Submitted by
JAC JAC
a Cross Country Rider
from Ott
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2004
Strengths: Nice paint job
Weaknesses: Frame broke on top tube in about 6 months of riding. I'm not an out of bounds rider. I typically ride for about 3 hours 3 times a week on some technical XC. Nothing dramatic (nothing large than 3 foot drops). Not even a break at the weld. I never had a break at this point before. Other bikes were all aluminum. I bought the steel frame in hopes it would be tougher than aluminum (fatigue limit longer). I really hope Rocky Mountain warranties this and soon. I only have one back up bike (an Oryx DD99 - heavy bike, but damn strong like a tank!)
Bottom Line:
I don't think I'd buy another unless they gave the frames away really cheap - under 200 bucks. Quality just doesn't seem to be there (gone drinking or something). I was really looking forward to bragging about a Canadian made frame. Well, Taiwan here I come.
Similar Products Used: first time on a Rocky. Have ridden Kona (junk), Giant (good warranty) but aluminum stinks, Diamond Back (good bikes), GT (strong).
Bike Setup: Bomber 105 travel or so, RaceFace crank and rings, RF BB, XT and LX.
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Submitted by
amber pm
a Cross Country Rider
from mill valley, ca
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2004
Strengths: great price for a frame, very comfortable ride, steel hardtail that rivals full suspension bikes, a variety of sizes means you'll probably find the right fit, great frame for any level rider, and beautiful paint job!
Weaknesses: sold as frame only so you have to build it up (which can be more expensive if you don't already have the parts)
Bottom Line:
the best purchase i could have made for a mountain bike. i just wish i bought this before another full suspension, which turned out to be too large. the size smaller, however, would have been too small. i almost bought an etsx70 frame and then decided i would try the more economically priced blizzard. i don't miss the full suspension at all. in fact, for an up-and-coming rider a hardtail keeps me from getty lazy and not learning how to finesse a trail. where i had hit a plataeu in my riding on a full-suspension, the blizzard has dramatically improved my riding. the frame will roll over a rough trail and give a plush ride. very nimble. great for northern ca single track. it climbs great and can make a really light bike with the right setup. it's a great steel frame you wouldn't regret buying. and as a bonus, it will probably last you forever.
Weaknesses: none - next year is the bike's twentieth anniversary so they might sex-up the paint job - but this year's is downright elegant
Bottom Line:
I'm reviewing the 2004 Blizz frame which has been tweaked for four inch travel forks but is otherwise the same as the 2002 production model.
My profile: 6'1," 180lbs, male w/short torso, long extremities - the 18.5" frame with a 130mm stem is bliss on my bod! I'm also over forty but still like to bash around -so Al is not an option.
This bike is truly a classic and the shorter top tube length makes the bike fit and ride beautifully for me. With the seat far back over the rear wheel, I still have great control over the front end of the bike - great steering and climbing ability without feeling like I'm lunged too far forward on steep descents. It's a hardtail that can been riden fast and comfortably for long periods of time over a variety of terrains. It's fine for fitness rides and can be outfitted with racks for touring.
This bike is exhilirating to ride, beautiful to look at and will last forever with proper maintenance. Timeless styling, top quality workmanship and materials put this bike at the top of its class - the Blizz is truly the great Canadian mountain bike!
Similar Products Used: Stumpjumper, various Treks and Rocky Mountains
Bike Setup: Race Face, XT/XTR, Marz, Mavic
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Submitted by
Jo Blo
a Cross Country Rider
from Vancover
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2004
Strengths: -Outstanding value for $ -Strong (Reynolds 853) -Will probably outlast you -Handbuilt in Canada -Telepathic handling -Beautiful finish and paint job
Weaknesses: -A bit on the heavy side, compared to Ti Scandium & Al. frames, but 1/2 a pound aint much. -Shorter top-tube (best for long-leg/short-torso freaks like me)
Bottom Line:
To start with, this review is for the 2004 Blizzard frame.
What impresses me the most about this frame is the ratio of cost to quality: at around $500USD ($699CAD) for a HANDBUILT frame made from Reynolds 853 (among the best steel tube-sets available, and with its air-hardening properties, the frame is almost indestructible); complete with some of the clenest welds you will see; PLUS nice little details like the reinforced rear disc mount; AND with such a sweet paint job, this package is very hard to beat, in my opinion.
