| Hi everyone, we're excited to launch the new Element. Our flagship XC bike has been a staple in the Rocky Mountain lineup for over 20 years, and we're damn proud of this latest edition. - Rocky Mountain |
Rocky Mountain has been making the Element for 20 years in one form or another. Their elite level XC racer has been on the podium in every form of cross-country competition, from Tooney races in BC, to the Olympics. For 2017, Rocky Mountain redesigned the Element to encapsulate the spirit and capabilities of modern marathon competitions like the BC Bike Race, where technical courses and precipitous terrain take a toll on both riders and their equipment and lungs and legs alone cannot guarantee a win. The new Element RSL and RSL BC editions are true cross country weapons that have been blessed with modernized geometry, suspension tuned for the "real world," and cockpits outfitted for better bike-handling.
Prices for the 2017 Element range have yet to be released. Five levels of the carbon-fiber race bike will be offered: the top-line 999 RSL; the 990 RSL and its 990 RSL BC edition offshoot; the 970 RSL; the 950 RSL; and the 930 RSL. Except for the 930 all the Elements feature one-by drivetrains, but to appease Asian and German bike buyers, the 930 and one version of the 970 are outfitted with two-by-eleven transmissions. All that makes for a dizzying array of very similar looking bike photos, so we will only show you the highlights and leave you to peruse the complete range on the
Rocky Mountain site. | This new Element is a full-on XC marathon weapon, but with the confidence of a trail bike. People used to show up to BC Bike Race expecting to grind fire roads all day, only to walk the descents and snap their made-for-the-scale bikes in half. XC racing has evolved, and bikes that can't handle the real world have no business on the course. - Product Director Alex Cogger |
Details:
• Carbon frame weighs 2250g (size medium, including shock and hardware.
• RIDE-9™ adjustability chip moved into the link, saving weight and bulk
• Frame available with special edition Team Only paint.
• Wheel size: 29 inch, Clearance for 29x2.35 tires
• All sizes fit two water bottles inside the front triangle
• Future-proofed to run Di2, Fox Live, and a dropper post concurrently
• Single-sided chainstay pivots for a narrower rear triangle—eliminates heel rub, even with Boost spacing
• Cartridge bearing pivots with simplified hardware
• Fits standard, widely available 6.5x1.5 shocks
• Full-length internal shift, dropper post, and lockout routing, plus internal brake routing in the front triangle
• Oversized head tube and downtube ports for ease of cable routing
• New derailleur hanger design reduces hardware complexity
• Lightweight bolt-on axle saves 35g compared to a traditional Boost axle
• Post-mount 160mm rear brake
• PressFit BB92 bottom bracket, ZS44 | ZS56 headset.
• 2x compatible, Max 2x chainring size is 28t/40
• Max 1x chainring size is 38t with SRAM, 36t with
Race Face
• MSRP: TBD
• Contact:
Rocky MountainElement 999 Components:
• Carbon frame
• Boost hub spacing
• Fox 34 factory 120mm fork and Float DPS Remote Factory shock
• SRAM XX1 Eagle 12-speed drivetrain and Ultimate brakes (160/180mm)
• Stan's Valor carbon 29" wheelset
• Maxxis Ikon 2.2" tires
• Race Face 760mm Next handlebar
• RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post
• WTB Silverado Ti saddle
• Rocky Mountain stem and lock-on grips.
