Submitted by
JimmyPee
a Cross-Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: June 13, 1999
Strengths: Stiff, light, spec'ed like a custom bike, climbs like a demon, Rocky's are as durable as they get.
Weaknesses: None to speak of.
Bottom Line:
I only race a couple time a year. But if you love to ride fast uphill, this is the bike for you. At about 23.5 LBS with the Z2 Bam, you get a bike that absolutely flies uphill, and descends smoothly and confidently with the plush ride of the Z2.Try the race face low rise bar, if you like technical stuff or if yo back gets a bit sore with the flat bars. Why do people still use flat bars anyway? The only thing that I might change on the bike, would be the shifting.....SRAM 9.0, might be the way to go instead of XTR....maybe some Avid levers as well, especially if you are a one finger kinda dude.
Favorite Trail: CRD/Dump in Victoria---and A River Runs Through It in Whislter
Duration Product Used: less than 1 month
Similar Products Used: Rocky Mountain Blizzard Rocky Mountain Equipe Pro-Flex 955 FS Fisher Super Cal.
Bike Setup: Z2 Bam XTR Brakes, Derail, Hubs, Race Face, cranks, post,headset, BB, Low-riser bars, Time Atac Carbon Pedals Syncros Stem Sun rims Hutchinson Tires Flight Ti Saddle
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Date Reviewed: April 17, 1999
Strengths: The Vertex T.O is fast, I mean damn fast. The responsiveness is just phenomenal. You can go from standstill to a blur in a matter of seconds. It's light too. My ride (98 components, 99 frame) weighs in at around 22 pounds and you feel it. Rocks and logs are mere pebbles under this bike and even the slightest jump gives you big air. The Vertex is agile, versitile, user friendly, and huge on performance.
Weaknesses: Some say the 98 reverse XTR is a downside, but it is only personal preference and each performs brilliantly.
Bottom Line:
In short, the Vertex T.O is indeed a race bike. Out there, you feel it's edge, even if your only racing with yourself.
Bike Setup: The Rocky Mountain uses an Easton Elite aluminum frame. It's super light, and super strong. The 98 vertex is equipped with a Marzocchi Z.2 BAM. It soaks up everything in your way and is completley ajustible.
I've had my Vertex for a couple of years now and Its an incredible bike, thats all I have to say about it. Its the best bike I've ever tried out.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Shueller
a racer
from Denver Colorado
Date Reviewed: January 7, 1999
Bottom Line:
I have been racing for three and a half years now for the Wolf Creek team as a semi-pro, and this has been the best hardtail that I have ever raced. And I have raced on a Trek 9900 and a Litespeed Owl Hollow. I have always been a big fan of Rocky Mountains component selection, and this is by far there best. The Marrazocchi Z2 Atom Bomber is sweet. They are light with out sacrificing its abundant plushness and travel. The Race Face crank is the best. It is stiff and light and looks cool too. Of coarce, I would not race any bike with out XTR deraillers, brakes and shifters. The frame is sub three lbs and yet super stiff aluminum that climbs like a beast. On my first race with it at Big Bear, I was testing it out for Rocky Mountain. I was suprised. It was extremely light and handles perfectly in mud, rocky downhill, steep uphill climbs and fast sprints. After that test ride, I went out and bought one and have had it ever since and haven't changed any parts. If you are a die hard racer or a junior going up the ranks, this is the bike is for you.
