Submitted by
wilkinm
a Cross Country Rider
from Newhall
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2010
Strengths: Locking front fork and pro pedal rear make this a great climber, really fast and agile on ST and the bike is fairly light
Weaknesses: Shimano 525 rear hub, died after approx 1200 miles, stock tires have a very short life
Bottom Line:
I love this bike, have taken it through all types of terrain with a wide range of distances and have never felt like the bike was holding me back. Am 6'even and the 20.5" frame feels perfect for me and do not feel cramped at all. Would definitely recommend this bike to anyone who rides or races.
Similar Products Used: Various hard tails, Giant 29er
Bike Setup: Stock with the exception of XT rear hub
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Submitted by
racerbrown
a Weekend Warrior
from Havre, MT
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2009
Strengths: light weight. looks awesome. chicks dig it.
Weaknesses: chain has come off a couple times.
Bottom Line:
this bike goes anywhere. It will make an ordinary rider feel like a pro. I will probly have mine for at least 10 years or so and Im not worried about it becoming outdated because it is such a great bike.
Similar Products Used: first mountain bike ive ever owned.
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Wilkenstein
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern VA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2009
Strengths: The frame and brakes are alone worth the price I paid for this bike. Awsome, awsome, awsome. Frame is handbuilt in Canada, not on an assembly line in Taiwan. Amazing climbing ability from a FS bike. Superb downhill manners for an XC oriented bike.
Weaknesses: Shimano 525 hubs and LX cassette weigh a ton but have proven reliable so far. Main pivot will come loose if not torqued and loctited correctly.
Bottom Line:
Look for these things on sale and jump on it. That's what I did and am extremely happy I did so.
I weigh 185 neked and ride typical mid atlantic singletrack. I have raced it in an exterra duathlon and a 12 hour race so far and loved it. I plan on many more races in the year.
I'm swapping out the cassette as soon as possible and I'm going to start saving for a custom wheelset. I think a nice wheelset will compliment this frame beautifully and shave quite a bike of weight.
For the price I paid I'm giving it 5 chilis, but if I had paid full price I probably wouldn't as some of the components are iffy.
Strengths: Very Fast (than my older Stumjumper 2005), Very Confortable, nice Geometry, Great climbing traction, Good weight put out of the box in 12klg.
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
Incredibly fast, better than a climb to a Hardtail, very smooth and comfortable ride, 100% recommended, very secure in donwhill and really do not believe how fast you go, the machine is very fast and reliable, has a good stiffness and can be very safe on the road.
Bike Setup: Fox RL 100, Fox RP23, LX/XT, Components Raceface Evolve XC, Fromula oro 24, Mavic and hutchintong tires.
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Submitted by
Dirk
a Cross Country Rider
from Gallup, NM
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2009
Strengths: The Element's frame construction and ride characteristics are definitely strenths to this bike. Also, the coupling of the frame with Formula Oro brakes, and the complimentary Fox fork and shock make this bike plush and confident at the same time.
Weaknesses: For a $2400 bike, some of the components appeared lower end for that price range (the LX front der. for example). Yet, none of them have failed me yet and have meshed together quite well into a smooth machine.
Bottom Line:
This bike is an excellent example of a mountain bike for the "working man" looking for high performance fun. If you are really into racing, there are lighter (and more expensive) rigs out there for you. If you want to huck off everything under the sun, be sure to buy a something built for that purpose. But if you want to ride as efficiently and fast as possible with your riding buddies or in the local race, this bike fits the ticket. It is not the bike that will the World Cup, but it sure makes me grin every time that I ride it, and that is the biggest prize of all.
Similar Products Used: Hardtails-Diamond Back and Trek
Full Suspension-Specialized FSR Elite
Bike Setup: Stock except for chrome egg beaters.
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Submitted by
ravewoofer
a Cross Country Rider
from Southwest of Boston
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2009
Strengths: This bike is extremely stable over the rough stuff at high speeds. Slick roots and rocks? No problem. Once dialed in, the Element just flat out motors. The most noticible aspect of the bike is how smooth it goes over the rocks and ruts. I'm not sure if it's due to the carbon seat stays or the custom tuned RP23 shock, but the bumps are heavily damped out. What's left is the feeling of just pedaling smooth circles. The faster you pedal, the quicker the bike goes. I really can't feel any unwanted feedback through the pedal stroke.