Element 990 RSL BC EditionComponents:
• Carbon frame
• Boost hub spacing
• RockShox Monarch RT3 100mm shock
• RockShox Pike RCT3 120mm fork
• Brakes: Shimano XT, 180mm rotors
• Drivetrain: Shimano XT 11- speed
• Shimano XTR Rear Derailleur
• Shimano XT 11-46T Cassette
• Race Face Turbine Cinch crankset, 32T
• Wheelset: Rocky Mountain front hub, DT Swiss 350 rear hub, WTB spokes, Stan's ZTR Arch rims
• Tires: Maxxis DHR II 29 x 2.3 /Minion SS 29 x 2.3 EXO TR
• WTB Silverado Race saddle
• Handlebars Race Face SixC, 800mm
• RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post
• Rocky Mountain stem and lock-on grips
Element 970 RSLComponents:
• Carbon frame
• Boost hub spacing
• Fox Float DPS Performance Elite Remote shock
• Fox 34 Float Performance Elite 120mm fork
• Brakes: Shimano XT 180/160mm rotors
• Drivetrain: Shimano XT 11- speed
• Shimano XTR Rear Derailleur
• Shimano XT 11-46T Cassette
• Race Face Turbine Cinch crankset, 32T
• Wheelset: Rocky Mountain front hub, Sun ringle SRC rear hub, WTB spokes, Stan's ZTR Crest rims
• Tires: Maxxis Ikon /Maxxis Speed TR, 29 x 2.2"
• WTB Silverado Race saddle
• Handlebar Race Face Turbine 760mm
• RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post
• Rocky Mountain AM stem and lock-on grips
Element 950 RSLComponents:
• Carbon frame
• Boost hub spacing
• Fox Float DPS Remote shock
• Fox 34 Float Performance 120mm fork
• Brakes: Shimano SLX 180/160mm rotors
• Drivetrain: Shimano SLX/XT 11- speed
• Shimano XT 11-46T Cassette
• Race Face Aeffect SL Cinch crankset, 32T
• Race Face Aeffect SL Cinch crankset, 32T
• Wheelset: Rocky Mountain front hub, Sun Ringle SRC rear hub, WTB spokes, Sun Helix SL TR25 rims
• Tires: Maxxis Ikon /Maxxis Speed TR, 29 x 2.2"
• WTB Silverado Race saddle
• Handlebar Rocky Mountain AM 760mm
• Rocky Mountain SL seatpost 30.9mm
• Rocky Mountain AM stem and lock-on grips
Click here for addditional images of the full range
Mentions: @RockyMountainBicycles
Pretty much everyone is adopting boost, especially for 29ers which is what it was originally designed for. Rocky only avoided using it on the Sherpa because they claimed that 142 hubs would be easier to source somehow if you were in africa or something bike touring than a 148 hub. The pipleline however went 148.
On the subject of no 26 or 27.5 an xc bike should be 29 ( i know nino was on 27.5). They're faster for the average rider period. 26 aint dead but it isnt the best option for xc. 27.5 is an option for xc but with these bikes coming with 120mm fronts theyre gonna be used in marathon racing/trail ruding and in my opinion 29 is better. Im sure in Rockys lineup there is 27.5 options that suit the application better. The only thing is small size option in 27.5? I dont know as im a large so no experience. Anyway bikes look like fun fast and light! Giddyup
Would love to know how much difference it makes compared to the solution they were forced to use previously
Same here on my T-Bolt BC edition. But I cannot find a better xc/trail 27.5 bike (size small + geometry).
I hate the bushing design, their customer service, and their SHOP distributor. RMB is struggling with the details of their business.
Stoked the this new Element does too. I'm pretty tempted.
1. When did that become standard?
2. Why did you choose to not go with the newly established standard metric shock?
But I jest
its listed on the fox website and is 3.34lbs in weight vs the 3.92lbs for the 34
Cons: 69-70º headangle, short wheelbase (1200mm except XXL), Seat tube length is too long for each size.
Can't really claim you have modern geometry when you still have a headangle that is uber steep and a mega short wheelbase!
Shame because there is a lot of good things about the bike.
And before anyone comes along and says well it IS a XC bike please tell me why XC bike have to have crap handling? Slack headangles can ride uphill just as well if you have a long front center!
"Tires: Maxxis DHR II 29 x 2.3 /Minion SS 29 x 2.3 EXO TR"
Love the SS, but the DHR on the front, how about a DHF.
Love the bike though, seriously.
Metric shock, 140mm travel, BC Edition kit (150mm Pike/Fox 36) and I'd drop pre-order cash on that exact bike.