 Hammer. In addition to being a good mountain bike I used it for commuting and about 8000 miles of touring before the seat tube cracked. I replaced it with the 1996 Hammer and have been riding it since.
The bike originally came with cantilever brakes, a flat bar and a long'ish stem. I was riding it on the North Shore and couldn't believe the difference a shorter stem, riser bars and V-brakes made. I'm now running it as a singlespeed and it is great. It has nimble handling, fairly quick acceleration, climbs well, steel ride smooths things out, is versatile enough for riding stunts, picking your way through technical sections or 4+ hour rides. In addition to being a great trail bike it converts well for touring, commuting and towing kids.
If you are looking for a bike that will last for years and respond intuitively, you won't find better. The Hammer would make a perfect do-everything bike for casual riders, is a responsive bike for technical xc, and a great addition if you've already got a full suspension bike and are looking for something to ride that is just plain fun and a bit more old school.
The 2008 Hammer is a 29'er singlespeed, a first for Rocky. Should be a fun bike given the track record of the original.
Similar Products Used: I've only owned three mountain bikes in the last 19 years. The first two were Hammers (I'm still riding the second one) and my other bike now is a Rocky Mountain ETSX-50 (awesome bike). I've tried out some aluminum Rocky hardtails but didn't like giving up the steel ride quality for the lighter weight and harsher ride.
Bike Setup: 1996 Hammer converted to singlespeed. Other than the original crank, everything has been replaced as it has worn out or broken. It now has a Marzocchi fork, V-brakes, Surly Singleator, Rhyno Lite rims, flats or old SPDs, old Panaracer Fire tires, riser bars, Ritchey stem, FSA headset... basically a mix of spare parts from the last ten years or so.
Strengths: I like that it has a Steel Frame very nice Ride. Good solid Components.
Weaknesses: Wish mine was disk, but there are Avid digit 7 V-brakes on it so I that kind of makes up for it
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, but the components are in need of replacing (3500+ KM on the Bike in the last 4 years). I am planning on replacing the components on the bike, because I love the ride on this Bike. Overall I highly suggest the new Rocky Mountain Hammers. The Steel frame is about 2.5 pounds heavier, but that extra weight is so worth it.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Hardrock comp and Specialized Rockhoper FSR comp.
Bike Setup: Original Stock setup, with a Specialized body geometry seat and XT cog-set and Sram 990 chain.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Tim St.Germain
a Weekend Warrior
from Jasper, Alberta
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2007
Strengths: Ride Quality. Aesthetics (Red Paint Job). Hand Built in Canada.
Weaknesses: Weight.
Bottom Line:
Excellent Bike- if a bit pricey. Then again, that is what you pay for Hand Built. Ride it in the Rockies, after riding an FS (and getting rid of it, after a fashion (stolen in Kamloops)). The bike handles amazingly well, climbs nice and isn't too harsh on the rocky, root-y downhills. Might not be up to the downhilling tasks of an FS bike, but if you pick your lines you can keep up (-sh) and then more than make time up for it on the climbs. Plus, riding the hardtail vastly improves your handling skills, without sufferring the bone-jarring ride of an Alu bike.
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2006
Strengths: I've ridden my Rocky Mountain Hammer since 1995 - a longggg time. I have about 25,000 cross country km on my bike. This bike has been pretty much bullet-proof. I live in Canada and ride thoughout the winters too.
Weaknesses: In general, the bike has been way stronger than you could expect, however, with over 10 years on the bike, most comonents have been changed.
Bottom Line:
I have put this bike thru hell and I'm still riding it. If you are looking for a hardtail that can take the abuse and come back for more, this is it. I'm still using mine for races. The key is maintainence. Clean and lube regularly and change parts when it's time!
Similar Products Used: I also own a 2005 Specialized FSR-XC comp.
Bike Setup: Stock frame, Manitou Axel Fork, Avid Single Digit 5 Brakes, LX Deraileurs, Sun Rhino Lite rims, Original Grip Shifts (Love 'em)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Howard Worton
a Cross Country Rider
from Ashford, Kent, UK
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2006
Strengths: For a guy like me, who has not had a bike for almost 10 years, this bike seems fast. It can cope with some pretty rutted, muddy Kentish conditions with ease. It has a high quality feel and is very well put together. The standard equipment of the 2005 model, which I have, is superior to the latest spec, meaning it might be worht searching out if you want one. Bargains to be had on old stock too.
Weaknesses: For what I paid, none.
Bottom Line:
If you ride xc and don't want the weight of a fs, this is as good as you can do for the price IMO.
Submitted by
Des
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, B.C.
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2005
Strengths: the bike was bought in the summer of 94' and I am still riding it, it has taken alot of abuse and still keeps going. I like the thumb shifters.
Weaknesses: bike came with cantilever brakes and a soilid fork. I upgraded both.
Bottom Line:
the bike just will not die, I wore out the drive train, new cassete and one front ring. It is still fun to ride and gets lots of coments from other riders with fancy bikes in the parking lot. I never thought I would still be riding it now 11 years later.
Submitted by
Gerry
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2005
Strengths: Frame strength/geometry... great for climbing, solid on the descents, amazing on tight singletrack. Stock front shock (Marzocchi Comp Air, 4" Travel) is responsive and solid. Hayes Disc Brakes are responsive and solid.
Weaknesses: None, unless you are a weight weenie.
Bottom Line:
I've returned to riding hardtail steel frame bike. Great bike for any XC rider, especially riders who like to let'r rip on the downhills. Steel frame + 4" Travel on front shocks even works well for log jumps and small drops. Might be a tad heavy for elite XC racers, but you can still post excellent times, especially if race course is technical.
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2005
Strengths: sleek Steel frame, minimalist style, good seat, great paint job,
Weaknesses: Disc brakes, RM have somehow failed to find a suitable way of running the disc brake cable along the frame - wake up guys, this kind of finish lets the image down.
Bottom Line:
Beautiful bikes (except see above), low spec.s for a relatively expensive bike.
Similar Products Used: Specialised Rockhopper Comp - steel Fisher advance - steel Giant sedona - steel Kona cinder cone - steel Kona hahanna - steel
Bike Setup: standard
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Synth76
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2004
Strengths: Solid machine with great components. Saddle will be replaced shortly (my cherry can't take it anymore ;-). Words can't express my love of this rig.
Weaknesses: None so far accept it's inability to magnetize women to my general vicinity. Hardly the machine's fault or a cause for complaint! :-p
Bottom Line:
I've ridden nothing but steel and will ride nothing but steel. Aluminum just won't cut it!! You'd be a fool not to consider this rig. Great price for the quality of bike you get. Solid on the ups, tight and responsive on the downs. This is shaping up to be a life-long love affair.
Similar Products Used: 2000 Rocky Mountain Blizzard.
Bike Setup: Stock w/ soon to be replaced saddle. Mini-bell for city riding! LOL
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Submitted by
christopher
a Cross Country Rider
from manchester, nh
Date Reviewed: June 19, 2004
Strengths: Handmade Steel Frame. Very Fast.
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
Very nice bike. Quick and corners around single track very well. RM makes some of the nicest bikes out there. If you are looking for a steel bike and can't afford IF or other custom frame, go for the Hammer, you well not regret it.
Similar Products Used: GF Tassajara, Kona Stuff, plus other FS.
Bike Setup: Stock except King headset, Easton Monkeylite bars, Thomson stem, and RS seatpost. RM also included Hayes Nine disc brakes instead of Shimano (Big Bonus).
