Similar Products Used: Norco Atomik, Jeep Renegade TSI, Quantum Infinity
Bike Setup: junior t, pro taper bars, fsa pig headset, raceface seat post, hyper dj seat, fox vanilla rl shock with lockout, raceface prodigy cranks, race face bashguard, dk ironcross pedals, maxxis mobster tires, rhyno lite rims, axiom hubs, shimano hydraulic brakes
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Submitted by
Primus
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Alamos, NM
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2004
Strengths: Super stout, good component selection, climbs well, descends better, drops great. Awesome urban freeride bike, fun on the BMX track, short cockpit makes it easy to get up on. Great customer service (see below).
Weaknesses: Manitou Black fork, needs a bit more rear-wheel travel, bottom bracket on the weak side, warranty. Funky cable routing over the bare frame for the rear derailleur (works fine though)
Bottom Line:
Definitely the nicest bike I had owned to that point. Allowed me to expand my riding style to eliminate any reservations as to what the bike could handle. That is, up until I broke the frame! Noticed bike was squeaking, upon further investigation found that the frame had broken in not one, not two, but three places where the rear shock connects to the frame. Called up RM, told them that I didn't want to go buy another brand, but didn't have the $$$ to buy a new one. They told me that, "they'd take care of me," and that's exactly what they did. Even though the bike was way out of warranty, they gave me a good deal on a new Richie Schley. I was glad to see that they corrected the design errors (too many large holes in the supports for the seat tube/top tube), beefed up the tubing, and added an extra inch of rear wheel travel with a longer eye-to-eye distance. In spite of the fact that I eventually broke the frame, the '02 Switch was a great ride (RIP). Great for anyone who is looking to go to the next level. Gram-counting cross country riders may want to look elsewhere cause this thing's a pig! (40 lbs)
Favorite Trail: Anything technical with drops, dirt, and loads o'mud
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Purchased At: The Bike Shop, Bozeman, MT
Similar Products Used: Ashamed to admit, but had several GTs, but the Switch was the first REAL bike purchased. Tried many other RM bikes while working for a shop.
Bike Setup: Stock, with the exception of a King headset and 8" XT Brakes.
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Submitted by
JDR
a Downhiller
from Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2004
Strengths: Indestructable frame... Likes to climb, and fast on the downs..
Weaknesses: Manitou Black fork... Cheap Raceface seatpost!
Bottom Line:
I'm going on my 3rd season with this bike, and I absolutly LOVE it... I had to get the Linkage bushings in for waranty the first season (took 2 wks), and they haven't broke again! Best 5"/5" travel on the market... Too bad they went to 6"/6" for newer years.. But, I'll be picking up my 2004 model next year!! This bike is truely GREAT!
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain Pipeline, Kona Coiler Deluxe
Bike Setup: Z1 FR-QR20, Sun Double tracks, Tomphson Post/Titec Seat. SRAM gearset..
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Submitted by
Reymond Singson
a Weekend Warrior
from Manila, Philippines
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2004
Strengths: Its a really good looking bike. I love the nickel and black paintjob. I think the 2002 is the best looking one since it does not have the 1.5 headtube. Its a really versatile beast. I rode my first DH race using it. I rode urban/dj the next day and did an epic XC ride the next week. Its really stiff and the build quality is something else. Plush rear end.
Weaknesses: Its a bit heavy compared to an enduro, but you wont take an enduro. Also the back end is a bit soft. it came stock with a 700 lb and had to upgrade to a 750 the moment i got it. rear derailler hanger really flexy. Only 5 inches in the rear?
Bottom Line:
If you had to live with just 1 bike, this is it. Its versatille, good looking and should last you a very long time. I used to wonder why rocky charges such a premium for their product until I rode it. now I know where the extra $$$ went :)
Similar Products Used: specialized enduro. Giant AC
Bike Setup: z1 qr20, hayes 8 and 6 inches. Sun SUV's RF and Shimano drivetrain
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Submitted by
Curtis hey
a Downhiller
from Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 5, 2003
Strengths: Color & Looks, SSTRONG FRAME!!, adhustment capabilities (both front and rear. Rear Lock-out.
Weaknesses: Seat post was a little too long for me and it hit the rear spring, but it can be shortened.
Bottom Line:
This bike will take what ever you can take, here and there you might have some troubles with the shocks or other parts but just normal wear and tear. The frame WILL hold up to what u throw at it (i wouldnt actually throw anything at it). I suggest getting one .......soon...now!
