|
Rocky Mountain
Oxygen Race
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Luke Patterson
a Cross Country Rider
from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Sidewinder, Fernie, BC | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Used | | Strengths: | 1.Wicked Fast and responsive.
2.Stiff
3.Aggressive Geometry
4.Sharp Steering
5.Light | | Weaknesses: | 1.Chainsuck (it's terrible for this)
2.Weak Decals
3.Mushy Stock brakes no matter what you do to them
4. Heavy Fork (4 lbs. only 80mm of travel) | | Similar Products Used: | Norco Bush Pilot, Specialized Epic | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2001 Model with upgraded Crossmaxx XL wheels and Continental Explorer Tires. | | Bottom Line: | A wicked fast, responsive, and fast steering race bike.
If you want to go fast, this bike is for you!!! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Saby R
a Weekend Warrior
from Halifax
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$3500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | made in Canada (as opposed to some 3 rd world country), hand made (at least for the welds), very aggresive geometry, good for acceleration and climbing. Exremly stiff and the bike look awsome (97 red and yellow) | | Weaknesses: | Unforgiving (depending on your skills this can me a stength), the logos could have been painted instead of stickers (Rocky addressed that issue on their following model) | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountain Cardiac | | Bike Setup: | FULL XTR, Race face Next LP, Syncros (Stem, seatpost and headset), Rhyno Lite (22.5 lbs). | | Bottom Line: | This bike is nothing like the stock model, I have upgraded everything to XT when I bought it, then recently to XTR. The frame still perform the same way it did 5 years ago. For the price I paid back them I could have gone for a lighter model like the ThinAir but lighter also mean not as stiff or resistant (I am a fairly big rider). I would really like to change this bike but to be honnest I cannot come up with any good reason. If you can put your hamd on a new or used one, if the size is right, do not hesitate, this is an outstanding bike.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | 1) The "nard saver" bar. I.e., it has an aggressively sloped top-tube with great stand-over clearance.
2) Has put up with my abuse. This is a pretty big deal after seeing a friend's bike crack.
3) Better than average stock tires. I think stock were the velociraptors, but I had some similar Mythos thingie. I guess the bike shop changed them.
| | Weaknesses: | 1) Chain suck is unforgivable. The only real reason I want to replace this bike. Friend bought a 2001 Oxygen and I see the tight clearance and wish him well. I ruin chains on a regular basis.
2) Seat post was weak, but I did need to pull it right to the limit line because of the aggressively-sloped top tube.
3) Brakes are not good. Even new cables and housing do not seem to improve them. The spring back on the brakes and brake levers are *terrible*
4) Smoother, rounded stem to "soften" nasty knee impacts would have been nice, but I don't recall those stems being common in 97/98.
5) Due to tight small triangle (which is due to the nard saver top tube) second water bottle braze-on is under the down tube. This is useless since the bottle gets totally muddy. I had to buy a hydration backpack.
| | Similar Products Used: | This was my first mtn bike. Have tried friends bikes for half-rides. | | Bike Setup: | 97 or 98 model (yellow) -- can't remember the year
Paid $1600, got bike plus freebies.
Small: about equivalent to a 16.5" using a normal measurement system.
LX shifters / XT deraillers (stock)
Avid 2.0 brakes and levers (stock)
Shimano Drivetrain (stock)
Crappy bent seatpost, replaced with RaceFace XY
Not fond of the Ritchey pedals it came with. Replaced with Shimano 747's, which I must say are awesome.
Good seat, but replaced with one of those Specialized erection savers with the crack after 2 years. | | Bottom Line: | Ridden it for 4 or 5 years, not sure which, and it has put up with all kinds of abuse and crashes. Managed to dent the bottom bracket a bit riding home-made totters and landing on the bricks used for support.
The chain suck is annoying enough that if any bike even looks a bit like the chain stays are close to the rings I will not buy it. I think that rules out Oxygens unless they do some re-design. Sorry Rocky, but I'm sick of taking out mashed links on the trail.
Various different anti-chain suck devices have been tried, and they die quickly due to being continually smacked by the chain. Also, they are not bombproof, and when you have one one and chain suck manages to occur, it is 1000 times worse. I removed my for this last season and had pretty good luck. Totally new drivetrain probably helped a bit, too. But it is still there, damn it.
