Interbike 2008 - Rocky Mountain Altitude 90 RSL

Oct 2, 2008
by Tyler Maine  
Rocky Mountain bikes have re-introduced the Altitude for 2009 and it is replacing the long running ETSX series from them. They have classified the Altitude as XC / Marathon, but after talking with Simmons and going for a ride with Andreas Hestler, I say that this is one heck of an All Mountain machine.

Check out the specs, HD Videos and pictures inside:
D'Arcy tells us about the technology behind the all new Rocky Altitude 90 RSL:

The flagship Altitude 90 RSL is Rocky's 5 inch travel full carbon do it all mountain bike. Featuring their own patented rear pivot, Straight Up Geometry and a full carbon frame, you can expect to see these bikes on trails and race courses all over the world.

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Rocky's own patented link

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The biggest stand out in terms of technology on the new Altitude line up in my opinion is the Straight Up Geometry. Rocky Mountain has taken the seat angle and steepened it up to 76 degrees - this is close to 2 degrees steeper than anyone else in the industry. The idea here is to compensate for rider sag that would bring the rider closer to a very efficient 74-75 degrees when seated for climbing up those very technical ascents.

Geometry

15"16.5"18"19.5"20.5"
HA69.069.069.069.069.0
SA7676767676
Eff TT540mm565mm575mm595mm615mm
CS428.7mm428.7mm428.7mm428.7mm428.7mm


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Carbon pivot


FrameRocky Mountain Altitude 90 RSL (Carbon)
•140mm of travel
•Sizes 15, 16.5, 18, 19.5 and 20.5
•Carbon front triangle, Carbon seat stays and Aluminum chain stays
Rear ShockFox Float RP3 - Custom Valved
ForkFox 32 Float RLC
•140mm Travel
•External Rebound, Compression and lock out adjustments
•15mm Axle
HeadsetFSA Orbit CS
CrankarmsRace Face Next X-Type
ChainringsRace Face 22/32/44T
Bottom BracketRace Face Next X-Type, 68/73mm
PedalsCrank Brothers Candy Clipless
ChainShimano XTR 9 speed
Cassette•Shimano XT 11-34 T, 9 Speed
Front DerailleurShimano XT (Direct Mount)
Rear DerailleurShimano XTR LP
Shifter Cable/HousingStock
Shifter PodsShimano XTR Rapid Fire 9spd
HandlebarRace Face Next XC Carbone low rise, 660mm width (31.8mm)
StemRace Face Deus SL XC Ti Bolts (31.8mm)
GripsRocky Mountain Foam Lock On
BrakesFormula R1 Hydraulic with 6" rotors
Front WheelMavic Crossmax SLR disc 15mm axle
Rear WheelMavic Crossmax SLR disc
TiresHutchinson Python
TubesStock
SaddleFi'zi:k Gobi
SeatpostRace Face Next XC SL 31.6mm

Wade Simmons tells us about why he rides the Altitude:

Please visit http://www.bikes.com to learn more about the rest of the Altitude line up.

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20 Comments
  • 1 0
 you know why Wade Simmons rides the Altitude? Because he's sponsored by them! So why put that in the title of the video? How about "Wade Simmons tells us what he likes about his new bike"
  • 1 0
 thoes fox shocks are awsome, kona was in town & i was busting some sweet jumps & landing felt like landing on a foam pad, or a cloud.....
  • 0 0
 I didnt know Rocky Mountain bikes could use the Horst-Link design on their bikes in the US? The patent is not valid in the Canada but, isnt dirt demo in the US...
  • 1 0
 it's not a horstlink!!!!
  • 1 0
 i dub thee "engineer spice"
  • 1 0
 Don't like the carbon shock link, but other than that. Killer bike..!
  • 0 0
 i wonder if its going to be hard to change cables since they are routed in the top tube
  • 2 0
 There's a mechanic's trick to that, it's been done on many older bikes before.
  • 1 0
 how is it different than a 4 bar?
  • 1 0
 Way to go Rocky!
  • 0 1
 whats with all the carbon in 09 like gezze nothing against it looks rad but everyone is making a carbon bike these days
  • 0 0
 im sure they said that about aluminum when they started moving towards that
  • 1 0
 looks like a trance
  • 0 1
 09 is gonna be nothin' but carbon. It looks rad!
  • 0 1
 man the moto carbon is a way nicer and better machine
  • 1 4
 looks nuckin futs
carbon swing arm....wow pretty sweet
but isn't it just an fsr design?

and ha, sittin in class myself, a whole 4 people in this class
  • 0 0
 HA "nucking futs" (Dickie Robert's lol i love that movie)
  • 1 3
 thats a total rip off of fsr sue them!
  • 2 2
 Who cares?

Any1 know weight of this?
  • 5 0
 25 ibs, dude said it on the video







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