Strengths: strong, good component package, rocky mountain switched out the manipoo for a Zoke Z1 FR, gotta love ROCKY MOUNTAIN!!
Bottom Line:
kicks ass, would have liked and extra inch of travel but can't complain too much, THis bike is rock solid and a great machine. Bushings are the only problem but a cheap and easy fix. A little pricy but well worth it is you got it.
Strengths: I purchased just the Frame and substituted the Manitou Black for a Marzocchi Z1 FR. I then transferred everything over from my Specialized. This frame rocks!!! Migrating from XC to Freeride, this frame is so beefy and the set up takes a beating that it is 180'd into a smooth ride. The Lock out feature on the Fox Vanilla RL is so awesome and helped with my cross over from a hardtail. Thing is, I hardly use the lock out. But when I encounter a climb, it has come in handy. Taking drops, riding stairs, jumping gaps, this bike handles it all. Not only can it take the abuse, but also works well as a XC when the occasion arises.
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet physically. $ on full set up is kinda steep. I found it cheaper to piece it together. However, if you are shopping for a bike and need to upgrade what you already have, then the full package is better. I chose not too, due to the fact that I had upgraded my Specialized way beyond what that frame was meant to do and all the parts would transfer smoothly. Shop around. I drove an hour and a half to get the frame from the bike shop. Well worth it.
Bottom Line:
Phat Bike! I was able to save alot by purchasing just the Frame and Fork and transferring the already higher end components that would of come with it. Very happy with the results and cross over. High recommended to anyone starting out in Freeride but do not want to let go of the XC. Handles both styles simultaneously and is upgradeable to more extreme freeriding if needed.
Similar Products Used: Specialized Rockhopper FS A1. Tested the RM7 and Pipeline.
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z1 FR; Fox Vanilla RL; Sun Ryno Lites with XT disc Hubs; WTB Moto Raptors 2.4 for front and rear; Avid Mechanical Disc Brakes 6"; Easton Monkey Lite EA50 riser bar; Race Face Diabolus Stem; Race Face Prodigy Cranks with ISIS BB; Shimano XT front derailleur; LX rear derailleur.
Strengths: Beefy. I bought this bike in an attempt to improve my fledgling descents but I'm thrilled with how well it climbs. I love the beefy nature of all of this bike. It rails corners and small (less than four feet) drops are effortless for me, usually a ground bound xc rider. Deore brakes kick ass, the bike just feels good! The ride on this baby is soooo plush and the overall feel of the bike is very balanced for a 30+ lb monster. I love it!
Weaknesses: I traded out the front fork for a Z1 with ECC so I've had none of the issues that others with the black have cried about. Some slight "pinging" noise coming from the front end but I feel that its just cables that can be further zip tied. Would have been nice to see a little tighter spec on the bike- given that it retails for 2500 +.
Bottom Line:
Get this bike to improve your overall riding and strength. This bike is equally at home on heavy XC riding, urban assualt, lift serve bike parks and anything you want to throw at it. Some may be intimidated by the stout nature (pronounced "weight") of this sucker but it will make you a better rider.
Similar Products Used: I haven't used many products like this- other bikes I've tried / owned for extended periods: Specialized S-works FSR, Surly Instigator, Giant AC air. This will out perform all of them.
Bike Setup: Time z pedals. Zoke Z1 with ECC. SRAM 9.0 replacing the XT/LX group. Lock-on grips. Lighter (continental vertical pro) tires. Fisik saddle. All the rest of the bike is stock.
Strengths: Takes a beating!! Love the Mobster tires, and the frame is the sh*t(except for the lower bushing bolt!!). The disk brakes are great!
Weaknesses: The manitou is for entry-level riders!! Marzocchi all the way! The bushing in the crank, but got the bushing warrantied, only took two weeks!
Bottom Line:
This bike is awsome once you look past its minor imperfections! But all in all it takes everything that I give it, and never complains!
Strengths: the frame takes any beating and sks for more. rocky mountain is one of the most reliable companies out there. pretty good components. no difference from the deor and xt disk brakes. the seat gets further away from the bars as you raise it. don't be fooled by the reviews, this is a plus when climbing.
