Bike Setup: lx/xt; raceface cranks; 2002 bomber fork; fox float rear; avid rim brakes (work flawlessly);
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Submitted by
Greg Bronson
a Weekend Warrior
from Squamish, BC, CA
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2003
Strengths: Well built, great geometry, good groupo out of box
Weaknesses: stock rims die an early death, stock tires are pooh, wimpy race face seat post
Bottom Line:
Sweet XC ride, worthy of epic poundings through the rocks and roots, durable and best of all it still looks like a conventional bicycle! Im keeping mine.
Bike Setup: Mavic 317 disc on XT hubs, Purple Hayes, generic seat post, kenda rr, IRC front, easton riser bar, fox float R fork
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Submitted by
stan
a Weekend Warrior
from arlington, tx, usa
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2003
Strengths: stiff f/s machine with no "bob" when out of the saddle. bombs on the desents and gives me lots to spare at the end of every ride.
Weaknesses: a little heavy compared to similar f/s rigs and so so components for the price (i got my on clearance though)
Bottom Line:
only use it for a short time after riding a hard tail and a soft tail for a long time this is definately a different ride and requires a different riding style. would say this is a quality frame and worthy of many upgrades and look forward to be able to hammer on it for years. rocky is a great company and makes great bikes so you can't go wrong with this great xc f/x bike!
Favorite Trail: dino valley, cleburne sp, cedar hill
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At: galyan's sports and outdoors
Similar Products Used: trek stp
Bike Setup: xt/sram 9.0 drive train, xt/avid brakes, mavic 517/xt hubs, rock shox sid race rear shock, rock shox duke front shock, easton carbon riser bar, ea70 stem, ea50 seatpost, raceface crank, time pedals, panaracer xc pro tires.
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Submitted by
Andrew M
a Cross Country Rider
from North Vancouver
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2002
Strengths: Fast climber, laterally stiff frame.
Weaknesses: I can't find any weaknesses while using this bike for all-round XC, epic and light (no air time) free riding.
Bottom Line:
I live on & ride the north shore every weekend. This is not a free-rider, pounded the stock 19mm rear rim (I'm 215 lbs) but replaced with Rhyno light - great! A fantastic XC bike but treat it gently otherwise, especially if you're big. Not for drops requiring airtime (I'm chicken anyway) but a real pleasure to ride in all other situations. I was pleasantly surprised at how much my technical climbing ability improved with this bike. Flat out climbing is fast too. Frame only ever bobs when standing in the pedals.
Strengths: Fast and light. Climbs like a goat. Handles well in all conditions.
Weaknesses: Hutchinson tires are horrible for anything but superdry conditions. Seat post moves around a little.
Bottom Line:
This a great all around bike. After replacing the tires and brakes and adding an adjustable fork this bike can do just about anything except a 5+ foot huck. Super fast on climbs and corners very well. So far I have had great experiences on epic rides.
Similar Products Used: Fisher Sugar 2 and Tassajara
Bike Setup: Black 3/4 suspension up front. Hayes Hydros. Panaracer Fire xt pro.
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Submitted by
M B
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin Ca.
Date Reviewed: October 9, 2002
Strengths: Incredably stiff frame for a full suspension. Good shocks and no bob even up the steepest hill. I believe it's a combination of the shocks and the bike design.
Weaknesses: Took 3 months to either break-in or learn where to set the bomber fork. No complaint now!! Replaced the weaker components of the bike. See bike setup. Will not do big drops but if thats what your into, buy a different bike.
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks now!! Of course any bike should when you spend close to 3 bones. The bike weighs in at 27.5 lbs now and you would never know it. It actually feels lighter up the hills than the 25 pound Dekerf I tested. Listen to the bike shop when they tell you that weight is not everything. There are other factors which a real good bike shop can tell you about. The only thing this bike has a tough time with are real rocky trails similiar to river beds. It may have something to do with the rider too! Check out Mikes Bikes in San Rafael. They know about all the new technology and the bike mechanics rock too. Seriously, they will take care of you!
Similar Products Used: Tested Santa Cruz, Sugar 2 and a Dekerf soft tail. All nice bikes but with my upgrades would be over $3500!
Bike Setup: Factory but replaced the wheels and hubs to Mavic 317 and Chris King iso-disc. Added Hayes hydrolic discs, they rock and a Chris King headset. All in all I have about $2800 in the bike. The deurs are LX front and XT rear. The balance of the bike is Race Face.
Similar Products Used: Intense Tracer...Specialized M4
Bike Setup: Fox Floar RCL..Mavic Crossmax..Thomson stem+Seatpost.ESP 9.0..
