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Rocky Mountain Element Carbon RSL 70 work with 650b?

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mtbdcd

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I see a couple of posts in the 26" compatible thread that is does,
I want to try 650b(both front and rear) and like this frame, so seems like a good match if rear clearance is enough.
On my Top Fuel, not enough room.
 
#2 ·
Yea, it works. Pretty darn well too. I put one together and have a few rides on it. Rear tire chainstay/seatstay clearance is good with both RR 2.25" on crest rim and quasi moto on blunt sl rim. Neither setup hits the seat tube at full shock compression either. As for the bike itself, it could be the most aggressive xc bike I have ever ridden (and I've been doing this kind of thing for a long time). I'll try to take a couple of pics and post them in the next couple of days.
 
#4 ·
I have been thinking of doing this with the MSL because it has 120mm of travel instead of the RSL's 100 but these frames are very difficult to find. I thought that since RM is phasing out the 26" carbon Elements in favor of 29's exclusively some would show up on the market. Otherwise I'll wait to see what they come out with in 650B in the fall.
 
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#5 ·
Here's the pics:thumbsup:

Rough description of the build:
X-Fusion Velvet 100mm fork
Hope Race M4/X2 brakes
XTR drivetrain (Sram cassette and KMC chain)
Industry Nine wheels w/ ZTR Crest Rims
Rotor 3D Crankset 40/27 Q rings
Selle Italia SLR seat, Easton carbon bar, Ra Ra 2.25 tires, Thomson stem/seatpost etc., et al...
Haven't put it on a scale but I'm guessing it is in the sub-23lb range (the x-fusion fork is heavy for an XC fork but is stiff and you don't notice the weight because it works so well).

This bike is fast, no doubt about it. The geometry is spot on, I can flick it if I want to, I I can throw it around, let the rear wheel drift, or the front, or both for that matter. The bottom bracket height is high enough so that if I want to pedal out of a turn from the apex with the bike leaned over I can without clipping a pedal on a root, rock, or the ground itself. If you are looking for an XC/Marathon race bike that can handle nasty terrain, this one should be on your short list.
 

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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Thanks for posting the pics. Very good looking bike. The 650b wheels make a bike look well proportioned.
You mention the Velvet being heavy, did you weigh yours? They say 1542 grams, which is pretty light for a fork that goes up to 140mm of travel.
Did you put an E type FD or i believe the frame can have a direct mount FD?
 
#10 ·
Entrenador- Static BB height is 12 7/8 inches, so not sky high. Like I said, it definitely helps with the whole pedal strike thing, and the bike's flickability. Yet it is still stable at speed- since it is a 26 frame, the BB drop is the same as it would be if you were running 26 wheels, and the increased trail from the 650b wheel both help to balance out the higher BB.

mtbdcd- I didn't weigh the velvet fork, apart from my "finger tip scale". I think there was a review on pink bike of one a few months back and it weighed in around the 4lb mark. You don't notice the weight at all. I have a Sid on my 26 Anthem and it feels like a pogoing noodle compared to the Velvet, so the added weight is going to the right places. Front derailleur is a direct mount, so you are correct.

Thanks all for the props on the build!
 
#11 ·
That bike looks awesome. There aren't a lot of 650b XC bikes out there, this is definitely one of the better builds I have seen.
 
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#12 ·
A thought on the 650b wheels...

I haven't mentioned anything about how the 650b wheel works on this bike. The wheels are there, they spin, they roll over the ground, they get you moving. That's it. They are transparent. I don't notice that I am on anything other than a Mountain Bike. That might be the best compliment to the wheel size I can make, and it think it holds the promise as to what 650b may bring.
 
#13 ·
jrsbike said:
I have been thinking of doing this with the MSL because it has 120mm of travel instead of the RSL's 100 but these frames are very difficult to find. I thought that since RM is phasing out the 26" carbon Elements in favor of 29's exclusively some would show up on the market. Otherwise I'll wait to see what they come out with in 650B in the fall.
Click to expand...
The MSL won't work as the additional 20mm of travel will cause the tire to hit the seat tube. The seat tube angle on the MSL is a bit slacker so there's less tire clearance available as well.
 
#14 ·
I know this is an old thread, but after reading it I decided to buy a set of 650b crest wheels and give them a go, my biggest fear was that it wouldn't be much different after spending the money. Well it is night and day, this thing is wicked now and I can't get the smile off my face. What I didn't like about my rsl 70 was the low bottom bracket and it was just too twitchy for me, could not be happier now. Also beating my Strava times consistently especially in the technical sections - Note: clearance not so good in mud but I am running 2.2 Ardent race tyres, so may go for a 2.0 on the back next time.
 
#15 ·
Hi Fatbarber,
How is the new tire setup working for you now? I converted my Element RSL with the Racing Ralph 2.25 tires and while the clearance works, I can only use the bike for dry conditions as I don't like the tires when it gets greasy/ muddy here in the Pacific NW. The Maxxis Ardent's look like a good aggressive tread. How is the clearance with the 2.2 under the fork? Have you changed to the 2.0 on the back and how does that work?

If anyone else has a tire suggestion for something more aggressive than the Racing Ralph, I am all ears.
Thanks.
 
#16 ·
Hi, Thanks for posting the above. I rode a friends and it felt great. I just bought an RSL frame on ebay and am collecting all the parts. I'm building up some crest rims on DT swiss 240's. I'm looking to have a 22-23lb bike when done. I'm more of a trail rider. Does anyone have experience running a 2.25 Nobby Nic on the rear? Can you run a 2.35 on the front? Also, I have a Fox 120 fork that I may try to slightly slacken the head angle. Has anyone tried that? I'll post photos. Should be done in a week or so. Loo
 
#18 ·
I know this thread is old, but want to contribute some of my recent experience. I own a 2012 Element 70 MSL (not RSL), and have recently converted to 27.5", as some others in this thread have done.

I also want to point out that some of the replies here are correct, some are not.

For wheelset, I have a set of WTB STP i25 27.5". Initially, I wasn't sure of what tires would work, but I had experience with Rubena tires being lower profile and narrower than other brands. I purchased a set of 27.5 x 2.25" Rubena Scylla tires, and they fit my stock Element 70 MSL with no issues. Tires cleared the chainstay and fork without any issues.

I got brave and tried to put a WTB Bee Line 27.5 x 2.2" tire on the rear, but didn't work. The tire profile was too high and the center knobs were hitting the chainstay. Just goes to show that not all tire manufacturers follow a standard.

Seeing kitsuma's post showing Racing Ralphs fit... this is correct. I purchased one 27.5 x 2.25" tubeless Racing Ralph and it fits on the rear with no issue. Plenty of clearance as he shows in the picture. I only bought one, so don't know how it works up front. At this time, I have upgraded to a 27.5" fork with same crown to axle distance as the stock, Fox 26" fork - this allowed me to keep the same overall geometry. Now, I'm able to run that WTB Bee Line up front.

As for the rear tire hitting the seat tube at full shock compression, I'm not sure where rockyuphill is getting his data, saying 'The MSL won't work as the additional 20mm of travel will cause the tire to hit the seat tube. The seat tube angle on the MSL is a bit slacker so there's less tire clearance available as well'.

I released rear shock pressure and compressed the rear triangle / shock to its limit, and the tire didn't come close to hitting the seat tube. No worries there, and even if it did, the chance of you fully compressing the shock on this bike are slim. I've never seen my shock o-ring get close to the bottom of the shock, even on my most 'bumpy' rides.

Gotta say, it was an awesome bike with 26" wheels, it's better with 27.5's! Might be a little less nimble, but it makes up for it with acceleration and clearance.
 
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