Rocky Mountain Altitude Review: EWS Winning Pedigree | 2021 Field Test

[@justinsiever710]

I like how kaz fixed the problems he was having with the bikes

[@mitchellkolinsky7341]

You should test the grim donut with the enduro bikes

[@Guillermoshredz]

But it’s an XC bike

[@xx-----------xx873]

@@Guillermoshredz No, it''s a Downcountry bike, get your facts right.

[@gigachadsmum]

@@xx-----------xx873 I thought the grim donut was enduro

[@xx-----------xx873]

@@gigachadsmum that one went over your head then, but I'll explain: Downcountry is a new industry term describing bikes with 120mm of travel front and rear. Literally everyone makes fun of it, as it is another useless naming scheme, when short travel trail bike or XC bike fit the bill. It was meant to be an iteration of the previous comment's "it's an XC bike", because the Grim Donut was a feature on that test. I was just adding to that joke.

[@gigachadsmum]

@@xx-----------xx873 oh ok thanks 👍

[@g0me2z]

Yo Pinkbike. Can you add in your reviews a segment that is explained how the certain bike jumps and if it is playfull on the trail like if it easy to manoover or do bunny hop or how it react on bigger jumps ? I bet there is a lot of ppl who just want shread the trail and have fun and not into racing. I would really appriciate a video comparison of bikes you would reccomand for shreaders not racers :)

[@MrTylerHaines]

Agree with this, especially if you're saying this is the "Enduro all-mountain / *Freeride* roundup".

[@cartermacrenaris705]

100% agree

[@mr.stombrat4140]

Yes

[@jacobmotichka6055]

Great suggestion

[@xhead86]

Couldn’t have said it better myself

[@nicom4996]

ooh yes, Pinkbike is out again; my favorite show of the week!

[@BrettSampson]

I bought the A30 build spec (the cheapest one) a couple weeks ago. I think the aluminum builds are incredibly good value. For under $4k I got the grip damper in my fork, the dpx2 shock, 4 piston brakes, and Deore 12 speed drivetrain with their smooth shifting under load. I run mine in the middle Ride-9 setting as I had constant pedal strikes in the slackest setting. Also, I pushed the saddle all the way back on the rails despite the not-so-steep seat tube angle. Finally, while the reach numbers are fairly long on my size large the bike rides surprisingly nimble and comfortable. I’m 6’ tall with a 33” inseam and the 480mm reach and 150mm dropper feel perfect.

[@lonohst]

Just got my A50 as well couldn't be happier

[@BrettSampson]

@@lonohst Have you had a chance to get much riding in? I’m curious what settings you’ve settled on. I switched to setting 3 because I read that it is more progressive than 5. On the downhill stuff I love it but the BB sits really low. So far I’m not sure if it’s worth it over setting 5.

[@lonohst]

@@BrettSampson right now I'm in 6 which I think is Neutral progressive but I've only been ok it for half a day. I tried 9 but the bike didn't feel right. Kind of twitchy but I really need to sit down and play with it. Have you seen Jeff Kendall Weed's video where he takes the bike on the same section in all 9 settings? If not check it out.

[@BrettSampson]

@@lonohst I did! That’s what convinced me to go to 3. I also heard on the pinkbike podcast (I think) that the EWS guys ride it in either 2 or 3. That’s not necessarily a good reason for me to do it haha. But I figured I would try it out. Maybe I should try 6 so I get the progressive benefit but a higher BB.

[@lonohst]

@@BrettSampson I did a couple of short rides in 9 and didn't feel the BB height was an issue. I did a good 3 hour ride in some semi technical trails and didn't really care for the way the bike handled so I put it in 6 on whim and was much happier. We'll see what happens when I get it into some real technical areas but right now the weather isn't cooperating.

[@prenomnom8953]

Thank you for the subtitles ! I'm french so that's helping me a lot to understand what you say.

[@maxwalker9990]

We want the mystery bike next!

[@joelbillington8536]

Its just gonna be the new Santa Cruz I reckon, in the photo they gave us it looked like a Burgtec stem which only SC stocks

[@Maga10936]

@@joelbillington8536 or the grim doughnut

[@BikingwithJP]

Replaceable shock link is a great idea! Other bikes that have this?

[@rydertait6111]

Cascade sells them

[@Jukis82]

@@rydertait6111 for which bike? Rocker link is totally different thing..

[@leonvoit3597]

@@Jukis82 Santa Cruz, specialized, Kona and some other bikes

[@Jukis82]

They have a replaceable shock mount? I dont think so.

[@leonvoit3597]

@@Jukis82 check out their website cascadecomponents.bike/

[@forestinfocus1926]

Another great video form Pinkbike! I love your videos!