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Submitted by
Stephen
a Cross Country Rider
from Texas
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2002
Bottom Line:
I made a post earlier, and thought I would give a quick update. I am a firefighter and work 24/48 work schedule, so I have put some serious miles on this bike. I did put on Avid Disc brakes...since I weigh in at a feathery 220lbs. This bike still rocks...I enjoy every trip out on it, except for the occasional tree that comes from nowhere. I have gotten faster and climb much better than ever before. I still recomend this bike to anyone. The Marozocchi fork is finalyy loosing up, but I still think I will probaly upgrade to the Fox. To me...disc brakes are a must, the Avid's are working good, still not broken in yet...so we will see in a month more of riding.
Submitted by
MJ Kimber
a Weekend Warrior
from Lake Louise
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2002
Strengths: frame strength, linkage durability, pedaling efficiency, it's my flow finder
Weaknesses: had some initial niggles with the bottom pivot backing out (fixed by Rocky), stock frame lacked replaceable drop-out and disc mounts (replaced chain stays with '01 model) Consistently bruise the inside of my thigh on steeper trails -could be style, could be design, it's a mystery
Bottom Line:
This is my 4th season on this frame, and I am still very happy with the ride. I've replaced just about every component on the bike except for the BB (and it is fading fast!) but the frame is as smooth and flex free as the day I bought it -mostly due to my swapping the bushings last year (a 60$ maintenance need, but have you weighed or payed for bearings lately?). I just wish replacing parts were cheaper than buying a new bike -sometimes I wonder! Flow comes quickly while punching through tough XC and longer epic rides, but so does fear when pushed into the "Free Ride Zone". Big air and drops are scary on the Element -need different geometry, more travel and a lower top tube. Bringing this bike to the North Shore is like bringing a knife to a gun-fight. Bigger tires, forks and brakes can only do so much! However, it's real beauty was highlighted last year when I rode in Moab, Penticton, and Victoria where the trails -though rough- were easily tamed by the Element. I am stunned at how much abuse this bike can handle without crumpling, denting, cracking or simply running away from me when I'm not looking -even with the bigger fork and silly crashes. This is a very strong, yet light and nimble, trail bike. Some day I will pick up a 6"x6" big gun and return the Element to it's XC roots with a light wheel set, air fork and flat bars and we can spin through the single track until we grow old and toothless. I recommend this bike to anyone who enjoys a variety of riding styles on a reliable bike that they just might pass on to their children once their knees desintegrate -it could easily last that long! I do not recommend this bike to someone who enjoys shopping for shinny new bikes every year (shinny new components will keep you happy though!). It's also not a free ride bike, but you probably figured that out on your own. Only loses 1 flamin' chili for not living up to my unrealistic expectations of xc/freeride/all round superhero
Similar Products Used: specialized fsr xc (lame ride, no point), balfa 2-step (heavy but plush), Devinci Banzai (ton-o-fun, poor climber)
Bike Setup: FrankenBike! z1 bomber, RF h/s stem cranks and post, Ti flight seat, mavic 519 rims w rokko 2.35", xt/xtr shifters, can't wait to replace my Magura Clara brakes with Avid Mechs, thing weighs about 30lbs -but no one can catch me on a climb anyway!
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Submitted by
Stephen
a Cross Country Rider
from Prosper, Texas USA
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2002
Strengths: Nice factory components. Good, quality craftsmanship. I have ridden on some steep, rocky climbs as well as some really sandy climbs, and I feel very little "bob".
Weaknesses: The only thing I have any problem with, is the front fork...maybe it needs a little more time to break in, but rode a similar bike with the Fox RLC and it felt better to me.
Bottom Line:
I am a 6'1" 220 pound guy, in good physical condition. This bike is built for some abuse. Some guys at the local bike shop told me that as powerful and physical as I can get on a bike, this would be a good match, if I was not overly concerned with the weight. They were right. I looked at several brands...Fisher,Specialized,Trek...etc. and although I do really like all the other brands, the Rocky just seemed to fit and feel better to me. This bike handles really quick and is an efficent climber...now, take into consideration that I am not a professional racer, this is just my opinion. The only other thing I think I will change is the front fork, I am really hung up on the Fox Fork.
Bike Setup: Factory with the exception of replacing the spd pedals with egg beaters
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Submitted by
M B
a Cross Country Rider
from Marin Ca.
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2002
Strengths: Great bike for the money
Weaknesses: Would have liked some lighter equipment such as xtr components where deore and lx exist as the frame, bomber fork and fox racing shock warrant it.
