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Submitted by
Ripper
a Weekend Warrior
from Squamish, BC
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Powersmart | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | North Shore Bike Swa | | Strengths: | -Takes a beating and keeps coming back for more.
-Super-Light by comparison to anything else that can stand-up to abuse like this bike can | | Weaknesses: | -z150 FR SL is a challenge to set up right, (but is buttery smooth once you do). | | Similar Products Used: | Giant XTC AC2 | | Bike Setup: | z150 FR SL, Fox RP23, SRAM X.0 shifting, Shimano XT hydro brakes, Truvativ Hussefelt | | Bottom Line: | I was looking for a new fork, but when I saw this bike I knew I had to try it out. Within a 2 minute test ride, I knew I had to trade up from the AC2. Bought it 20 mins later.
3 years later I am still loving it, just spent the last few weekends in the Whistler Bike Park riding Blue Velvet, Original Sin, No Joke, Freight Train, Dirt Merchant, and easily keeping up with guys on way bigger bikes.
The fact that I can pedal this bike when I need to lets me take it into trails I wouldn't get to on a bigger bike as well.
It'll be a pretty impressive bike that makes me want to trade up from this one. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Juneau,AK,USA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Glacier Cycle | | Strengths: | breaks and suspenion | | Weaknesses: | none that i have found | | Similar Products Used: | Kona dawg primo with same parts as on my switch. | | Bike Setup: | 6" and 6" with hays hydro'disc,sram x-7 shifters,foxRP3 rear and Marzooci bomber in the front | | Bottom Line: | I recently bought a switch SL. This is by far one of the best bikes I've riden. This weekend I was doing a set of stairs (8 set)and between the 7th and 8th sets my rear shock preloaded and sprung me on to my front end, I almost came over the bars, I dont know how I didnt cause the back tire was about 2-3 feet off the ground going down the last set. I know the bike had a lot to do with it and I think if I was on just about any other bike i would have come over the bars. This is a great bike for just about anybody who likes to do a little freeriding,climbing,Dirtjumping,and urban. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
calvin
a Weekend Warrior
from surrey
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | platinum | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | very light and strong for how light | | Weaknesses: | not the greatest geo.. only good for jumps not for dh, | | Similar Products Used: | lots | | Bike Setup: | marz z150fr, vanilla r | | Bottom Line: | good bike if ur into light freeride or jumps like aline but just doesn't do the all around stuff. Good for someone getting into freeride. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Albany
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Gt southern bikes | | Strengths: | Nice paint job | | Weaknesses: | Don't last | | Similar Products Used: | nil | | Bike Setup: | Same as previous review with fox dhx 5 deemax rims which suck as well | | Bottom Line: | Well things have changed a bit in two and half years .Just to paint a quick picture.I am a 37 year on father of two I weigh about 75 kg.Ride light freeride/cross country and I was hoping this bike would last a bit longer than it did.I noticed a creeking which I first thought was my seat.On closer inspection to my surprise, there was a crack in the strut plates which the end of the shock buts into.The crack then continued into the top tube.I was one ride away from a total disaster.I rang rocky mnt knowing it was pointless,but I did want to hear what they had to say.The guy at rocky said what year,I said 04 ,Oh that bike only had a one year waranty.Funny that my book here said 3 years.Anyhow, just for all you young freeriders out there this bike won't last a season if it can't even last an old dude like me 2 and a bit years.Good luck with any waranty issues.I say bring on the 06 Turner Highline, Oh yeah. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Somewhere, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | the one with the rocks, by the tree | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | EMS | | Strengths: | Solid, tough frame. Hayes HFX9 brakes. | | Weaknesses: | Marz Z1FR1 is sprung too stiff for me, seat post slips. | | Similar Products Used: | Titus RX100, Maverick ML8, Cannondale HTs. | | Bike Setup: | Stock Switch SL except Z1FR1 on front and Fox DHX4.0 on back, swapped RMB FR saddle to an Avocet Air 02 (can anyone really pedal with that FR saddle?). | | Bottom Line: | I have been riding a Titus RX100 for about 4 years now. Its been a great bike, but more and more I was getting the feeling that I was having to slow down or lighten up on the bigger stuff. It seemed that I was getting to the edge of its capabilities.
