Rocky Mountain Altitude Review: Not a One-Trick Pony

[@shawnbruns8730]

Been riding an Altitude 70 all summer and agree with all of your comments, this is a superb all-around bike. I think the un-poppy/un-lively feeling is down to the X2 and your settings. I actually had to send my X2 back to Fox when I first got the bike and put on Fox's new DHX trail coil. This completely changed the bike in a very good way, giving a more lively but still very initially plush feeling, and I even like pedaling better with the DHX. I think the X2 is just a bit TOO damp, but it does make for an amazingly plush ride.

[@MrSupermugen]

im using a dpx2 and the Plush feeling is due to lack of LSC tuning in the factory shock. any new aftermarket shock will hold it up better - the stock tune/suspension setup is why the bike isnt super slack , it sits back down in the rear and feels slacker than it is

[@jwyrick44]

Nailed this one for me. Been thinking of making the switch from my current 27.5 and my mind is now made up. Thanks!

[@mxcn-hz5nj]

"capable enough enduro bike" is an understatement. It's won EWS races under Jesse Melamed who top 5's most races. I appreciated your Hightower comparison as that's what I ride so I may go demo this as I'm looking to go up in travel.

[@bikersedge]

To be fair Jesse could probably win an EWS on a unicycle.

[@DavidFoundCo]

Agreed. The OP seems really biased towards other brands, haven’t heard any other channel call it “capable enough enduro bike”

[@michaelmcdermott9445]

Got mine a few months ago and can't get enough. Coming from a Remedy 8, it felt so much more comfortable and plush but also just as agile as the Remedy. I'm 6'1 also so the 29" Altitude feels way more natural than the 27.5 Trek. Love it beyond words

[@bikersedge]

Is so good

[@anthonyarruda1145]

I'm a big Trek guy and watching all the reviews and videos on this bike it will be my first FS definitely going to get the A30 👍

[@jamesonmidgett8834]

Maybe you just told me exactly what I wanted to hear or this was one of if not the best bike review I’ve ever watched. Pros/cons and to the dang point!

[@bikersedge]

Thanks for the awesome feedback. Stoked you like the videos.

[@TheBikeRoom]

Great review and nailed it on the head. I've been riding my Altitude for years tried all but two of the ride 9 settings and it's an absolute belter on the downs but as you rightly said it's not an A* on the climbs, the B+ is noticeable on the more technical, craggy climbs where it stalls on steep, square edged rocks where getting the front high can be hard to time, as with bunny hopping. I also ride a Giant Trance 29er and the 130mm Fox 34 bottoms out at correct sag so easily on same stuff the Altitude just swallows up with aplomb. So, you're right that if a rider wants that bike that can still mile-munch but hit the Enduro race hard then the Altitude is a weapon I'll always turn up with. Saying that, can't fault the Giant Trance for getting me up and winning me new PRs on the climbs.

[@indybikereview-bicyclesgea2428]

Great review as always. I've got an instinct as a personal long term bike and have been tempted to do the upgrade with Shock, mount and fork to make it an Altitude but the seat tube angle keeps preventing me. The concept of sharing a frame and changing linkage and shock to make a long travel bike is so appealing, just such a shame the post gets slacker. For me, slack seat angle bikes mean I either have a sore back if I sit on the saddle properly, or a sore taint from sitting on the nose of the saddle (never mind the wheelying thing). I'd love to see a brand address this because something like an Altitude with a 78 degree seat angle would be amazing.

[@bikersedge]

I think that's always going to be the problem when you have two bikes with the same frame. If one gets a slacker head tube, It's going to get a slacker seat tube too. Can't really get around it. On the Altitude the seat tube is slack, but not a deal breaker for me. It's still in what I would call the acceptable range.

[@Alexandre-bj1mg]

Scor does away with this issue using an angleset headset to go from the short travel 4060 to the long travel 4060. You could also do the same here on the instinct / altitude : a lot of people use a 1 degree angleset headset on the altitude to steepen the seat tube while keeping the same head angle.

[@jg8273]

A great looking and great performing enduro bike. Rockys are hit or miss with their paint, color scheme..I dig this 2021 version. Much, much better then the new 2022 paint jobs. Rad vid 🤘

[@bikersedge]

Oh man. I’m the opposite. I like the current colors way more.

[@chucksnothereman]

FYI, at the end you mention changing the front shock mount to turn it into an Instinct (or if you want you can add a 27" rear wheel) but I believe this is only available for Carbon frames, not alloy. Punters may want to confirm if they are thinking about an alloy frame. Cheers

[@bikersedge]

Correct. Only the alloy frames have the swappable shock mounts.

[@lazylearner967]

So excited your shop is carrying Rocky Mountain.

[@bikersedge]

So are we.

[@spottba]

the footage is sick. You guys have some fun looking trails.

