Submitted by
Andrew S
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2005
Strengths: 6'2" 220lbs on a 19" frame and it is a comfortable ride - hadles fantasically
Weaknesses: well here goes cracked frame in 2 months (just before xmas 2004) while training for 4 day race. Cracked where main tube meets seat tube. No problems had new bike up and running in 10 days (still 2003 model though). Developed nasty creak which turned out to be the quick release bolt at the top of the rear shock. RMB don't supply this as a replacement part. Spent time and money with toolmakers to find out original part is only mild steel and was bent. Made up hi tensile steel replacement 9had 3 made in case) New fame rode just as well but 2 days before departing for race found crack in bracket weld at maid pivot point on seat tube. Advised that 2005 frame was approved but could nto get before race. Advised would cover if it broke during race. sure enough 1 race leg in major crack up in where the main tube meets seat tube again - race over.
Bottom Line:
While a couple of people have suggested i need the large frame I should point out the following.
1. I have a short steep stem and my seat is as far forward as possible for a very comfortable ride - even at 6'2"
2. I have ridden a large giant frame an had all sorts of neck and shoulder pain due to being stretched out in a comfortable position.
3. Rocky Mountains response has been not less than fantastic. I believe they are actually keen for me to ride the 2005 frame due here this week.
not sure if I will sell the frame and buy a SC blur which I rode in the race for a couple of days to try. Will advise.
apart from the perhaps obvious design flaw at the main & seat tube intersection (no gusset like on Specialised, new giants, etc etc) this is a fantastic bike to ride.
Submitted by
Stork
a Weekend Warrior
from Golden, CO USA
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2005
Strengths: Excellent climber/downhiller Nimble/quick for a FS Great looks and finish Nice stock setup
Weaknesses: Front dereaillur cable not routed properly above bottom bracket High BB height (OK, this is a strength for riding over big stuff but it can be difficult to get rolling again on the steeps) Stock Shimano SPD (M520): Functional but would expect higher level (M959) for this level of spec.
Bottom Line:
Love this bike! I spent the last 10 years on a Ti Diamond Back hard tail which was quick and bullet proof just waiting or the day that suspension technology finally got the weight:performance ratio just right. I was concerned that a FS MTB would steel the energy and treat me to a "bobbing" session as I hit the steeps. Nothing doing. The ETS-70 rides like a dream. Despite the additional weight (the ETS-70 is typical for a FS bike in terms of weight) I'm riding faster downhill AND uphill. Heck of a lot more comfortable too.
While I'm not able to bunny hop around sharp corners as easily as the ol' hard tail I find that I can just point the ETS-70 at most anything, apply some speed and, before I know it, I've just cleared technical sections that have stumped me in the past. It's kind of like moving from straight snow skis to shaped skis. It's more fun and it makes you a better skier/biker.
With the multiple settings on both shocks I recommend having an experienced bike shop help set you up. The quality of ride depends on this. The Sports Garage in Boulder is great at this, and it's built into the price of the bike.
Great bike. In its simplest terms, it pumps up the confident meter a couple of degrees and that, like few things in life, is pricelss. You should always take something hand built over something that is machine built, regardless of tighter tolerances. Hand made is the only way to inject soul into a bike. And your bike is not alive without its soul.
