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Submitted by
Stephen
a
from San Fran
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1099.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes Bikes | | Strengths: | The frame! This is my first steel frame bike for quite a while and my first steel frame mountain bike. I originally bought it for durability yet it has continually suprised me with the other benefits it provides. It's stiff, yet springy and whilst at first I found it hard to control i now relish it's agression and enjoy springing out of turns and more complex xc. It is also suprisingly light considering its made of steel. The components are reliable and sturdy and i like the no frills approach. it is also a great geometry for my size and shape and is equally at home riding to work (with a few staircases thrown in) or riding xc. | | Weaknesses: | At first I would have said it is too agressive for my riding style and it has thrown me a few times. However, with time i am loving this aspect of the bike as it has improved my riding by challenging me. The front Gran Fondo 3s are a bit too soft for my liking and offer no degree of adjustment other than putting more air into them. I also worry about chipping the paint and the frame rusting but the paint seems durable and with the right maintainance I'm assured this wont be a problem. | | Similar Products Used: | My last bike was a Gary Fisher Tasajara. this bike has a very similar geometry and feel whilst being a good upgrade.
Gary Fisher Big Sur
Rocky Mounten Vertex | | Bike Setup: | Stock with a few addons | | Bottom Line: | A great bike if you like hardtail and do a range of different riding. It's strong and durable and can hold it's own when riding with the big boys. It's agile and highly responsive which is unforgiving at first and might not suit a beginner rider, but when u get used to it it is great fun. It climbs well and flies downhill with reckless abandon.
I don't thing its worth $1500 full price but get it for a discounted price and its the real steel deal. you won't regret it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$940.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | As any steel frame rider would agree, the frame is a solid peice. The disc ready feature was well appreciated. The componentry had few areas I disagreed with. I was very impressed with the prodigy cranks quality shifting. | | Weaknesses: | The manitou Mars fork, while quality and light was not up to hard riding, so I decided to switch it to a marzocchi. The Python tires were a quality spec, but not good enough for the local conditions. | | Similar Products Used: | 1996 Rocky mountain Hammer, 2000 rocky mountain Blizzard. | | Bike Setup: | It went through various setup changes, but I never gave up the Ritchey logic headset or the raceface evolve cranks.at the lowest it was the stock shimano LX setup, which got deore 555 hydraulics and the marzocchi fork, then flat bars, carbon bars, A Fox TALAS fork, then Mavic Crossmax wheels and a few different kinds of tire. | | Bottom Line: | Quite simply, this bike was purchased to replace my 2000 blizzard, which I had upgraded so much that it was a thieves dream. I got this cos it was the same frame and was disc ready, which I quicky exploted. As with the blizzard before it, it rides really really well The wheels from stock were very solid, and would never be more than 40 thousandths out of true. The LX shimano stuff worked well, but the shimano pedals have to go...I use Time and it is hard to go back. I do seriously recommend a beefier fork though, while that fork it comes with is nice,light and well damped, it was behind the curve back then for stiffness. overall, solid spec, recommended and can easily accomodate your upgrade needs. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Branden
a Downhiller
from Port Alberni, B.C, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Gutwrencher | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | A Guy | | Strengths: | The frame. strong, skinny, and light. The forks (Marozzachi EXR Pros) crank (Blackspire Ring god) | | Weaknesses: | nothing much except its realy stiff. i got used to it but it took a while.but i just sold it so i got to get used to a new bike when i get one...hopefully a P.2 | | Similar Products Used: | specilized P.2, rocky mountain Flow. | | Bike Setup: | EXR Pros, FSA alpha drive, axiom stem and handlebars and Blackspire Ringods | | Bottom Line: | Good. Thats all i have to say about it because it may be different for you. i liked it. Beginners and cross country people should buy this beast (Not in a Bad way) and not pansies | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Will Harding
a Weekend Warrior
from Scotts Valley, California, USA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Brail Trail and Magic Carpet | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bicycle Trip | | Strengths: | Very strong frame and components. I do alot of urban and have done almost a 6ft drop and no problems with the frame or components. The geometry is very good for XC and urban. | | Weaknesses: | There have been many problems with the rear wheel. It needs to be way stonger. If you land any thing but strait the rim gets bend. ive had it trued 2 times and fully replaced with thicker spokes and it still gets bent. | | Bottom Line: | great bike but the rear rim and spokes, but that is just me. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob Berry
a Cross Country Rider
from South Wales, UK
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Llantrisant Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Rocky Mountain Cycles, UK | | Strengths: | The handbuilt frame is sooo good. The geometry is set up for fast singletrack and technical riding and boy does it deliver on the trail. My riding has been transformed in the six months from mainly firetrack riding to tearing up the trails with confidence. The improvement in comfort from my old hardtail is a revelation - the frame twitches gleefully under power over rough stuff without the jarring unforgiving ride I've experienced on other bikes. Paintjob is top notch too. The old engineering mantra - "If it looks right it usually is right", applies here - this bike looks very right! | | Weaknesses: | An odd view coming from a consumer, but this bike should be more expensive. By this I mean that the frame justifies a level of componentry far above the stock spec. Some nice Raceface kit and good wheels sure, but this bike should be living at XTR level. I've has some grief with the seatpost/clamp too but a regular crank-up with the allen key seems to keep this problem in check, definitley scope for an upgrade here though. Another niggle, and a major oversight from RM is that this bike must be made available in disc-only guise.
