2020 Rocky Mountain

Instinct Carbon 99

A 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail e-bike with ultra high-end components.
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MSRP$9,999
Weight28.4 lbs  
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 140 / 150mm
ForkRockShox Pike Ultimate
ShockRockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate
Wheels29″ Carbon
Drivetrain1 × 12 Electronic
GroupsetXX1 Eagle AXS
Motormid-drive
BrakesHydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Instinct Carbon 99
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 Carbon 99

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Reviews
Beta
The Beta Tests: Rocky Mountain Instinct Carbon 70

Aug 2021 · Travis Engel

This is not a trail bike. When things get real, the Rocky Mountain Instinct can take it. It can be anything. Maybe even a trail bike.

Highs
  • Incredibly versatile

  • Smart, functional customization

  • Clean, understated look

Lows
  • Ride 9 flip chip requires some trial and error

  • Chainstay-length flip chip adjustment not fine enough

  • Not cheap, but cheaper options abound.

Read Review

Whistler Mountain Bike
2021 Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 Ride Review

Jul 2021 · Dale Tiessen

If you’re like me, 2021 left you scrambling for a bike this spring. Having sold off my 2020 Santa Cruz Megatower, feeling it was a bit too much bike for me, I had settled on getting a more trail oriented bike for 2021.

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Revolution Mountain Bike Magazine
[R]eviewed // Rocky Mountain Instinct ‘Carbon 70’

Jun 2021

If you’ve been following the mag over the years you’ll know that Rocky Mountain’s are a definite favourite amongst our staff here at [R]evo. The reason that we’ve been such big fans of the brand for such a long time comes down to a simple fact; they’re bikes kick arse! Trail performance, speed, technology, reliability and frame aesthetics – Rocky always manage to tick every box and each year their ‘new’ bikes come out with a few little unique details […]

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Mountain Bike Action
Bike Review: Rocky Mountain Instinct Carbon 70 Trail Bike - Mountain Bike Action Magazine

May 2021 · McCoy

A must-have rig for all-day adventures

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EMTB Forums
2021 Rocky Mountain Instinct BC Powerplay A50

May 2021 · Knut Nes

We’ve previously ridden Rocky Mountain Powerplay bikes, both the Instinct and the Altitude. Before riding the Instinct we were wondering, was it a less burly and more versatile bike, or a more aggressive bike? It turned out it could be both, thanks to the adjustable geometry. Scroll to the end if you prefer a video review. Geometry The bike on test is called B.C, short for British Columbia. The B.C. name means the bike is optimized for descending. There is …

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Freehub
Bike Review | 2021 Rocky Mountain Instinct Carbon 70

Mar 2021 · Spencer Astra

I was excited to test Rocky Mountain Bicycle’s new Instinct Carbon 70 model, as it sits squarely in my favorite category of suspension travel. It’s not a sloppy, big-travel brawler, nor is it a wrist-slamming short-travel whip. With 140 millimeters of rear-wheel travel, the new Instinct strikes some perfect middle ground, providing just the right amount of squish to scoot one around smoothly and precisely. Adding to the bike’s versatility is the highly adjustable RIDE-9 system, which allows riders to quickly fine-tune their geometry and rear suspension with a pair of Allen keys. With nine configurations to choose from, the range of geometry helps make the bike more suitable to a broad spectrum of terrain and riding conditions. Even in the slackest setting, the Instinct climbs extremely well, thanks to a reasonably forward seated position. The leverage curve of the rear suspension is ultra-supple off the top, but it ramps up quickly to keep the bike manageable during out-of-the-saddle bursts of pedaling. The adjustable chainstay length of 437 millimeters or 448 millimeters should add to the Instinct’s versatility, but I opted to keep the bike in the 437-millimeter mode for the duration of my testing period, as it already felt long and stable enough for my taste.

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Bicycling
The Rocky Mountain Instinct 90 Puts the 'All' in 'All Mountain'

Mar 2021

A light 140/150mm trail bike with excellent handling and an intuitive ride

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Enduro Mountainbike Magazine
Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 2021 first ride review

Mar 2021 · Peter Walker

New Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 2021 trail bike exclusive first ride review. Is this the perfect all-round trail rocket for everyone?

Highs
  • Adjustable geometry and kinematics

  • High-quality and thought-through frame

  • Size-specific wheel sizes and kinematics

Lows
  • Too small disc rotors

  • FIT4 damper on all FOX models

  • Climb switch helpful for the uphills

Read Review

Geometry
99 Spokes on YouTube99 Spokes on YouTube
Specs
Build
Frame

SMOOTHWALL Carbon. Full Sealed Cartridge Bearings. Press Fit BB. Internal Cable Routing. RIDE-9 Adjustable Geometry + Suspension Rate

BB StandardBB86/BB92, Press Fit

Fork

RockShox Pike Ultimate RC2 150mm 42mm Offset

Travel150mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate RCT

Travel140mm

Spring TypeAir

Bottom Bracket

SRAM BB92 DUB

Headset

FSA Orbit NO.57E

Stem

Race Face Turbine R 40mm

Handlebar

Race Face Next R 780mm

Saddle

WTB Silverado Team, Titanium Rails, 142 width

Seatpost

Rock Shox Reverb AXS Wireless Post

TypeDropper

Grips

Race Face Grippler Lock On

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS Wireless

Crank

SRAM XX1 Carbon Eagle 32T

Shifters

SRAM XX1 Eagle AXS

Cassette

SRAM XG-1299 10-50T Rainbow

Chain

SRAM XX1 Eagle Rainbow

Brakes

SRAM G2 Ultimate / SRAM Centerline 180mm

TypeHydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

SRAM G2 Ultimate 4 Piston

Wheels
Rims

Race Face ARC 30 Carbon

Spokes

Race Face Straight Pull

Front Hub

Race Face Vault Straight Pull 15mm

Rear Hub

Race Face Vault Straight Pull Boost 148mm

Tires

Maxxis Minion DHF WT Maxx Terra 3C Tubeless Ready 29 x 2.5 / Maxxis Minion DHR II WT Maxx Terra 3C Tubeless Ready 29 x 2.4

Electric Components
Motor

AXS 2 Battery Powerpack

Rider Notes
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Last updated April 14
Not listed for 1,076 days