Mileage: 5,606 km | 49,817 altitude metres
When the 29er wave swept across Europe in 2010, the Canadians were at the forefront with the Vertex. Rocky Mountain gave its hardtail classic its last makeover in 2018, and for the coming model year, only the colour of the three carbon models will change. In contrast to Specialized, Canyon & Co., Rocky Mountain has decided not to slim down its stiff carbon chassis to less than 1000 grams. Good conditions for a long life. The geometry is harmonious and still up to date. The 69.5 steering angle with the short, wide cockpit offers a lot of safety, especially downhill. Only in terms of comfort can the Vertex not keep up with the best on the market, despite the long 27.2 mm seatpost. Although the bike of German marathon champion Sascha Weber feels most at home in the starting block, it should hold its own in our long-term test, especially in everyday use.
Over a total of 17 months, the Vertex top model had to prove that it can cope well with adverse conditions and minimal maintenance. The frame, including the maple leaf design paintwork, proved to be extremely resistant. Apart from two or three scratches, it doesn't show the many bad weather kilometres and car transports. The rear wheel, on the other hand, was a different story: no heavy impacts, no side impacts, no centring orgies - yet the Stan's rim began to crack at the spoke nipples. Over time, the cracks got a little bigger, but we didn't have to replace the wheel until the end. Incidentally, Rocky uses Race Face and WTB rims on the 2020 model. Apart from normal wear parts such as the chain and brake pads (each replaced twice), the press-fit bottom bracket was particularly noticeable. After the choppy, rough-running standard bearing failed, it was replaced with new bearing shells, which Rocky will be fitting as standard from 2019. At the end of the endurance test, these were also badly worn again and, like the lower headset bearing, should have been replaced. The high level of bearing wear is annoying, but the bike was also ridden in winter and the bearings were not cleaned and regreased.
CONCLUSION on the Rocky Mountain Vertex Carbon 90
Although it has been on the market for two years, the robust, downhill-strong Vertex has nothing to hide in the starting block. The light Stan's rims and the vulnerable bottom bracket slightly spoil the overall impression of the expensive hardtail.
TUNING
DEFECTS / MAINTENANCE
Relationship highlights
On rumbling trails over Malcesine, the BIKE marathon in Riva or commuting in the north of Munich: Whenever you could do without a fully, the Rocky hardtail was used. Even when mud or snow covered the banks of the Isar, the Vertex had to go out twice a day. Despite the lack of metres in altitude and longer climbs, these weren't kilometres that were given away. The bike got the necessary amount of singletrack on long laps in the Altmühltal and on the root paths around Pfaffenhofen - no matter what time of year.
Readers' opinions
"I ride around 10,000 kilometres a year on my 2016 Vertex. I've never had any problems with the frame. After replacing the bottom bracket this year, the mould is running like it did on the first day." Micha Täubert, Facebook
"My Vertex 970 has been running summer and winter for five years. Bottom bracket replaced once, otherwise normal wear and tear." Pete Rockybiker, Facebook
THE BIKE: Rocky Mountain Vertex Carbon 90
Material Carbon, frame size M
Price / weight 4800 Euro / 9.08 kg without pedals
Suspension travel / handlebar width 100 mm / 760 mm
Crank / gearstick Race Face Next R / Sram X01 Eagle
Fork Rockshox SID RLC
Impellers Rocky Mountain / DT Swiss 350 hubs; Stan's Crest MK3 rims
THE TESTER: Stefan Loibl, BIKE test editor
Age / Height / Weight 33 years / 1.80 m / 75 kg
Driver profile Long cross-country tours, marathons and summit tours in the Alps
Favourite areas Altmühltal, Würzburg, Stellenbosch
You can find this article in BIKE 1/2020. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