This frame as a platform is just outstanding: it holds a line at speed, carves like it's on rails and can dance between the trees like few others (read: Ritchey, DeKerf, IF, etc.). That said, I think it loses out to longer-cockpit frames (like the Thin Air I came from) in terms of stability at positively stupid speeds, but what it lacks there, it more than makes up for in handling at cross-country speeds and climbing. It moves like a mountain goat on steroids up the hills and travels across the rough stuff with aplomb due to the nature of the steel frame.
I had forgotten what a joy it was to ride a high-end steel frame, but I am once again a believer! I love this machine, and I have to say, STEEL IS THE SHEE-IT! It amazes me that people still want a 3.5lb Al frame with a ride like a buck-board and no personality that will likely only last a year or two, AND PAY MORE FOR IT, when there are still frames like the Blizzard out there.
If you haven't already taken the time to learn about Reynolds 853 (and True Temper OX Platinum, for that matter) tubing, I very much reccommend taking a look at both before thinking about a scandium, aluminium or Ti frameset. Steel may just surprise you.
Similar Products Used: (Owned): M2 Stumpjumper, Rocky Mtn. O2 Race, Rocky Mtn. Thin Air (Demo'd): Kona Explosif, Kona Kilauea, 1992 Blizzard.
Bike Setup: 23lb marathon-ready race bike: XTR, XT, Race Face, Sram X0, Marathon SL,.. but this is about the frame, right?...
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Submitted by
Duncan
a Cross Country Rider
from Seoul, South Korea
Date Reviewed: September 25, 2003
Strengths: Great quality frame, great components, excellent for climbing and still decent on descents. I've had this frame for nearly 18 months now and it has stood up to a lot of fairly hard riding, abuse and crashing with no problems. It's really helped me improve my riding. Very sexy bike.
Weaknesses: None really. It's difficult to find a quick release to fit the seat tube.
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. It's a great climber and it goes down the hills well too. I've actually potentially voided the warranty by using a 100mm shock, but I think RM bikes are pretty tough, and the typical terrain (often rough, rocky, twisty and steep) in Korea demands it.
This bike is a classic. It gets instant recognition in Korea as a quality bike, and I glow like a proud father when I hear all the people in the shops say 'yeppuda' (pretty). I'm toying with the idea now of getting a full-sus bike of some type, but my Blizzard is a great bike to ride and riding a hard tail on trails where most riders are using full-sus trail bikes or even free-ride bikes is certainly a good way to sharpen your riding.
With a Blizzard you can still keep up with a lot of full-sus riders on the way down, and of course on the way up you'll be waiting at the top reading a paper when the others come panting up the hill.
Yes, it's a bit pricier, so minus one for that, but if you buy this bike you will probably not regret it.
Bike Setup: Since posting my last message I've added a Marzocchi MarathonSL shock and 2.2 Specialised tires, and replaced my carbon fibre handlebar and the seat, both of which finally gave up on me after 18 months of abuse. Now running a new carbon bar and a Selle Flite titanium seat. Expensive but this bike deserves it.
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Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Wellington, NZ
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2003
Strengths: Great balance and handling. Best looking bike i've seen. Frame is disc ready (including strengthened stays, rather than just mounts added as in the 2003 kona explosif for example), rack mounts included
Weaknesses: Basically none. Manual says warranty is invalid if a more than 85 mm travel fork is fitted, odd given the relatively long and steel head tube, but i presume RM are trying to say dont use the frame for free-riding? Also, get yourself some patches to go under the cables on the steering tube, as mine marked quite quickly, i guess partly because the paint job is white (otherwise the paint job is still great).
Bottom Line:
This is the best cross-country bike i have ridden. My old kona was the best downhill bike, and the blizzard isnt quite as fast (with me riding anyway), as it's a bit twitchier through the corners. However, it's a much better climber, and probably the best i've ridden. But where the RM really excels is tight technical tracks, where control and tracking are superb, plenty of room to move about, and it's allowed me to ride stuff i couldnt have managed before. After the alunminium cannondale and the trek, it's also great to get back to the supple ride of steel. If you're a cross country rider, you couldnt ask for more.
Similar Products Used: 1990 kona explosif, mid 90s Cannondale 3-series, 2001 trek 7000
Bike Setup: I bought frame only (no complete bikes are being sold in the UK in 2003). Built up with mostly XT, marzocchi xc-comp eta fork, flat bars & 70mm 0-deg stem.
