The Complete 2021 Rocky Mountain Instinct Lineup Compared

Mar 8, 2021 at 11:29
by Mike Kazimer  


The new Rocky Mountain Instinct has 140mm of rear travel that's paired with a 150mm fork. It uses the same frame as the enduro-oriented Altitude, but with a different shock mount and shock to create a bike that's more focused on pedaling and exploring. It's available with either a carbon or aluminum frame in a wide range of build kits and prices.

The Instinct also replaces the Thunderbolt in Rocky's lineup. That bike had 140mm of travel and 27.5” wheels, so Rocky decided to consolidate things and offer the Instinct with different wheel sizes depending on the frame size. That means sizes small thru XL roll on 29” wheels, and there's also a 27.5” option for small and extra-small sizes.
Instinct Details

• Wheel size: 29" S-XL / 27.5" XS & S
• Travel: 140mm (r) / 150mm fork
• 65.1 - 66.2 degree head angle
• 437 or 448mm chainstays
• Carbon or aluminum frame options
• Carbon frame weight: 3.14 kg (6.90 lb)
• Price: $3,129 - $10,449 USD.
• Frame and shock: $3,549.
• bikes.com



Geometry

Rocky Mountain Instinct review



Builds

Instinct Carbon 99: $14,099 CAD / $10,449 USD
photo
The Carbon 99 is the no-holds-barred model, equipped with SRAM's wireless electronic dropper post and drivetrain, a Pike Deluxe Ultimate fork, G2 Ultimate brakes, and Race Face Next R carbon wheels.

Frame: Smoothwall Carbon
Fork: RockShox Pike Ultimate RC2 150mm
Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
Drivetrain: Sram XX1 Eagle AXS Wireless
Wheels: Race Face Next R Carbon
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" MaxxTerra EXO+ / Minion DHR II 2.4 MaxxTerra EXO+
Cranks: SRAM XX1 Carbon Eagle
Handlebar: Race Face Next R 780mm
Stem: Race Face Turbine R | 40mm
Grips: Ergon GE1 EVO Lock On
Brakes: SRAM G2 Ultimate 4 Piston
Seatpost Rock Shox Reverb AXS Wireless
Saddle: WTB Volt Team 142 | titanium Rails
Claimed weight: 13.08 kg (28.8 lb), size M



Instinct Carbon 90: $11,999 CAD / $9,399 USD
photo
The next step down is the Carbon 90, the same model that I reviewed. It's not the top of the line, but it's still not exactly inexpensive either, thanks to the Shimano XTR drivetrain and brakes, Race Face carbon rims, and a Fox Factory suspension package.

Frame: Smoothwall Carbon
Fork: Fox 36 Float EVOL FIT4 Factory Series 150mm
Shock: Fox Float DPX2 Factory
Drivetrain: Shimano XTR
Wheels: Race Face ARC Carbon 31 rims / DT Swiss 350 rear hub / RM front hub
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" MaxxTerra EXO+ / Minion DHR II 2.4 MaxxTerra EXO+
Cranks: Race Face Next R Cinch
Handlebar: Race Face Next R 780mm
Stem: Rocky Mountain 35 CNC
Grips: Ergon GE1 EVO Lock On
Brakes: Shimano XTR Trail 4 Piston
Seatpost Race Face Turbine R (by Fox) Dropper 30.9mm
Saddle: WTB Volt Race 142
Claimed weight: 13.65 kg (30.0 lb) size medium



Instinct Carbon 70 Coil: $9,399 CAD / $7,629 USD

photo

This is the model that caught my eye. I like the concept of a coil-sprung trail bike, and there aren't that many models out there that come spec'd with Cane Creek's Helm Coil fork. Those springs do add some weight, but I bet most riders looking to go this route aren't too concerned about the extra grams.


Frame: Smoothwall Carbon
Fork: Cane Creek Helm Coil
Shock: Cane Creek DBCoil IL
Drivetrain: Shimano XT
Wheels: Race Face ARC 30 rims / DT Swiss 350 rear hub / RM front hub
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" MaxxTerra EXO+ / Minion DHR II 2.4 MaxxTerra EXO+
Cranks: Race Face Turbine Cinch
Handlebar: Rocky Mountain AM 780mm
Stem: Rocky Mountain 35 AM | 40mm
Grips: Ergon GE1 EVO Lock On
Brakes: Shimano XT Trail 4 Piston
Seatpost Race Face Turbine R (by Fox) Dropper 30.9mm
Saddle: WTB Volt Race 142
Claimed weight: 14.56 kg (32.0 lb) size medium



Instinct Carbon 70: $8,369 CAD / $6,899 USD
photo
The Carbon 70 has the same Shimano XT drivetrain as the coil version, but in this case the suspension is handled by a Fox 36 FIT4 Performance Elite fork and a DPX2 shock. The wheels are a little different too, with Race Face's AR 30 rims and a DT Swiss 370 hub instead of the ARC 30 / 350 hub wheels found on the 70 Coil.