I ride mainly in New England where there are a ton of rocks and roots. The hills are short, but steep and technical. I haven't historically done a lot of Freeride stuff, but I would like to do more in the future.
I was in no position financially to buy a new bike. I was at EMS and they had a closeout on '05 bikes, I just couldn't resist. I never buy stuff without fully checking it out here at MTBR or other review sites, but I did this time. The Switch I bought has a "special" EMS configuration, it has a Marz Z1FR1 on the front and a Fox DHX 4.0 on the back. This is slightly different than the stock Switch SL.
I absolutely love this bike. Its very stiff and inspires confidence when screaming down the rough trails we ride here in CT. Its about 3 lbs heavier than my Titus, but that's only really noticeable when I have to get off and push it. Since getting this bike, I've ridden several ascents and descents that I've never made before on my Titus (a few I've never even attempted!). The Propedal on the DHX 4.0 is amazing, zero pedal bob, yet its really plush when I hit something in the trail.
I've found that in order to really get the most out of this bike, you've got to ride hard and fast - both up and down. This is different from my Titus which seeemed to want me to ride smooth and with more finesse. Of course keeping this bike moving requires extra input from the rider (i.e. more energy) but the bike rewards with smooth, quick response.
After a month and a half of riding, I'm just now getting to the point where I am trusting the bike and realizing I don't need to use the brakes so much. Speaking of brakes these Hayes HFX9 carbons are amazing! I was riding Avid BB brakes - no more! Hydros rule.
I have two minor complaints with the bike both of which I think I can work out - the Marz Z1FR1's spring is too stiff for me, even with zero psi in the preload (170lbs riding weight), Marz doesn't have a lighter spring for it. I haven't messed with anything yet, I've heard putting lighter oil in will solve this problem, we'll see. The other issue is the seatpost slips, no matter how tight I've got the collar. There's got to be something simple I can do to rectify this.
At $1800 I feel like I stole this bike from EMS. I'm really enjoying the ride. Its a bit heavy, I could probably trim a pound or two with changes to the fork and shock, but it seems to be working for me, so I'll probably just stick with what I have for now. I was dreaming of an Intense 6.6 or a Nomad, but realistically, I don't know if I could have ever saved up enough money to get one. It will be interesting to swing my leg over my ignored Titus in a month or two to see how different they feel. I was initially concerned because I was going from a high-end bike to more of a consumer level, but I realize now that's all hogwash. A nice bike is a nice bike - and this is definitely a nice bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sev hambarsumian
a Weekend Warrior
from los angeles ca
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | looks,frame quality,wheelset,almost everything on this bike is of high quality | | Weaknesses: | The saddle is not very comfortable on climbs,I think thats because its more of a freeride saddle. rear hub | | Similar Products Used: | specialized big hit fsr | | Bike Setup: | all stock except for wtb saddle,thompson elite,e-13 bashguard | | Bottom Line: | This bike is great, it climbs like a hartail and comes down sweet.Perfect all mountain rig,gives me alot of confidence on the singletrack.It's kind of pricey but well worth the investment.If your looking for a nice all mountain do anything bike the switch sl is perfect. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rixh Bussell
a Weekend Warrior
from Surprise AZ
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 100 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Extremely well built. | | Weaknesses: | SRAM equiped | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized enduro expert | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike. It is "beefy" and should last a long time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Waterloo, Ontario
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Urban | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Warrentee | | Strengths: | Style, Smooth Travel, Float RP3 Shock is amazing | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | 2003 RM Switch LTD, 2002 Kona Roast, 2001 RM Edge | | Bike Setup: | Diabolus stem, seatpost, cranks, e13 chainguide, Sun MTX with Holy Rollers, SRAM X9, Marz Z1 FR1, FSA headset, Hadley hubs, Azonic bars/pedals, Funn full throttle seat | | Bottom Line: | The is a great all mountain or light freeride bike. If you want to freeride this you'll be fine as long as you aren't a hack and case a lot of stuff. The frame is great and the travel feels super smooth but if you are hard on frames go with the regular switch or even the RMX because the Switch SL does use lighter tubing...I've never heard of one breaking though.