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Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2003
Strengths: Great quality handbuilt frame, really tight geometry, Reynolds 853 tubing, great product spec (love the RaceFace stuff), quick handling in the tight stuff
Weaknesses: Crappy stock Shimano 515 pedals. And a minor quibble about the choice of fork colour. The frame looks awesome in black and white, but the red of the Manitou Mars Elite really clashes with it.
Bottom Line:
I wasn't even planning on buying a new bike right away when I walked into my LBS, but the guy I was talking to told me about the Blizzard when I mentioned I was scoping out a new hardtail to replace my tired Kona. Took it for a spin and I was immediately hooked. Since it was last year's model (not sure why RMB decided to only offer it as a frame this year), he dropped the price by $500CAD to make it more attractive and offered to swap the brakes from the Avids to XTs. I was also attracted to the top tube sloping geometry, which being a displaced west coaster, I was partial to from my old Konas, and also the durability of steel over aluminum.
Taken it out a few times on the trails since (mostly dry and hard conditions) and it's handled beautifully. I was thinking about getting a full suspension, but I kinda liked the simplicity of hardtails, and I'm glad I decided to stay with this particular one. The backend is super tight and stiff, without that alu harshness I've experienced in the past. It climbs really well, i've managed to power up climbs that I might've dismounted for in the past.
The Manitou Mars fork does what it was designed for. Great XC fork which holds a true line and soaks up pretty much anything I've pointed it at so far. For the riding I do, exclusively XC, it's extremely capable.
The one big complaint I do have is with the speccing of Shimano 515 pedals. These things are quite possibly the worst clipless pedals I've ever tried. No matter how much adjustments I did on- and off-trail, the release points were awkward and way too much force was required to get out. I've since gone back to my trusty old skool Ritcheys (which are actually lighter as well). For the price of the Blizzard, I wish RMB could have specced something a bit better.
As for the rest of the components, the XTR/XT derailleurs work great after the initial breaking-in, the Avid SD7 levers are AMAZING, and the RaceFace low riser bar is a joy. I was never taken by riser bars, but this one has just the right amount of rise for a XC ride. I started getting quite a bit of squealing on my XT brakes after a couple of rides, so I might swap them back to the Avids at the LBS.
Bottom line - you can't get much better than this rig for a high-end steel hardtail. The weight for the stock bike is surprisingly light and comparable to many other alu rigs in this price-range. RMB did a great job with the components. I would recommend this bike to anyone looking for a classic hardtail ride that's also race-ready.
Similar Products Used: Variuos Konas and Specialized
Bike Setup: Swapped to XT V-brakes, got rid of the Shimano 515s for my old Ritchey pedals. Everything else stock. The literature says it comes with RMB riser bar and seatpost, but actually comes with RaceFace low riser and XY seatpost.
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Submitted by
Duncan
a Cross Country Rider
from Seoul, South Korea
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002
Strengths: Simple, elegant design. Good components and great, durable paint job. Good for climbs. Pretty light for a steel frame.
Weaknesses: None that I can think of, but my kind of riding has hardly tyested it to its limits.
Bottom Line:
I'm very happy with this bike. My old bike, a nicely upgraded Kona Kiluaea, was nicked in South Korea last year. This was a blessing in disguise rally, as I got to buy a Blizzard.
The bike is great. Hill climbs are quick and even without the shocks it handles the downhills pretty well too. With rockier, steeper trails of Korea, I may have consider getting forks again, but the bike did pretty well without them in England.
I love the elegant simplicity of the Blizzard. The frame geometry, nice paint work and good parts all make it a classically stylish looking bike.
Bike Setup: At the time of purchase I traded in the forks for a Chris King headset, XTR levers, carbon fibre bar and a better seat. It's running with Kona project 2 rigids at present.
Weaknesses: Took a long time to get one on the East Coast (6 weeks).
Bottom Line:
I am a cross country rider. I ride about 50-70 miles a week, 15-20 are usually off road. I wanted a bike that would climb well on short, steep technical climbs, and one that would last. When I bought the bike, I was expecting it to be my last mountain bike purchase. So far, I am convinced that it will be. It is a great climbing bike, handles the steep, technical terrain of the east coast well and is a joy to ride. If I could complain about anything, I would say it is not a very light bike, but seems to be built to ride hard and last.
