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2022 Rocky Mountain

Element Carbon 70

A 27.5″ / 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price

$6,819
Weight27.6 lbs  
FrameCarbon
SuspensionFull, 120 / 130mm
ForkFox Performance Elite Float 34
ShockFox Float DPS Performance Elite
Wheels27.5″ / 29″ Aluminum
GroupsetXT
BrakesShimano XT Hydraulic Disc
SeatpostDropper
Where to Buy
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
Element Carbon 70
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

Element Carbon 70

26 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
XS

4'8" – 5'3"

SM

5'1" – 5'7"

MD

5'5" – 5'10"

LG

5'8" – 6'3"

XL

6'1" – 6'6"

Rider Fit Notes
  • 6'0", size L, Just right
Reviews

Summary

The Rocky Mountain Element is a versatile trail bike that excels in descents and technical terrain, offering a playful and efficient ride. Its Ride-4 flip chip allows for adjustable geometry, catering to a wide range of preferences. While it shines in downhill performance and bikepacking scenarios, some reviews note its clumsiness on climbs and occasional component issues.

Pros
  • Adjustable Ride-4 flip chip for customizable geometry

  • Excellent downhill and technical terrain performance

  • Lightweight and efficient for a trail bike

  • Ample frame storage for bikepacking or accessories

  • Size-specific shock tuning enhances ride quality

Cons
  • Can feel clumsy on climbs, especially in neutral position

  • Some build kits include poorly matched components

  • Press Fit bottom bracket may develop creaking issues

  • Front end can feel harsh compared to the rear

Key Quotes
The Element felt more confident, quick, and controlled than any of the previously mentioned 29ers, as if it was a bike in a 'bigger' category.
BIKEPACKING.com
Built with pedalling as a top priority
Bikerumor logoBikerumor
A bike that’s designed to tackle ups, downs and everything in between with gusto has a tough job to do, and some compromise is inevitable.
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar

Feedback?

View all reviews

Mountain Bike Action
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELEMENT REVIEW - A PRECISELY SWEET CROSS-COUNTRY BIKE - Mountain Bike Action Magazine

Feb 2023 · Ron Koch

The Element is in its element on technical trails, and that’s not something we can say about any old cross-country bike.

Read Review

BIKEPACKING.com
2022 Rocky Mountain Element Review: Up, Down & Backcountry

Jun 2022 · Logan Watts

The 2022 Rocky Mountain Element got a radical redesign. Here's our review after taking it bikepacking and out on a lot of backcountry trails.

Highs
  • Well-engineered Ride-4 flip chip offers perceptible shifts to dial in the geometry (and fit) to your liking

  • Massive frame triangle space is great for a big frame bag or two bottles and doesn’t sacrifice dropper post space

  • The bike handles and descends well beyond its XC category

  • XT build isn’t overly expensive (compared to other bikes in this class)

  • Ridiculously lightweight for a bike of this caliber

  • Rides really well when loaded with a minimal bikepacking kit

Lows
  • The Element is kind of a clumsy climber, even when Ride-4 chip is in the neutral position, but it gets better in the steep position

  • It also doesn’t feel as fast as one would expect on rolling terrain or while climbing

  • Build kit has a few poorly picked components, including one-piston brakes, a handlebar that’s too narrow, and an odd front tire

  • Press Fit bottom bracket began creaking after a couple hundred miles of use; it came and went depending on temperature

Read Review

NSMB
2022 Rocky Mountain Element Carbon 70

May 2022

Mike Ferrentino's First Impressions Of Rocky's Monument To "The Slackening"

Read Review

BikeRadar
Rocky Mountain Element C70 29 first ride review

Apr 2022 · Luke Marshall

The Element C70 has plenty ‘under the hood’, both up and down. Grippier tyres would make it an even better descender

Highs
  • Low weight gives an efficient feel

  • Suspension and geometry make it very capable for its travel

Lows
  • Expensive

  • Front end feels harsh compared to the rear

Read Review

Pinkbike
Field Test: 2022 Rocky Mountain Element - Radical Geometry Meets Low Weight

Dec 2021 · Henry Quinney

The new Element is drastically different in the geometry department than its predecessor. What did those changes mean out on the trail?

Highs
  • Dialled geometry

  • Very capable descender

  • Comfortable and light

  • Versatile

Lows
  • Not the best on flatter trails

  • Downhill performance may leave riders wanting bigger brakes and wider rims.

Read Review

Beta
Rocky Mountain Introduces the New Element

Sep 2021 · Simon Stewart

The new Rocky Mountain Element is no longer a BC-ready XC bike, it's an XC-ready BC bike, meant for all sizes and all budgets.

Read Review

Bikerumor
The 2022 Rocky Mountain Element MTB embodies modern XC

Sep 2021 · Steve Fisher

Rocky Mountain Bikes' 2022 Element is a lean machine with modern XC geometry and plenty of on-frame storage.

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon. Full Sealed Cartridge Bearings. Press Fit BB. Internal Cable Routing. RIDE-4™ Adjustable Geometry + Suspension Rate. 120mm Travel. SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon Rear Triangle

BB StandardBSA, 73mm, Threaded

ColorsCarbon / Black; Orange / Orange

Fork

Fox 34 Float Performance Elite 130mm | FIT4 Damper | 44mm Offset

Travel130mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox Float DPS Performance Elite | Sealed Bearing Eyelet | 20x8mm F Hardware | All Sizes = 190x45mm | Size-Specific tune in FAQ

Travel120mm

Bottom Bracket

Shimano SM-BB71

Headset

FSA Orbit NO.57E | Sealed Stainless 36°x45° Bearings | 30.2mm x 41mm x 7.1mm Upper | 40mm x 51.8mm x 7.5mm Lower | 1.5" Crown Race

Stem

Rocky Mountain 35 XC | 5° Rise | All Sizes = 50m

Handlebar

Rocky Mountain AM | 760mm Width | 25mm Rise | 9° Backsweep | 5° Upsweep | 35 Clamp

Saddle

WTB Silverado Race 142

Seatpost

Race Face Turbine R (by Fox) Dropper 30.9mm | XS - SM = 125mm | MD = 150mm | LG = 175mm | XL = 200mm

TypeDropper

Grips

ODI Elite Pro Lock On

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

Shimano XT

Crank

Shimano XT | 32T | 24mm Spindle | Crankarm Length: XS = 165mm Crankarm | SM - XL = 170mm

Shifters

Shimano XT

Cassette

Shimano XT 10-51T

Chain

Shimano M8100

Brakes

Shimano XT 2 Piston | Metal Pads | F: Shimano RT66 180mm | R: Shimano RT66 180mm

TypeShimano XT Hydraulic Disc

Wheels
Rims

WTB ST Light i27 TCS 2.0 Tubeless | 28H | Tubeless Ready - Tape | Valves Incl

Spokes

DT Swiss Competition 2.0/1.8/2.0

Front Hub

Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm

Rear Hub

Race Face Trace Boost 148mm | 10° Engagement

Tires

F: Maxxis Rekon WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO Tubeless Ready 2.4 | R: Maxxis Rekon WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO Tubeless Ready 2.4 |

Rider Notes
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First added September 28

Last updated April 29

Not listed for 1,140 days