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

Today’s Deals

2015 Rocky Mountain

Instinct 999 MSL

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

Manufacturer Price

$8,999
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 130 / 130mm
ForkFox Float 32
ShockFox Float X Performance
Wheels29″ Carbon
Drivetrain1 × 11
GroupsetXX1
BrakesShimano XTR Hydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
Learn about Rocky Mountain
Where to Buy
Similar Bikes
Top Comparison
Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Instinct 999 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)

26 mph

Instinct 999 MSL

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Reviews

Summary

The Rocky Mountain Instinct is a versatile trail bike that excels on technical terrain, offering a balanced mix of agility, traction, and durability. Its Ride-9 adjustable geometry and suspension system, along with high-quality components, provide a premium ride experience. While some riders note the rear suspension could be plusher and the bike's weight is on the higher side, its performance on descents and rough trails is consistently praised.

Pros
  • Versatile for trail and all-mountain riding

  • Ride-9 adjustable geometry and suspension system

  • High-quality components and durable frame

  • Excellent traction and handling on technical terrain

  • Premium ride quality

Cons
  • Rear suspension could be plusher

  • Higher weight compared to some competitors

  • Premium pricing

  • Requires careful tuning for optimal performance

Key Quotes
The Rocky Mountain Instinct BC Edition is a bike that defies labeling.
Mountain Bike Action logoMountain Bike Action
It quickly became apparent that the Instinct lives to rip technical terrain. It ate up rocks and roots on rough trails, flew through high-speed singletrack and carved corners with ease.
Canadian Cycling Magazine logoCanadian Cycling Magazine
The BC Edition turns the fun dial up to 10.
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar

Feedback?

View all 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...

Read Review

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

Oct 2015 · Kent Robertson

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

Read Review

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!

Read Review

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

Read Review

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

Read Review

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.

Read Review

Geometry
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 Adjust Kashima. 130mm. Rebound / Climb (Lockout) - Trail (3 Position Compression) - Descend (Open) Settings / 15mm Axle / Tapered Steerer

Travel130mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox Float CTD Remote Kashima 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 Pressfit

Headset

Cane Creek Forty Series: IS42mm Top / IS52mm Bottom Tapered

Stem

Race Face Turbine CNC 35mm 6° x 60-80mm

Handlebar

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

Saddle

WTB Silverado Carbon

Seatpost

RockShox Reverb Stealth 30.9mm x 355-420mm

TypeDropper

Grips

Rocky Mountain Lock On XC

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM XX1 Type 2 All Mountain 11spd

Front Derailleur

N/A

Crank

Race Face Next SL 170-175mm 30T 11spd

Shifters

SRAM XX1 Trigger 1x11spd

Cassette

SRAM XG-1199 10-42T 11spd

Chain

SRAM PC-XX1 11spd

Brakes

Shimano XTR Ice-Tec Hydraulic Disc 180mm

TypeShimano XTR Hydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

Shimano XTR Trail

Wheels
Rims

Stan\'s Valor Carbon Tubeless Ready

Spokes

Sapim Laser

Front Hub

Stan\'s 3.30Ti Hub / 24H / 15mm Axle

Rear Hub

Stan\'s 3.30Ti Hub / 28H / Alloy XD Freehub / 12 x 142mm Axle

Tires

Maxxis EXO Maxx Speed Tubeless Ready F: Ardent 29\" x 2.4\" R: Ikon 29\" x 2.35\" 3C

Rider Notes
Riders Also Viewed

First added September 9

Last updated April 14

Not listed for 1,886 days