Bikes up to 60% offWe monitor over 40,000 bikes daily to find the best prices

Today’s Deals

2013 Rocky Mountain

Element 970 RSL

A 29″ carbon frame full suspension crosscountry bike with high-end components.
Compare the full range

FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 95 / 100mm
ForkFox Float 32
ShockFox
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain2 × 10
GroupsetXTR, XT
BrakesShimano XT Hydraulic Disc
Where to Buy
Similar Bikes
Top Comparison
Insights
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

30 mph

Element 970 RSL

27 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Reviews

Summary

The Rocky Mountain Element is a versatile cross-country bike that excels in both racing and endurance riding, offering a lightweight frame, efficient suspension, and a confidence-inspiring front end. While it's praised for its speed and handling, some reviewers noted issues with the rear suspension's progressiveness and pedal clearance. The bike stands out for its ability to tackle technical terrain without sacrificing its race-ready efficiency.

Pros
  • Lightweight frame and efficient suspension for XC racing

  • Versatile for both endurance races and technical terrain

  • Confidence-inspiring front end handling

  • Well-balanced suspension for comfort on long rides

  • Proprietary carbon manufacturing techniques enhance performance

Cons
  • Rear suspension can feel too progressive and less forgiving

  • 40mm BB drop may lead to clipped pedals

  • Weak internal cable stop

Key Quotes
This could be the weirdest cross-country bike ever.
BIKE Magazine logoBIKE Magazine
This bike is fast.
Bikerumor logoBikerumor
I’ve ridden it now 6 times in the last 8 days so am obviously more than a bit content with its performance.
MTBR logoMTBR

Feedback?

View all reviews

Dirt Mountainbike
Rocky Mountain Element 999 RSL

Sep 2014 · Dirt HQ

The Rocky Mountain Element 999 RSL looks ideal for the rider who likes to rip up the hills as quickly as coming down them...

Read Review

BIKE Magazine
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELEMENT 970 RSL BC EDITION Review

Jul 2013

Rocky Mountain's Element 970 RSL BC Edition is a cross-country racer, British Columbia style. Light, efficient and surprisingly capable in technical conditions—an excellent choice for grueling endurance races.

Read Review

Bikerumor
Long Term Review: Rocky Mountain Element 970RSL 29er Mountain Bike

Jan 2013 · Tyler Benedict

When Rocky Mountain Bicycles unveiled the carbon fiber Element RSL 29er line this summer, we had one of the first bikes available and were able to post actual weights, tech specs and first impressions for the debut. Now, with half a year of riding on it, we’ve got a much better grasp of the bike’s …

Read Review

Mountain Bike Action
Bike Test: Rocky Mountain Element 970 RSL

Oct 2012 · MBA Action

After being impressed by Rocky Mountain's aluminum Element 29er, we couldn't help but think about how the rig would improve with some carbon DNA. Only a

Read Review

MTBR
2013 Rocky Mountain Element RSL Carbon 29er Preview

Jun 2012 · Lee Lau

- Mtbr.com

Read Review

BikeRadar
2011 Rocky Mountain Element 70 RSL review

Aug 2010 · Matthew Pacocha

A World Cup calibre racer that's best left on the racecourse; all-round riders and many racers will surely prefer the longer-travel MSL variant

Read Review

Specs
Build
Frame

SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon Frame ABC™ Pivots Tapered Head Tube Press Fit BB Internal Cable Routing Internal \"Stealth\" Dropper Post Routing Internal Shock Remote Routing

Fork

Fox 32 Float 29 100 FIT Dual Remote CTD

Travel100mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox Float Dual Remote CTD Custom Race Valved

Travel95mm

Bottom Bracket

Race Face Press Fit Team XC

Headset

Cane Creek Forty Series: IS42mm Top / 52mm Bottom Tapered

Stem

Race Face Turbine 6° x 70-100mm

Handlebar

Race Face Turbine Flat Wide Ø31.8mm x 700mm x 9° Sweep

Saddle

fi\'zi:k Gobi XM

Seatpost

Race Face Turbine 30.9mm x 400mm

TypeRigid

Grips

Rocky Mountain Lock On XC

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano XTR 10spd

Front Derailleur

Shimano XT E Mount 2x10spd

Crank

Race Face Turbine 170-175mm 38/24T 2x10spd

Shifters

Shimano XT Rapid Fire I- Spec 2x10spd

Cassette

Shimano XT 11-36T 10spd

Chain

Shimano HG94 10spd

Brakes

Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc 180mm

TypeShimano XT Hydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

Shimano XT I-Spec Shifter Mount

Wheels
Rims

DT Swiss X 1.6 Tubeless Ready

Spokes

DT Swiss Competition Straight Pull

Front Hub

DT Swiss X 1.6 Straight Pull 15mm Axle

Rear Hub

DT Swiss X 1.6 Straight Pull / Star Ratchet Freehub / 12 x 142mm

Tires

Continental Folding F: X King 29\" x 2.2\" / R: Race King 29\" x 2.2\"

Rider Notes
Riders Also Viewed

First added April 14

Last updated April 14

Not listed for 1,880 days