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Rocky Mountain
2000 Blizzard
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Submitted by
bigfan2
a Weekend Warrior
from Folsom, CA
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | aong the river | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Great 725 Reynolds steel tubing. Really nice trail bike that doubles as an ATB machine. | | Weaknesses: | none. can't even complain about the weight because it is steel after all. and not super custom - just high quality tubes. | | Similar Products Used: | alu, carbon and cro-moly frames | | Bike Setup: | Mavic X517 rims, Hope hubs, Conti Traffic tires, Middleburn ATB cranks, Thompson stem, LP carbon bars, WTB Ti Laser seat, no name two bolt seat post, old avid 2.0 rim brakes, lx front and sram plasma rear der. marzocchi marathon bomber 100m travel fork. | | Bottom Line: | it's a sweet ride. should last forever - my new to me 2000 blizzard is near;y perfect. (thanks to a good dude from that state where you can see russia from your back porch).
i can always tinker with the pieces, but that frame is a keeper. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew L
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, AB Canada
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | anything in British Columbia | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Purchased At: | Red Shred's Bike and | | Strengths: | I have owned this Blizzard for over 8 years. I am impressed with how stiff the frame is and its durability. It is a very strong climber and very enjoyable to ride.
Comes with a decent selection of components. I still have the original bomber fork, Raceface crank set, and Mavic wheels. | | Weaknesses: | Too heavy. It can be a chore to hop logs, rocks, and other obstacles. Other than that no other complaints. | | Similar Products Used: | Alot of other aluminum hard tails. I like my steel better | | Bike Setup: | Replaced SRAM setup with XT, Specialized fast trak tires. The original GEAX tires that came with this bike are garbage. | | Bottom Line: | Do they even sell the Rocky Mountain Blizzard as a complete bike anymore? I have no regrets for purchasing and I enjoy riding this bike. It is recommended for riders who want to invest a little extra in their bike; however, not spend a fortune. Overall, the bike is fun to ride, low maintenance, and provides the rider with more confidence when tackling more difficult terrain. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Uncle Jimbo
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Gatineau Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Sporable Bike Shop | | Strengths: | This Bike simply is the best ride I have ever tried. It is a well rounded combination of: lightness, forgiving, quick and durable. Renoyolds 725 tubing seems to be perfectly matched for this bike. I kind of liked the SRAM setup for shifting. However, I realize that I am a minority, as most people really like XT type components.
Also, the Raceface Crank and Richey Headset are nice compliments as well. | | Weaknesses: | Geax tires are for Geaks and people that ride bicycle paths. Get yourself some Continental XC pro's or some Velociraptors for some improvement.
Also, the Fork is a little hard to get working just right for my riding style... | | Bike Setup: | Bar-Ends, and Continental XC Pro Tires. | | Bottom Line: | About the only things that are not tip-top about this bike are the tires and maybe the front LX deraileur. I would have to say that these were quite reasonable tradeoffs, as you can upgrade these things fairly cheaply.
I have riden this bike approx 3000 KM on everything from flats, mud, sand downhill, uphill and the bike performs beyond expectations. I can't believe there are not more steel production frames like this around.
This bike is recommended for the intermediate to advanced rider that wants to spend a bit of money on a bike but wants it to last with good low maint. parts. The things that most people do not like about this bike you can change fairly easily (SRAM shifting).
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hubble Bubble
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta Canada
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Jumpingpound/Coxhill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | TheBikeShop.com | | Strengths: | Steel rules!!
Great build quality, great parts. This is a bike that can last forewver (and the frame is guaranteed for life). | | Weaknesses: | I don't get to ride it enough. | | Similar Products Used: | Other rocky's & Kona's. | | Bike Setup: | I switch all the SRAM drivetrain for XT. | | Bottom Line: | After a little over a year with my Blizzard, I love it even more than the day I bought it.
The bike climbs great and decends even better. Point it down the stupidest lines, and the bike just rolls along. All this and a frame built for (almost) north shore type riding.
