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Having spent some time with the MTBR.com, I was given the chance to test ride and review the Rocky Mountain 2009 Altitude 70 mountain bike. Billed on their website as a XC Marathon mountain bike. Rocky Mountain has ten different categories on their website under the mountain bike category. Talk about options! No matter, it is all about how the bike handles once it is one the trails. My off-road trail that I ride near my home is a grinder climb of over three miles with an average grade of 14%-15%. There are a number of quick technical turns and rough areas that cows have trampled through that can give any full-suspension bike a workout.

Here is what I found out about the Rocky Mountain Altitude 70 that I had for several weeks to try.

Assembly:
I was actually given the bike partially unassembled. This gave me a new perspective on the bike. I was surprised that the rear wheel was very difficult to slide onto to its dropouts. It took much effort because the chain stays are very short and the rear derailleur was in the way. This in theory is supposed to give the bike better climbing capabilities but having to work so hard installing the rear wheel makes me concerned if I have a rear wheel flat out in the woods. Other than the rear tire, everything else assembled very easily.

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Component Selection:
This bike came equipped with Shimano SLX shifters/levers, Formula K24 hydraulic disc brakes, Race Face Deus crank set, headset and stem. To round things out, the Rocky Mountain also uses FOX Float RP23 Custom Valve with 140mm travel for the rear shock and a FOX 32 Float RL, 140mm, Lockout / rebound 15mm axle front fork. Both the rear shock and fork have lockout for climbing. Wheel sets are Shimano XT hubs with Mavic rims attached to WTB Wolverine tires. Total weight of the bike not including pedals is slightly over 28lbs. Travel front and rear is 140mm.

Specs List:
  • Frame RMB FORM 7005 Alu, hydroFORMed seattube, aluminum seatstay, alu chainstay
  • Fork FOX 32 Float RL
  • Front Travel 140mm, Lockout / rebound 15mm axle
  • Rear Shock FOX Float RP23 Custom Valved
  • Rear Travel 140mm
  • Head Set FSA Orbit MX
  • Stem Race Face Deus SL XC Ti Bolts 31.8 x 6° 70-90-100mm
  • Handlebar Race Face Atlas AM low rise 31.8mm 700mm
  • Brakes Shimano XT hydraulic disc
  • Brake Levers Shimano XT
  • Shifters Shimano XT Rapid Fire 9spd
  • Gearing (FR) Shimano XT 34.9mm
  • Gearing (RR) Shimano XTR LP
  • Cranks & Chainrings Race Face Deus X-Type 170-175mm 44/32/22T
  • Bottom Bracket Race Face Deus XC X-Type
  • Pedals Crank Brothers Candy
  • Hubs (FR) Shimano XT disc 15mm axle
  • Hubs (RR) Shimano XT disc
  • Cassette Shimano XT-9 11-34T
  • Chain Shimano HG73
  • Spokes DT Competition
  • Rims Mavic XC717
  • Tires (RR/FR) WTB Wolverine 26
  • Seat Post Race Face Deus XC 30.9mm
  • Saddle fi'zi:k Nisene

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The ride:
Right off the bat, I could tell that this bike has low rolling resistance because of the WTB tires. Whether on the road to the trail or on the trail, the WTB tires in conjunction with the bike's geometry worked together to make this bike roll easily. Once I started the climb on the moderately steep grade, I can tell that this bike was made for climbing. Having the short chain stays and the Rocky Mountain's steep 76 degree seat tube angle made this bike a very good climber. I would even say that this bike could compete with many of the XC racing mountain bikes for climbing. Having lockout in the front and rear shocks helped in this matter. No bobbing with this bike during the climb.

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Shooting the Rocky Mountain down the mountain, the Fox shocks absorbed everything the mountain had to offer. It had a very smooth ride that felt planted to the ground. But having the steep head tube didn't help this bike in the handling department when the trail became technical. The steering I would describe as very reactive to your input. It is too quick and jittery for my personal taste. I had difficulty negotiating the switchbacks and high speed turns with the Rocky Mountain. It is better suited as a long travel climber with straight-line downhill lines. Once the trail starts to bend, you really need to work to keep the Rocky Mountain carved correctly.

Shifting and braking were first-rate. The Formula brakes were very powerful and even the rear brake alone was strong enough to slow the bike significantly on descents. One thing I did notice over time was the dropout bolt, if not properly torqued, loosened up and made the rear derailleur bang against the rear chain stay to create a lot of noise on descents. Once torqued properly, the loud noise was gone.

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Bottom Line and Ratings

As a long-travel climber, the Rocky Mountain can climb just like any other XC mountain bike. However, the overly reactive steering (especially in tight, technical turns) was a turnoff for me. This bike would probably suit the user looking for a great climber with long-travel and doesn't encounter any technical turns or switchbacks on their trail.

Ratings:
4 out of 5 chili peppers for its climbing abilities.
3 out of 5 chili peppers for its steering abilities.
4 out of 5 chili peppers for its terrain absorption.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
3 flamin' chili peppers


MSRP: $3999.99
Rocky Mountain Bicycles Website: https://www.bikes.com/

From the Manufacturer:
"STRAIGHT UP We've got your back. With a first of its kind 76-degree seat angle, you're in a position to defy gravity at every technical uphill climb. The Straight up geometry and its bio-mechanically correct seat position allows for maximum horsepower."

Mtbr user review highlights:

"Ymiller" from Littleton, CO says: "Climbs great, easy to manuever around, over and thru obsticles while climbing. Pedal bob is almost non-existent."

"saddlesore" from Calgary says: "pedals really really well. Great climber. Solid component specs." He also adds: "Handling is like my blur XC, a bit twitchy"