Rocky Mountain ETSX-50 - An XC Trail Bike for XC Trail Riders
Rocky Mountain Bicycles has been in the mountain bike game for a long time and their B.C. heritage shines through in the bike line up. The ETSX-50 is the first XC ride we’ve ever had here at Pinkbike for a long term test. Not wanting to go with a full on XC race bike, I talked to Daina at R.M.B. about a versatile bike that would mostly see XC trail/exploratory rides. The ETSX-50 showed the most promise in trail etiquette. Did it live up to its online features?The ETSX-50 shares the same Easton 7005 Custom BI-Oval Taperwall Aluminum frame as the ETSX-30 and 70. Only parts spec. keeps these bikes separated.
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Sealed bearings at each pivot point allow for smooth motion through complete travel. The rear end has 90-115 mm (3.5” to 4.5”) of adjustable travel that is controlled by a Fox Float RP3 air shock, while the front end is running a Fox TALAS RL that delivers 90-130 mm of bump smoothing adjustability. The spec sheet on a store room ETSX-50 would read a nice mix of Race Face Evolve XC parts from bar, stem, seat post and cranks that are blended with Shimano LX and XT components. Since mine came to me straight from a Shimano Dirt Camp Test, it was equipped with a whole 2005 LX groupo and a set of Shimano WH-M755 wheels. IRC Mythos 2 tubeless tires kept the traction control in check.
Since both ends of the ETSX-50 have adjustable travel that is easy to change, it really made this bike versatile on varying trails and terrain. With a 70.5° head angle and a 73.5° seat angle on my 18” bike, matched to a 22.8” top tube length with a 90 mm stem and a medium rise bar made this bike so comfortable to ride.
SPINNING:
On my very first ride I learned how important it is to have the air pressure perfectly set up in the rear shock. Since none of us had a shock pump that day, I suffered through the sensation of being a 220 pound guy on a bike set up for a 140 pound rider. But that’s all part of the learning curve of a new bike. Since I was always changing the rear travel on my various rides I went on to see the pros and cons of each setting. I found that in the 3.5” (lowest) option, I could only use it for long climbs or really smooth trails as the bottom bracket height lowered enough to make hitting pedals a regular occurrence. Most of the time the frame would get set in the long (4.5”) travel and left there for a whole trip.
UPS and DOWNS:
On a trip out to Calgary, I had the opportunity to ride Jewel Pass to Prairie View. This trail starts out with a nice long climb that really suited the ETSX-50’s set up. I dropped the travel at both ends, locked out the fork and spun my way up. Very little energy is lost into the suspension when pedaling, but remain seated. Like most full suspension bikes, the ETSX climbs better when seated. At the top, there was a nice view point, so taking a minute to lengthen out the travel was fine.
(I know that some of you out there are not into stopping and changing settings on your bikes, but that’s why you’ll at least have the option to find out what works best for you and then you can set it and forget it too.) Descending is great on the ETSX as the rear end really feels infinite as it strokes through the travel.
![photo]()
The Fox TALAS RL has done a great job of absorbing hits all season. Running a riser and shorter stem (under 110mm) on an XC trail bike makes for a confident descender.
LASTING IMPRESSION:
The ETSX-50 has held up really well over the past few months. It’s been as far south as Albuquerque New Mexico, seen a few trips to the Rocky Mountains and even done a lap of the Canada Cup Finals course at Sun Peaks for good measure.
![photo]()
The only parts casualties all season was a torn side wall and flat tube on the rear Mythos. The LX Dual Control shifter/brake levers worked flawlessly all year and are amazingly easy to get used to. I do not recommend them for DH and FR applications, but after using this style of brake/shifter combo for 2 years on my XC bikes, they fit the bill nicely. There are a few pending changes in the works for the ’06 models, like upping the travel to run 4”, 4.5” and 5” with a new cam actuated QR system to make adjustments smoother. You can also expect 12 mm hardware at the pivots and new re-designed rectangular seat/chain stays. If you are in the market for a new trail bike that’s gonna find itself out in the mountains, I recommend taking an ETSX for a test ride.
![photo]()
Happy Trails,
Sealed bearings at each pivot point allow for smooth motion through complete travel. The rear end has 90-115 mm (3.5” to 4.5”) of adjustable travel that is controlled by a Fox Float RP3 air shock, while the front end is running a Fox TALAS RL that delivers 90-130 mm of bump smoothing adjustability. The spec sheet on a store room ETSX-50 would read a nice mix of Race Face Evolve XC parts from bar, stem, seat post and cranks that are blended with Shimano LX and XT components. Since mine came to me straight from a Shimano Dirt Camp Test, it was equipped with a whole 2005 LX groupo and a set of Shimano WH-M755 wheels. IRC Mythos 2 tubeless tires kept the traction control in check.
Since both ends of the ETSX-50 have adjustable travel that is easy to change, it really made this bike versatile on varying trails and terrain. With a 70.5° head angle and a 73.5° seat angle on my 18” bike, matched to a 22.8” top tube length with a 90 mm stem and a medium rise bar made this bike so comfortable to ride.
SPINNING:
On my very first ride I learned how important it is to have the air pressure perfectly set up in the rear shock. Since none of us had a shock pump that day, I suffered through the sensation of being a 220 pound guy on a bike set up for a 140 pound rider. But that’s all part of the learning curve of a new bike. Since I was always changing the rear travel on my various rides I went on to see the pros and cons of each setting. I found that in the 3.5” (lowest) option, I could only use it for long climbs or really smooth trails as the bottom bracket height lowered enough to make hitting pedals a regular occurrence. Most of the time the frame would get set in the long (4.5”) travel and left there for a whole trip.
UPS and DOWNS:
On a trip out to Calgary, I had the opportunity to ride Jewel Pass to Prairie View. This trail starts out with a nice long climb that really suited the ETSX-50’s set up. I dropped the travel at both ends, locked out the fork and spun my way up. Very little energy is lost into the suspension when pedaling, but remain seated. Like most full suspension bikes, the ETSX climbs better when seated. At the top, there was a nice view point, so taking a minute to lengthen out the travel was fine.
 |  |  |
(I know that some of you out there are not into stopping and changing settings on your bikes, but that’s why you’ll at least have the option to find out what works best for you and then you can set it and forget it too.) Descending is great on the ETSX as the rear end really feels infinite as it strokes through the travel.
The Fox TALAS RL has done a great job of absorbing hits all season. Running a riser and shorter stem (under 110mm) on an XC trail bike makes for a confident descender.
LASTING IMPRESSION:
The ETSX-50 has held up really well over the past few months. It’s been as far south as Albuquerque New Mexico, seen a few trips to the Rocky Mountains and even done a lap of the Canada Cup Finals course at Sun Peaks for good measure.
The only parts casualties all season was a torn side wall and flat tube on the rear Mythos. The LX Dual Control shifter/brake levers worked flawlessly all year and are amazingly easy to get used to. I do not recommend them for DH and FR applications, but after using this style of brake/shifter combo for 2 years on my XC bikes, they fit the bill nicely. There are a few pending changes in the works for the ’06 models, like upping the travel to run 4”, 4.5” and 5” with a new cam actuated QR system to make adjustments smoother. You can also expect 12 mm hardware at the pivots and new re-designed rectangular seat/chain stays. If you are in the market for a new trail bike that’s gonna find itself out in the mountains, I recommend taking an ETSX for a test ride.
Happy Trails,
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