I asked several manufacturers the same question..."I am 6'2" and 225 lbs. I won't do anything too extreme, maybe jump off the occasional picnic table" Everyone said "no, dont do that on our bike" or "that will void your warranty". Everyone except Rocky Mountain and Kona. Enough said. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Indpls, IN
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Nebo | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Sport in Loveland, Ohio | | Strengths: | Excellent geometry, great climber and descender | | Weaknesses: | At 27.5 lbs (21 inch fame)this bike is not a feather weight, but a 205 lbs I'm not either. However, the low gearing negates the weight making it an excellent climber. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant Yukon, Specialized Rockhopper, Specialized FSR(what a rippoff!!) | | Bike Setup: | raceface, sram, replaced rear wheel with sun rhino lite for durability, and seat post with race face XY for durability as well. | | Bottom Line: | After owning 2 aluminum hardtails(both pounded my spine to mush and were not that great of climbers, especially the rockhopper and a $2000 ripoff dual suspension bike decked out in Specialized in house crapola components I was ready for a change.
A well made steel frame while running your tires at no more than about 40 psi max and an excellent shock absorbing seat is just as comfortable to ride a a bowel of dual suspension hype.
And the good thing is you don't have to worry about a broken pivot 20 miles from your truck or a aluminum frame breaking.
If you are a serious mountain biker and want a bike than is fast, resiliant, very reliable, this bike can happily be ridden into the ground with few mechanical things to fuss over.
The harshness of the aluminum hardtail inspired all of these dual suspension designs, many of which are over priced and not very reliable for backwoods riding.
If you are fed up with harsh aluminum, whippy titanium, and high maintenance dulies give steel a chance. Unless you are a gram freak you won't regret it.
You could spend well over $2000.00 and wind up with a lesser bike than the Blizzard. Good going Rocky Mountain!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Driver
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | untitled | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | La Cordée | | Strengths: | Amazing Reynolds steel frame, great finish work and attention to detail, great wheelset. The bike looks great and the performance of the Bomber Z.2 fork is outstanding. Setup is spot on and the bike feels instantly comfortable. Kudos to Rocky for spec'ing as many Canadian parts as possible....Race Face stuff abounds and the maple leaf stitching on the saddle is a nice touch. SPD 515 pedals will last forever. | | Weaknesses: | Grip shift sucks. The first thing I did (before even taking the bike home) was have the shop rip that crap off of there and replace it with good ol' XT. The tires are not my favourite, but they work well enough so I guess I can't complain. On this high-end of a bike, the crank should have been a turbine LP instead of the Prodigy crankset. The prodigy crank works well enough and is super strong and stiff, but it's an anchor. Good enough for now, but definitely on the upgrade list. There is no excuse for a model year 2000 bicycle to not have a rear disk tab on the frame. All of Rocky's aluminum frames have them so why not the Blizzard? | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized Rockhopper Expert, Rocky Mountain Hammer, GT Avalanche, assorted Norcos and too many test rides to count! | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Marzocchi Bomber Z.2 coil fork up front. Mavic X221 rims laced to Rocky Mountain hubs with those cool black DT spokes. Race Face Prodigy crankset and stem, Race Face Air Alloy riser bar. Shimano XT shifters and derailleurs, SRAM 9.0 V-brakes and levers. ODI lock-on grips and SPD 515 clipless pedals. | | Bottom Line: | I love my Blizzard. There are a few things that I maybe would have changed, but all in all Rocky did a great job of making a kickass bike and keeping it affordable. Like I said the grip shift was a bad move but it's easily remedied and your dealer will probably swap it out for you at minimal cost. The Rocky Mountain house brand hubs were a bit of a surprise on a $2000 (CDN) bike, but they haven't given me any reason to complain yet and they look great. The Rocky Mountain seatpost is functional but heavy, and the seat is the coolest I've seen anywhere. Everyone warned me that it would be rock hard, but I think it's a lot more comfortable than some I've tried. It takes a while to get used to the feeling of the