[@bikersedge]

Thanks! We've got a ton of trails and variety.

[@NoOne56488]

I upgraded from a L 2018 Instinct to a 2022 XL Altitude, the L is too small for me at almost 6'3. Massive difference in how stable it is bombing down hills, a lot more stable than my old instinct which use to skate around a lot. Altitude climbs, corners and jumps a lot better then my old instinct and no more bottoms out on the same jumps / hits due to better everything(might needed a spacer in the old instinct) being better.

[@tonybasoni8443]

Fantastic job once again. This is so helpful. I got a chance to ride an Occam yesterday and honestly I was not overly impressed. I was a great bike, but just didnt give me that, I have to have one feel. I was switching back and forth from my Spur, and the Occam and darn, that Spur is tough to beat. If it only had more travel. Going to have to take another hard look at the Sentinel. Maybe wait for them to come up with a better color for the carbon versions for 2022. I am so confused! Thanks again for another awesome video.

[@bikersedge]

Thanks. Glad you liked it!

[@maffin2917]

Thank you for the Review. Great video. I hope you get the Spire anytime soon. Would love to see how the Spire compares to the Altitude and the Range.

[@bikersedge]

I hope so too! I've been dying to ride one for a long time now.

[@maffin2917]

@@bikersedge This review makes me question if I want a Range or may this, maybe a spire or a Nukeproof giga. im lost :D

[@brandonnewell4081]

You were flying on Lost Lad! That trail has some pretty good chatter bumps right now and the Altitude made it look smooth as pavement.

[@bikersedge]

So smooth and so fast.

[@pjsanab]

I’m sold. Was about to purchase a Spire without even considering this bike. Great review.

[@bikersedge]

Glad you liked it. This one should definitely be on your list.

[@klassyken]

Thanks for the review, very good!. I would like to add one comment, the rear shock in your review (X2) provides a night and day ride when compared with the Float X. The float X gives it that poppy playful feeling you described about the instinct, and guess what the instinct C70 comes with? The Float X. Anyways thought ide share this with potential buyers. Whilst incredibly tuneable the X2 is know for its non poppy nature and i personally think this may be what you were feeling on your test ride? I could be wrong, but at least think this warrants acknowledgement.

[@bikersedge]

Hey thanks for the kind words! I think the shock only makes a small difference in the overall ride quality of the bike. I’ll agree that the X2 isn’t as lively as a Float X, but I don’t think it makes as much difference as people think. The kinematics and geometry make up the vast majority of how a bike rides. I think even with a Float X this bike is still super plush and grounded.

[@klassyken]

@@bikersedge thanks for your response, and I understand precicely where you are coming from. We would love to see you review the Float x version anyways?

[@justing888]

What was the last trail you were riding? Looks super fun! Great reviews I demoed an Instinct and loved it. No surprise the big brother is good as well 🤙🏾

[@bikersedge]

Lost lad. Good times.

[@claytonjessup6163]

That’s very good to know !! I have looked at this bike very much!! I am liking the idea of one bike like you said !

[@bikersedge]

It's such a solid option to put on the list.

[@claytonjessup6163]

@@bikersedge that’s very good to know , thank you for your amazing reviews . I would love to see you review a Fezzari La Sal Peak , I know it’s a consumer direct brand but I don’t know if you could be able to.

[@bikersedge]

@@claytonjessup6163 glad you like the videos. We won’t be able to do the Fezzari unfortunately.

[@claytonjessup6163]

@@bikersedge no worries ! You still put out amazing content , and I am sure I am still going to watch it all ! Great amazing work!

[@colingardiner5349]

Great review as ever. What is that jacket you’re wearing? I like it.

[@bikersedge]

Glad you liked the review! It a Mountain Hardware jacket from a few years back.

[@Marc-su1jj]

thanks a lot for this review!

[@andrewolson5278]

Where were these trails you were riding?

[@nicholashines7686]

Great review. Do you think the Transition Sentinel pedals and climbs better? I just demoed the Altitude and it pedaled .......no so good. I have a Ripmo right now so I have a new found appreciation for pedaling performance.

[@bikersedge]

I think the Sentinel is a bit faster uphill. I go into more detail on that comparison around the 6:16 mark and on our written review linked in the description.

[@chawkins45ify]

Any plans on doing a review on the powerplay altitude? I'm really torn between that and the new giant reign e+

[@bikersedge]

As soon as we can get one we will be reviewing it.

[@jessiekruse7627]

Alright another voice over !!!

[@bikersedge]

I'm going to try it for a while and see how it goes .

[@orestisvas7277]

3:25 Meanwhile jeff kendal weed: manuals and bunny hops the entire trail

[@bikersedge]

Sure. But he’d have an easier time doing that on a more playful bike.