The Manitou Comp Coil is OK and does a good job of soaking up the trail but it's a little too flexy for me at 14st. It's not the best fork in the mud and wet either and is prone to locking if the conditions get filthy - not good for a UK rider! A future upgrade to a stiffer Marzocchi or Fox is in order.
Sorry Raceface, but the entry level bottom bracket is made of cheese and disintegrated after a few months in the Welsh mud. A higher end BB seems to have done the trick | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Expolsif | | Bike Setup: | The V's (which are good if you live somewhere dry)were ditched immediately and a lovely set of Hope Mini discs added. | | Bottom Line: | This is what steel is all about. If you're an all day trail rider looking for a classic machine to get you through the gnarliest of gnarl, this is the boy.
Beefy, bold and beautiful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto, Ontario
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Don Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Dukes on Queen | | Strengths: | The frame provides a smooth, comfortable ride. Componentry is a nice complement to the frame; solid and good value for the price. I love the look and feel and sturdiness of this bike. I can handle more technical trails, climb better and come home less beat up than ever before. | | Weaknesses: | No question you can find a lighter bike, and probably climb a bit easier, but the stiffness takes its toll. I had to play with the setup a bit to get into a comfortable climbing position with enough weight on the front tire. I agree with the seatpost complaint, but cranked with an allen key I have managed to keep it in position (but I am not exactly XXL at 150lbs). I have experienced some slippage with the rear derailleur, but hope that it will get sorted out at the shop (3 yrs of free tuneups). I doubt that the tires could handle really heavy mud, but I won't find out from my comfy sofa at home. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Hoo Koo e Koo (circa 1997, cromoly) which I haven't the heart to part with and still keep in the garage. | | Bike Setup: | Stock, except swapped for a more comfortable straight Easton (sp?) bars and would never ride again without my Specialized contour seat (worth its weight in gold). Manitou Mars Comp coil fork is much nicer than my very old super-bouncy Rock Shox XC, but I can't comment on potential improvement from a Marzocchi or Duke shock.....the likelihood of me bottoming out on a regular basis is about the same as Mike Tyson winning the Nobel Prize for literature. It would be nice to get a bit more adjustability on the shock for longer road ride segments. | | Bottom Line: | I am very happy with my Rocky Mountain Hammer. Makes me really look like I know what I am doing on the trail....even when I don't. Totally happy with the steel frame, and accept that any additional weight loss now much come from the rider. Priced right, at least a few hundred less than a Specialized M4. Plus, made in Canada is the only way to go!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke Cady
a Cross Country Rider
from Burlington, VT, US
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Vermont singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Earl's Cyclery and Fitness | | Strengths: | Best bike all around bike ive ever ridden. I've owned 2 different ones in the past 3 years. The bike climbs like a monkey on speed, and is one of the quickest bikes through singletrack. The steel frame is unbreakable and gives that wonderful ride of steel. | | Weaknesses: | its just a touch heavy, but for us non-racers, no biggie, its worth the weight. | | Similar Products Used: | old-school fisher Hoo-Koo-E-Koo (steel), which was nice,but not the Rocky...
(Ive ridden hundreds of bikes in that category working at a shop), the only other consideration i would have, is an Indy Fab, but thats a whole different ball game | | Bike Setup: | mostly stock...the mars comp coil fork is a good one, Im hard on forks, its the lightest coil fork out there, which is good and strong. ive been through a few rims, so thats changed, and i have grip shift and sram levers instead of rapid fire | | Bottom Line: | best bike for your money if...