If you ride it on dry fire roads, you probably won't have such a big problem with chain suck ... but if you honch through mud and do lots of technical stuff you will whine as much as I do.
If you don't weigh a lot, or if you don't like to ride small bikes, your seatpost won't be so high and maybe you won't have to replace it. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, On, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light frame, decent mix of Shimano and brand name components such as Marzocchi and Avid. Tires are good too but a bit aggressive for city trail riding. | | Weaknesses: | Shock should be a Z3 light or long travel. Brakes are a bit weak but effective with a lot of pull. | | Bike Setup: | 99 model - 17.5 inch'r, xt/lx drivetrain. Z4 fr, avid brakes. | | Bottom Line: | So far the bike is performing well. I haven't experienced the so called "chain suck" that others have (yet). Hopefully it continues to perform as well as it currently is.
I think adventually if I have any money to spend on it, I'll change my stem and bar. I prefer a riser.
Otherwise, this bike is a charm. Welding craftsmanship is of the highest quality for the impecable buyer.
In all, I recommend this bike for a novice to weekend small event rider like myself. The bike is light and very agile. Rocky builds great Canadian bikes.. even for East coast riders eh!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kurt
a Cross-Country Rider
from Edmonton
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Terwilliger | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
'97!The bike is extremely light and handles like its on rails. The finish on the paint is prime, but the decals are weak. | | Weaknesses: |
Freakin Chain suck! Every one complains about the horrible chain suck on these bikes | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized stumpjumper, S works, FSR, Kona. | | Bike Setup: |
The indy was a piece of garbage, Upgraded to a rock shox SID. And switched the shifter to shimano XT. | | Bottom Line: | Smokin' ride with a little tweakin! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
moe
a Weekend Warrior
from edmonton
Date Reviewed: July 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
nordegg stuff | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
strong, stiff frame aggressive geometry
spec'd nicely in 1997
good price in 1997
frame sizes (17.5)
chainsuck guard!!!
Canadian product!!!! | | Weaknesses: |
decals peal off easily | | Similar Products Used: |
Specialized
Big Wheel
Pedal Car | | Bike Setup: |
red with yellow decals and RS Indy XC | | Bottom Line: | This bike was a great deal when I bought it. I still ride the frame, but almost everything on it has been upgraded. This bike is so strong! It has survived a lot of punishment over the past 3 years, and has come out of all situations solidly. Thanks Rocky- my next bike in a year or two will definitely be a Rocky full-suspension!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade Ingledew
a Cross-Country Rider
from Victoria BC
Date Reviewed: May 17, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Light, quick and maneoverable | | Weaknesses: |
Stock seatpost, handlebar, chainrings are weak and easily bent.
Severe chainsuck problems have plagued this bike since the first ride. | | Similar Products Used: |
Kona, Cannondale, Schwinn | | Bike Setup: |
upgrade to syncros seatpost, stem, handlebar and crankset | | Bottom Line: | Something about the crank, bottombracket and chainstay setup seems to invite chainsuck like no other bike. Some stock parts are unacceptable for normal and large size riders (strength-wise). The bike does ride nicely though..., | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stew the Mountain Man
a cross-country rider
from Montreal Quebec
Date Reviewed: October 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Got the Oxygen (the color is mango, by the way)this spring, and I have raced it in six races, road and trail ridden it about 2000km over the summer and fall. It is one stable ride. It climbs like a demon, flies down hills, and best of all, in very technical riding it is amazing. Tons of standover clearance, very light front end, and usually both wheels are just glued to the trail, whether it is rock, root or dirt. I put my '96 Z2s on the front (heavyish but plush). I put a Race Face crank, rings and headset on the bike. Pedals are Time ATAC carbon (the best!). Stock brakes are Avid 2.0, gears are ESP 9.0 (fickle but great when they work) with gripshift. I changed the handlebars and seatpost to Easton CT2, which rock! Oh yeah, I changed the stem to a Syncros hinged, and the bike handles even better with this shorter, flatter stem than the stock Ritchey. The seat is a fizik Pave (road seat).The standard tires are WTB velociraptor, and they were excellent. I'm now using either Bontrager SS (excellent) or Specialized Dirt Control (awesome when it's too gross for slicks).So I guess about half the bike isn't stock anymore, but the geometry of the frame is just awesome. Road riding gets a little uncomfortable after 40km, but then it's not a road bike.The stock chain sucked (literally and figuratively) and ended my race after 9km on a nasty uphill at Mont Ste. Anne. Replaced it with a Sachs PC-91, and have had no problems since. I'll keep this bike, for a long time. It's too good now to sell!5 chilies for this hot dog!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc Zurfluh
a cross-country rider
from Montreal, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a '97 Oxygen Race early in the season and I love it. It is damn light and overall has a smart component selection. The Avid 2.0 levers are amazing and work excellent with the LX brakes. I changed the shifters to LX Rapidfires because I hate Grip SHIfT. But I think the retail price is way too high at $1600.00 CAN. I payed $1200 which is what I think would be a fair asking price. Also, I think the Indy XC's really suck. It took me 3 months to get them worn in enough to absorb impacts, and a month after that they're already too mushy. Another problem is that the derailleur hanger is way too weak. Sure they're supposed to break in a hard impact, but it's not supposed have butter like qualities. Also my rear rim has to be trued after almost every ride, which gets pretty annoying.