Frame: Smoothwall Carbon
Fork: Fox 36 Float EVOL FIT4 Performance Elite 150mm
Shock: Fox Float DPX2 Performance Elite
Drivetrain: Shimano XT
Wheels: Race Face AR 30 rims / DT Swiss 370 rear hub / RM front hub
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" MaxxTerra EXO+ / Minion DHR II 2.4 MaxxTerra EXO+
Cranks: Race Face Turbine Cinch
Handlebar: Race Face Turbine R 780mm
Stem: Rocky Mountain 35 AM | 40mm
Grips: Ergon GE1 EVO Lock On
Brakes: Shimano XT Trail 4 Piston
Seatpost Race Face Turbine R (by Fox) Dropper 30.9mm
Saddle: WTB Volt Race 142
Claimed weight: 14.24 kg (31.3 lb) size medium


Instinct Carbon 50: $6,999 CAD / $5,549 USD

photo
The Fox 36 GRIP fork and DPS shock shouldn't be overlooked on this model. Both work extremely well, with an excellent price to performance ratio. My one nitpick with this build is the SLX drivetrain with an XT derailleur - I'd rather see an XT shifter than a derailleur, because that shifter gives you the ability to shift down two gears with one push.

Frame: Smoothwall Carbon
Fork: Fox 36 Float EVOL GRIP Performance
Shock: Fox Float DPS Performance
Drivetrain: Shimano SLX / XT derailleur
Wheels: WTB ST Light i30 TCS 2.0 rims / DT Swiss 370 rear hub / RM front hub
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" MaxxTerra EXO+ / Minion DHR II 2.4 MaxxTerra EXO+
Cranks: Race Face Aeffect Cinch
Handlebar: Rocky Mountain AM 780mm
Stem: Rocky Mountain 35 AM | 40mm
Grips: Ergon GE1 EVO Lock On
Brakes: Shimano XT Trail 4 Piston
Seatpost Rocky Mountain Toonie Drop Alloy 30.9mm
Saddle: WTB Volt Race 142
Claimed weight: 14.15 kg (31.1 lb) size medium


Instinct Carbon 30: $5,949 CAD / $4,499 USD
photo

RockShox takes over suspension duties for the Carbon 30, with a Pike Select RC fork and a Deluxe Select+ shock. The Shimano Deore 12-speed drivetrain is a proven performer, although the MT4120 brakes may be something to consider upgrading further down the line.

Frame: Smoothwall Carbon
Fork: RockShox Pike Select RC 150m
Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 12spd
Wheels: WTB ST Light i30 TCS 2.0 rims / Shimano MT410 hubs
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" EXO / Minion DHR II 2.4 EXO
Cranks: Shimano Deore
Handlebar: Rocky Mountain AM 780mm
Stem: Rocky Mountain 31.8 AM | 40mm
Grips: Ergon GE1 EVO Lock On
Brakes: Shimano MT4120 4 Piston
Seatpost Rocky Mountain Toonie Drop Composite 30.9mm
Saddle: WTB Volt Race 142
Claimed weight: 14.4 kg (31.7 lb) size medium




Instinct Alloy 50: $5,649 CAD / $4,499 USD
photo
For the same price as the Carbon 30 you can get a lot more bang for your buck by going with the aluminum framed Alloy 50. There is a weight penalty, but the improved suspension and brake performance should help make it easier to overlook that extra pound or two.

Frame: FORM Alloy
Fork: Fox 36 Float EVOL GRIP Performance Series 150mm
Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
Drivetrain: Shimano SLX shifter, XT derailleur, Deore cassette
Wheels: WTB ST Light i30 TCS 2.0 rims / DT Swiss 370 rear hub / RM front
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" EXO / Minion DHR II 2.4 EXO
Cranks: Race Face Ride Cinch
Handlebar: Rocky Mountain AM 780mm
Stem: Rocky Mountain 35 AM | 40mm
Grips: Ergon GE1 EVO Lock On
Brakes: Shimano SLX Trail 4 Piston
Seatpost Race Face Aeffect R Dropper 30.9mm
Saddle: WTB Volt Race 142
Claimed weight: 15.3 kg (33.7 lb) size medium



Instinct Alloy 30: $3,859 CAD / $3,129 USD
photo

Frame: FORM Alloy
Fork: RockShox 35 Gold RL 150mm
Shock: RockShox Deluxe Select+
Drivetrain: Shimano Deore
Wheels: WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 rims / Shimano MT410 hubs
Tires: Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5" EXO / Minion DHR II 2.4 EXO
Cranks: Shimano Deore
Handlebar: Rocky Mountain AM 780mm
Stem: Rocky Mountain 31.8 AM
Grips: Ergon GE1 EVO Lock On
Brakes: Shimano MT4120 4 Piston
Seatpost Rocky Mountain Toonie Drop Composite 30.9mm
Saddle: WTB Volt Race 142
Claimed weight: 15.76 kg (34.7 lb), size medium