Similar Products Used: cannondale jekyl 2000, sugar 2, superlight
Bike Setup: Stock except for longer RaceFace stem
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dom
a Cross Country Rider
from Milton
Date Reviewed: February 29, 2004
Strengths: Suspension design, Geometry, Product spec., Hand built frame, Sharp paint job, Good weight to travel ratio, Very Fast Bike
Weaknesses: Rear triangle out of alignment, hand built frame can be a double edged sword, Aluminum oxidized under clear coat, Crap Headset(RaceFace Thermo SL), Seatpost clamp won't hold Easton Carbon post due to the narrow clamp and Easton's seatpost design, Super Wide Bars 27"??? for XC/All mountain??? Creaks in small pivots on lower(would be chain)stays, Fox fork chips easily and needs service often
Bottom Line:
First let me say I think my frame was built be the same person who built NASH from WALES, U.K. A reviewer in an earlier review. I had the same exact problems with my frame. Rockies turn around time was great. From the first ride I realized Rocky was onto something really great here. What a rocket! This design gives you back everything you put in and then some. Climbs like nothing I've ever ridden before. Got my bike weight down to 26.5 lbs. The adjustable travel is great but I found 4" perfect. Changing the travel on the trail causes me to re-adjust the shock so that it reacts correctly. Rocky Mountains North Shore geometry is very inspiring. It will take very rough riding. Very stable in tight sections. The Fox 100 RCL fork was O.K., Great ride but popping the wiper seal every 10 hours to clean and lube gets tiring and chips the paint off the Fox fork easily. Also when you reach down to lock it out the other adjustments(rebound&compression) are right on top of the lock out and can be bumped out of adjustment because of the location. My rear pivots started creaking on the left side. A new pivot kit and proper torque seems to have cured it. Bottom line is, I love this bike but don't know how Rocky let it get through all their quot un-quot quality control. My bike came like all Rockies with all these signatures claiming it passed their inspections. HA! Rear triangle alignment WAY out causing the rear wheel to be wicked crooked. Where was THAT inspector? The aluminum became contaminated before it was clear coated causing nasty white powdery spots to appear under the coat(looked like salt on a car in the winter). HOW could this have happened? Maybe a food fight or someone's MOLSON EXPLODED on some frames? Rocky covered everything very nicely under warranty. Buy the ESTX 50 and save $$$ and not get Oxidation on the polished part of the frame. But the special paint and finish(polished&bead blasted) is to die for!!! I would buy another one for sure though! If it didn't ride so darn great it would have received a 1 chili rating. Keep in mind my 70 was a 2003 model built in early December 2002. I think by reading other reveiws my frame was an isolated problem to just a few bikes. READ NASH'S REVIEW a little ways down. Same problem I had.
Similar Products Used: Ventana El Salt., IronHorse Hollow Point, FSR, Rocky Element, RM7, RM9, Switch SL, Pipeline, Many Single Pivot designs
Bike Setup: 19" Stock except XTR spline hubs and rotors laced to 317's, WTB SST98 saddle, Easton carbon post, RaceFace SyStem stem 120x5, Salsa seatpost clamp, Panaracer Fire XC pro tires, C. King headset for 2004 I've gone full XTR w/ a Black Elite 100/120 with Xfirm spring(makes a world of differance on this fork).
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsfield Ma USA
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2004
Strengths: Climbing and cruising the single track. Fast and stable on the down hills!
Weaknesses: Should have one setting for rear suspension....4"! The 3.5" is too stiff and the 4.5 is too soft. Poor set of wheels for the price. Replacement service
Bottom Line:
Immediatly you notice the ability to climb, the bike thrusts you forward and keeps your momentum going. Also being the 19" frame and I'm only 5'10", about 185lbs and I feel like I'm the king of the trail. The frame fits me well though. It will smooth out just about any single track you throw at it. When it comes to tight corners, a little more work is involved. I ride hard and would even go the distance to say I do some lite free-riding. On the same token, I do race it in a weekly series and 24 hr events. Like it claims to be "an all mountian" ride, it truely is. Even though heavier, I prefered it any day, racing or cruising, to my FSR. The Marzocci Marathon (100mm) that came on it needed to go immediatly. Far too springy or to compensate, too soft. Plus after 2 months of riding, the fork no longer locked out nor did the rebound setting work. The Vanilla is plush!!! Also, like in every other review, I had to replace the pivot bushings (ouch $150 for the parts only). Now the even worse news...The Frame broke (completely seperated) at the point where the top tube comes in contact w/ the seat tube,and yes my seat post was about half way in. I brought it back in october for replacement and..well now its almost february and I have yet to get the replacement. Good thing I have a back-up. I have broken 2 FSR frames and had replacements each time in UNDER a week. I guess I've been spoiled by the mass producers? All in all it has bee a great riding bike and I can't wait for the replacement, especially now that I have it tuned in to my riding style. Over all I give it 2 chilies because of the lack of service (It's how you retain customers), for the ride I'd give it 5. Who should buy it??? well, someone looking for a all mountain, smooth rider, that has the cash to spare. Also someone into the "specialty" names
Similar Products Used: Cannondale F1000, Specialized FSR pro (3 of them)
Bike Setup: I have a 19" frame. Mine is actually a 2002 1/2 which came through w/ the Marathon shock which I changed to a Fox Vanilla RL, otherwise pretty much stock.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Barry
a Cross Country Rider
from North Vancouver, BC Canada
Date Reviewed: January 13, 2004
Strengths: Adjustable travel, lots of BB and tire clearance, nice balanced feel (like a tall XC bike, easy to move around on the bike), fit and finish, elevated chain stays.
