Having spent some time with the MTBR.com, I was given the chance to test ride and review the Rocky Mountain 2009 Altitude 70 mountain bike. Billed on their website as a XC Marathon mountain bike. Rocky Mountain has ten different categories on their website under the mountain bike category. Talk about options! No matter, it is all about how the bike handles once it is one the trails. Continue reading →
Submitted by
bennamer
a Cross Country Rider
from Kfar Sava, Israel
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2011
Strengths: Climbing, its WOW,,, great in technical climbing, stable in close turns while climbing, great for descending.
Weaknesses: The down tube that comes from the bottom brackets is parallel to the ground and goes up, TOO LOW, it faces the rock before the big crank wheel protect it.
Bottom Line:
This bike replaces the ETSX I had, its Much, Much better in climbing. In my team we are 3 with Altitude among many bikes, we are always the first or the only guys that climb the very steep hills.
I don't understand this geometry but going down hill is very stable and again, much better then the ETSX.
Taking sharp angles in climbing the front wheel doesn't float, it stays stick to the ground.
I suffer of the down tube because it can get hit from any rock because its parallel to the ground about 10" from the bottom bracket, longer then the big crank whell.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Endoro, Rocky MTN ETSX70
Bike Setup: Breaks- Formula Oro,XTR grear parts, Talas RLC 140, DT Swiss Hub.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
AK47
a Cross Country Rider
from Folsom, CA
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2010
Strengths: Climbing, climbing and more climbing; stability in technical sections; comfy geo; confidence inspiring design; acceleration for a 5.5" bike; great in the gnar gnar; just a really fun, ride all day bike
Weaknesses: Out of the box it's very good
Bottom Line:
I never knew a 5.5" full sus bike could be so fast. I think it's because of the stability of this bike coupled with 5.5" of travel, I am just plowing into rougher sections I had to slow up more for on other bikes. For 5.5", it's light at 28lbs. The XT shifters and brakes work flawlessly, along with the XTR rear derailleur. The RaceFace Atlas/Deus cockpit is awesome. The wheelset works fine, I just had a wild hair to add some "bling". If your rides are everything except freeride/downhill terrain, this is your bike (it blows away the ETSX).
Bike Setup: Stock except for Easton Haven wheelset
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Ymiller
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton, Co USA
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2009
Strengths: Climbs great, easy to manuever around, over and thru obsticles while climbing. Pedal bob is almost non-existent, in many cases I leave the pro-pedal off so I don't have to remember to turn it off on the descent. Very smooth and fast downhill. Suspension does its job extremely well. Handling is predictable and stable
Weaknesses: occasional chain suck. Cables rub paint off head tube immediately...I know its a mtn bike and it will get scratched and beat up, but I prefer its from hard riding.
Bottom Line:
Very capable bike for all day riding with enough travel to enjoy and not worry about things if they get a litte nasty/hairy. Compared to the other bikes I tested, I felt this one climbed the best. With the slacker seat angles on the other bikes I found it tough to keep the front wheel on the ground on steep sections. The Rocky allowed me to keep enough weight forward without giveing up to much traction in the rear. So if your looking to keep the climbing ability of a true xc bike, but want 140mm of travel for more aggresive descents this bike is hard to beat.
Similar Products Used: specialized stumpjumper FSR (prior bike), before purchase test rode a Santa Cruz Blur LT, Yete 575, Canondale RZ 140
Bike Setup: stock
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
saddlesore
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2009
Strengths: pedals really really well. Great climber. Solid component specs. Pretty much Full XT with Raceface.
Weaknesses: Some people are not fans of Raceface cranks or twitchy downhill handling. Everyone knows that Crankbrothers pedals are junk!
Bottom Line:
This bike is taller than expected, but stable with good traction. Suspension setup is your weight in pounds -10%, that lets the back end hold the ground better and lowers your centre of gravity. Once set up like that it pedals better than either of my Blurs did and is downright sweet on rough terrain with very plush suspension. Handleing is like my blur XC, a bit twitchy, and I love it that way There is very little bob even with the propedal off. Some don't like raceface, but they stand behind what they make and it performs like Sram and shimano. The XT brakes are certainly the new standard for XC brakes, I am a big fan of the modulation. The entire original drivetrain/brake spec was almost full XT which is remarkable these days. I hope to see more of it in the future.
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