2015 Rocky Mountain

Instinct 970 MSL

A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price

$5,399
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 130 / 130mm
ForkFox Float 32
ShockFox Float X Performance
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain2 × 10
GroupsetXT, X0
BrakesHydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Instinct 970 MSL
Other Trail bikes
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)

28 mph

Instinct 970 MSL

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Reviews
Mountain Bike Action
Bike Test: Rocky Mountain Instinct 990 MSL BC Edition

Nov 2015 · McCoy

This is not a nimble bike and should not be ridden as if it were...

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MTBR
First Ride Review: Rocky Mountain Instinct 990 MSL BC Edition

Oct 2015

From general trail riding to long adventure rides or backcountry stage races to steep and blown out shuttle descents — this bike is ready. - Mtbr.com

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Enduro Mountainbike Magazine
Bike Test | Rocky Mountain Instinct 990 MSL BC Edition

May 2015 · Andrew Richardson

Testing out the newest edition to the Rocky Mountain lineup, the Instinct 990 MSL BC Edition on the Canadian trails. What a machine!

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BikeRadar
Rocky Mountain Instinct 990 MSL BC Edition - first ride review

Jan 2015 · Guy Kesteven

Stiff, light trail 29er with super-slack ‘flat out, foot out’ swagger, but size and tune carefully for full potential

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Canadian Cycling Magazine
Review: Rocky Mountain Instinct 970 MSL

Aug 2014 · Canadian Cycling Magazine

Rocky Mountain Instinct 970 MSL is a big-wheeled bike for big rides

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BIKE Magazine
'14 Bible of Bike Tests Roundtable Reels: Rocky Mountain Instinct 970 MSL BC Edition

Feb 2014

The Rocky Mountain Instinct 970 MSL BC Edition sparked serious emotions in our testers, leading to this robust debate about what wheel size actually means.

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Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon. ABC™ Pivots. Tapered Head Tube. Press Fit BB. Internal Cable Routing. ISCG05 Tabs. RIDE-9™ Adjustable Geometry + Suspension Rate

BB StandardBB86/BB92, Press Fit

Fork

Fox 32 Float 29 130 FIT CTD. 130mm. FIT Damper / Rebound / Climb (Lockout) - Trail (Compression) - Descend (Open) Settings / 15mm Axle / Tapered Steerer

Travel130mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox Float CTD Remote Custom Trail Valved. SmoothLink™ Design 130mm. Rebound / Remote Climb (X-Firm ProPedal) - Trail (ProPedal) - Descend (Open) Settings / Adjustable Suspension Rate

Travel130mm

Bottom Bracket

Race Face Cinch 30mm BB92 Press Fit

Headset

Cane Creek Forty Series: IS42mm Top / IS52mm Bottom Tapered

Stem

Race Face Turbine 35mm 6° x 60-80mm

Handlebar

Race Face Turbine 1/2 Rise Ø35mm x 760mm x 9° Sweep

Saddle

WTB Silverado Race

Seatpost

RockShox Reverb Stealth 30.9mm x 355-420mm

TypeDropper

Grips

Rocky Mountain Lock On XC

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano XT Shadow Plus Direct Mount 10spd

Front Derailleur

SRAM X0 S3 Direct Mount 2x10spd

Crank

Race Face Turbine Cinch 170-175mm Bash/36/22T 2x10spd

Shifters

Shimano XT Rapid Fire I-Spec 2x10spd

Cassette

Shimano HG81 11-36T 10spd

Chain

Shimano HG95 10spd

Brakes

Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc 180mm

TypeHydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

Shimano XT I-Spec Shifter Mount

Wheels
Rims

Stan\'s ZTR Flow Tubeless Ready

Spokes

DT Swiss Competition

Front Hub

Shimano XT / Centerlock / 32H / 15mm Axle

Rear Hub

Shimano XT / Centerlock / 32H / 12 x 142mm Axle

Tires

Maxxis F: Ardent EXO Folding 29\" x 2.4\" R: Ikon EXO Folding 29\" x 2.35\"

Rider Notes
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Last updated April 14
Not listed for 1,144 days