Weaknesses: front derailleur cable rests on lower suspension pivot, that can't be good for the paint in the long run, some nasty little burrs on machined aluminium suspension links that made themselves apparent while cleaning the bike and embedding themselves in my fingertips.
Bottom Line:
I bought the 2004 model frame only from Cove Bikes (yep, that Cove Bikes) and built it up as a moderately light all mountain XC bike. The 2004 frame has new frame tubing and some new hardware for the rear suspension which may address all the issues mentioned in previous reviews. My Rocky Instinct didn't have enough travel for all the trails I end up on so I wanted a 4"+ travel bike, and the fact that I can knock this one back to the 3.5" travel that the Instinct had is a nice bonus, plus go for that extra 0.5" and get 4.5" travel (lots of BB clearance in 4.5" mode). The ETSX-70 replaced a Santa Cruz Blur that I assembled in July 03. I found the Blur's low BB, narrow rear swing arm, longish chainstays and laid back sort of riding position not to my liking (the gouges in the ends of my crank arms can atest to that low BB issue and rocks/roots). I like the ETSX70 for the way it handles like a tall-ish XC bike. When set for 3.5" travel has the same BB height as my Instinct which is still higher than the Blur was. It actually does have positive pedal feedback on G-out bumps, where the Blur would give negative pedal feedback on G-outs. It's easy to move around in the cockpit, it seems virtually bob free on hard climbing and it's easy to get up on the bars for steep climbing. There's plenty of rear tire clearance and the suspension linkage is well up out of the mud and trail debris zone which makes it very useful out here on the wet coast. The elevated chain stays sure do keep the chain from clattering around. The sealed bearings ought to last longer than the plastic suspension bushings on my Instinct. If you live in a mud/muck part of the world and want a bike that behaves like a Stable Platform bike without being advertised as such, check out the Rocky. If you don't want to pay the premium for the polished finish, the '04 ETSX-50 is exactly the same frame with a more basic paint finish for a few hundred dollars cheaper. The ETSX70 loses one chili in value for the premium paint job cost that doesn't enhance performance, just the flash and pizzaz (that's why I bought it!) That would give the ETSX50 a perfect 5 value chilis.
Similar Products Used: Santa Cruz Blur, Rocky Mountain Instinct, Jamis Dakar, Mountain Cycle San Andreas
Bike Setup: Bought as a frame only and built up with XTR and Race Face bits, Hope disc hubs, Magura Marta discs, Fox Float TALAS, Nokian NBX 2.3 tires.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Cominetti Paolo
a Cross Country Rider
from Italy
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2003
Strengths: The frame is the best solution for cross country, the suspensions are very good (in particular the possibility to lock front and rear suspensions). The bike climbs exceptionally but is very good also in down hill . Very goods also the Hayes brake . The weight is absolutely reasonable for a FS bike. The adjustability of the rear suspension is nice, but could be improved the fixing mechanism. Technical assistance support at the level of a “Worldwide company”.