Similar Products Used: Used to ride a Specialized S-Works
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Bomber Shimano XT and XTR Maxxis Cross Country Tires
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Submitted by
Vince
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2002
Strengths: Handmade steel frame with comfortable yet powerful geometry.
Weaknesses: A little pricey for component package.
Bottom Line:
After test riding about 20 cross country bikes, I knew I wanted a hardtail and it became immediately apparent steel is the way to go. The Dakota I rode was crap, despite the nice components it carried. I couldn't figure out why, but it must have been tweeked previously. The Kona felt solid, but not as comfortable for my body type (6', 165 lbs). So it came down to the Hammer, but when I went back to get it, another buyer was packing it into his truck...what are the odds??? This late in the season, they had no more in my size so I would have to wait a couple months for the 2003's. They had the Blizzard, but $600 more seemed alot to pay for nicer steel that, to my riding, felt the same. But as I looked at the component upgrades, it started to make some sense. The kicker was I really liked the easy disc upgrade capability on the Hammer, so the shop offered to switch the wheels and add the Avid package at no charge. I know purists like the lighter wheels, but here in the rain forest, we need discs, so the math added up for me and I went for it. I really like this sweet package. For my riding it is perfect in every respect. I would say it may be a bit wobbly for real technical stuff (anyone else notice this?) but that's the price to pay for all the benefits of flexy lightweight steel I guess. Hills? Fatigue? Forget about it. Areas I used to walk I now power up with ease. The only other negative is I now have to pack a toothbrush in my bag (too much dirt from smiling!). Off the shelf I feel they could drop the price 2-300 and gain alot of new customers (They probably don't want to build all that many more wheeels!) so I dinged them a chili on value, but overall it stands alone.
Similar Products Used: RM Hammer, Kona Explosif, Jamis Dakota XC
Bike Setup: Swapped the wheels with a Hammer and added Avid disc brakes (at no charge from FTF). Also changed out the pedals for caged.
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Submitted by
Aaron Collins
a Cross Country Rider
from Louisville, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002
Strengths: steel feel, climbing geometry, strength-weight, quality product, upgrade frame for rear disk
Weaknesses: cable mounts under top tube
Bottom Line:
Probably the best feeling frame I've encountered. Handles the climbs and decents as well as a steel bike can. Soaks up the bumps that normally through me off line on a aluminum hard tail. Hard decision not going to full suspension, glad I made it with the RM hard tail. Only hang up is the cable mounts under the top tube, do some rock stair climbing, Walker Ranch. Guess the disc brake mount in rear had something to do with it, didn't notice it on the earlier models.
Similar Products Used: Specialized S-Works, Schwinn Moab 2, Trek 6000/930
Bike Setup: RS Duke C, XTR/XT, Avid BB Disc, Cane Creek HS, Maxxis 2.35, Titec Hellbent, Oray Grips
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Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Catharines
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2002
Strengths: The Reynolds 853 frame is great; it soaks up the trail and doesn't knock you around like aluminum frames do. The frame geometry is very good for climbing, it actually aids in keeping the front tire rooted to the ground. The Manitou Mars Elite fork works well on this bike especially at high speed, it absorbs most of what you can dish out and provides a smooth ride. It only has 80 mm of travel so I do not recommend many drop offs, I've only tried a few on this bike and it has bottomed out each time even with the fork adjusted to stiff. The components are pretty good, I may prefer to have XTR crank and cog set over the RaceFace, but they are stiff and work well. This bike has a great paint job, looks cool.
Weaknesses: The only thing I was a little dissapointed with was the Mavic X221 rims Rocky put on this bike. When you are paying top dollar for a bike you expect some good rims; I put some 517's on instead of the 221's. The Stella Italia saddle is a little hard and I will probably put on a Kobe when it wears out.
Bottom Line:
So far, I am very happy with this bike, but it is too early to tell. In only 3 plus months, I have put on nearly 800 km and nothing that serious has broken yet. The bike rides well and I am enjoying it very much. I will send in another review once I get a little more time on the bike.