plastic (sorry, composite) SRAM brake levers, but they work well enough and they're lighter than anything Shimano makes. I actually prefer the SRAM V-brake set to Shimano. It's easier to work on and stops on a dime. This said, component selection is always a matter of personal preference. The frame is the real reason to buy this bicycle. Nothing in the world can match the ride of a good steel hardtail, and this is one of the best I've ever ridden. The bike feels balanced and inspires you to push your limits. It's a little on the heavy side, (27 lbs for my 19.5 frame) but you really don't notice it on the climbs because the bike seems a lot more receptive to body english and almost helps you up the hill. Downhills are better than I expected them to be, and this bike loves tight and nasty situations. This just might be the ultimate trail bike. Steel will last forever, and the ride just gets sweeter and sweeter. Buy this bike if you want to have fun and ride epics on a bike you won't have to fix every 6 months. On second thought, just buy this bike. You won't regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anthony
a Racer
from Omaha, NE
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lewis & Clark MM | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Spin City Cyclery Omaha, NE | | Strengths: | Steel is REAL!!!! This bike Handles like a dream both up an down hill. You almost just float over the ground. | | Weaknesses: | Frame a little heavy, not bad. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant ATX,too many cannondales to list, Schwinn homegrown | | Bike Setup: | Bought as a frame built up with Manitou CL Fork, 9.0sl shifters, Race Face Next Lp Carbon cranks, Race face B.B, 9.0sl rear dir, xt front. King hubs, x517 rims, conti tires. | | Bottom Line: | This bike may be heavy for the normal xc racer but, I wanted a strong bike, built to last not to light but just right. If you are looking for a good long lasting hardtail to do some xc racing or just trail riding look no further, Alum is over rated and after a few years the frame just feels dead. Will see how this one lasts, so far so good. See your local Rocky Dealer today, Steel is REAL!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Johnson
a Weekend Warrior
from Roselle, IL
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | East Tensleep Lake Loop, WY | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bike Shop, Palatine, IL | | Strengths: | Wonderful Reynolds 725 Steel frame SRAM 9.0 shifters and derailleur | | Weaknesses: | uncomfortable seat (cool maple leaf stitching though),
decals seem to rub off too easily, tires too conservative. | | Similar Products Used: | Mongoose Hilltopper | | Bike Setup: | Reynolds 725 steel frame, Marzocchi Z2 suspension, SRAM 9.0 rear derailleur, Shimano LX front, SRAM halfpipe shifters, SRAM 9.0 brakes, Race Face Prodigy cranks, Race Face bars and Ritchey Logic headset, Mavic 221 wheels | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike because the 2000 model had a high quality steel frame and Gripshifts which I much prefer to Shimano shifters. I have not been disappointed! The frame is just wonderful. It's a night and day difference from the low priced steel and aluminum bikes I've ridden in the past. I never knew what reviewers meant when they talked about the resilient and lively ride of a steel frame. Now I know, and there's no going back to anything else. The Blizzard is a BLAST!! The combination of SRAM Halfpipe shifter and 9.0 rear derailleur has worked flawlessly in West Virginia and Northern Wisconsin, whether dusty or muddy. The Shimano LX front derailler is ok, but shifting is not as crisp as the SRAM. The Race Face Prodigy cranks seem stiffer and more efficient than the Alivio on my old bike. I haven't had much experience with shocks before, but the Marzocchi Z2 seems to work as advertised...no problems through the first season. I love this bike...I'm 6'0", about 185 pounds and 42 years old and it takes me places I thought I couldn't go anymore. My only complaints were the saddle, which I changed to a Terry Liberator, and the Geax Beaumont tires which didn't grip as much as I liked. I changed to WTB Velociraptors for more sure footing. Fully recommended! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Saddle sore