Weaknesses: Mosquito Tires; in particular the front one. I replace it after 3 month; it has low directionality in fast drive. (Very minor issue, due to the fact that any way it had to be changed) Brake and gearing cables can be improved as lay out (or protection) to avoid frame wearing. (minor issue solved with a transparent plastic adhesive film on the frame in the wearing area) An additional improvement on the bike could be the Mavic Cross max rims (only for the ETS X70). The current Mavic X223, anyway didn’t show any problem.
Bottom Line:
The bike has its best performance on climbing ; very easy to restart in very step climbs without loosing traction. But I loves down hill and this bike is probably the best compromise between cross country and down hill; light, without loosing stiffness but with a very good behaviour also in quite hard down hill. Something to be improved are the tires, in particular the front tire has low directionality and in fast down hill the bike loose control. The frame is very good; no problem after one year of cross country ( about 2.000 km really off road ! ) Another thing I appreciated very much, has been the “worldwide support”, I’ve got from RMB Technical assistance (I bought the bike in USA but I used it mainly in Italy), and they cover the warranty period (very minor issues), with their Italian Dealer network. Very good and probably unique in mountain bike market. Well done !
Weaknesses: If you're a stompy pedaller, it can get a bit bobby
Bottom Line:
My previous bikes have been mostly lightweight XC FSer's. I was looking for something that had a little more travel and a more plush rear end. I think that this bike filled the criteria very well, for next to no weight penalty. It climbs very efficiently, and decends with more ability than it's 4.5" would suggest. Mated with a TALAS fork, the ride is very well balanced and supple. Dropping the travel means that the rear end stiffens up nicely for better sprinting. Having said that, I hardly ever drop out of the 4.5" setting. As an all-day, all-rounder this bike is more than capable. Plus you can't really go wrong with a Fox shock. Thus far, the bike has proved very reliable and completely up to the odd fumbled drop off. Bought as a frame only, it's pretty good on price stakes too. Don't buy this bike if you're looking for an XC race bike. It has a very high BB shell, which is great for clearance but not so good for inspiring confidence and some people may not get on with the high-up riding position. Similarly, don't buy one if you're a DHer. Although I've no doubt that the frame is up to it, there's little point. This bike excels when being ridden hard on technical singletrack.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Rocket, Santa Cruz SL, Santa Cruz Blur, Specialized FSR (Enduro, Epic etc.), Trek Liquid, Trek Fuel, Foes FXC... You name it, I've probably had a go.
Bike Setup: Fox TALAS RLC, Race Face Next LP's, RF Seatpost, Hope stoppers, XTR everything else.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Brent
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2003
Strengths: Solid handling all-round bike. Very nimble on the single-track for a "bigger" bike. Very good climber. Good component spec.
Weaknesses: Have had some shifting issues in the largest two cogs on the back. Also some brake pad rub on the XT discs (the brakes are more difficult to centre than Hayes).
Bottom Line:
I chose this bike in the hopes of finding a decent all round bike that would also be good for adventure racing (i.e. long hours in the saddle, lots of climbing and descending with some single-track thrown in). In this respect I aimed to give it a bit more of a cross-country feel than what the stock spec. would yeild.
I have used this bike in a number of adventure races, some cross country races and for general purpose riding. I have found the bike climbs exceptionally well and I can almost buy into the "energy transfer system" moniker. The bike feels solid on downhills (though I have yet to decide if the flat bar gives enough leverage against the forces coming through the fork). I usually run the bike in the 3.5 inch mode and notice very limited pedal feedback, though the suspension is definitely more active than some bikes I have tried.
Overall the bike feels fast and it is easy to take it out on long hammer fests without doing too much long term damage to one's backside.
Similar Products Used: Kona King Kikapu, Cannondale Jekyll, Rocky Mountain Instinct.
Bike Setup: Stock except for lower stem, Easton flatbar and Mavic Cross Max XL wheelset.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Never Mind
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2003
Strengths: Stiff good for "all mountain riders" can take the downhills but efficient on the uphills.
Weaknesses: Very pricy!!!! They should drop it to $2999 at the least.
Bottom Line:
Good bike exept the price. Only buy this bike if you are seriously in to mountain biking such as a racer. Or if your loaded and can offord such a high class bike.
