Submitted by
singlespeeddan
a Weekend Warrior
from Bethlehem,PA
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2010
Strengths: 4"-4.5"-5" travel adjustment is a very good concept if you don't mind having this "gadjet like" option on your bike (pretty reliable) , solid & light Easton frame, overhall very good handling, quality paint job, some stock components do the job well but are worth upgrading when replacing them. The Fox suspension components are an excellent asset of the bike, although the 2007 Talas system was replaced twice since then, to make it more reliable.
Weaknesses: The biggest problem is lateral flexibility, you only really notice it when pumping up a steep climb and shifting gears. Also the high center of gravity creates a less comfortable position when cornering at high speed. Taking into account that if you change the rear travel, you should logically put more/less air in the shock.
Bottom Line:
I sold my racier Giant NRS because a race geometry was just not good for me, since I dont race yet. The geometry of the ETSX and it's travel adjustment made me a better rider, I gained confidence and rode more and more because I could'nt get enough of it. I love my bike, I though of changing it as I was blinded by newer bikes like the ETSX replacement, the 2009 RMB Altitude or also the 2010 Specialized Stumpjumper come out, but I just don't think I could find a proper reason of replacing it. It is an excellent all around bike. It climbs really well, especially when the Talas fork is in 100mm and what ever the rear position is. The downhill part... is just a charm if you click your fork to 140mm, even 120mm and take the time to place the rear shock in the 5" position. It has it's little down sides, but really, what bike doesn't? As for the stock components of the ETSX 30, of course they are cheaper than the ones on the ETSX 50 or 70, but it is really easy to upgrade parts when they fail or when they just make you curse on the trails.
Similar Products Used: The only FS bike I had before was a 2003 Giant NRS 2, pretty different geometry.
Bike Setup: 2007 ETSX 30 frame (acid green powdercoat), 2008 Race Face Evolve XC seatpost, handlebar and crankset, Easton EA70 stem, Cane Creek S8 headset, Selle Italia Trans AM XO saddle, PD-M520 pedals, 2009 XT shadow rear and front derailleur, Deore hydrolic centerlock disc brakes, Deore shifters (just bought latest XTR shifters and will replace them shortly),2007 Fox Talas 32 100-120-140mm fork, Fox Float RP2 shock, Alex TD17 rims/Deore hubs wheels (heavy but rigid enough, thinking of switching them to a Mavic 719/XT hub combo), XT 11-32T cassette, I alternate tires from the stock IRC Mibro 2.2 to Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1 for muddier/wetter conditions.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
33MTB
a Cross Country Rider
from East Coast
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2010
Strengths: Lightweight, very comfortable geometry.
Weaknesses: Terrible shifting and a weak frame.
Bottom Line:
This bike had rear shifting problems since day 1. Took it to the authorized dealer multiple times, but they couldn't figure it out. Ended up spending hundreds on new components, to no avail. I cracked the front triangle, below the seatpost during normal cross country riding. Rocky did honor the warranty and replaced my frame very quickly. I would not however buy another Rocky product. Thankfully they don't make this bike anymore.
Bike Setup: Stock components except for XTR shifters.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
hmarquardt
a Weekend Warrior
from Overland Park, Kansas USA
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2008
Strengths: Great Frame,Shock,Fork & Suspension design/adjustability
Well made, fine detail work
Good BB clearance
No chain clang
Weaknesses: Rear Derailleur hanger(buy a billet backup ASAP)
Rear shifting fussy
Two bolt stem/bar attachment
Bottom Line:
Great bike for my first full suspension. Love the versatility of the suspension settings. Shipped it to Tahoe for R&R. Handled the Rim trail(awesome) with ease. Handled well until the hanger bent. Glad I had a replacement.Now all is well. Have another set of road wheels with schwalbe marathons for city trail workouts. Button down the suspension & shorten the fork...works great!
All in all, a very well made bike that is highly versatile.Makes this athletic 59 year old ride like he's in his 40s.