The pedals are pretty good, but it would be a good idea to upgrade to Shimano 535's.Despite all the things I criticized, I think this is an amazing performing bike and I would recommend it if you can get one for less than $1300 (CAN). | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J.R.C.W
a racer
from Pickering,Ont. Canada
Date Reviewed: September 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike kicks a@# .I swear if you are thinking of buying a new bike this is the one. This bike is light durable and very fast, trust me. I have had a cuple of minor problems,but what I put my bikes through I am just suprised it hasn't left me stranded.This bike is so nice,once I rode this bike I had to buy it. It has better performance and a chepper price than anything in it's class. A perfect rating for this one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin Dudemaine
a cross-country rider
from Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Very well designed bike! For the past 8 years I was riding my good old Rocky Mountain Fusion, which is still an excellent bike. But now with my brand new Oxygen Race, I feel 10 years younger! It's light, responsive, and it climbs like crazy. The only cloud in that otherwise clear blue sky was that nasty chain suck on my very second ride. It stuck in so tight that I had to walk back and remove the crank to release the chain. I then had to change the lower chain ring which bent badly, and one chain link. I installed one of those small chain-suck plates to avoid this from happening again and everything has been fine since. I highly recommend the chain-suck plate; because when it sucks, it sucks! Otherwise, 3 cheers for Rocky Mountain! You make great bikes! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brendan Bowie
a racer
from U.S. OF A.
Date Reviewed: July 19, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
LAST YEAR I RACED ON A OLD HEAVIER BIKE THAT SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS AND NOW I'M RIDDIN' THE OXYGEN. THIS BIKE REALLY ROCKS. ALL I HAD TO SWITCH WAS A BUM DERAILLER. AND THAT WAS MY LOCAL BIKE SHOPS FAULT NOT ROCKYS. LOOKOUT AZ HERE COMES A NEW RACER.THANKS ROCKY YOUR THE BEST | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Rae
a cross-country rider
from Truro, N.S,Canada
Date Reviewed: July 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Hey Guys/girls:well this bike worked like a piece of crap, but once it got broken in it works like a dream.The forked failed (seal)just a couple weeks after i purchased it.After Marz. fixed it for free it it began to work like a dream, as long as u keep it lubed with judy butter or get some boots for them.
I must say the paint job really sucks and the decals are just cheap stickers with no coat to protect them like specialized.
The shifting works really good except for the rear shifting control exploding!!
Chain suck seems to be a major problem for me, there is already a large crevous in the frame from the chain eatin away at the frame when it's pushed up in between the frame and the chain rings.
Speaking of chain i had to replace the chain and fixed numerous links other times.
Well this bike seems to work good when u need it to but it breaks at times when it dosn't matter (screwin around in the yard) then GET THIS BIKE!PS new chain is a MUST! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kimberly Gylytiuk
a cross-country rider
from Peterborough, Ontario
Date Reviewed: July 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got into mountain biking this year, and fell madly in love! I quickly became irritated with the heavy Raleigh I had borrowed, and went shopping for my own bike. Unfortunately, it was next to impossible to find a '98 Oxygen in my size (17.5), and decided on a 97 with a set of Judy's to replace the Indy's. I've been spending every spare moment tearing through the local trails, single tracks...and love hitting the provincial parks for wooded trails. Wow, was there life before mountain biking??????? I luva my bike, Rocky Mountain really knows how to turn out a beautiful bike with Canada written all over it!