Weaknesses: I did crack the swingarm down at the yoke, but this happenend nearly a year after purchase. The frame is warranted for 5 years and Rocky Mountain replaced it immediately. Rocky Mountain has added an extra piece of aluminum between the yoke for additional strength. I must say, even with the crack, I was able to ride as often, fast and hard as I liked.
Bottom Line:
I will not give up this bike! In fact, if anything goes wrong, I'll gladly buy another Rocky Mountain product. It's crazy fast and strong through all types of conditions.
The Rocky Mountain Element makes XC riding a blast!
Favorite Trail: If you don't know, I ain't tellin'
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At: Foxboro Bike
Similar Products Used: I only rode hard tails before the dualie.
Bike Setup: The bike is stock except for the following upgrades:
Selle Italia flite saddle
Chris King Hubs and headset
Mavic 717 rims
XTR metallic brake pads
XTR rear derraileur
XT Front derraileur
Strengths: The handling is razor sharp. Best climbing bike that I have ever ridden and the front end stays planted on steep climbs. Front and rear suspension feels perfectly balanced and soaks up everything. Propedal eliminates any possible suspension bob and the bike feels like a hard tail. The Formula brakes are awesome.
Weaknesses: Frame could be a "little" lighter.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is that this is the perfect XC racing machine IMO. The previous reviewer "seemed" to imply that the Element is not really suited for XC racing due to it having a short TT. Do your homework and check the actual #'s. Maybe he should have purchased 1 size larger. Anyhow the Element does everything right. It handles/accelerates/tracks/climbs better than any bike that I have ever owned or ridden all the while soaking up the bumps. I highly recommend this bike for anyone who is in the market for a fast/capable XC bike.
Bike Setup: Race Face Next SL 3/4 riser bar, RF Next SL post, Sram XO twisties, Truvativ Noir Crank, XT cassette, X9 Rr Der, American Classic wheels w/ceramic bearings-titanium Q-releases-Sapim CX-Ray spokes, Formula Oro K24 brakes, SB-8 on the rear and Crossmark on the front "tubeless".
Strengths: - Good value
- Responsive turning
- Well balanced suspension
- Great climber
- Fun to ride
- Excels in twisty, flowing singletrack
- Much better bike than their older Instinct line
Weaknesses: - Shortish top tube may be cramped for some
- Lowish bottom bracket hits more things than I am used to
- Not particularly good for racing
Bottom Line:
Fun bike to ride in twisty, flowing single-track. Handles technical sections very well too. Because the bike geometry forces you in a more upright, freeride position than I am used to, it is not ideal for racing. But for ripping your favourite single-track without a care for lap times, this bike is ideal and very comfortable.
Very responsive turning, more than my Titus. Can hold a very tight turning radius. Stable on the technical stuff and at higher speeds. An all out pleasure to ride, and looks good too!
Similar Products Used: Titus RacerX (great racer and trail bike)
Rocky Mountain Instinct (pre Element brand)
Rocky Mountain Vertex
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, MI USA
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2008
Strengths: Rock solid stability, razor sharp handling, fantastic climber, trail trash rolling resistance (it goes over everything with little to no drama), fairly light.
Weaknesses: A bit of bob when climbing out of the saddle, but you feel so great after the down hills it doesn't seem to matter.
Bottom Line:
This is a follow up to my entry of a few months ago. My RM Element 50 continues to impress. At 44 I had all but given up trail riding due to lower back problems on my old hard tail. I now ride, not so much faster, but with so much more endurance and fluidity it's scary. I literally find myself smiling after easily passing sections of trail I either dreaded or had problems negotiating in the past. I highly recommend this bike to anyone who wants a bike that feels like an extension of your own body and only has you going back to the bike shop to thank them for selling you such a great bike. Speaking of which, if your in GR stop by and see Brian and/or Sam at Grand Rapids Bicycle Co., they are the best!
