New in a familiar guise
You have to look closely to spot the differences to its predecessor. The new Element still has the same silhouette with the shock located under the top tube and the same proportions on the main frame. However, the biggest innovation is hidden in the rear triangle. The flattened chainstays and the absence of an additional bearing on the Horst link betray the latest development stage of the Element. Like many of its competitors, Rocky Mountain now relies on a so-called Flexpivot rear triangle, in which the flattened carbon frame, or rather the chainstays, take on the function of a pivot and enable small angles. The absence of an additional bearing primarily saves weight, reduces maintenance and should also increase stiffness. We are looking forward to the first test bike, which should arrive at our editorial office shortly.
Rocky Mountain Element: Trail-ready suspension travel
As far as the suspension travel of the new Rocky Mountain Element is concerned, Rocky relies on the tried and tested. The fork has 130 millimetres of travel and the rear 120 millimetres. Only the top model C 99 is trimmed even more for marathon riding and a sportier riding position with a 120 mm fork. The frames in size XS also come with 120 millimetres at the front due to a larger saddle rake. In conjunction with the new Flexpivot design, the kinematics of the rear triangle have also been refined. For even more options in terms of kinematics and geometry, the new Element also relies on the tried-and-tested Ride4 adjustment on the rear shock mount. As the name suggests, the linkage of the shock can be adjusted in four positions.
Only subtleties in the geometry
Not only the suspension travel, but also the geometry has been kept largely the same. Why make an already functional handling bike worse? The core sizes therefore remain with a 65.5 steering angle, a slightly steeper seat angle of 76.5 degrees and relatively short 435 mm chainstays. In size L, the reach is 480 millimetres and has therefore become five millimetres longer.
Rocky Mountain Element: Prices, weights and availability
From December this year, the C70 will initially be available for 7300 euros. The top model C99 for 12500 euros and the C50 for 5600 euros will then follow in the spring. For the C99 with Sram Transmission and Rockshox Flight Attendant suspension, Rocky Mountain specifies a complete weight of 12 kilograms in frame size L. The C70 with Fox Performance Elite suspension, Sram GX Transmission drivetrain and Sram Level brakes should also weigh just 12.2kg. Rocky states a frame weight of 1820 grams for the new Element. The single carbon frame is available for 3200 euros.
The facts about the new element:
- Suspension travel: 130 mm at the front and 120 mm at the rear (size XS and top model C99 120 mm at the front)
- lighter frame (- 350 grams)
- new kinematics with Flexpivot chainstay (Smoothlink)
- Retention of Ride4 for geo and kinematic customisation
- Optimised shelf life (double-row and larger dimensions)
- Mounting point under the top tube
- Internal cable routing
- two bottles possible from frame size, from size M 2 x 770 ml