Author Info:
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195 Comments
  • 194 3
 I know Rocky has always been expensive but c'mon an entry level bike for almost 4k with specs that you would expect from a 2k bike
  • 40 2
 I know right? Here in Europe I got a brand new carbon enduro bike (63.5HA) with full GX, Lyrik and Super Deluxe for 2400 Euro, I can't imagine spending 3K USD just to get some very entry level stuff like come on a Yari or a Revelation fork would've been far nicer than that Rockshox Gold, I've seen Rockshox Gold specced on bikes that cost 1.2K Euro, why is rocky mountain like this?
  • 9 0
 @theoskar57: Where can I get that 2400€ carbon enduro bike with those specs?
  • 34 1
 @Herrdok: bike-discount, Radon Swoop Carbon 29er, 2021 model comes with Zeb and 52t GX for the same price I paid, I'm from the Canaries so no tax, with 21% Tax it's 3K Euro.
  • 13 6
 @Herrdok: try have a look at whyte bikes, their quality for money is amazing
  • 10 0
 @Herrdok: Vitus Sommet or Escarpe.
  • 13 14
 @theoskar57: far from that Rocky Mountain isn't expensive as brand but you are comparing direct to consumer bike (Radon) with shop brand. Also as you mentioned you don't pay tax, which is great but not available to everyone. That Radon is without bottle mount which for a lot of people is no go.
  • 22 71
flag hi-dr-nick FL (Mar 9, 2021 at 5:50) (Below Threshold)
 oh look more morons complaining about price in a market where everything is flying off the shelves. Yup, they should just give them away. It's a business you simps
  • 5 4
 @TB03: No no they really aren't. Build quality is terrible and the hardware used is literally hardware store rubbish.
  • 2 0
 @theoskar57: radon is sick almost got a slide trail but the new trek slash caught my attention
  • 5 4
 @theoskar57: Radon is not on the same level as Rocky's though. Don't get me wrong some pricing of their models is stupid, but I for example got a a70 altitude for about 4300 Euro which is not bad for a full factory build.
One of the things you get with rocky is a lot more fine tune adjustments than most other brands which is on addition to how their bikes ride why I quite like their bikes.
  • 4 0
 Aren't they supposed to save money with the "same frame" than the altitude ? The savings are not passing onto the customers it seems... I'll be keeping my old Instinct for a while... jeez
  • 7 0
 Is this the Covid messing with parts supply and making everything more expensive? Are we going to see more of this from other brands this year. I can't recall the last time I saw a $14,000 CAD price tag on an off-the-shelf mountain bike.
  • 7 0
 Got a marin hawk hill for my girlfriend 1300cnd cheaper with similar specs, what a joke.
  • 7 1
 It’s true of Rocky in general. They’re priced as a premium brand but it’s not clear why. Kinda generic frames (horst) and middling spec. That said these prices may not seem as offensive when everyone else’s ripple through the market - expect 10% markups at MSRP as a startling point as brands re-stock.
  • 8 6
 @shredddr: "They’re priced as a premium brand but it’s not clear why. " Sums it up. They lost me when that Slayer completely failed during PB testing and the best RM could offer was a shoulder shrug and head scratching...
  • 4 0
 @theoskar57: The price seems way out of line on it's own, but it is middle of the road pricing for Canadians. The Devinci Troy Deore is $3500 and the Norco Sight A3 is $4200. Even the direct to consumer Meta TR Ride is $4000cad and it comes with a Revelation and a sx derailleur mixed with NX drivetrain. I ordered the Troy when it was $3300cad/2200 euro.
  • 8 1
 @hi-dr-nick: oh look, a gobshite who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
  • 1 0
 @theoskar57: I was looking at those a couple of months back. I was ready to pay up and order only to find they don’t deliver to Ireland - the whole Brexit thing has fecked up their supply lines. They have some great value bikes and builds, especially compared to the RM lineup.
  • 4 0
 @shredddr: I think they are using their history/legacy on that point. Before they were making exciting Alu bikes hand built in Canada. The price point was high but was quite aligned with what they were offering back then... Now they are on the same kind of price point (even higher) but you can't really justify it.

And it's coming from a guy who had 5 wonderful years on a bulletproof Slayer SS350 (hand built in Canada Wink )
  • 4 1
 Ugly bikes if you ask me, For that price you better have a WAY better looking bike. Not sure they even ride great either. The only bike I liked that they made was the maiden. RIP
  • 6 0
 the deore spec'd Devinci Troy vs the RM 50 is pretty much the same specs for 2000CDN less. As another ridiculous comparison, their bike line is now more expense spec vs spec than Santa Cruz and Yeti.
  • 1 0
 @JayUpNorth: yeah except the devinci Troy deore would spec out closer to the Alloy 50 and not the 30.
  • 2 0
 @ODubhslaine: surprisingly Radon isn't a direct to consumer brand as much as you think, I got mine through a bike shop in Spain Mainland, I know it's Northern Ireland but perhaps you could drive to there:

Live Bikes

Tullyrain Road 79
BT66 7PP Craigavon
United Kingdom

and

Athlos Triathlon
Lisburn Road 148-150
BT9 6AJ Belfast
United Kingdom

They are distributors and service partners of Radon, hope I helped
  • 1 0
 @theoskar57: thanks for the heads up. I had considered that but we’re in a hard lockdown and not supposed to travel unless it’s strictly necessary. I looked at the Radon range back in January and hoped we’d be out of lockdown in February. It didn’t happen so I ended up ordering from Propain instead.