Submitted by
Lorne
a Cross Country Rider
from Winnipeg
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2002
Strengths: sweet steel ride and handling
Bottom Line:
I've been riding and breaking aluminum frames regularly for the past dozen years. At 6'5" and 245 lbs. this is not suprising nor unexpected. Rocky's warranty has always come through for me and the down time has been minimal. When my last Thin Air snapped however, I decided it was time to reassess my riding habits. I don't race, I ride hard and often, and dependability was high on the list. It was time to give the new steel (Reynolds 853) a try. I now feel like a pawn in the marketing hype of aluminium hardtails. The new Blizzard does everything better than any other mountain bike I have ever ridden. To think I've sacrificed this kind of performance for the sake of a few measly ounces which I have been brainwashed to believe was absolutely necessary to be a member of the "latest and greatest piece of manufacturing wizardry on the trail" club. I feel like a kid with a new toy. This bike does everything well. The pure joy of riding a bicycle has reentered my life. The new challenge now is not "can I make it to the top without a dab or can I make it down fast without crashing", it's "watch how easy I can make this look!". The Blizzard has razor sharp handling and 100% predictability. With aluminum hardtails you develop the habit of continually repicking your lines due to the constant beating the frame dishes out. Steel soaks up the rough stuff and lets you concentrate on where you're going,not how you're going to get there. Ignore the hype. If you're looking for the best hardtail ride in the world, buy a steel bike!
Submitted by
James Michaels
a Cross Country Rider
from London, England
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002
Strengths: Reynolds 853 mainframe, treeweaving geometry, out of the ordinary, generally good components, instant disc upgrade
Weaknesses: Saddle, grips, heavy wheels
Bottom Line:
I had three main criteria for a new bike; A quality steel hardtail, a short wheelbase treeweaver and it had to be a little out of the ordinary. I dismissed the Kona Explosif because it had no disc mount. I demo'ed the cheaper Hammer and tried a Cove Handjob, both of which are very nice bikes with a good riding position that doesn't feel too streched. However the Cove had a much longer wheelbase for the equivalent size and is maybe better suited to freeriding as it's corrected for longer travel forks than the 80mm travel on the Rockys. Also some of the frame detailing was below par. All said and done the Rocky came out tops of my test and was enforced by reviews on this site and in magazines and so I plumbed for the more expensive Blizzard in the end because I was sure I'd have regretted not spending the extra money on an 853 frame when I had the chance. The ride of the Blizzard is subtly different to the Hammer, not radically so but the Blizzard is definitely a classic steel ride with all the stiff but springy characteristics of its type. As supplied in 17.5", with the lighter wheels, Hope C2 discs and the heavier 545 pedals it weighed in at a staggering 25.8lbs. Amazing for a steel hardtail!
I found the supplied Selle Italia Custom saddle a chaffing nightmare and swiftly dumped it for my preferred WTB SST type. The grips too, although soft I found a little too chunky for my taste.
The position on the bike is beautifully set up and comfortable for the treeweaving and general trailwork that I bought it for and despite a fairy upright position the front end stays glued to the ground on steep climbs. The suppliers thoughtfully cut the Mars Elite steerer tube long, giving me four spacers and hence plenty of adjustment on the stem. Pity about the bolted collar on the seat tube - I'd have liked a QR. Lovely, wide, Race face Prodigy bar; not the RMB Carbon as per the literature spec. The inclusion of an 11-34 tooth cassette I found surprising as the range is rather wide, leading to clunky shifting occasionally. Other than that the XTR/XT/Race Face drivetrain works fairly faultlessly. The bike did suffer from terrible granny ring chaisuck in the mud an event which took chunks of paint out of the chainstay behind the cranks.
All in all this is a rare and wonderfully engineered bike with a fine, neatly constructed frame and stunning paintjob - worth protecting if you are into that sort of thing. It's certainly not cheap but the ride is pure high-end steel; strong yet forgiving with a kick in its tail and is well worth your hard earned cash should you be tempted by its classic heritage and retro style geometry.
Bike Setup: As stock setup but with Hope XC hubs built onto X317 rims, Hope C2 brakes, WTB saddle and Yeti ODI grips, M545 pedals.
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Submitted by
Max Power
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2002
Strengths: Available as a frameset, Reynolds 853, value, too early to tell...
Weaknesses: Too many decals, too early to tell...
Bottom Line:
My GT Avalanche LE broke last fall (no warrany...whatever, I never felt right on it. Way too harsh a ride for me) so I wanted to step into an inexpensive Reynolds 853 or TT OX frame. I ordered the Blizzard frame from my LBS for $525 which was the cheapest frame of this quality I could find. It's no IF or Seven, but it's less than half the price of one. I have yet to take it for a serious ride as it has just been built but will give an update after it has been thrashed a bit.