This is a review on my element t.o frame, but i feel it is representative of the rocky mountain warranty department--or should i say, the non-existant suck ass warranty department....Bike is great-Rocky Mountain's Warranty sucks major ass to put it lightly. After racing/riding the complete for approximately 4 months, the top tube started to fatigue-it looked like two dimples on the top tube, which were getting bigger the more i rode it. After talking to the rep, talking to the warranty department, and talking to the shop owner, we all decided it was fatiging and would be covered by warranty. It is to note that where these dimples were appearing, had absolutely no scratching/scuffing that would indicate i hit something, and the stickers that were above the dings had no tears in them at all-no way did i hit this thing. One other noticable thing to note was that the dings were close to the cable stops-which rocky later claimed that i had the bike in a park stand, which would of actually had to of been clamped over top of these, thus rendering any type of cable adjustment impossible. this bike was only transported in the back of my subaru outback on on fork mounts-no mount of any type had touched that top tube. yet when i talked to rocky warranty, this suddenly became a non-warrantied frame. they could not tell me what happened, other than somehow it was my fault that the frame was doing this. I am not a happy camper-this was total crap. They don't stand behind any of their lines which is ridiculous considering that this bike retails at over 3000 dollars. This is especially more ridiculous when one considers that i was an grassroots rider for rocky and in no way did they ever help out. Since then, they have promised me a frame, but it has not come yet, and i have never heard from anybody about what the hell is going on. It appears to me that they will not warranty anything that anybody rides with the name rocky mountain on it. I have had several friends with bikes from trek, schwinn, gt, merlin, khs, torelli--that have had problems with their frames (similar to mine) and the frames were replaced IMMEDIATELY. Rocky Mountain is a company I will never deal with again and will never recommend-if they cannot support a grassroots rider with a clear clase of a bad frame, then how do they treat the general public. Bottom line, their warranty sucks and their response time sucks even more. Please feel free to contact me and I will be more explicit in my wording and my feelings toward this company......
Best ride I've ever had. Changed out the bomber for a White Bros. and saved a pound, put on frogs instead of 747's, srp/ti bolt package and king hubs with Bontrager rims............SWEEET ride at just shy of 2lbs....only draw back was it really needs a riser bar so put the new White Bros ti XC bar. Looking to buy an Element T.O. and do the same upgrades.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Thomas
a cross-country rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: August 19, 1998
Bottom Line:
I just got through riding this bike for the first time and my first impression is really good. I like this bike because it exactly feels how I thought it to be. The Bomber Z2 absorbs everything in the back, while the back itself tends to feel a little nervous going downhill. The paintjob is absolutely fantastic and with all the sweet components on it ( custom-made > King, Race Face etc. ) it is really one stunning ride. Way to go!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Khazad
a cross-country rider
from Around
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1998
Bottom Line:
I got a '96 Vertex when my '95 Stumpjumper M2 FS Pro got stolen. The Vertex was a sweet, wonderful ride, although it didn't seem as stiff as the Specialized M2. I hammer quite a bit and really value stiffness, but the real bummer was that the frame welds cracked around the seat stays and the seat tube when the frame was about 16 months old. Rocky refused to warranty the bike, and to add insult to the situation they offered me a deal on a new frame which was more than I would pay if I just went and got one for retail. It's taken me about a year to get the frame warrantied, and after all that they're giving me another '96 Vertex frame.Anybody want to buy a 20.5 Vertex frame?I spent $200 on a new (but extra stocked) Performance frame, Easton HBO tubing, etc. It's only about 1/2 lb heavier than the RMB and it has a lifetime warranty. I'm riding that until I can get a decent FS frame from a company that will stand behind their product.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
mike hunt
a cross-country rider
from quesnel b.c. canada
Date Reviewed: June 2, 1998
Bottom Line:
this bike kicks @$$ i took it off my friend when he wen't on a vacation i took it off a couple four to ten foot drops the rims are super strong i loved it the forks where sweet i couldn't find someone who could bottem them out they also steered great
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Christian Lie
a cross-country rider
from Lillehammer,Norway
Date Reviewed: May 17, 1998
Bottom Line:
I have been riding bikes from Rocky Mountain for about four years. I first owned a 95 Blizzard,then the titanium Tibolt and now the Vertex T.O. Although the steel frame was nice, it is not comparable to either the titanium or the aluminum. But of the two I really feel that the Vertex offers the best ride. It is definitely a rocket uphill,and everything you put into the pedals is delivered straight to the wheel. The parts are top,when the grip shift is changed for xtr,and although i have upgraded the wheels to crossmaxes, the stock wheels offered no problems at all. Rocky Mountain Vertex T.O is in my opinion a top notch race-bike, and offers premium riding characteristics whatever terrain.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek Fairley
a cross-country rider
from Kumamoto-ken, Japan
Date Reviewed: May 10, 1998
Bottom Line:
I've been riding my Vertex T.O. for just over a year now and am very pleased. The obvious attraction, other than the cool paint job and the fact that its hand made, is that the bike is precision tuned and the component specs. are great for the price. In terms of riding characteristics, this is definitely a terrain specific ride. Like other bikes manufactured in the north-west and New England area of the U.S. and in Canada, this bike excels at technical stuff. It begs to be flicked and hopped every chance possible. Of course there is a cost. In fast downhill situations, the rider has to be on the ball. The cockpit requires alot of attention in this situation. But that's common with Kona's, IF's, and Moots bikes as well. Pedal input goes direct to the chainstays and the rear end is super stiff and exquisitely shaped. Additionally, I would have to say that my experience in dealing with Rocky Mountain has been great. My rear Hugi hub failed and Rocky Mountain asked for me to send it back for a replacement. In exchange for a rear hub I received a newly built wheel with an XTR hub and Sun 0XC rim, anodized nipples and XTR skewer. Plus I still had the original rim at home. Also, they gave a casual riding jersey and a polo style shirt free, in consideration for my troubles. I weigh about 180lbs. and have not had a problem yet(Knock on wood!). This bike begs to be hammmered! Try one out.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Derek
a cross-country rider
from Florida
Date Reviewed: March 13, 1998
Bottom Line:
I just replaced my DEAN Oscar frame with a 98' Rocky Mountain Vertex T.O. - Cosmetically, the Vertex T.O. has the nicest powder coat I have ever seen, and the welds are top-shelf. Physically, the Vertex T.O. weighs about 3.0lb (18.5 inch) - make sure you order a size up from your normal size, Rocky Mountain frames run small. The ride is unmistakeable fast! The rear triable is stiff & steep, making this frame rocket up any vert., a long top-tube puts you in race-ready position - this frame spanks! I suggest a suspension seatpost, in Florida we have alot of rocks and roots, not the best mix for an Easton hardtail. If you are considering an Easton hardtail, and love cross-country, take a look at the Vertex T.O. - it is definetely one of the nicest, best-riding, fastest frames available.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Batho
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1998
Bottom Line:
I thought this would be the appropriate place to give a review of the Rocky Mountain Altitude. I bought a used one, and it was in good shape - about a year old, and every time the bike hit the ground, the frame dented. The brake levers hit the top tube, and it dented. I had chain suck a few times, and the frame got crushed, and broke on that side, and cracked on the other too. Rocky Mountain basically told me to get lost. I bought a Titanium frame from Deep Cove Bike shop in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. www.cove-bike.com This frame is made in Kent, WA by Sandvik (sp?), which is basically an aerospace manufacturer. This frame has got to be the toughest in the world. Price: $1288 Canadian, which is $about $900 US. Sorry, Rocky, I will never buy another bike from you, and neither will my friends.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matthew
a cross-country rider
from Eugene, OR
Date Reviewed: February 20, 1998
Bottom Line:
The '97 Vertex T.O. (red & yellow) was my introduction to Rocky Mountain. It was the nicest bike I had seen. First of all it was beautiful! Secondly, it was nearly perfectly outfitted (bag the grip shift and throw a Z2 bomber on there). Third, it was painstakingly constructed (look at those S-bend stays). I don't own one because it was too much money (even though I think it is a great value), but I did get to test ride it. If I could I would have bought the vertex T.O. instead of my Rocky Thin Air, even though I think my Thin Air is certainly the nicest bike I've ever had and one of the best bikes on the market - the Vertex T.O. is the best hardtail around. It's not fair to limit me to 5 chilis. The Thin Air gets 5 chilis, the Vertex T.O. gets 6!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
RGS
a cross-country rider
from Sacramento Ca.
Date Reviewed: June 25, 1997
Bottom Line:
Absolutely incredible is all I can say. I have ridden every frame material there is and nothing can beat this ride. Rocky has designed this frame to perform, it is very light, supple and very responsive in the singletrack. Plus you get a 5 year warranty on the frame, what more could you want.Awesome work Rocky!!.