Now I just have to be very patient...
  • 5 2
 @Doogie711: Hopefully they go bankrupt then, If your being that greedy you have no room in this industry... Its already bad enough. ashamed to say this is a Canadian company. Get lost rocky mountain.
  • 3 1
 @shredddr: how is that generic? same suspension design as stumpy. horst link. soooo whats your point? it's a great design and makes a bike ride amazing. actually rides like a bike and not some soggy bush unit.
  • 2 3
 @sixohfourx: They ride amazing. climbing machines. sorry, your vision of a nice looking bike is skewed and shit,
  • 5 0
 @ridingofthebikes: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion Smile
  • 2 2
 @ridingofthebikes: You start shit talkin soggy bush units we gonna have a BIG problem here friend. Smile SBU4EVA
  • 1 0
 @JPones: Sorry, Sorry sorry.....
  • 1 0
 @sixohfourx: upvote shows i agree Smile
  • 2 0
 @ridingofthebikes: Hahah all bikes are beautiful...well most.
  • 1 0
 @JPones: yes.
  • 1 0
 Bikes for plebs by plebs
  • 2 2
 @ridingofthebikes: that's kinda what I'm saying, Dingleberry. it's a very common design and it does ride well. there's just nothing to it that warrants the price tag - why are rocky's this much more than a norco, spesh, transition, and whatever other horst bikes are out there.
  • 1 0
 Rocky is the new Specialized/Trek. Full of confidence....
  • 1 0
 @theoskar57: So how does that work? You just order the bike and get a tax refund?
  • 1 0
 @Nygaard: your invoice simply lacks any form of tax, you directly pay taxless
  • 95 1
 3129$ for an alloy bike with a RS gold....ouch...
  • 33 0
 They really ought to be ashamed of themselves, selling a bike at that level with a 35. Not gonna help with respect for their brand.
  • 35 9
 @chakaping: no one I know respects that brand, their business practices are as shit as the quality of their bikes.
  • 26 0
 @zombiejack33: Ugh I hate to say it... but you're right. RM used to be everything I wanted in a Canadian bike company. They've really lost their way.
  • 44 0
 @Powderface: Norco is the way.
  • 1 0
 Yeah, the diff between the two 30s is so much bigger than the diff between the two 50s, it's pretty sad.
  • 1 0
 @Powderface: Yes, hopefully we have other Canadian alternatives
  • 5 0
 What the heck is a Rock Shox Gold? Sounds like some springy new asset.
  • 4 0
 @zombiejack33: specifics, please.
  • 3 0
 @Powderface:

rsdbikes.com/wildcat-v2-aluminum

$3,900, full SLX and Pike Select.
  • 3 0
 Norco
  • 8 2
 @Powderface: Theyre about an inch away from being the Walmart store brand at this point...no offence to the entry level bike market...remember the RM7? That thing was a beast. This is NOT that company anymore.
  • 11 0
 @rrolly: Most recently they recalled instinct frames due to a bad head tube weld. Seems like a good response right? the issue was they just gave all the recall owners a generically painted frame that clashed with the rear triangle and all the decals on the rest of the bike. Honestly it doesn't seem like a big deal to someone who wasn't involved but if you have an orange and green bike with a grey triangle it looks like crap and your resale value is now gone and your bike looks like hot garbage. Also of note was pinkbike's famous slayer failure, and just google 'rocky mountain broken chainstay' and browse through the multigenerational years of broken frames lol People say every company has this but I disagree, i don't see the same issues from giant or trek or what ever.
  • 1 0
 @zombiejack33: ay
  • 3 0
 @Almazing: Kona has been stellar
  • 2 0
 @colincolin: a basic Air tuned fork. 5 clicks of compression, Air chamber and 5clicks of rebound. My Honzo came with a Recon (same basic concept but not 35mm stanchions)
  • 1 0
 @zombiejack33: Frame replacements have been going on forever. norco replaced a-line frames with different red than they offered. looked like shit.
  • 3 0
 @ridingofthebikes: well people are more than welcome to ride around on shit looking bikes, would you?
  • 1 0
 @zombiejack33: No i Have a beautiful bike thanks.
  • 3 0
 @zombiejack33: One of my riding buddies has the Instinct replacement and it looks fine. It's better than riding a frame that fails. But I take your point about the resale. Resale would be likely be impacted from years 1-4. After that, not likely very much, imo. Honestly, I was expecting more regarding poor business practices. Whatever. Everyone's free to buy whichever bike they want. I think the biggest deterrent for potential Instinct buyers is the price, not their build quality.
  • 2 1
 @rrolly: At these prices I dont think its too much too expect that your frame wont fail from reasonable use, and RMs fail all the time. At its core, I think the attention to detail at RM is gooooooone - its churn and burn over there these days
  • 2 0
 @ridingofthebikes: Yeah i went through two A-line swing arms but the bike was cheapish so got what I paid for essentially. Colours mismatched completely but I was ok with that, BUT if I had paid like $7k for that A-line, like RM prices, I'd be pissed. That said I've heard that Intense is constantly sending out triangles so who knows. Ive always wondered how big a role riding style plays in all this - maybe its the monster truckers that are the ones constantly needing replacements - I wasnt riding my smoothest when I had the A-line...
  • 2 0
 @ridingofthebikes: Is it that thunderbolt? very nice bike indeed!
  • 2 0
 @zombiejack33:Yup! Thanks bud. Smile
  • 2 2
 @zombiejack33:
I have 2 of these bikes that were effected by the frame recall. My BC A70 looks better with the matte grey carbon triangle. Rear seats had gold lettering which matches my kashima.

