One platform, two bikes
Rocky Mountain is sticking to its platform system for the 2021 season, realising different suspension travel and therefore different models with the same frame. For example, the new All Mountain Instinct with 140 millimetres of rear travel shares the same frame as the Enduro Altitude with around 20 millimetres more. There was also the Thunderbolt model, which was identical to the Instinct apart from the smaller wheels. This season, however, the Thunderbolt in favour of size-specific wheels on the Instinct. The new Instinct rolls on 27.5-inch wheels in sizes XS and S and 29-inch wheels in sizes M to XL - similar to the Altitude.
How does the Altitude become an Instinct?
Enduro and All Mountain share the same main frame as well as the identical rear triangle. In order to achieve the shorter suspension travel on the Instinct, Rocky Mountain relies on an interchangeable front shock mount. As the Instinct has a shorter shock with less travel, the bolted shock mount is longer than on the Altitude. The conversion work between the two models is therefore very straightforward.
Rock Mountain Instinct 2021: Less travel, similar geometry
The shorter suspension travel at the front and rear results in a steering angle that is one degree steeper on the Instinct (65.1-66.2°). At 76.1-77.2°, the seat angle is identically steep on both bikes. On the one hand, this ensures a lot of pressure on the front wheel when climbing, but also an upright, relaxed riding position. Due to the shorter fork, the wheelbase shrinks by 24 millimetres, which even reinforces the playful character already present on the Altitude.
Full adjustability
Naturally, the Instinct also relies on the Ride 9 adjustment on the rear shock mount. This tool allows the geometry to be fine-tuned nine times, resulting in a change in the steering angle of up to one degree.
In addition to the geometry, the suspension travel also changes. On the Altitude, we were able to measure between 148 and 172 millimetres on the test bench. In addition, the chainstay length can be changed by 10 millimetres on the new All Mountain.
Models and prices - Alu-Instinct from 3700 euros
Five models Rocky Mountain from Instinct for 2021 in the pipeline. The cheapest model for 3700 euros is the Instinct 50 Tour with an aluminium frame. According to the manufacturer, the complete bike should weigh 14.9 kilograms.
Above this, the C 50 Tour (13.8 kilos) continues with carbon from 4900 euros. The two top models C 90 (9900 euros and 13.6 kilos) and C99 (11500 euros and 13.0 kilos) are really expensive. The carbon frame of the Instinct is available separately for 3700 euros and is said to weigh 3100 grams (size M) including the Fox DPX2 shock.
Further information and a first ride impression of the new Rocky Mountain Instinct can be found in BIKE 5/2021 - in stores from 6 April!