Favorite Trail: The 6.9 (national course) Camp Fortune
Duration Product Used: Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$3500.00
Purchased At: Demoed at some shop
Similar Products Used: Jamis Dakar XLT 1.0 and 2.0, Rocky Mountain ETSX-50, Slayer and Edge, K2 Tirade 5.0, Kona Stinky and Dawg.
Bike Setup: Stock I just demoed it.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
CrazyCarl
a Cross Country Rider
from Davis, CA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003
Strengths: Great looking, very little pedal induced feedback/bob, fairly light, nice components
Weaknesses: Noisy, creaky, disk brakes squeal, rear swingarm flexes causing rear pads to rub the rotor
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike because I got a close-out deal on a 2002 model. (pretty much the same as 2003 except it has Marzocchi fork, Hayes brakes, RaceFace cranks). First off, it had a horrible creaking noise from the back, but this was remedied by calling the bike store and getting the pivot upgrade kit. (I don't understand why they didn't install it BEFORE I bought the bike, since they had it in the store!) Anyway, it still is a pretty creaky bike, but maybe that's what I have to expect from an aluminum frame.
The major problem I have seen so far is that when you sit on the bike, the two legs of the rear swingarm flex outward, which moves the brake caliper out of alignment and causes the pads to rub on the brake rotor. I've kinda fixed this problem my adjusting the caliper so that it is centered when sitting on the bike, but then it rubs with no weight on the bike.
Anyway, the bike seems to climb very well, and it soaks up the bumps really well on the downhills. I can't notice any flex from the back end. The major drawback of the 2003 model is the price... $3600!!?? For this reason only an average value rating...
Similar Products Used: Cannondale Scapel, Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Bike Setup: Stock (pre-production 2002 model), except new tires/seat
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
John W.
a Cross Country Rider
from SLC
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2003
Strengths: After nearly one year, I've had this bike on all types of terrain, from Porcupine Rim, narly Wasatch Front single track, to fast fire road or White Rim Trail type cruising. The frame design is exceptional, eating up the nasty technical climbs, floating over the downhill with drops up to 3 ft., and being the "quietest" frame I've tested in terms of pedal induced bobbing. The build quality is at or near best in class.
Weaknesses: stock H. Mosquito tires wore quickly on Utah terrain and did not handle the loose stuff. No big deal, go with the Panaracer Fire XC Pro and this bike is perfect.
Bottom Line:
I've been mountain biking since 1985 (big deal?). I have developed solid technical skills from years of hard tail (even before shock forks)riding. The bottom line is this bike has really made mountain biking nearly like a new sport for me. Where I used to have to be "spot on" with the technical skills, this bike playfully eats the terrain uphill and down. The adjustable travel is a real plus, especially if you are into "epic" days with long climbs and descents. My wife has been riding since 1984 and got this bike two months ago. She has been one of the most skilled cross country riders I've seen at the sick and twisted downhill stuff (not big air). She is now climbing better and leaving even some of best male riders standing in amazement on descents. If you can afford it, buy this bike.
Similar Products Used: test rode many models including the Epic, Fuel, Jekyl, Sugar, AC Air, etc. They are obviously all solid performing bikes, but their suspensions lacked. The Epic didn't feel suspended enough, and the other, despite the accolades, all had way to much pedal induced bobbing.
Bike Setup: stock, with the exception of tires (above) and Easton Carbon seat stem.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bart
a Cross Country Rider
from Kelowna
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2003
Strengths: Rocky fit and finish - it's a beautiful frame Adjustable suspension - I can really notice the difference in the different settings Great all-around bike
Weaknesses: Expensive if you pay full retail - you pay for the Rocky name Stock tires wear out fast I have had no issues with the brakes - first bike with discs though
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. If you want a bike for general everyday riding that will climb well and handle the technical stuff even better I highly recommend the ETSX. The bike does not climb like my Fuel but the more I ride it the more I am impressed by how well it actually climbs. I'll lock out for fireroad climbs but otherwise I will climb in the 3.5 inch setting and find bob to be minimal. In the 4.5 setting I notice the geometry becomes a bit too upright for me when I am climbing. The suspension quick release needs to be pretty tight. I had it come loose a few times early on.