My wife's was a a30 with orange lettering. It also got a matte grey triangle and looks great with her orange accents and orange letters on the seatstay.

I'm happy as a clam and it dropped over a pound of both bikes
  • 1 3
 @UtahBikeMike: oh wow that’s great you two must look majestic out there on the trails. A whole pound? Wow that’s unbelievable, tell me more!
  • 1 1
 @zombiejack33:

You made it sound like everyone that bought one was upset and had mismatched frames.

I'm far from that, I got 2 free front triangle upgrades and they look great.

Sounds like you need a hug, bud
  • 2 2
 @UtahBikeMike: not everyone, obviously that would be generalizing. Bring that hug over here bro, I love em, your wife down for one too?
  • 2 2
 @zombiejack33:

Why don't you get your partner to give you one? Seems like that's easier for all parties involved.
  • 70 0
 Don't want to say anything but a bike for 7000 USD that has DT Swiss 370 Hub feels wrong...
  • 17 0
 There's a lot wrong here but RM isn't alone...
  • 13 1
 I stripped the ratchet ring out of a 370 hub after a few months of riding it. Garbage. I’m especially surprised when I see them specced on pricey ebikes since torque loads are way higher (looking at you Santa Cruz).
  • 8 0
 Just be happy they aren’t Novtecs.

And just be happy you can get a bike.

Rocky is happy to gouge you.
  • 1 0
 Yeah man that is a absolute shame, not even SC does that.
  • 1 0
 Same with my 2020 stumpjumper. 370 hubs on an 8k bike?

They’ve held up (thankfully) but are getting replaced by a 240, arriving any day now
  • 35 0
 The fact that we've gone from "does it have a motor" to " coulda had a car for that" is quite disheartening.
  • 29 0
 It's nice to see that the $$$ RM saved by using the same frame for the Altitude and Instinct, and killing the Thunderbolt got passed along to the customers...

New bike releases used to be fun, not frustrating.
  • 5 0
 NOOOOOOO my thunderbolt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • 28 2
 If your instinct is to buy that $10,449 USD model, just think about how rocky explaining a 5-digit bike to the spouse will be.
  • 20 1
 I am not sure what the word for it is.. my gut maybe, or maybe my intuition.. but something deep inside, something embedded within.. something inside telling me thats a whole lot of large pizzas for Carbon 90. more large pizzas than I can spare, thanks for the offer but ill keep my large pizzas !
  • 6 0
 "...my gut maybe... ...something deep inside..."

Well they do use "smooth wall" carbon, a term that for some reason reminds me of the intestine...
  • 6 0
 @boozed: maybe if you're coeliac , in which case don't eat large pizza
  • 20 0
 6899USD and you still get DT 370 hubs, come on RM. Id rather have an SLX drivetrain (with an XT shifter) and a better hub
  • 3 1
 You know the new MY21 370 hub is a super reliable ratched hub as well now?
  • 4 0
 @trygvesande: can you link to a source about this, cus I dont remember seeing or hearing anything about it.
  • 3 0
 @Tobsa: I just went looking on DT Swiss website's support section and there are some DT 370 hubs (model generation 2021-2023) which use "Ratchet LN 18" system for their freehub mechanism. So it seems the 370 hubs could actually use the ratchet system now (although probably the old regular Ratchet system and not the new Ratchet EXP, but that's my supposition).
  • 2 0
 @charlovelo: While this is a good thing, For these specific bikes its hard to know if they are shipping with older stock or newer ratchet 370. So still potentially a pretty bad value deal
  • 14 0
 So, for $5000 LESS, I can have a better performing bike? $5000. Jesus Christ the bike industry has gone mad.
  • 5 0
 So does that make the Vitus punching way above its weight and setting the bar, or highlighting that top brands need to sharpen up?
  • 12 0
 I don't expect to see too many of these on the trails this year with this kind of pricing and spec. I sure hope this isn't an indicator of where the industry is headed as a whole, if so I may need a new hobby.
  • 10 1
 They price their bikes like these because they know people will buy it due to supply and demand. If you don't buy one, someone else will buy one in your stead. That's their mentality right now, as counter intuitive as that sounds. Bike companies are not your friends. They're in the business of making money.

