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With a price tag of € 7900, it seems as if the Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 starts our price-performance comparison at a disadvantage. However, a high price is only a problem if the riding characteristics don't match the price tag. Looking over the superbly crafted carbon frame and the full Shimano XT equipment, the question quickly arises as to whether the purchase price can be put into perspective. We can anticipate this much in the following test report: The Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 scores a lot of points in the all-mountain category.
Test of the Rocky Mountain Instinct C70: How the premium all-mountain bike rides
Cult manufacturer Rocky Mountain is no more known for cheap bikes than Rolex is for cheap watches. The fact that the Instinct C70 still sells so well is also due to its decent equipment. The Canadian bike is equipped with a fully-fledged Shimano XT drivetrain. The XT logo is also emblazoned on the four-piston brakes. There is also a Fox Performance Elite suspension, which differs from the Factory models only in the absence of the Kashima coating. No part has really been skimped on, everything is upper middle class.
Downhill, the Rocky Mountain Instinct can't deny that it shares its top-quality carbon frame with the Enduro model Altitude. The Rocky integrates the rider in the centre of the frame and spoils them with confident, smooth handling - great when things get steep and fast. In the flat position of the Ride-Four geometry adjustment, the steering angle measures a downhill-hungry 65.5 degrees. For a more playful riding behaviour, the Instinct could be made up to one degree steeper.
On trails with little gradient, the Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 feels more cumbersome than other all-mountain bikes, even in the centre position. The Rocky Mountain requires a lot of dedication through tight corners. The bike is not a comfortable sedan. On the other hand, the suspension copes well with hard impacts thanks to its decent support.
With a 77.1-degree seat angle and a 40-millimetre short stub stem, the Instinct puts its rider in an ideal position. Upright, pleasantly relaxed sitting position. Under load, the rear suspension only crunches slightly and provides plenty of traction at all times. However, acceleration is somewhat sluggish due to the soft Maxxis tyres.
Technical data and notes on the Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
Manufacturer information
- Category: Allmountain
- Price¹: 7900 Euro >> available here
- Available from: Specialist retailers
- Frame material: Carbon
- Wheel size: 29 inch
Measured values
- Suspension travel: 146 mm (front) / 154 mm (rear)
- Weight without pedals: 14.18 kg
- Frame weight: 2599 g
- Weight of wheels: 5277 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 4264 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 780 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 45 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: DT Swiss 370 / Race Face AR 30
- Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF / DHR II Exo+ TR 3C MaxxTerra 29 x 2.5 / 29 x 2.4
- Fork: Fox 36 Float Performance Elite Fit4
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance Elite
- Brakes: Shimano XT 4-piston/180/180 mm
- Gear system: Shimano XT 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510 %
- Tele support / stroke: Race Face Turbine R / 175 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 21.25 from 25
- Chassis efficiency: 16 out of 20
- Rolling resistance: 7.5 out of 10
- Weight: 4.5 out of 15
- Inertia impellers: 4 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 5 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 31.5 from 35
- Rear suspension: 22.5 out of 25
- Front suspension: 18 out of 10
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 13.5 out of 15
- Tyre grip: 13.5 out of 15
- Driving stability: 5 out of 10
TOTAL MOUNT: 58.25 from 90
TOTAL RECOVERY: 114 from 130
- Other: 22.5 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: medium
BIKE test rating²: Very good - 194.8 out of 250 points
Conclusion on the test of the Rocky Mountain Instinct C70
The Rocky shines on demanding trails and is a cosy tourer. If that appeals to you, the well-equipped Instinct C70 is the one bike for everything, but you'll have to dig deep into your pockets. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE test editor
¹Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.). The weighting of the points in the individual assessment criteria varies depending on the bike category.
Jan Timmermann
Editor
