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Today’s Deals2023 Rocky Mountain
Element Carbon 90
A 27.5″ / 29″ carbon frame full suspension trail bike with ultra high-end components.
Manufacturer Price
$9,699| 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 offers adjustable geometry through its Ride-4 flip chip, making it adaptable to various riding styles. While it shines in downhill performance and bikepacking scenarios, it faces criticism for being a clumsy climber and having some component choices that don't match its caliber. Its lightweight and efficient design, however, make it a favorite for those looking for a bike that can handle a wide range of trails.
Adjustable geometry with Ride-4 flip chip for customizable fit and performance
Lightweight design enhances efficiency and handling
Excellent downhill and bikepacking performance
Versatile and capable on a variety of trails
Size-specific shock tuning improves ride quality
Clumsy climber, especially in neutral Ride-4 position
Some build kit components are poorly matched to the bike's performance level
Low bottom bracket height leads to frequent pedal strikes
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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Oct 2024 · Jordan Villella
The new Rocky Mountain Element is well-suited for whatever comes its way. Whether it's lycra or baggies, the Element has a new lease on life.
Oct 2024 · Henry Quinney
Shock: Fox Float Performance Elite, size-specific tune..
Water bottle mounts tailored per size
Fully enclosed cables
Weight savings from flex pivot rear triangle (350g)
Climbs very well
Balanced geometry gives confidence without lethargy
No frame storage
Fox Grip X damper feels inferior to Grip2
Size-specific shock tune but not full frame kinematic tuning
May 2023 · Sam James
The Rocky Mountain Element manages to fuse elements of XC, trail and enduro genetics into one incredibly fun and capable mountain bike package.
Incredibly light for a bike with this travel & geometry
Aggressive geometry inspires aggressive riding
Incredibly versatile
The most fun I’ve had in ages
Needs bigger brakes
Carbon seat rails
Low BB means lots of pedal strikes
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
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.
| 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: Green / Blue |
|---|---|
| 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 | XS = 760mm | SM - XL = 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 November 12
Last updated July 15
Not listed for 1,063 days