I'm waiting for the day where COVID is contained and manufacturing gets back to normal and bike parts become plentiful again. Then we'll see these junk spec bikes on end of season sales for 30-40% off.

I'm making a list of bike companies that have been doing this shit for the past year.
  • 7 0
 I always worry about the same thing, but I think a lot of the industry is going the other direction and Rocky somehow hasn't caught the hint. You see all the direct to consumer companies like Canyon, YT, Vitus and smaller local stuff like Fezzari. Then big companies like Specialized have seen much better pricing to spec models than previously in order to combat that. Look at the Stumpy Expert model...Perf Elite suspension, X01/GX Drivetrain etc. $4800. RM has Performance, SLX/XT and boat anchor wheels....$5500. Rocky is on drugs.
  • 2 2
 @Almazing: I think you should do some research on foreign exchange rates and commodity pricing. Then come back to this comment..
  • 5 0
 @DIMEPIECE: Me doing research on that doesn’t make these bikes less expensive and definitely doesn’t make me feel any empathy towards the ridiculous pricing schemes they’ve been pulling on consumers this past year. Because there are quite a few bike companies out there that still haven’t raised their prices. I have a list of that too.

But yeah sure. Let’s come up with excuses as to why this should be normal and totally okay.
  • 4 0
 I was hopeful that bikes were getting cheaper to be compete with german direct sales brands but apparently not. The spec and price on these bikes is actually insulting.
  • 4 0
 @marinlmasher: A lot are, including bigger names like Specialized or Norco. Of course you're always going to have the Yeti's and the Pivot's of the world but Rocky seems to be getting dangerously close to being in a class of its own for high price/bad spec builds.
  • 2 0
 Probably wishful thinking but maybe once the 'rona riders can go back to the gym things will go back to somewhat normal. Was hoping to find a good deal on a decent rig with the stim $ but will be doing upgrades on my 4 year old sled instead.
  • 1 0
 Never seen a Rocky Mountain on the trail outside of BC as it is, can't imagine that's gonna change with these prices.
  • 12 1
 So far I'm having a blast and can not complain about my full XT build Fezzari Delano Peak which is 2k cheaper than the XT Instinct build. $2000!!!
  • 11 0
 This is funny. I don't think I have ever seen this much hatred towards a bike company purely because of price....even for Yeti's.
  • 5 1
 It's the pandemic. Companies are squeezed, people are squeezed, tensions are high.
  • 14 2
 RM: the new dentists' dentists bikes?
  • 7 1
 The price to spec ratio on these make the OG dentist bikes feel like bargains.
  • 1 1
 Orthodontists...
  • 7 0
 I have a 2019 Rocky Mountain BC Instinct XL and will not be buying another Rocky Mountain again. Solely due to the pricing of these new bikes. I love the bike and I love the brand, I've been riding Rocky's for over 10 years now, but the chainstays did not change as you move up in sizes, at least for that year and bike in particular. The geometry is already close to being out of date, and will be done in my eyes by 2022. My next bike will probably be the Specialized EVO Expert S6 build, it's affordable and comes well spec'd for the price.
  • 2 0
 Me too brother, Except a 2019 Thunderbolt A50.
  • 2 0
 @ridingofthebikes: Stumpjumper EVO Expert or Pro build. It's been a long dream of getting Kashima coated suspension. Who cares if it doesn't improve anything, it's straight up sex.
  • 2 0
 Keep an eye on those chainstays... buddy with the same bike has cracked 2 sets now. Cracked near the drop-out. But his was Aluminum so...
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: chainstays on the thunderbolt/instinct or the stumpjumper...? All these are aluminum as well.
  • 1 4
 @islandforlife: there all aluminium. there also fine. bikes break. get over it.
  • 2 1
 @skiboot1: i really dont like the gold coating to be honest.
  • 1 0
 @skiboot1: Instinct.
  • 3 0
 @ridingofthebikes: It's not fine when aluminum chainstays are breaking with the frequency that RM's are. Add to that the head tubes shearing off recall... makes me wary of the brand.
  • 1 1
 @ridingofthebikes: Yep, I went Performance Elite with my new build this year. No gold for me... all black and raw aluminum.
  • 1 2
 @islandforlife: dont buy one.
  • 1 1
 @ridingofthebikes: I didn't/wouldn't
  • 1 2
 @islandforlife: Well thank god for that. MiGhT snap a chainstay.
  • 2 1
 @ridingofthebikes: Exactly.. part of the reason RM was crossed off my last. Glad you understand now.
  • 1 2
 @islandforlife: I don't understand.
  • 1 1
 @ridingofthebikes: That's ok... maybe someday?
  • 1 2
 @islandforlife: probably not. would have to make sense for me to understand. I hope you never drive in a car. The motor could blow. the tire could pop. The transmission could slip. It might even rust.
  • 3 1
 @ridingofthebikes: haha... there are also brands and makes of cars to be avoided due to reliability issues. Blindly loving a brand despite obvious issues is just not, well... smart.
  • 1 2
 @islandforlife: And seeing as how you have a hard time assessing these issues with your logic, it's best that maybe you let an adult help you make these decisions.
  • 1 1
 @ridingofthebikes: Thanks daddy!
  • 1 1
 @islandforlife: Wink welcome son.
  • 7 1
 Really nice bikes!