I am aspiring to get into racing.....any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Milo de Villiers
a cross-country rider
from Crescent Beach, British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
My new Oxygen is the best bike I have ever ridden (and I've ridden quite a few). The Z3 is a great fork even without easily adjustable damping. I absolutly love the ESP 9.0 stuff and the Avid brakes stop the bike like nothing else. The colour is odd (they call it macarroni and cheese) but it still looks better than any AMERICAN bike.
Yeeeeeeehah!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Prowse
a weekend warrior
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just few weeks ago bought the Oxygen Race (1998) and it is the best bike I have ever riden, and I have ridin' a lot of bikes. Goes up-hill with out peddling almost. For the money it's the best Rocky Mountain you can get. I need to write a little bit more to make 50 words. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Craig Bunten
a cross-country rider
from Charlotte, VT USA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
It's great bike. Rocky has made a bike thats light and fast, which suits the conditions around here. ESP is slow in the mud, but when it's clean the shifting is sweet. Avid brakes are a disappointment, but hey for $950 it's a great bike. The Z3 up front is great fork that works in all conditions. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rainman
a cross-country rider
from Calgary, Alberta
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike is awesome. The '97 version comes with a good selection of components for the price, and the best part: they work! The frame is very light, and I've never experienced a better sense of control through the technical stuff. Climbs like a goat. Sweet paint job too. Rocky rules! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob King
a cross-country rider
from Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought this bike at the beginning of last year. It is one of the best bikes I have ever riden for the price. The attention to detail is great with the anit chain suck thing which is not there on more expensive bikes. The Indys were no good so I bought a set of Manitou's SX. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Waif
a cross-country rider
from Alberta Ca.
Date Reviewed: April 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Just picked up this bike to replace an older rocky mountain steel hardtail. Is a fast light ride that smokes on the hills. Components are great witha Z3 Maz fork , ESP 9.) shifters and an lx/xt groupo. Avid brakes are the best I've tried. The only thing I can't figure out is the color (not that it matters); is not yellow and is not orange.....hmmmm. Anyway for the price this bike kicks A$$. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jecke
a weekend warrior
from Hassleholm Sweden
Date Reviewed: February 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is the best alu bike I ever have owned. Great handeling and gives just the right support when peddaling.
I have replased the Gp to XT-rapids, the hard as a rock saddle aginst a Vetta crule love and the handelbar to a Scott DH, next in line to change is the fork to Manitous SX-R. Other vise the bike is the greatest.
Thanks Rocky | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mulder
a cross-country rider
from B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: November 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike kicks some serious butt. It weighs like a feather but is as strong as anything. It handles VERY nicely for an aluminum bike. The only downside are the Indy XC Rock Shox, which don't perform like as well as I had hoped. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Dimitriadis
a weekend warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: July 12, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM. What else can you say about this bike. Its so easy to climb on this thing, I look forward to hills I used to avoid. The aluminium frame is supposed to be really stiff. but even in my weight category of 170, its just a matter of getting used to it. I changed my gripshifts for XT rapidfires, other than this the components suit my style of riding to a t, and the paintwork finish is superb. Bunnyhops become so easy compared to older, heavier bikes I have ridden. here is the final word. Oxygen race makes me ride like I am a kid again - even riding to the corner store makes me want to jump pavement, speed humps, fences etc - thanks rocky mountain. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thorsten Klaus
a cross-country rider
from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 19, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I recently purchased Rocky's new Oxygen Race, and I'm incredibly pleased
with it. It's AMAZING! It's pretty light (25.1 lbs), and it really loves
to climb! I'm clearing hills effortlessly that I used to have to walk up
with my old bike (some clunky Raleigh).It has a decent component set (XT rear, LX front deraillers, LX hubs,
X-RAY 800 grip shifts, M-600 V-brakes with Avid 2.0 levers, Sugino Impel
350 cranks). The frame is Easton Elite tubing and very light, and the
wheels are handbuilt (Signed by the builder - mine say something like
Fermi). The (clipless) pedals are Ritchey, and they're nice.The only minus might be the Sugino cranks, which seem to flex a little
under pressure.Otherwise, this bike ROCKS!! The quality is evident - this is one well-
designed and well-made bike!!! | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$