-you arent racing and dont need the lightest thing on the market
-and you riding style includes everything from some urban, to crazy DH-like trails, to XC trails etc...
its a great do-anything bike, which, unless you are driving over it with a car, you cant break. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross Country Rider
from Reston, VA
Date Reviewed: July 22, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 401 - Crested Butte, CO | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$900.00 | | Purchased At: | Pedal N Spoke | | Strengths: | THE FRAME. The feel of steel is superb especially when the craftsmanship is so high. Paintjob is great. Components are great for the price I got this bike for. Retail is $1280. | | Weaknesses: | If yours has the Manitou Mars Comp, upgrade it to something like a Rock Shox Duke or Psylo or some flavor of Marzocchi. Also, as said many times before, get a clamp instead of the quick release for the seat post. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Paragon, Klein Attitude | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for the clamp on the seatpost and the forks. I went with the Marzocchi MXC. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is a sweet ride. It feels so much better than the others I tried. The ride is true. If you're looking for a great XC bike and are looking for a solid and comfortable ride, this is it. I had it in Crested Butte and this bike was glorious on the climbs and on the decents. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew Baker
a Cross Country Rider
from Kelowna
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Not telling | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Fresh Air Experience | | Strengths: | Handbuilt steel frame with a nice geometry. This high quality frame feels and handles very nice. Nice mix of components, quality wheels and hubs. Super slick paintjob! | | Weaknesses: | Only complaint so far is the seatpost slips. Better off going with a seat clamp instead of a quick release. | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 7000. | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Hayes mechanical disk upgrade, and some Maxxis Mobster 2.1's for the looser rocky stuff. | | Bottom Line: | If you're a cross country rider looking for a quality built hardtail, but want something a little different you can't go wrong with this bike. You'll probably end up paying a little more for this bike compared to your average aluminum made in Taiwan bike, but it's well worth the extra few sheckles. 4 chilis for value, but 5 overall for this Canadian made machine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from Windsor, CA USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Longridge (Skyline) and Foothill Park (Windsor) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bikes in San Rafael, CA | | Strengths: | The frame's geometry, fit and comfort. This bike just fits great and excellent point and shoot capabilities. Climbs well and the brakes rock. | | Weaknesses: | The lousy seatpost and the drive train. I immediately got rid of the stock post as it kept slipping as well as the quick-release lever. Upgraded to Syncros w/ a bolt collar instead. The LX front blew--kept slipping between small and middle rings. Upgraded to XT to match rear and that has helped. | | Similar Products Used: | Gary Fisher Mt Tam, Bianchi Grizzly, and an Independence Fabrication | | Bike Setup: | Stock--upgrades already mentioned | | Bottom Line: | A great bike for the money. I fell in love with the fit and ride just peddling out of the store for a test drive and it hasn't dissapointed me yet off road. I have put about 250+ miles in the 2 months I've had it and it just keeps going. Highly recommended if you are looking for an affordable steel frame hardtail or want a nice middle-tier bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Tempe, Az
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | South Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Bycicle Showcase | | Strengths: | Great frame material and a well rounded comp. group. Great control on the downhills. | | Weaknesses: | Frame design takes a little to get used to. Cheap stem and seat post recomend replaceing. Took a while to get. They claim i got held up on customs but i heard that is what they always say. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Explosif | | Bike Setup: | all stock but a new stem a Easton EA 50 0 degree rise. | | Bottom Line: | Great bike for the money. Race worthy right out of the box. A little out of its element in Desert riding. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew McFerron
a Cross Country Rider
from Salem, OR
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ganzo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1280.00 | | Purchased At: | Santiam Cycles | | Strengths: | Light(25lbs, no joke. 19.5"), great value, Bobmer up front, hand built, steel w/disc tabs, etc... | | Weaknesses: | None, yet.
| | Similar Products Used: | '98 voodoo hoodoo | | Bike Setup: | All stock as listed, with the exception of a Z2 atom sport air unstead of the OEM because of availability issues | | Bottom Line: | This is the ultimate steel bike for the price. A solid drivetrain, hand built wheels and frame,and being disc compatible make this an awesome ride. I've only riddden the bike once, but will submit anither review in a few months when I have a better understanding of the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith A
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Barton Creek Greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | Firehouse Bikes | | Strengths: | One word "Steel" Steel is real!
Hand manufactured.
Excellent paint job.
Very light for steel. | | Weaknesses: | Rocky Mtn bikes are hand manufactured ... it takes a while to get one.
Gear components should be all XTR.
Pedals bite. | | Similar Products Used: | Diamondback Topanga SE, Trek, Specialized Rock Hopper | | Bike Setup: | Stock as listed. | | Bottom Line: | Truly one of the sweetest rides around. This bike, while not cheap, is probably one of the best values for the price anywhere. A component upgrade to XTR would add the cherry. I ride 5-10 miles 4x a week on a body & bike pounding trail. I am a 5'11" 200lb. gear crunching animal. This bike sees many solo runs (sans me) and still comes back for more. It is quick, responsive and durable. A rider of any caliber would be happy to have one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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