The Fox Float RP3 shock truely is a miracle worker. I've never been a big pedalling efficiency guy but that flick switch makes a HUGE difference, that in combination with the ETA on the Marz. Z1 makes this a very climbable bike....it also helps that it's spec'd to weigh 36lbs.
Rocky Mountain makes awesome bikes with awesome quality, I'd say this is the perfect bike for the smooth freerider. If you're hard on bikes go for the regular switch or RMX and if you really only ride all mountain get the 2006 Slayer cuz that bike looks amazing.
Oh, I got this frame as a warrentee replacement for my 2003 Switch Ltd which came with a crack in the tubing (not RM's fault as it wasn't at a weld or anything but they should have caught it). I built this frame up as a very durable yet light freerider than I can take out for an XC ride occasionally. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric C
a Weekend Warrior
from Davis Ca,
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Rockville rock garden | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | feels great. Handles incredible. Takes drops sweet and makes you feel really confident in the sadle. Makes you a better rider. | | Weaknesses: | if your in shape you can pedel up hills. Mine comes in at
36#. Could use 1 more inch in the cockpit | | Similar Products Used: | xc bikes with 4" travel | | Bike Setup: | like the specs say | | Bottom Line: | if you can pedel up hill this thing will rock coming down. It will take anyting you give it and it feels sweat. Excellent balance. Makes drops feel easy and smooth. Really sweat bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Hsieh
a Downhiller
from Hacienda Heights, CA , USA
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Skyline trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 2300 | | Strengths: | This Bike is the Shiznit... it rocks. It can take whatever you give it. It isn't to heavy to bike up. | | Weaknesses: | None that i know. | | Bike Setup: | Stock w/ cully pedals | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks. This is the first bike i've owned. It is also the first bike i started riding trails with. The bike give me so much balls. In less than two weeks i was taking jumps and dropoffs. of 5 feet. Do keep in mind i've haven't rode a bike since i was 6 years old. The way it looks is really good. I've crashed on it many times and it holds up. It is also not to hard to pedal up a mountain. The only thing i might complain about is that the stock tires has alot of rolling resistance so on flats it takes a bit more work than other bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Price
a Weekend Warrior
from Sacramento, Ca., USA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Salman Falls. North Star Ski Resort | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | River Rat Mountain bikes | | Strengths: | Frame strength, Paint quality, Suspension and wheeles are top of the line. The Switch SL is lighter than the Switch and rides even lighter than it is. | | Weaknesses: | The brakes and drive train don't read well.they are not the same level as the rest of the bike. How ever they seem to perform just fine. I can't find a good reason to change any thing yet.
| | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale V-1000 | | Bike Setup: | Stock. Hayes FX9 brakes. Shimano XT front and rear. Fox Float AVL Pro pedal with Marzocchi Z150 FR SL forks. | | Bottom Line: | The bike rides like a dream. Up hill is great and down hill is even better. I changed the tires for better rolling resistance. The bike came with 2.6 Ritchey Motovaders. I went to 2.5 WTB Weirwolfs. The bike is not quit as fast as my Canndale but I spend a lot less time walking.I do agressive trail riding and the bike is just flat impressive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Durango
Date Reviewed: August 27, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Jone-Dutch Creek-Hermosa | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | Canyon Bikes | | Strengths: | Solid Frame, Great welds and paint, Rocky Mountain, solid components | | Weaknesses: | Poor set up information, had to search to far to find out how to best set up the bike | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Mountian Slayer, Santa cruz Bullit | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | Great do anything bike, have done everything from high alpine rides, local cruzer trail, freeride stunts, ski area riding, excells in all situations, very little compromise. You have to be fit to ride up hill but thats why you ride up hill. Suspension grips climbs better than brittle 4" travel bikes, Fork takes time to dail.