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Albreta, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Prairie view | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | www.thebikeshop.com | | Strengths: | Really good quality frame, Handmade wheels, awesome fork, sealed cartridge hubs. | | Weaknesses: | Gripshift half pipes. (too big) Raceface Prodigy cranks. (to low end for such a high end bike) Cheap BB. | | Similar Products Used: | 1996 hammer race (VERY CUSTOM) Kona Hawaiian-name | | Bike Setup: | I swapped the 9.0 half pipes for Shimano XT. put on Raceface turbine cranks and put on a RaceFace flat bar. Oh, I puit on Time ATAC Alium pedals and got rid of the rock hard seat. | | Bottom Line: | This is a good all around trailbike. It's not really made for racing, but it sure is well made. It likes to climb and it sure doesent look fancy, but man oh man does it ever go like a champ. It is so much quicker than my old Hammer race. most of this goes to the fast rolling Geax tires, which could use some more meat for really steep climbs. The Marzocchi fork loves to take a beating, almost encouraging you to take a bad line. I got rid of the Prodigy cranks and put on a raceFace Turbine LP crankset on for better stiffness and shifting and put on some Time pedals. Two things that can always be better is front shifting and knee pain. despite the tires, the bike does climb like a feind and has that usual steel liveliness to it. For the sake of climbing I put on a flat bar mostly for a more comfy riding position, when the going gets up. I didn't like the riser much, it tended to make the bike less responsive and more sluggish in tight singletrack, although the front end has never lifted off the ground while climbing, I was always afraid of that. I swapped the brick of a saddle for a lighter, softer one. too bad, i really liked the maple leaf embroidery on it. One thing I like to do is make a bike work for me. I switched this bike from Sram 9.0 to XT, I switched the cranks. It is esentially a different bike spec. But The ride Quality is the same, steel smooth. The last things that will need upgrading on this bike are the frame and the fork, both are excellent examples of good design, construction, and materials. The rest was great too, I am partial to Shimano shifters and high end Raceface cranks, so I swithched over, for better front shifting, and the same rear shifting. I recommend this bike because it really tickles my fancy, even stock. It is just unbreakable in quality and no-one can touch that. If you find the Blizzard out of your price range, I would recommend the Hammer, But the frame is not made of seamless tubing and the Judy fork has a questionable history. But the thing still rides great for such a low price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Denis O'Keeffe
a Weekend Warrior
from Newport - South Wales UK
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Cwmcarn trail | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Chepstow cycles | | Strengths: | Just right ride characteristics. Feels neither too racy or too slow, neutral handling with a sure feel. | | Weaknesses: | Well , if I must - the Blizzard is White - looks great when clean, but after 5minutes on the local trails it looks well used. This is South Wales remember ! | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Kilauea, Explosif and Orange P7 | | Bike Setup: | XT 8 speed components,Judy Race 80mm forks, 636 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Bought this as a frame and built it up using components from the "old" P7 that was too small for me.
Compared to the P7 which I really liked the Blizzard is just a great ride with predictable handling and good manners. The steel 725 frame just gives that comfortable rear triangle which ensures a not too harsh battering from the trail.
To sum up, a good dependable ride anywhere / everywhere bike that will give me years of pleasure and cleaning. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Mass
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lynn Woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | kick ass reynolds steel frame. powder coated paint job. nice welds. value when compared with other steel frames of similar quality. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, Gary Fisher, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Atom 80 fork, bontrager wheels, xtr derailuers, race face riser, bontrager stem, thomson post, flite saddle, xt cranks, avid arch 50 brakes & 2.0 levers, race face real seal headset | | Bottom Line: | Frame replaces old Bonty. Great do anything bike. It's fast, climbs like crazy, descends with the best of them, and kick's butt on the techincal stuff. Loves abuse. Highly recommended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hubble Bubble
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | JumpingPound/Coxhil Combo | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great frame that inspires confidence. Excellent part selection for the price.
Steel frames RULE!!! | | Weaknesses: | None!
