Rocky Mountain basically created the plus trend with their bike packing oriented Sherpa. But this new plus bike is a whole different beast (click to enlarge).
Two years ago Rocky Mountain surprised the cycling world at the Sea Otter Classic with a prototype bike built around what at the time were best described as mid-fat tires. This progenitor of the plus sized craze was created for a very specific need — getting rowdy while bike packing — but the concept has since picked up steam.
Based off the Instinct and paired with a long travel 150mm fork, the Pipeline is designed to handle most features on the infamous North Shore (click to enlarge).
Rocky Mountain’s newest plus offering is a 130mm travel frame built off the same platform as the 29er Instinct. Capable of accommodating up to 3.25” tires, the Pipeline will come stock with 2.8” rubber.
The Pipeline is intended to make short work of the gnarliest trails (click to enlarge).
Unlike some of the latest crop of plus sized models which are aimed at the lighter end of the trail segment, the new Pipeline is designed for tackling technical trails.
By using two interlocking flip chips, users can easily customize the suspension and geometry of the Pipeline (click to enlarge).
Using Rocky Mountains adjustable geometry system of interlocking flip chips, the frame can be tweaked to have anywhere from a 67.2-68.8-degree head tube angle, a variable BB drop, and more progressive or linear performing suspension characteristics.
The 770 and 750 MSL are spec’d with wide bars, short stems, and quality components, but the extra cash for the 770 nets several nice spec upgrades (click to enlarge).
Complete bikes will ship with a 150mm fork and the frames are 1x specific only. There are two options: The 770 MSL, which retails for $4799, and the 750 MSL which costs $3999. Both feature mostly Shimano XT level drivetrain bits, but the 770 gets a Fox fork and shock, while the 750 uses a Rockshox Yari fork.
The frames will be available in S, M, L, XL. We’ll have more details from the Sea Otter Classic later the week. In the meantime, click over to page 2 to check out our interview with the Rocky product development team.
Gotta have it.