Weaknesses: chainstay bolts do come loose (easy fix), rino crap tires, destroyed rear wheel on first or second ride. manicrap fork sucks.(leaks, loses peices, bottoms out, letters fall off) seat post diameter isnt consistant from top to bottom
Bottom Line:
throw the fork away buy new wheels and you're all set. oh, about the chainstay bolts, blue locktight ALL the threads not just first three or five, all of them! over all this is the best freeride bike. it can climb ANY mountain if you're a strong rider. yes this bike climbs really well with the lock out. goin back down is what this bike was built for. YOU WON'T BREAK IT.
Similar Products Used: rm 7, sc bullet, p3, big hit
Bike Setup: z1, f519 wheels, xt hubs, everything else is stock
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Submitted by
Simon
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2002
Strengths: Frame design, Shimano brakes, good geometry, like the lockout for climbing
Weaknesses: Manitou fork, lower bushings on frame coming loose and jamming into crank, apparently a common problem with Rocky bikes, wish I had known before buying the bike..., the tires (Hutchinson Mosquitos) also suck
Bottom Line:
The lower bushings are a pain in the butt, will probably take 2 months to get it fixed because I think the frame is stripped, only ridden the bike 10 times, and it is already going in for a warranty... had a Norco before this, not a single problem
Similar Products Used: tested Kona Bear, Rocky Slayer, Specialized Big Hit, rode a Norco Torrent for years
Bike Setup: Z-3 QR20 instead of Manitou, in process of changing the tires
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Submitted by
Conyo
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, BC
Date Reviewed: September 12, 2002
Strengths: Strong, tough bike, great color, No problem with the weight
Weaknesses: Heard the BLACK stock front forks no good, but who knows, got'em changed before I took it home. Saddle a little small and hard, give yourself time. You'll get used to it!
Bottom Line:
Great bike! I'm 215lbs and this bike has handled every stupid thing I can throw at it. People say its a bit heavy (over 40lbs) for cross country/city riding/and up hills...GROW SOME LEGS CHICKENS!!! But who knows I haven't even sat on a bike in over 10 years!!! Overall I'm gonna keep this thing till I can break something.
Similar Products Used: An old Kuwahra(spelt right???)about 10 years ago!
Bike Setup: Changed the front forks to Marzzochi FR Series ECC...NICE! Got a heavier 900 rear spring. Was thinking about changing the saddle but its no problem now. Just gotta get used to it.
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Submitted by
Bruce Giovando
a Weekend Warrior
from Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2002
Strengths: The frame is very strong and can take enything you can throw at it. It has good tire clearance in the back and the suspension is very plush and smooth.
Weaknesses: When i first got the bike one of the rear pivots came loose and was stripped. I got it fixed through warranty. The people at Rocky Mountain were at first slow at fixing the problem but came through in the end. Also as I am not a cross country rider i would have prefered a Vanilla RC instead of the RL. Even though the ability to lock out the rear suspension is nice the RL doesn't seem like a true freeride shock.
Bottom Line:
This bike is incredable. When i first got it I couldn't believe how much fun it was to ride compared to my friends RM7. I got the frame through warranty when my Rocky Mountain Reaper broke and had to pay a $500 upgrade fee. The bike is good for all types of riding. Its a true freerider. It can take the big hits and is surprisingly easy to bunny hop. Dual Slalom, Downhill, Dirt Jumps and even cross country are all within this bikes limits. The only downside might be its weight. I, however find the weight to be helpfull in making the ride more smooth and giving the rider a better sense of control. The Rocky Mountain Switch is truly a bike of great design and it does its job well.
Strengths: Where to start? The best thing about this rig is, beleive it or not, the shimano brakes... AWESOME! the frame is killer, the wheelset is sweeeet and the suspension is pristine!
Weaknesses: The tires... I swapped them early on for a set of skanky Specialized... uh... and the fact that this monster weighs in at close to 142 pounds
Bottom Line:
This thing tracks like a boar through forest with buck shot in it's rear... The specialized tires do wonders for tracking AND response, the bike is a pig, but a proud, nimble pig... and I love it! I am, however going back to a stumpjumper FSR next year... I need to keep up with the guys on our Wednesday night rides on hardpack.
Similar Products Used: Nothing, absolutely nothing rides like this... Last year I rode a Specialized Stumpjumper FSRXC
Bike Setup: Like I said: I swapped the tires, I swapped the poor excuse for a seat it came with, I swapped the pedals for a pair of Time atac's, I had dennis at Gords.com install a third chain ring, changed the front shifter to SRAM grip shift, threw on a 'the' fender (I know, I know... but it looks so fly!) and a easton monkey light rised bar... Mmmmm!
