First Ride Report | Rocky Mountain Element

[@bikebudha01]

My wife and I have this bike. We upgraded to spinergy wheels, carbon race face cranks, specilized ground control tires, 4-piston front brakes with 200mm rotor. With bottle cages, computer, and Speedplay frog pedals - her medium weighs a hair over 25lbs. My extra-large weighs a hair over 27lbs. Best climbing dual-suspension bike I've ever riden. Decends great as well. (I paid retail for the bike, including all the swapped components. The bike shop gave me 'credit' for the stock components, and all the stuff I swapped out happened to be on sale at the time).

[@StraightLine_MTB]

It's a great versatile bike, and the geo adjustments kick it up a notch as well

[@chefmarkkalix]

I've got my C50 up to 30.5 pounds with a 140 Lyric, cushcore, big brakes and burlier wheels and this improves the bike drastically over stock for the rocky and steep trails we have around here. It's still super light over my enduro rig (by almost 5 pounds), climbs like crazy and descends well enough to tackle just about anything. If you get one of these, add weight to make it more capable.

[@StraightLine_MTB]

Chef, that is the crazy thing about this "XC" bike is that it really has the ability to ride so big for what it is. I get lured into the big $$ game chasing grams and even at the 28lbs mine is, it still rides super light. I have some Noble TR37 and burlier tires on mine currently and it just feels right. I may or may not have a CCDB ILair on the way for it to even more up the capability. I am having a blast on this bike and excited to share more content soon. Thank you for your support!

[@chefmarkkalix]

@@StraightLine_MTB looking forward to your review with that rear shock.

[@griffmtb]

I've got the C70 and it is definitely more of a 'light-duty' trail bike than an XC bike, in my opinion. It is quite capable both up and down on my local trails. I changed out the wheelset and added a Dissector in the front, its now below 28lbs and is a rocket ship trail machine!

[@StraightLine_MTB]

I think you're right. It's a light trail bike but climbs and smashes pretty well considering. I swapped to Ground control rear and Purgatory front and feels more confident for me. I'm really enjoying this bike so far.

[@rafaelvargas5114]

Good to see you back in your “Element” 🥸

[@StraightLine_MTB]

😅

[@numbers7905]

I've been riding one of these for a year and definitely would put it in the light short travel trail bike category. I've made a bunch of modifications to my C50 and run it in in two configurations. The lightest weighs about 26.5 lbs without pedals and the heaviest is about 28 lbs without pedals. I have a lightweight wheelset and fast tires from another bike that I use for less aggressive XC riding, and I find that the steepest Ride 4 flip chip setting really makes a difference here. The bike can fly on flatter or rolling terrain. I also bought a set of the last generation RaceFace Turbine R30 wheels at 40% off and run those with a more aggressive tire with the new 2024 Float shock because the DPS and I didn't agree with each other on more chunky terrain. In this configuration, and in the slack setting, it's really great on steeper and more technical/rough trails. Changing everything out only takes about five minutes. You might say that running two sets of wheels and having a second shock is expensive, which it is. But it's also much cheaper than buying a second full suspension bike and really opens up the bandwidth of what you can use the Element for. Great review. You're smashing that thing right out of the box on terrain that is probably a lot tougher than what the bike was intended for. I hope you keep enjoying the Element.

[@StraightLine_MTB]

I agree but still could pull duty for xc. It's such an interesting bike and I am enjoying it. RM says CCDB ILcoil is compatible, so coil and dps, along with couple of sets of wheels, wouldn't be a bad collection. Like you said, can get various things out of it. I appreciate your feedback and thank you for watching!

[@ivanalexanderaviles543]

Nice video, I have the same bike that I bought it 6 months ago and I just love it.

[@StraightLine_MTB]

It's pretty awesome. What build did you get?