Bike likes to be ridden from the middle, good balance on rollers, corners great and can accelerate on G outs. Sucks up all small and big bumps and transitions very well to manuals and wheelies, very light feeling when in the air. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Dixon
a Weekend Warrior
from Albany,Western Australia
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | every where | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | Great Southern bikes | | Strengths: | Strongly built,quality running gear,handles well,Z150fr | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | None,have'nt riden a six inch front and rear freeride bike before this one. | | Bike Setup: | Stock,other than carbon hayes brake levers,xtr shifters,tioga 2.3s and a fifth element coil over with a fox rc vanilla as a back up. | | Bottom Line: | Well you might not be the first bike to the top of the hill when out riding with mates.But who cares.Having said that this rig pedals well, both with stable platform or pro pedal.Z150s are where its at,just drop them for the climbs and extend them for the down hill(wicked).This bike is built for abuse,its what you would expect because it comes from the land of extreme mountain biking,tried and tested. At the end of the day, the RM Switch ahieves what it is designed to do with out any compromises and for that five big ones | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dominic
a Downhiller
from Milton
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Yup, that one! | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | TriCity Mountain Bike | | Strengths: | Design. Weight, not bad for a big drop bike. Travel, great smooth quality travel, not just 6 inches but 6 smooth inches. Hand made with Easton Tubing. Really pedals great. Great looks. Even a water bottle mount. Super versatile, not an XC racer but I do know someone who could race one(he's a little nuts). Great value for what your getting. | | Weaknesses: | Front derailleur mount is still funky with their CNC'd frame adaptor. Weight, she needs a little diet to be really an "SL". The Fork came way low on oil. This should go more against Marzocchi but Rocky still installed it and sent it without even testing its lock down as did Marzocchi. | | Similar Products Used: | RM7, IronHorse SGS, Marin DH Pro | | Bike Setup: | `04 Rocky Mountain Switch SL, Fox Float RL AVA ProPedal, Marzocchi Z-150SL, Mavic DeeMax Tubeless, Hutchinson Octopus 2.3, SRAM X0 shifters & derailleur, LX Front derailleur, SRAM Chain, Evolve RaceFace cranks & Bottom Bracket, Easton carbon Bar & Post, Easton Vice Stem, Time Z-Control Pedals, FSA DH Pig Headset, Hayes Mag Plus Brakes(8" front, 6" back), Salsa Flip Off Post Clamp(only thing to hold a Easton Carbon in place), WTB Saddle. Total bike weight=33.5lbs not bad for 6 x 6. | | Bottom Line: | This bike pedals great for a bike that can be used DH or Freeride. Feels alot like my RM7 on the bike hits and drops but not quite as soft as a full coil sprung rig on the small, high frequency bumps but she more than makes up for it when you pedal her. It took a few tries to dial in the Fox Float RL AVA. All the deflating, twisting the air chamber volume then refilling takes some time and patience but I'm glad I followed the manual because it was dead on accurate. In the factory setting it bottomed out way to easy after setting sag but after it was set up right it will take a really big hit to bottom it. The fork is great now the oil heights are correct. The dampening and ECC5 didn't work right but was cured with adding the proper amount of oil. Last week I rode this bike after riding my DH bike and was nailing the runs at about the same speed. Later that day I left my XC bike parked and used it on an epic XC ride. It's alot of bike for the cash. It's hand made with great parts. I've had great luck with Rocky's and I'm sure this is the same. The New RaceFace Evolve crank is a great "corner cutter" because it's more like their Turbine cranks weight and quality at the old Prodigy's price. I was sceptical about them being on the less expensive side of RaceFace but after a long enough testing they rock! Great Bike! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eyema Shyster
a Weekend Warrior
from North Dakota
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Maah Da Hey | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$3100.00 | | Strengths: | The bike as a whole ! | | Weaknesses: | Shimano...nuff said. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant VT1, Epic Marathon, SC Bullit | | Bike Setup: | Fox Vanilla RC, Z150 FR, Mallet C's, SRAM X9 (shifters and derailleur) | | Bottom Line: | Hmmmm.The price is a little steep, with that being said I would also like to add that you do get what you pay for. This bike is just under 40 lbs (mine is because i went with coil as opposed to air and heavier pedals) but the thing pedals much lighter. While not being a big hit bike it gives you the feeling that it should be. It truly has lifted my abilities to another level by inspiring a confidence that can only be achieved when all factors are matched up just right. Geometry, leverage ratio, suspension design, it all just feels so good. If you are looking for a XC racer, look elsewhere, if you are looking for the one bike that you can show off on, rails, skinnies, drops, the gnarliest of singletrack, whistler bike park, shuttled runs or pedaled.
