2023 Rocky Mountain

Element C Frameset

Fast and pedals beautifully

Beautiful seated climbing ergonomics

Stable at speed in open rough terrain

Light weight (26 lbs 12 oz with pedals)

Excellent build quality and finish

Front end pushes in corners with stock tires

Long wheelbase feels lazy in tight switchbacks

Rear wheel traction suffers in steep climbs

Short travel limits big jumps and very rough terrain

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

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