[@texasrogue93]

Great review! I can get this one locally so this was a great watch. I’m in Dallas Texas and I think it would be perfect for anything we have around here. Not near as chunky as what you were shredding \m/

[@StraightLine_MTB]

@texasrogue93 the Element is decently versatile especially with the flip chip's 4 settings. I recently have been riding it in the steepest setting and like it for more xc stuff. The slackest setting is fun when you want more stability. Although have ridden it mostly in the stock neutral position. Thanks for watching

[@snat6299]

Element or Instinct is my decision right now for a all around trail bike? I’m 235 and taller than most. Older ride who likes blues and single black trails

[@StraightLine_MTB]

Element is a great bike but I've never been on an Instinct. That said it's still a 120/130mm bike so it won't be as comfortable in the chunk. Fully capable but will need an active rider in the black diamonds. It really boils down to what you're wanting. Instinct will be more forgiving but Element fast climber. I enjoy a short travel bike as it sharpens my riding when things get rowdy. As a one bike, I'd do 2 shocks, I'd want an Inline coil and air shock. Give some options as I think with a coil out back could be pretty awesome for rowdier days

[@russgordon5399]

How does the Element compare with the Izzo? Are there any situations the Izzo has an advantage?

[@StraightLine_MTB]

Element rides bigger than it is, and I thought the Izzo rode smaller. Geo on Element is more aggressive, which inspired more confidence. Izzo is great, no doubt, but I feel the Element descends more confidently and climbs at least as good as the Izzo. Where the Izzo destroys the Element is in value. For less than the C50 here, my Izzo had factory suspension, x01 drivetrain, and carbon Dt Swiss wheels. Pretty amazing value. I really enjoy the Element, and personally, I'd choose it as my short travel bike. Thank you for watching

[@russgordon5399]

@@StraightLine_MTB The "value" makes a decision to buy the Element vs the Izzo difficult. If I were to make the Izzo fork 140mm it would slacken out ~0.5 degree and the head tube angle would be about the same as the Element in position 3. It would also increase the Izzo's wheelbase a bit. Would that along with beefier tires bring the Izzo closer to the Element in terms of descending and handling gnar?

[@StraightLine_MTB]

​@russgordon5399 that would up the ante withe Izzo. Izzo is a great bike so can't go wrong. In the slack setting element has 65° hta which is noticeable in the steep and rowdy.

[@YarraMates]

Hey, great review. How tall are you? I just picked up RM Element C50 in size large. I'm 6'1, 190lbs. According to all the RAD and reach calculations Large was the right size for me. Having gone on one ride so far, I'm finding the fit a bit small. I'm coming from a pure xc race bike so perhaps I just need to get used to it. Besides that amazing bike, I went down sections I would never dare to do on my XC bike.

[@StraightLine_MTB]

I am just under 6'. I'd say it feels similar to the Spur cockpit wise. I don't feel cramped on it but I am shorter. Coming off an Epic Evo, the Element feels bigger and does handle a fair amount of chunky stuff.

[@cassysamel3914]

If you had to choose between the Rocky M and the Epic Evo as the short travel to keep, which one and why?

[@StraightLine_MTB]

Great question. For my riding style and local trails I'd pick the Element without question. While the Epic Evo is fast and fun it cannot handle the downs the way the Element can. Element does give up speed uphill to the Evo but it's not enough to overlook how great the Element is going down. If I was XC racing the Evo would be my choice. The Element is a rare beast as it feels like a bigger bike but climbs excellent.

[@cassysamel3914]

@@StraightLine_MTB that makes sense. I recently ordered an Epic Evo. I was interested in the Element and other bikes in that category but couldn’t find a better Black Friday deal. You put out good stuff, just subscribed.

[@StraightLine_MTB]

@@cassysamel3914 Rocky seems to keep their prices flatter than some of the other bigger names. I will say the Evo is much more capable than I had expected for a 110mm XC bike. It's fast and really pushes you to put out more miles. It's not going to be a black diamond slayer but for intended purposes it is pretty awesome. I appreciate your support!!

[@cassysamel3914]

@@StraightLine_MTB ok that’s perfect. I wanted to use it for more miles. I have my 160mm travel bike for slaying black diamonds 👍🏽

[@nobikingnolife]

👋 wassup homie. starting the youtube connections with the folks I follow on IG.

[@StraightLine_MTB]

@@nobikingnolife nice! Welcome, we should colab