This Bike is Nearly Perfect - 2022 Rocky Mountain Element First Impressions Test Ride!

[@JaredRMorgan]

I left a pinkbike video immediately when this dropped. LETS GOOOO.

[@CobraKyle]

You hear that Pinkbike?!? Whoo!

[@bikebudha01]

Carbon 50 is the sweet spot. Bike is fantastic. Have had it for a year now. Wildly, it's how well it climbs that will blow your mind. Initially rode the flip chip in "3", and it noticeably made the bike way more stable on steep/fast sections. Although it also made the front end a tad 'floppy' on steep inclines. Recently switched the chip to "4", the most xc setting. Very noticeable difference. The bike sits 10cm higher, and the front end is not floppy at all. For my style of riding, and local terrain, I think this is where I'm going to leave it. (It still descends very well). - We got our bikes on sale. And the bike shop allowed us to swap a few components 'for cost'. We ditched the stock wheels and cranks. Added spinergy alloy wheels, and raceface carbon cranks(which were on sale from raceface). We also put on Specialized ground control 2bliss tires. (we eneded up spending normal retail price, even with all the swaps) Her medium bike weighs just over 25lbs. My xl weighs just over 27lbs. No need to pony up for the A70. - And, you can get two full size water bottles inside the frame. No need to wear a camlebak. Really nice on those longer rides...

[@vicd5004]

Uncle Jerry was hilarious!!

[@harrygrimley4352]

Wow. Pretty. I can't see me ever spending that kind of money. Maybe if I win the lottery. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@CobraKyle]

Same here Harry! Bike prices are getting out of control!

[@ts1677]

Thanks Cobra Kyle you are living a dream.

[@CobraKyle]

Thank you! Trying my best to live a dreamy life!

[@praetorian5499]

Yo, what 29" medium hardtail mtb should i get for trails. in austin in outside of town. my budget is 1500

[@acebikemedia]

thanks kyle. im looking at the carbon 30. seems like a sick bike for the trails i have up here!

[@CobraKyle]

Yeah absolutely! It was a really fun bike. The less expensive carbon models seem to offer a pretty good value. I would love the A50 model personally, but they weren't available when I was shopping haha.

[@rwannito29]

Which size for Height 5’10 ? M or L ? Thanks for your tips 🙂

[@CobraKyle]

So tough to say when you're between sizes! I kind of base my sizing off the reach figure. Whatever bike you're currently on (or one you've ridden and liked), take a look at the geo chart and compare it to Element. See which size fits closest to any particular bike you like!

[@D1PP1N]

I a hair over 5'9 w/o shoes and seem to be between sizes all the time. However I will say check out the reach on your current bike vs this bike. Some of these downcountry bikes have a longer reach in medium than my medium canyon spectral 160/150mm bike (450mm).

[@greatdimitri1049]

5'9" and 6'7" wingspan...Medium fits like a glove. Reach is big on this bike.

[@griffmtb]

Man, I want that Carbon 50 in a bad way. There isn't a trail here in San Antonio it wouldn't do well on I don't think.

[@CobraKyle]

Oh yeah that thing would rip all over San Antonio! Carbon 50 or even the 30 is a pretty decent deal.

[@technovelodos]

I’ve had the C50 since Dec and although the sticker shock was real, I’ve had no regrets. It’s does everything from fast group rides with my XC bunch to DH runs (with limits). I was coming off a 2018 Fuel EX 9.7 and it is better in every way. Only thing I changed was swapping front calliper for a 4 piston version and putting a XR4 on the front.

[@Jacob99174]

Bike is a little too fancy Trek TF all the way. Cobra- Tssssssss

[@CobraKyle]

It's certainly too rich for my blood! The top fuel is an excellent bike. I'm hoping to film a review on it this weekend finally!

[@billbingham916]

Awesome review but are we just ignoring the hair??

[@CobraKyle]

We can talk about it. It looks FANTASTIC! lol. I actually shaved it all off shortly after filming this.

[@billbingham916]

@@CobraKyle Damn. I wanted to see how more fantastic it could get!

[@CobraKyle]

@@billbingham916 haha sorry! It's heating up here, and having no hair feels incredible. Like taking a sweaty mop off my head when riding.

[@eugene44569]

mismatched hubs make my ocd go crazy. same with mismatching tire brands and the list goes on and on

[@mdoucette45]

How tall are you? How did the large fit you at your height?

[@CobraKyle]

I'm 6' tall with a 32" inseam. Size large fit perfectly for me.

[@davekal]

Kind of late, but I am seriously interested in this bike. I am 6 ft 4 with longer legs than torso. Do you think the XL would be a good fit? Seeing you were 6 ft on a large seems to line up to the XL being long enough for me?

[@mdoucette45]

@@davekal you are definitely XL at 6 foot 4!!!

[@davekal]

@@mdoucette45 actually found an XL in a shop to try, xl felt great. I have an element c50 on the way, stoked.

[@oklahotb3217]

I smell heresy! Top Fuel for life!

[@CobraKyle]

I truly have no complaints with the Top Fuel. Trek wore me down!