Well, it is a bit heavier than most of the bikes in this price range (26lbs), but worth it for the ride quality and the durability. | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mtn Stratos, Rocky Mtn Thin Air, Kona's, Gary Fisher X-Caliber, | | Bike Setup: | Marizzochi Z2 Atom 80 fork (great fork),
XT shifters and Deraileurs,
SRAM 9.0 Braker & Levers,
Shimano 858 pedals,
Race Face everything else. | | Bottom Line: | Steel frames RULE!!!
Find a Rocky Mountain dealer and ride a Blizzard and a Thin Air back to back. (I did) Both are at about the same price point with similar components and almost the same geometry. the Blizzard is Reynolds Steel and the Thin Air is Easton Aluminum.
This bike climbs like some sort of columbian roadie on meth. Just amazing. Every bit of power goes right to the rear wheel and the front seems to instinctively go exactly where you want it.
The downhills are almost as great. The high end Marizzochi shock soaks up little bumps and has plenty of travel for the big hits. And is it much stiffer, laterally, that any Rock Shock I have ever ridden. Take a good line and this bike just goes, Take a bad line and it goes almost as well.
The SRAM brakes are great. The levers feel plasticky (sorry, composite) at first, but the levers are perfectly designed for two finger braking. And none of that annoying squeel that you get from Shimano Brakes.
Some people have complained about the Mavic rims. I think it must be the people who build them. All Rocky Mountain wheels are hand built and the builder signs their name to them. I am 6'3", 230 lbs and usually destroy wheels. I have been riding these for 2+ months, still true.
The frame is much more "alive" than most aluminum race type bikes. This bike feels like it was designed and built by people who love to ride singletrack, which it was.
Anything else...the frame and Race Face components inspire confidence. You know that nothing short of jumping off the garage roof will break this bike.
Don't just sit there. Find a Rocky Mountain dealer and try a Blizzard. You will not be disappointed.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hubble Bubble
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Jumpingpound Coxhil Combo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Great workmanship, tough frame, excellent parts value for the money | | Weaknesses: | None that I have noticed | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mtn Stratos, Kona Kula | | Bike Setup: | Standard setup (SRAM 9.0 Brakes, Z2 Atom 80 fork, Race Face everything else), except I changed deraileur to XT | | Bottom Line: | STEEL FRAMES RULE!!!
I just got it, but it is increadible. The geomentry inspires confidence uphil, downhill and just trialsn around.
Before I bought, I asked Rocky Mtn tech support about a 6'3", 230 lb rider riding off picnic tables and the like. They said, "have fun, but you may want to put the heavy springs in the fork". Fischer, GT and others got all defensive, saying their bike was not designed for that type of riding. Only Rocky Mtn and Kona said "Have Fun". And it is far from being a 30 lb freeride bike.
However, as it is brand new (days) I have not gotten out for a "real" ride yet. I'll post another review. But, if you are bigger, ride hard, or are just fed up with disposable super light bikes, take one out for a spin. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shannon
a Weekend Warrior
from Junction City
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mckenzie | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Nice welds, incredible paint, and geometry that inspires confidence! | | Weaknesses: | NONE!! | | Similar Products Used: | Various Hardtails, and a few suspension frames | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Z1 CR
Avid 4.0
xtr & xt
RaceFace system
RaceFace LP Cranks and Rings
RaceFace riser bars
RaceFace Seat post
and a sweet light wheelset | | Bottom Line: | This frame replaces my 2000 FSR XC Comp. The Blizzard has incredible handling and will inspire you to attempt things that even on a suspension bike you would fret over. There is no noticeable flex, yet being steel it is a supple ride and does not beat the S@#T out of you. Its handling is predictable, even with the long travel fork. If you are considering this bike, you will be very happy with it, it is simply the nicest frame I have ridden, and I have been riding for 18+ years. This bike corners like it is on rails, descends with the best of them, and is an agile quick climber. The ultimate, all around, do anything, get your willy wet, kind of bike. Buy one and you will do nothing but ride......... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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