[@pdadv77]

Likely Rocky understands that most riders buying in this range are not counting dollar value and just picking on performance and esthetics. Smart idea on the replaceable shock link.

[@bigraide9258]

I'd like to see the times of this bike against the specialized enduro

[@jonahdewitt8464]

I love how this review video insinuates that enduro bikes and breweries go hand in hand.

[@vladislavkhobot]

Can't wait for the propain spindrift rewiev

[@VR6ix]

2:02 who's the hack that forgot the flush-cut side cutters on the cable tie? lol

[@abelramos8652]

Nice to know how the new altitude powerplay is exactly going to be about one year earlier. Only RM

[@ka81alex]

8:00 can smbd show how exactly did he get rid of brake pads rattling ??

[@loamyhomies7153]

It says in the video when he mentioned the issue that he put mastic tape beneath the cooling fins on the caliper .

[@MrTylerHaines]

Check out the video at the 10:00 mark you can see mastic tape between the fins of the pads and the caliper.

[@deisen123]

Like the scratch on the caliper. Would like to see the footage when that happened.

[@mattmiller7650]

You can use soft side of Velcro and place on caliper. Cut to size. Works great. Gray to match

[@steveinoz8188]

I love my 2022 Altitude A30. Real good price. ZEB170, Deore drive, 4 piston brakes. Reliable, comfortable. BUT - seat only 142 wide (on large bike) and chain stay adjusted to shortest can't fit wheel easily.

[@reaganhughes169]

On the cons I think it was missed my biggest complaint having owned a 2021 (I love it), the center frame design allows the sprocket/crank to bottom out and touch off on terrain more than any other mountain bike I have ridden. I have to go out of my way peddling and hitting things thinking about this. I do ride the fastest downhill on it, for whatever reason, it just sails...

[@concrerto]

Kaz is the best reviewer, not dissing the other Mike, Kaz has a more relatable way of explaining stuff... damn sorry other Mike, You’re still cool bud

[@Powerhugful]

Are you really gonna leave the Propain last.... I'm dying to know about it.

[@ianw3811]

Propain is amazing I hear, super good suspension kinematics

[@BrettSampson]

Check out @mtbyumyum review. He does a great job getting into the details of how the ride feels.

[@Powerhugful]

@@BrettSampson I've watched his video on the previous version of the bike. I don't think he has a review on the new one though.

[@BrettSampson]

@@Powerhugful he just posted his review of the new one a few days ago.

[@ritchiephillips5084]

I'm hanging with you @Mike D... I've got mine on order for Feb so want to know if I've made the right decision or not 😬. My version (CF with Fox kit) was half the price of the Rocky!

[@lgrankin]

What brewery are you hanging out? Sweet location!

[@boiing9274]

That intro music is refreshing at every single time I hear it! iT eNlIgHtEnS mY hEaRt 0o0

[@StepXX]

Hi! Thanks for the review. What about climbing time for this bike?

[@christrupp2250]

Can’t wait for my A70 to arrive!

[@deetsnot3745]

Have you reviewed the revel rascal and if not will you be in the near future ?

[@racketbear112]

Can we get the weight in metric also, as you know most of the world use metric system

[@pyramid618]

Divide by 2.2

[@mtbbomberodad10]

Google it. Pretty simple. Lol

[@MTBCoop]

Excited for the 2021 Instinct BC!!

[@danielvillada8866]

They are removing it

[@Jukis82]

Its not coming, altitude 29 replaced it.

[@MTBCoop]

Sad day..... Thanks for the info!

[@AlexAutoYYC]

Hey Guys, please make the Salsa Cassidy review!!!!! Looks like nobody has it yet!!!!!

[@julianchavez3372]

I ride mine with it in the steepest setting and I go fast. I'll change it to slack position for bike park.

[@northshorebikingnskiing3155]

Thats the bike I have. Well, its not as upgraded of course but it rides great!

[@danwilliams783]

I really don't see the point in bottoming out the fork and shock like shown. I'd rather see a graphic of how it progresses in travel. what makes it good or bad.

[@peaohvee1784]

Gonna be between an altitude or the new spectral :D

[@NONO-hz4vo]

A quick comparison to last years winner (for 2020 it would be the Spec Enduro) would be nice to know if this is better or worse than the last years fare.

[@boisebiker4713]

worse. the 2020 enduro pedals way better and its way more supportive in the top end of the stroke.. in fact i bought the elite version last year only to crack it on a huge drop in august. still waiting on the replacement frame but im more than happy

[@NONO-hz4vo]

@@boisebiker4713 See PinkBike. How hard was that. Thanks @Boise Biker

[@boisebiker4713]

@@NONO-hz4vo anytime.

[@HelplmAlive]

PSI on the tires?

