"This is a bike that really deserves the title All Mountain." Colleague Jan can't stop raving about it. It was his maiden ride on the new Instinct. "It usually takes time to familiarise yourself with a new bike," says the experienced test editor. On the Canadian all-rounder, however, he felt right at home from the first turn of the pedals. The rest of the test crew felt the same. This begs the question: What is the recipe for success that makes the Canadians' latest creation so mouth-watering?
Fact check: Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
- Price: 7900 Euro
- Range of use: All Mountain
- Frame material: Carbon
- Suspension travel: 140 mm hi. / 150 mm vo.
- Wheel size: 29-inch
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Weight: 13.97 kg in size L
- Wheel weight: 4912 g
- Warranty: 5 years
- Special features: eccentric offset headset (+/- 5 millimetres), variable chainstay length, Ride 4 Flipchip for adjusting the suspension and geometry, storage compartment in the down tube
The basis for the Rocky Mountain Instinct is now a completely independent carbon frame. Until the relaunch this March, the Enduro Altitude and the Instinct used the same main frame as well as the identical rear triangle. In order to adjust the suspension travel between the models, Rocky Mountain opted for an interchangeable front shock mount under the top tube.
An all-mountain bike straight out of a textbook
But back to our test bike. 150 millimetres of suspension travel at the fork, 140 millimetres at the rear and 29-inch wheels: just the way it should be for an all-mountain bike. A storage compartment in the down tube, an offset headset, a four-way adjustable flipchip for fine-tuning the geometry and suspension and a second flipchip to adjust the chainstay length also offer great added value. In short, the development team has left no stone unturned in tailoring the Instinct to the rider's personal preferences. It's no secret that the Canadians are as famous for bargains as Gucci is for cheap handbags. In view of this, however, the price-performance ratio of the new Instinct is quite impressive. When it comes to the drivetrain and brakes, the product managers have taken a leaf out of Shimano's XT book. The top-quality chassis and handlebars are made of carbon, and the suspension comes from Fox's Performance Elite series. From a purely practical point of view, nothing is left to be desired.
Equipment and geometry Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
- Fork: Fox 36 Perf. Elite
- DamperFox Float X Perf Elite
- CircuitShimano XT
- Translation / bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510 %
- BrakesShimano XT 203/180 mm
- Telesupport/liftRace Face Turbine R / 190 mm
- ImpellersRace Face AR 30
- TyresMaxxis Dissector; Maxxterra Exo 29 x 2.40; Maxxis Dissector; Maxxterra Exo 29 x 2.40
A self-runner on the trail
If the air pressure, seat height and suspension set-up are right, there are hardly any limits on the Instinct from the first turn of the pedals. Acclimatisation time? No need! The riding position is immediately pleasing. Slightly stretched, but still comfortable. The Dissector tyres roll excellently for all-mountain conditions. Propulsion? Fits! The Rocky masters long hours in the saddle just as well as technical climbs. Even when things get tricky, the steep seat angle allows you to keep control of the front wheel and sit compactly enough to keep your balance when riding slowly. The only drawback: with the shock open, the rear end bends a little with every pedal stroke. Fortunately, the platform lever is effective and easy to reach while riding. As on the climbs, the Instinct is also ready for challenging terrain on the descents.
Despite the long and flat geometry, the bike can be manoeuvred easily and intuitively through the terrain. The interplay between the high front end, low bottom bracket and the balanced proportions of the main frame and rear triangle integrates the rider comfortably low and centred in the bike. This gives you a lot of control over the front and rear without having to use your body too much. True to Jan's motto, sit on it and feel good, even less experienced riders will get their money's worth. But don't worry: the Instinct also knows how to impress on action-packed downhill runs. Length runs! In other words: the wilder the ride, the more the advantages of the long and flat geometry come into play. The harmonious and sensitive suspension takes care of the rest and knows how to skilfully parry fast sequences of hits and hard landings.
Evaluation: Ride behaviour, laboratory and stiffness
Rocky Mountain Instinct C70: Service friendliness
All lines and cables of the control centre run inside the frame through laminated tubular guides. This makes it easier to carry out repairs or replace the brake system, for example. Also good: The headset is located in the head tube and is not pressed in. This enables tool-free replacement. Solid plastic protectors on the down tube and on the chain stay also contribute to durability. The only drawback: the press-fit bottom bracket makes installation and removal more difficult during maintenance work and puts more stress on the frame than a bolted bottom bracket.
Conclusion from Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
The range of use of the new Rocky Mountain Instinct is as versatile as the options for customising the bike to your personal needs. Some may find the extremely balanced riding characteristics boring. For me, they make the Rocky the perfect all-rounder.
Max Fuchs
Editor