Bottom Line:
I happened upon Rocky Mountain by accident. A bike builder in the area told me if I am not concerned with name such as Santa Cruz etc, try a Rocky Mountain. I went to a shop in San Rafael and was brousing. The salesperson asked what type of riding I do and what I had tested. Before I said anything about Rocky mountain, he said I have something you will like thats a great bike, but you won't know the name. It was this bike. As soon as I rode it I could tell it was perfect for me. I have been all over Mt.Tam and Mt.Diablo and the bike is comfortable, handles well and can haul up hill despite 28.6 lbs. No bob at all. It will even do jumps, just make sure to pump more air into the shocks. Frame feels solid and the bike is good enough to upgrade later. Check it out before you plunk down more money on a sugar 2 or the likes. You will be suprised.
Similar Products Used: Tested many others. Stay away from manitou mars forks. Junk!! Should be recalled!!
Bike Setup: From the factory
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Submitted by
JD
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver Colorado
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2002
Strengths: Rigid frame, nice travel, good handling
Weaknesses: Crappy componets when bought from shop
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks with this setup. I scored the frame dirt chear with the seat post and stem. I bought everything else off the classified section here, I have about $1300 in a bike that would cost over $2500 if I bought it set up this way. I have beaten this bike with no problem. i initial had some chain suck but found out the synchros crank i had initially purchased had 8 sp rings, since changing the the xt 9sp crank, it has been flawless. The pecision billet brakes are awesome, but a bit of a pain to adjust.
Similar Products Used: Fat city cycles, specialized, trek
Bike Setup: 9.0 sl sram halp pipe shifters. Xtr hubs on Mavic 519 with Michelin wilgripper comp lite S. King headset, XT crank Precision V-brakes and levers, race face stem. Easton carbon riser bar
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Submitted by
Ted
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise,ID, USA
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2002
Strengths: Light Frame, minimal bob, quality welds, great art work, and a good mix of components for the price.
Weaknesses: Cheap headset. I think they should have gone with sealed bearings.
Bottom Line:
This is fun bike to ride. I've been riding a hardtail for years, and finally decided to see what all the fuss was for full suspension. FS definitely smooths out ruts and rocks and cuts down on the fatigue. I demoed the Specialized. I was not impressed. Even though it was supposed to be set firm for my weight, it had the worst bob of the three bikes that I tried. It was sluggish accelerating up hills. Downhill it was fast, but the stock tires had horrible grip on loose terrain.
I thought the Superlight and the Element were comparable. Both bikes accelerated and handled well uphill and downhill, although acceleration on smooth terrain is not as good as a hardtail. On rough terrain having that rear supspension helps. Overall I think I liked the Superlight a tad more. The bottom line came down to price and components, $1800 include the Chris King and tax. The Element had quality components where it mattered except in the headset. The Deore hubs may be cheap, but the only difference between that and the LX is the weight, so your really sacrificing a bit of strength and stiffness with the LX. So far I am happy with the Race Face components. Rocky Mountain makes a great bike.
Similar Products Used: Ionic Steelhead, Specialized FSR Comp, Santa Cruz Superlight
Bike Setup: Stock, except traded out headset for a Chris King, and switched to Easton EA70 flat bar.
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Submitted by
Don
a Cross Country Rider
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2002
Strengths: Very durable, good climber, minimal pedal bob, predictable in nasty conditions
Weaknesses: the rider
Bottom Line:
This is a great all around trail bike. suspension is easy to tune and eats up the roots. It's a confidence inspiring ride. Very stable at speed going down hill and in tight rooty singletrack. The headset and chainrings were the only parts that wore out, the other changes were purely personal preference. If you are in NH check out Tri-City and ask for Gerry.
Submitted by
Drew Holmes
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend Or
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002
Strengths: great package. It rides a line like a hardtail but takes out the body fatigue. it is a really stiff design and rides really smooth. the componets on it are really nice as well, lots of race face and a nice seat.
Weaknesses: weight. its not really that heavy but coming from a light hard tail I can feel the difference, but thats being nit picky, I can live with it for comfort. ( mine weighed 27 pounds on a 19 inch frame)
Bottom Line:
They make a great bike. i had the opprotunity to visit the factory in BC and they reallt do handmake their frames and wheels in one room. from raw tubes to a finished bike, no farming stuff out on this bike. attention to detail. I would fel comfortable reccomending this bike to anyone, you get what you pay for....5 stars
I'm looking for shop with Rocky Mountain Element 970s instock, none of my local shops carry any RM 29ers and are not sure if they can still get them. Read More »
I'm looking for shop with Element 970s instock, none of my local shops (San Jose/south bay) carry any RM 29ers and are not sure if they can still get them. Read More »
(Disclaimer: MTBR keeps whining I don't contribute enough so I guess I simply have to post :D)
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