[@lindsaymcpherson4744]

At $9000 bucks I think that's pure madness !!

[@cdwag23]

$9900.00

[@lindsaymcpherson4744]

@@cdwag23 oops I stand corrected . that's crazy money !!

[@djsercy5879]

I know people who spent less on their daily drivers

[@djgolf3256]

@@lindsaymcpherson4744 What bike do you think is worth $10 G's?

[@samuelb7546]

@@djsercy5879 lol most of my life my vehicles cost less than $500.

[@driver_18]

Can the Medium frame be swapped from 29 to 27.5?

[@samuelb7546]

I've been looking into this as well but so far I think maybe not.

[@janmarsalek9124]

What shorts does the rider wear?

[@rickybonn]

31.3 pounds with DD tires? Or with the control tires?

[@pinkbike]

Control tires.

[@jasonanker3120]

Tape? Tell me more. Running XTR and the rattle bugs the hell out of me.

[@Simon-Simon-Simon]

why I dont like air shocks the rear rebounds and bounces

[@alcaholic640]

Cause yours isnt tuned corectly,do you have the pressure right,tolkens installed?rebound adjusted correctly,figure your shock out and you will love it also what kind of shock is it or what kind of bike are you riding?

[@Simon-Simon-Simon]

@@alcaholic640 look at the slowmotion on the video

[@alcaholic640]

@@Simon-Simon-Simon some wild stuff happining in slow mo no mater what shock you run

[@MrRichjdillon]

Is it me or does the linkage look like the old Santa Cruz generation 1 Hightower

[@IamSeafarer]

It is just you, OG Hightower linkage was from downtube to direct angle point of rear triangle. This one is from Top-tube to a 3 point swing-arm. Entirely different linkage. Similar physics.

[@maskims_blanchos]

SHOW US THE SANTA CRUUUUUZ BAYYYYYYYBEEEEEEEEE

[@moisesplata461]

I had a test riding of this bike in my local bike shop a few months ago, and it was fun, actually I was tempted to buy one. But a good friend of mine broke two Altitude carbon frames in less than a year. Rocky Mountain have great bikes, but their quality ranges are soo inpredictable.

[@anthonyarruda1145]

Thats why I always go Aluminum.

[@ulises0717]

I was really interested in Rocky Mountain until that infamous slayer, do you know what happened? It would suck your bike getting recalled and not riding those days

[@mikehaslett3738]

I wouldn’t shy from the slayer. It being ripped on by the likes of thomas vanderham. I have a feeling that rear axle had spun out and caused the failure.

[@IamSeafarer]

Do NOT base your opinion on them from that video. Something was effed from the setup with the axle likely being overtightened. Look at their podiums, their rosters, their community of hard riders. They cover their bases and own up to any issues. I've ridden their bikes for 5 years with only great things to say. Extremely underrated bike brand somehow, even being one of the OG brands.

[@stevecrump1375]

Crazy price! !!!

[@shawndurraniau]

Is this really the same as what Jesse was riding? I've got a vague memory that they created a bit of a 'Slayer-esque' rear end for them when they shifted to the Altitude... to help them get used to it. Did the market get the Altitude or the Slaytude?

[@lonohst]

Jesse comments on the Pinkbike site, he said at the end of the day it was to ease the transition but when you to the math it's 0.3 degrees slacker and it worked so he left it but that's he's testing over the winter.

[@caseyjoe4827]

90% of the comment section: how about we talk about any other bike

[@mr.stombrat4140]

I hope I will get a good bike one day🙁

[@WasLuka]

me too

[@nedoloughlin507]

Same

[@anthonywalters7434]

Same

[@drewgalbraith4499]

Yay Moto style internal routing!!

[@raheemgahelable]

Where is Mike Levy?!!

[@keton9685]

This is the enduro category and mike levy was in the trail bike category

[@petertyliszczak3411]

In Canada. They had to film separately since the US is a shithole and Kazimer can't go from Bellingham to Squamish.

[@symmetricon1982]

@@petertyliszczak3411 thats Canada's fault

[@petertyliszczak3411]

@@symmetricon1982 I'm pretty sure it's the fault of the US having an uncontrolled pandemic so Canada made the right decision to close the border.

[@symmetricon1982]

@@petertyliszczak3411 🤣 uncontrolled lmao, 99.997% recovery rate

[@Andrew.strong]

This is way better then school!!!!

[@gregoryvierra6114]

*than. Stay in school kid. PB will be here on the weekends.

[@cdwag23]

School sucks ass but working minimum wage for life sucks even worse

[@xx-----------xx873]

It isn't. School sucks, a shitty job sucks more.