Allright....It's a Rocky and they have hit it on the head with this one !! She's a beauty !! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Thacker
a Downhiller
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | McBride Bicycle in Toronto | | Strengths: | you want a bike that u can use and abuse then this is the bike for you!! | | Weaknesses: | well other than the fact that rocky speced the bike with the wrong size chain rings, pressed in my headset wrong once, then i sold my bike and got another one shipped and not discovered that they sent me the wrong seat post i have nothing to complain about right now | | Similar Products Used: | i rode a Giant AC2 once. but that thing was sh*t and doesn't compare | | Bike Setup: | stock except for a bashring and some flat pedals | | Bottom Line: | other than the fact that rocky made a boo-boo with the chain rings they scored with this bike in my books. now i'm totally pro rocky, i own two, made my sister by one and point everyone who walks into my store towards them, so my view is totally one sided here. i have owned/riden both the air and coil versions of this bike and the coil is definatly the way to go. basically the bottom line is this. if you have the coin and want an amazing hand built in canada bike go with this rocky or any other rocky. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Taylor
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Power Carve | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$3900.00 | | Strengths: | I have only had this bike for one week now. And I have come to a quick conclusion because I have been convinced so fast. This bike has amazing quality products stuck every where on it. The frame is bullet proof, and this thing can ride uphill just as good as down. There isn't enough great things that I can say about the Switch SL. | | Weaknesses: | The price is the only weakness! | | Similar Products Used: | RM6, Switch, Norco Launch, Edge, RM7 | | Bike Setup: | I put on WELGO flats instead of the clip-in pedals, and opted for the Vanilla RC in stead of the Float R air shock. The fork is a Z-150 SL, and I chose the air fork because it locks out. This really helps on the climbs. Other than that, all other parts are stock. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is absolutely and utterly amazing. I feel so confident on this bike, and I love the riding position on it. The 8 inch rotors, 6 inches of travel, awesome components, and the sweet tires too are excellent. There is nothing really I can stress more, if you love the feeling you get when your on a bike, it is twenty times better on the Switch SL. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick
a
from Manitoba, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Minaki, Ontario | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2700.00 | | Purchased At: | www.gords.com | | Strengths: | Everything, It's a Rocky Mountain. The new leverage ratio combined withe the Z150 FR and Vanilla RC with the propedal, make this bike pedal very efficiently while smoothing out any terrain that it confronts. | | Weaknesses: | Hmmmm...can't think of one, maybe a little pricey. | | Similar Products Used: | I never owned a six and six. But I have talked with some people who have test rode everything Norco has, as well as some others and they have told me that this would be thier fisrt choice. | | Bike Setup: | Pretty much stock at the moment. I opted for the Vanilla RC instead of the Float AVA. As well as the Z150 FR over the Z150 FR SL. I traded the big ring for a bashgaurd. | | Bottom Line: | Well, my confidence level went through the roof, just because of the way it handles, nothing short of amazing. It's a fact that you won't be winning any races on this bike, XC ones anyway, but if some good old drops and super aggresive XC mixed in with some jumping and maybe some downhill is your bag, than you can't go wrong with this bike...after all, let's not forget where these bikes are designed and tested, as well as handbuilt no less, the home of hardcore mountain biking...British Columbia and the North Shore!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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