[@orestisvas7277]

@@bikersedge yeah of course but with a bit more effort you can have fun on enduro bikes too

[@bikersedge]

Of course. I do almost every day. But when I’m talking about how playful a bike is, some are way more playful than others. I just want people to know what they’re getting into when buying a bike.

[@orestisvas7277]

@@bikersedge ok got it, thanks

[@emilelacroix4499]

Hi, I was wondering between getting the altitude A30 or the trek slash 8 is there a better budget enduro bike between these two or another model perhaps? Thanks for coming back to me

[@bikersedge]

We don't carry Trek so I'm not too familiar with the Slash. Won't be able to provide much input there.

[@lazylearner967]

It sounds like the Sentinel is more "poppy" as in the wheels are easier to get off the ground than the Altitude?

[@bikersedge]

Yeah that’s pretty accurate.

[@lutzer21]

Nice vid. Have you ever rode a yt capra or jeffsy, how would this compare?

[@bikersedge]

I haven’t ridden a YT for years. Wouldn’t be able to say.

[@kaylorperatt4026]

What ride position did you end up pedaling the most? And what chainstay?

[@bikersedge]

I ended up in neutral and slack most of the time. I bounced back and forth on chainstay.

[@SkarTisu]

Is comparing this to a Yeti SB150 relevant? If so, what would stand out in that comparison?

[@bikersedge]

I think it’s relevant. It’s just been too long since I’ve ridden one of those to compare though.

[@NDURcycling]

Can someone please test the new element. I do not find any review of this rig.

[@bikersedge]

I don't think anyone has been able to get them in for review yet. We will be reviewing it as soon as we can get one.

[@EliteHardrive]

Im stuck in between sizes (im 5ft 8.9) would it be better to go for the large and get a shorter stem? Or go for the medium?

[@bikersedge]

Go check out our bike sizing video. That will lay out the pros and cons for you.

[@MTBActionCam1]

Bike is smoking!! Literally. :)

[@bikersedge]

On fire!!!

[@NB-ski]

How does this bike compare to the new Hightower? Also, if you wanted this bike slacker, I see it has a zs heaset, could I run an angle headset ?

[@bikersedge]

The HT feels a bit burlier and more planted. This feel a bit more trail and less all mountain.

[@NB-ski]

@@bikersedge good to know, thank you! Surprising given the travel numbers

[@bikersedge]

@@NB-ski Sorry. that was incorrect info. I thought this was on the Instinct video. They have very similar thumbnails. This rides bigger and burlier than the HT. It's a heavier and slower climber. The HT3 is more well rounded.

[@rockandchilimtb]

Will you do the slayer a review?

[@bikersedge]

If we can get one we will.

[@steveinoz8188]

I've found on mine (A30) that my 29in rear wheel won't fit if the shorter chainstay length is chosen. Maybe its for a 27.5?

[@bikersedge]

If its a size small or medium then there's the possibility that you have a 27.5.

[@steveinoz8188]

Its a large with 29in wheels@@bikersedge

[@bikersedge]

@@steveinoz8188 it should definitely clear 29 in both axle positions. Do you have the MX mount installed? What tire size?

[@steveinoz8188]

29x2.4. I'd have to let the air out to get it to fit.@@bikersedge

[@bikersedge]

And you for sure don’t have the MX mount installed?

[@mickaelht598]

was it the shortest with the chainstay long and the nine-ride slack?

[@bikersedge]

Are you asking if its wheelbase is shorter than the others in that graphic when it’s in long and slack? It would be 1285 in the short CS setting and 1295 in the long setting. I think that puts it a few MM longer than the sentinel.

[@mickaelht598]

@@bikersedge yeah exactly, thanks for figuring out the question lol

[@Benny_BePunkt]

okay its a sick bike but which setting (ride9) do you prefer??

[@bikersedge]

I ended up in neutral with the long chainstay mode.

[@Benny_BePunkt]

@@bikersedge Pos. 5 right??

[@bikersedge]

Yes. Position 1 was nice, but the seat tube felt better in 5.

[@kwilson4880]

I wonder if it would work well as a mullet

[@bikersedge]

I'd worry about that. Even putting the bike in the steepest setting, you're going to make the seat tube angle slacker with a smaller back wheel. Personally, I wouldn't want it any slacker than it is.

[@chawkins45ify]

@@bikersedge mtb yum-yum in running his in a mullet and loves it. Maybe it's longer stoked or using offset bushings

[@bikersedge]

Maybe he's worked some magic. I'd personally not want that seat tube angle any slacker. I'm also a bigger fan of straight 29. To each their own.

[@nickadams3196]

Colt 45 yum yum’s is the 27.5 version with a 29er fork/wheel

[@bikersedge]

@@nickadams3196 it’s all making sense now. Still probably makes the seat tube a bit slacker.

[@jazzunit8234]

2022 model ?

[@bikersedge]

This is a 2021. We are brand new to Rocky and our new models will start arriving at the start of the year.