[@mrvwbug4423]

People actually get annoyed by that minor rattle shimano finned pads make? I run them on my bike, have never heard more than an occasional minor rattle out of them.

[@Windband1]

Same here. Been riding XT brakes with the fins for 5 years, including the new four piston. Not a sound.

[@DavidFoundCo]

I second that

[@chrispollock7507]

Is the BB threaded?

[@dangerouscookie4790]

No. Pressfit.

[@ErickNS1]

Everything functions properly kzbin.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Nothing was damaged in the box aside from a decal on the fork. The decal was missing a piece of a corner but I ended up peeling them off anyways. Assembly is easy BUT make sure you tune up the derailleurs. Both the front and rear need adjusting. I'd advise going to a bike shop but I opted out and put in 10+ hours with the help of KZbin. Ended up fraying a shifter cable but all in all I learned from the experience. The Brakes work well but the front caliper needs adjusting or at least mine did because the rotor was rubbing against the pads. Make sure you swap out the seat, grips, and pedals. For the short run you'll be fine though. I've read that this bike isn't built yet for hard trails but I just need it for the city. PA has some of the worst roads and being in a mountain this was a great choice. Worth the investment!

[@indigosumo1994]

Norco shore????

[@pinkbike]

Tomorrow. 🙂

[@madjh8]

This was one of my favourites bicycles. I own 2 Rocky Mountains and they ride lovely ... but ... a Yeti has cross in to my path and win. But I still love it. The yeti wins because a 3er one could be too many RM.

[@jakejoevenazzo1478]

Anyone know the tire pressure they were running

[@pinkbike]

I typically ran 21 front / 23 psi rear with Maxxis EXO+ tires - Assegai 2.4 and DHR II 2.4". - Mike

[@sapinva]

@@pinkbike That might be just a bit unrealistic. At 220 lbs I can get away with maybe 35 lbs on downhill casings if I'm really careful.

[@jakejoevenazzo1478]

@@pinkbike thank you, did you ever experience any times of hitting the rim on the ground maybe off a drop to rocky landing

[@MrSupermugen]

@@sapinva ?????? im 210lbs and run 24/26 on carbon wheels and ive maybe hit the rim twice? - in fast rock stuff, on fast flow i can feel the rear squiggle sometimes so usally at the park on the big tracks/jumps ill up the psi by 2 and i have no tire issues, i also dont use inserts. if i used 35psi on dh casings i would need to go the dentist to put my teeth back on.

[@sapinva]

@@MrSupermugen Don't know how people get away with that. I'd need 50 lbs w/o inserts. Maybe it works better on longer travel bikes.

[@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well]

why flipchips aint just called flipchips?

[@noahsmith9906]

u1 e1 I agree

[@Jukis82]

cuz a flipchip is a chip that you flip between 2 positions.. A ride-9 you flip between 9 positions and Ride-4 between 4 positions.. Is it too complicated?

[@gundamnit3594]

@@Jukis82 so it's a flipchip with more flips, gotcha.

[@noahsmith9906]

Jukka Räsänen yes I regret to inform you that that is too complicated for me, but I thank you for your explanation less the none

[@lonohst]

@@gundamnit3594 it's like a bag of chips

[@keton9685]

Are you in like a brew house

[@alexarbeloa4688]

How about doing the review on the basic build and not the top of the line? only 5% of the community can afford the top of the line why not doing reviews on the aluminum frame for the other 95%

[@blapblapism]

Holy fuck 10k. Does it come with a fucking engine attached to it??! If your riding a 10k bike you better be ripping

[@lvpheno7025]

FUTURE SHITY WALMART BIKE!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mr.stombrat4140]

Hello

[@jonasmayer561]

Hello

[@ljmimages5297]

Hello

[@ridemtbbc9409]

Hello!

[@WasLuka]

Hello

[@Andrew.strong]

Hello

[@obi-wankenobi9871]

12000 canadian Dollars, and this bike has noisy brakes that needed to be bleed, no carbon wheels, no electronic shifting, no carbon cranks/power meter and no electronic dropper post. Yikes.

[@walkerhul3885]

I ride a Rocky Mountain pipeline and personally I wouldn’t want electronic dropper and shifting for enduro racing (which this bike is made for) because imagine you run out of battery in the middle of the stage and not being able to shift or dropper but it does save a lil weight which is nice for enduro. I’m not hating just building on what you said, ur point about the price is factual.

[@obi-wankenobi9871]

@@walkerhul3885 I dont want carbon and electronics either, but without them the price just seems made up.

[@sjaan7370]

The truth is the Altitude is an amazing bike and many that ride it know it to be true. Search your feelings, not your pocket book young one.

[@jankaskyevitchjellbet7293]

Meh

[@antn8387]

this costs as much as my car..