The bike handles very nicely. It has a very playful personality - very easy to turn. Rear suspension design gives you travel in the direction that you need it. The high bottom bracket gives great clearance (especially compared to my Fuel). The bike feels pretty long though - I do have the 20.5 inch frame.
I bought this bike as my fun bike and have no regrets. I have also used it in an adventure race where we had huge 3500 ft climbs, and epic descents and it came through with shining colours. My friend also bought one and he has xc raced it (he put on a flat bar, lower rise stem, tubeless wheels) so it can be done.
Similar Products Used: Been riding and racing a Trek Fuel 98 for the past few years
Bike Setup: Stock
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Eagle, Colorado, USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2003
Strengths: First FS bike. Beautifull frame, adjustable travel, most parts. Warranty. Rides up and down like a rabid monkey. I do not feel that I have the suspention dialed yet but still a great ride. I climb in 3.5in and descend in 4.5in. Lockouts nice but dont use.
Weaknesses: Seat is junk! stock tires junk!
Bottom Line:
First week I had it went to Moab. This bike ruled Porcupine Rim. I looped out a few times on Slick Rock trail but that was rider error. I have noticed much less fatigue riding on my home trails and my back feels better than when I rode my old hard tail. Also it does not feel like it weighs 27 pounds as I ride. I have the fork dialed and the rear need some more adjustment before I give 5 chillis but I am sure I will get it dialed. I do 1600 to 2500 foot climbs from my house and have droped time off every ride. This thing really propels you as you pedal. This bike is equal to or better than anything I have tried before. I highly recomend it to anyone with the cash who wants a sick bike. You wont be like the millions who by machine made assembly line bikes. I plan to write an updated review after this summer is over. Ride it don't slide it!
Similar Products Used: FSR Enduro Pro, Trek Fuel 90, Titus Switchblade, Superlight, Jeckel, Tracer, Element Race and Slayer
Bike Setup: Shop installed Hope Mini, Sram 9.0 shifters and rear derailuer. I changed the seat to a Sella Italia Trans am Prolink gel flow, the tires to IRC Trail Bear 2.25 & a Salsa quick release seat post binder.
Strengths: Great suspension, awesome geometry, looks sharp ....
Weaknesses: Front derailer cable routing rubs on frame.
Bottom Line:
I LOVE THIS BIKE !!
Perfect for all around use; not TOO heavy 28lbs, climbs superbly, plenty of travel for fast downhill action and taking drops, tight handling, high bottom bracket clearance, looks sharp ... blah blah blah.
The ETS suspension does what Rocky claims it does; Vertical travel eliminates “hooking”, enabling the wheel to better roll over rough terrain .... helps drive you forward as you pedal over rough terrain ....
I have had NO problems with this bike. Some users don't like the saddle, I think its the most comfortable one I've ever owned. Some users have problems with their XT-Disc brakes, not I - mine have been perfect since day #1, I haven't touched them.
I did upgrade the pedals and went to a slightly lighter wheel set, everything else is stock.
There is a local guy selling etsx-70 for $1250. It is 19" and I was just wondering what approximate height the average rider is for this bike? I'm 5'9.5" btw and here is the the l Read More »
I have the Shimano XT dual action shifters and I'm not sure I want to stay with them. The action is inconsistent. Sometimes I have to press really hard to get any corresponding der Read More »
Just ordering a new seat for ETSX build project.
Is the seat post a 26.8 or 27.2? I measured 26.8, but just want to check before I part with my hard-earned cash. Read More »
I'm looking to pick up a new bike soon.
If I go with the ETSX, I'm trying to decide between the 50 or the 70. The 50 is obviously a lot cheaper, comes with the Formula ORO K24 Read More »
In no way is this a thread implying anything other than the question being asked:
I'm considering selling my 2008 ETSX-70 frame (18.5") but have no idea about pricing. Any though Read More »