Still on a prior to previous generation aluminum Instinct and at the current prices for new bikes it looks like I will be for a while... The paint on my current (replacement) frame is really shitty and even started corroding but Rocky says they can't do anything about it, I'll have to start looking into a respray.
  • 4 1
 Rocky won’t help with the new paint corroding off? I’m shocked!
  • 11 0
 Same deal here, I've got a friend who works in a shop that distributes rocky mountain, and he's told me that some customers have had come back requesting warranty due to corrosion, he sent all the information and images to RM and they simply said they can't do anything with it and it's "probably" user error, like how the heck can a user generate corrosion? Since here the shop had to provide warranty, they just sent the frames for a custom paint job locally and the customers chose the colours they wanted, which on one side they were very happy to have a fully custom frame but at the same time sad that their new bike had to be resprayed. A shame on RM.
  • 8 0
 I can get on board with a "Bomber" base model Altitude. But over 3k for a trail bike with RS 35 Gold is a hard pass.
  • 6 0
 I had a 2008 Slayer - loved it, but RM's prices outpaced their bikes by a long shot, so I went elsewhere. Bottom line - that 10K bike might be pretty, but it's not gonna make me any better a rider than a 3K bike.
  • 11 3
 Everyone screaming about prices, just wait until you start shopping around. Everything has gone up hundreds of $$$.
  • 3 2
 Yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head. These may be pandemic prices. They were already sold out in December due to shops buying whatever they could get. Easy way to boost their bottom line.
  • 1 1
 @bishskate: and I've got a feeling pandemic pricing won't necessarily go away when the pandemic does unfortunately. Look at the gun industry in the US... event happens (Democrat elected, mass shooting, etc), there's a big scare ("THEY are going to take your guns away!"), idiots buy guns/ammo like crazy, prices go up, guns DON'T get taken away, prices don't go down to pre-scare pricing.
  • 6 0
 The Carbon 70 coil at 4.56 kilograms will blow away any XC bike. (I know, it should really read 14.56 kg)...
  • 7 1
 I've always loved Rocky's paint color schemes. Looks like a sweet bike - modern reach numbers, plenty of adjustable geo.
  • 8 2
 Stop putting 27.5" wheel on just small frames, why no XL 27.5" version! Stop forcing taller people to ride 29"!
  • 6 0
 I thought I recognized that paint job... www.norco.com/bike-archives/2016/range-c72
  • 3 0
 All of a sudden my 2021 Evil Offering GX with I9 wheels & Hyrda hubs, Rockshox Super Deluxe RCT Debonair, Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate, and my 2021 Ibis Ripley (V4) full XT build that were once considered boutique brands seem like a bargain!
  • 5 2
 Since when is Fox Factory suspension and XTR not top of the line? Sure it's not wireless but it's the best offering from both those companies. Saying anything less is a bit jaded.
  • 2 0
 Looking at these prices, I have to ask myself - and I'm sure I will be properly mocked for this: The Marin Alpine Trail XR comes in at below 5000.00, with a Lyrik and a coil shock. Also SLX and XT equipment. Why are these so expensive? Yes, no carbon, but the coil version of this bike is almost 10 000 dollars!
  • 4 0
 I don’t think the Pike Deluxe Ultimate on the Carbon 99 model exists yet, unless rock shox came up with something new that I missed.
  • 4 0
 Seems with the spec vs price they’re not stay very competitive. Anyone who buys that entry level bike with that spec is crazy. So much more for the same price out there.
  • 9 2
 Norco is the way.
  • 4 3
 norco's no better....
  • 4 0
 @ridingofthebikes: Yes the Sight A3 went from $3500 to $4200 this year and the Yari is the only big upgrade over the Instinct A30.
  • 7 1
 WAAAAAAAAAAY too expensive !
  • 5 3
 Enough bitching about the pricing, it is what it is. I think every brand is going to increase, and it's a matter of just being able to actually get your hands on a bike.