This bike is perfect for anyone who rides cross-country or any technical mountain singletrack. The stock components are more beneficial for a true cross-country rider. If you plan on heavy technical single track riding, upgrade the stem and seatpost. This bike is made for climbing and decends equally well. Handles roots and rock gardens with ease.
One after-market purchase which is a MUST for this bike are Gore derailleur cables (low friction, sealed cables). This bike is prone to rear shifting issues (as is the case with many full suspension bikes that are subjected to mud and dirt), but the Gore system ($50) totally eliminates these problems. This is an awesome, tough, yet responsive bike. For this bike to live up to its potential you have to upgrade the cables to a sealed system.
Bike Setup: Thompson stem and seatpost
Easton EA 70 bars
Mavik Crossride wheels, Panaracer tires
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Submitted by
luke
a Weekend Warrior
from mount hope, wv
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2008
Strengths: Frame Fork Shock Design
Weaknesses: Tires Stem, bars, Seatpost, shifters I was just hoping for a little more components wise on a $2400 (retail) bike
Bottom Line:
i love my bike. the review that MBA did on the ETSX 70 was spot on, i never adjust my rear suspension, but i always use the TALAS. the deore discs provide everything that i need & have truly been flawless. I lengthened the stem to slow down the steering & help with the climbing...perfect. Like i said before I would've like slightly better components but you're pretty much paying for the "hand-built" everything that you get from Rocky. & the shock & fork, which are flawless.
Weaknesses: *General spec is below par for the price bracket (then again, most experienced riders will upgrade bars/stem/post on any bike to get the position that suits best) *Deore brakes take a long time to bed in, and lack power which detracts from the confidence inspiring feel of the rest of the bike *NO MAPLE LEAVES on the '07 ;_;
Bottom Line:
Well, I bought this intending fully to upgrade it to the stars...
The problem is that I really mistrust Carbon.. I will not have it ANYWHERE on my bikes. This seemed like the ideal frame to built up, because I loved the way they ride, and the frame is a big part of the price - alot of the parts are way below par for the pricebracket, though they are functional for the most part - and would be more than useable should you not want to upgrade.
As a general rule, the spec isnt great, then again, you will only get the 07 as a clearout now (if youre lucky), so you wont be paying the full penny so the spec will be fair enough at the price.
Who should buy this?? Well, someone that likes to go up to come down - climbing is exceptional, but open it up on the descents and it really loves you for it. Ideal use - progressive XC, technical, mix of up and down, singletrack rocket
Who shouldnt buy it?? Freeriders. Its a frame designed to be light enough for XC, yet burly enough for AM - however, though 4-5 foot drops to tranny are possible, I wouldnt want to do that too often and no further than that...
Value - 4 - Fantastic frame, fantastic suspension components, let down by alot of the rest, but the frame does make up for it Overall - 5 - I hardly ride my poor hardtail at all anymore, Unfortunately for my friends (or me however you see it) I find myself looking at views from the tops and bottoms of the hills a bit, because my friends are faaar behind now. (Clone of my review for the same bike elsewhere on here)
SELLING A FAIRLY NEW 2008 ROCKY MOUNTAIN ETSX 30 IN A SIZE MEDIUM (16.5). LESS THAN 50 MILES ON IT. #832-724-1956 OR EMAIL ME AT [email]SOUNDSOLUTIONS4U@YAHOO.COM[/email] IF YOU H Read More »
Selling my fairly new ETSX30 w/ less than 50 miles ridden on it. Bike is flawless w/ no dents or scratches. Email me at [email]soundsolutions4u@yahoo.com[/email] or # 832-724-1956. Read More »
Coming off an XC bike and looking at some used bikes in the $1000 range. Both of these caught my eye and are selling for roughly the same price. I know these are more trail than AM Read More »
Coming off an XC bike and looking at some used bikes in the $1000 range. Both of these caught my eye and are selling for roughly the same price.
Trying to compare the two bikes Read More »
Hi I was looking on Craigslist and found this bike. Its got Fox shocks front and rear. 18" frame. It sounds like a smokin' deal but I don't know if I should jump on it or get a 29e Read More »
