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Today’s Deals2022 Rocky Mountain
Element Carbon 90
A 27.5″ / 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with ultra high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
$9,589| Weight | 24.6 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 120 / 130mm |
| Fork | Fox Factory Float 34 |
| Shock | Fox Float DPS Factory |
| Wheels | 27.5″ / 29″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | XTR |
| Brakes | Shimano XTR Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
4'8" – 5'3"
5'1" – 5'7"
5'5" – 5'10"
5'8" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'6"
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.
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
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
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
BikerumorA 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.
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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.
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.
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
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
May 2022
Mike Ferrentino's First Impressions Of Rocky's Monument To "The Slackening"
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
Low weight gives an efficient feel
Suspension and geometry make it very capable for its travel
Expensive
Front end feels harsh compared to the rear
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?
Dialled geometry
Very capable descender
Comfortable and light
Versatile
Not the best on flatter trails
Downhill performance may leave riders wanting bigger brakes and wider rims.
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.
Sep 2021 · Steve Fisher
Rocky Mountain Bikes' 2022 Element is a lean machine with modern XC geometry and plenty of on-frame storage.
| 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 Standard: BB86/BB92, Press Fit Color: Carbon / Black |
|---|---|
| Fork | Fox 34 Float Factory 130mm | 44mm Offset Travel: 130mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | Fox Float DPS Factory | Sealed Bearing Eyelet | 20x8mm F Hardware | All Sizes = 190x45mm | Size-Specific tune in FAQ Travel: 120mm |
| Bottom Bracket | Race Face BB92 30mm |
| 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 CNC | 0° Rise | All Sizes = 50m |
| Handlebar | Race Face Next R | 780mm Width | 20mm Rise | 8° Backsweep | 4° Upsweep | 35mm Clamp |
| Saddle | WTB Silverado Carbon 142 | Carbon Rails |
| Seatpost | Fox Transfer Factory Series 30.9mm | XS - SM = 125mm | MD = 150mm | LG = 175mm | XL = 200mm Type: Dropper |
| Grips | ODI Elite Pro Lock On |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XTR |
|---|---|
| Crank | Race Face Next SL G5 Cinch | 32T | 30mm Spindle | Crankarm Length: All Sizes = 170mm |
| Shifters | Shimano XTR |
| Cassette | Shimano XTR 12s 10-51T |
| Chain | Shimano XTR 12s |
| Brakes | Shimano XTR 2 Piston | Metal Pads | F: Shimano RT86 180mm | R: Shimano RT86 180mm Type: Shimano XTR Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Rocky Mountain 26XC Carbon | Tubeless Ready - Tape | Valves Incl |
|---|---|
| Spokes | DT Swiss Revolution 2.0/1.5/2.0 |
| Front Hub | Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost 15mm |
| Rear Hub | DT Swiss 350 Boost 148mm | 36T Star-Ratchet |
| Tires | F: Maxxis Rekon WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO Tubeless Ready 2.4 | R: Maxxis Rekon WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO Tubeless Ready 2.4 | |
First added September 28
Last updated April 29
Not listed for 1,140 days