Similar Products Used: Tested various products from Cannondale, Specialized, Giant and Gary Fisher.
Bike Setup: Stock with upgraded RaceFace crank set, composite seat post, bar ends, Oury grips.
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Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Castle Rock, CO USA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2008
Strengths: Extremely comfortable, responsive, downright lively. Fast on the downhill, and a faster climber than my old hardtail.
Weaknesses: Wish it was a bit lighter.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks. I rode a ton of bikes until my brother in law pushed me to try a Rcky Mtn. What an awesome bike. While it's a bit heavier than some of the others I tried, I actually think I climb faster on this bike than I do on others. I would absolutely buy another Rocky Mountain, although I'm going to be on this for years to come.
Similar Products Used: Old school Kona, Cannondale, Gary Fisher
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Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 20, 2008
Strengths: The bike is so fast, the components are amazing and the handling is unmatched by any other bike.
Weaknesses: Rider training must be increased to match the performance of the bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike handles better than any other bike I have ridden. The stock components are top-notch (I am a grip shift guy though). The Formula ORO brakes are incredible, no squeaking and amazing power and modulation. Thank you Rocky for putting them on at the factory. The suspension and geometry make this bike both smooth enough for a fun weekend of trail riding and weekend races. I am looking forward to doing to the BC Bike race at the end of June and the Epic 8 hour race at the end of May.
Similar Products Used: Trek Fuel EX, Rocky Mountain - Stratos, Rocky Mountain Element, Gary Fisher HiFi
Bike Setup: SRAM X.O Grip Shift with X.9 Front and Rear Shifting. ODI Lock on Grips, Formula ORO K24 Brakes, Raceface Crank, stem, bars, seatpost, WTB Saddle, Crankbrothers Candy Pedals.
Strengths: Great design. Purpose built, solid and @ 25 Lbs fairly light.
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
As quick as my old hard tail on climbs. Great in the turns yet oh so comfortable on big down hills and all the trail junk you encounter on long CX rides. It feels so solidly well centered you can just aim and shoot on any part of the trail with no worries.
Bike Setup: Stock w/ carbon bars and seat post adds.
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Submitted by
JOHN DIONNE
a Cross Country Rider
from HAMILTON,ONT , CANANDA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2007
Strengths: Overall great bike good geometry, feels good on the road and seriuos trails
Weaknesses: So far I have had it a month in the 1st week lockout on rear shock went, took back to the shop been without a bike for 1 1/2 weeks, poor service from ROCKY MOUNTAIN no way to contact them with concerns, Fox shocks isn't a whole lot better, I would think that they would be s embarrassed that the product failed prior to even seeing the trails, that they would send out a new shock no charge to keep me rolling, guess not.....
Bottom Line:
Great design poor service,terrible customer relation, probably would by a different brand that is more customer friendly, I bought Canadian and kind of regret it.
Submitted by
Jeston Norenberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2007
Strengths: Beautiful finish, blistering fast on cross country climbs and descents.
Weaknesses: A bit twitchy on the downhills.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, I absolutely love it. It is fast and responsive and handles well under my 220 aggressive pounds. I am having a slight problem with the bottom bracket so I will repost on that. Not a problem from the bike.
Similar Products Used: Jamis Dakar XLT 2.0 Ibex Apogee XT
Bike Setup: Stock except for Easton Monkey Lite carbon fiber handle bar and Lizard Skins Lock on North Shore grips.
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Submitted by
Ramon
a Cross Country Rider
from Bay Area, CA
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2006
Strengths: Light (27.55lbs)for a 100mm full suspension ride. Great climber and quick handling. Solid level of components. Nice paint job.
Weaknesses: A bit twitchy on steep technical downhills. Tires are ok for hard packed dry terrain but tend to wander quite a bit when things get wet.
Bottom Line:
So far the bike has been great. I'm coming off a 30lbs Kona so the Element feels light as a feather. It climbs extremely well and tracks very well. The only complaint so far is on steep downhills that are extremely rocky. It gets a bit twitchy because of the steep head angle (71.5) so you really need to concentrate. Overall it's been great. I'll follow up with another post in a few months to see how it holds up after a good beating.