Can we please talk about Vanderham's jump at the end? Doesn't he know that's a short travel trail bike, and you can't jump bikes like that that high? If you told me you could do that without breaking a short travel bike, I wouldn't believe you. He used all that travel for sure!
  • 1 0
 That jump is sick. But if you look at the video around the 30 second mark, his bike is basically an altitude with an instinct paintjob. 203mm rotors, X2 rear shock, and the jump at the end is definitely more than 150mm of fork travel. Plenty of stanchion to look at. Movie Magic!!
  • 2 0
 Holy crap! Those prices at that spec! Truly the go to bike of dentists. Go compare the RM Instinct Alloy 50 to a Knolly Fugitive LT. With the latter you get full XT build and you walk away with just shy of $100 USD still in your pocket. And I though Knolly was boutique lol.
  • 3 0
 Sorry if I missed it, but do they sell the shock mounts separately so owners can get a spare shock and turn their bike into an Altitude (or vice versa)?
  • 2 0
 I'd have loved to see the spec of the Carbon 30 on the Alloy model. Definitely the best bang for buck in the lineup, but it really looks like their price/spec isn't going to stay competetive.
  • 5 1
 a pike on the top dog but 36 specced on lower build.. does that seem backwards to anyone else?
  • 1 0
 Can someone explain to my why it seems the paint schemes of bikes are consistently so similar across various brands? For example, plain brown bikes was pretty common a few years ago. Now we are seeing multiple brands doing half and half paint schemes like on these Rocky Mountain's. Specialized Stumpjumpers are also half and half paint schemes. Why do different companies happen to have such similar paint every year?
  • 1 0
 I can understand the expense from the buyers perspective. With he spec being low for the price point, the budget friendly models may be out of reach for those who like the Rocky Mountain brand. But it is important for people to support companies during the Covid-19 pandemic. This may be part of the reason for the increase in price point for bikes, while retaining the same or a lower spec. But for those who love Rocky Mountain it's important to support them through the pandemic. However I'd rather see them encouraging people to buy there merch and products, rather than increase the price of their bikes.
  • 3 1
 Everybody in this thread is in for a shock when these new bikes across all brands start rolling out this spring. Be expecting 20-30% increases at these premium price points..
  • 1 0
 I'm worried that you're right
  • 1 0
 its true
  • 2 0
 How much more would the alloy 30 cost if spec'd with a pike or even a yari? Could have been a perfect starter bike and compete nicely with the Nukeproof Reactor.
  • 3 0
 The Instinct Alloy 50 list a Deore cassette but it is pictured with an SLX cassette
  • 1 0
 I rode an Instinct 2 years ago as a demo bike and it was my absolute favorite of any bike I've ridden. It's too bad that RM pricing means I'll never be able to justify owning one.
  • 1 0
 I'm sure they perform just fine, I just don't see how Rocky Mountain would hope to be price competitive with this line-up. Even if compared to other store-bought brands, all of these are quite expensive.
  • 3 0
 my god 3k for a alloy rockshox 35? What the hell Rocky?
  • 1 0
 After hearing how Rocky Mountain treats their customers with the big instinct and pipeline recall, I would never buy their product
  • 4 1
 Hey RM. Thanks for making it easy for me to take you off my wish list!
  • 3 0
 I think @mikekazimer needs to put a 5k limit on the heads to heads.
  • 2 0
 I love the look of RM bikes and I've owned an Instinct in the past, but these prices are absolutely criminal.
  • 2 0
 Well Secco, I'll say it. Nice work on the video, everyone involved killed it!
  • 2 0
 Agreed. Nice work Secco and team!
  • 1 0
 @liammullany @andrenutini: thanks so much boys! Too kind. Such a fun crew to work with. Also a big learning curve trying to do ''comedy'' haha.
  • 1 0
 That was the video that Rocky accidentally realeased on YouTube a few weeks and go and took it down as fast as it came up! Lol
  • 2 0
 Now if only we could find one.
  • 2 0
 They're out there at shops. I've built a half dozen or so in the last week.
  • 2 0
 Looks like Specialized donated their paint cans from the Stumpy Evos
  • 2 0
 Great bike but I think price wise the scale has been officially tipped!
  • 1 0
 The spec/$ is flat out not good on these. I always wanted an instinct.. but not a good value here.
  • 2 1
 LOL i'll be taking up a new hobby and buying a dirt bike.. OR A CAR before i pay $14,000 for a pedal bike.
  • 1 0
 Amazing, I could sell 3 complete motorcycles and a MTB, and still not have enough for the shiny one.
  • 1 0
 maybe there will be a BC Edition coming soon with little more travel
  • 5 0
 Would that not just be an Altitude?
  • 1 0
 @hheunis: instinct BC could be 160/150, the altitude is 170/160

the instinct manual says, you could run a 210x55 shock (210x52.5 is stock) an gain 146mm of rear travel, paired with a 160mm fork the instinct is more capable
  • 2 0
 and more $$$ too
  • 1 0
 maybe there will be a BC Edition coming soon with little more strike>travel/strike> cost. br /> There, fixed it for you ;-)
  • 2 0
 looks like a reactor
  • 2 1
 a FIT4 for 5 figure price? sounds like the best of value
  • 1 0
 Instinctively I feel this is Fawked!
  • 1 0
 Most overpriced bikes in the industry. Have been for about 3 years now.
  • 1 0
 Are DT Swiss 350 hubs better than the 370s?
  • 5 0
 Yes
  • 1 0
 OMG the purple grey with the Cane Creek suspension. Ill take two!
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