With a total weight of just 12.45 kilos, Rocket shoots a new comet into the all-mountain sky. The lowest weight (lightest frame/shock combination) and the sporty riding position guarantee plenty of propulsion. The rear suspension with RockShox Monarch shock remains completely stable even without a platform, but reacts reluctantly to small obstacles. (The shock bushings on our test bike were very stiff.) The very flat characteristic curve predicts a lack of progression against bottoming out, which means that the rear end bounces easily through its travel, even with a low SAG of just 20 per cent. If you use the full travel, you'll also get an unpleasant acoustic warning because the cross-connection between the seat stays touches the seat tube. This is a real shame, because the Rocket loses valuable potential here due to the geometry and the wide cockpit that provides a lot of security. Apart from the narrow performance tyres, which don't offer much grip in the wet, the XT drivetrain and powerful Avid Elixir R brakes leave little to be desired.
ConclusionDue to the weak rear suspension performance, the Comet is only convincing on uphill trails. Downhill is not much fun. Sporty character, not a downhill burner.
+ Low weight
+ Good propulsion
- Rear end strikes
- Uncomfortable rear triangle
Info: www.rocketbikes.de
