Spotted: New Rocky Mountain Enduro Bike

Jan 12, 2024
by Dario DiGiulio  
photo
Zoom and enhance.

Pardon the potato quality, but we work with what we've got.

Keen eyes spotted this on Instagram, lurking in the background of an innocuous mid-ride photo. Inquiring minds want to know, so here goes a lot of conjecture as to what's new with this two-tone rig. We're pretty certain it's a Rocky, considering the bike is being ridden by Remi Gauvin - one of Rocky's star athletes - and features a typical Shimano/Fox/RaceFace build kit that we typically see on Rockies (Rockys?).

photo

Despite the potato quality, this photo suggests a different layout than what we're used to seeing from Rocky Mountain. It's a lot more low slung than their traditional four bar setup, and it looks to me like it could be a one piece rear triangle.

You can see the shaft of a Kashima shock peeking out the front of the shock tunnel, which likely means X2, and therefore a bigger bike. Odds are high that it's an Altitude, as that model hasn't seen an update since late 2020. It would also follows that Remi would be riding the enduro bike, considering his race discipline.

2021 Rocky Mountain Altitude
The current-generation Altitude.

Regardless of the details that will no doubt be revealed in good time, it appears to be a pretty big departure from the layout that the Altitude currently uses, which can be modified to rider preference via their Ride-9 geometry adjustment and 2-position rear axle. The current Altitude sports 160mm of rear travel paired with a 170mm fork, which is still typical for the category and unlikely to change too much. The geometry is currently pretty modern, though I'd assume the seat angle will steepen quite a bit, and the head angle range (assuming adjustment carries over) will slacken a bit to revolve more around the 63°-64° mark.

The pictured bike uses a Shimano drivetrain, so no confirmation of whether UDH will be incorporated, though that's likely considering it's an option on the new Slayer.

We've reached out to Rocky Mountain, and they politely declined to comment.

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Spotted Enduro Bikes Rocky Mountain Rocky Mountain Altitude


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170 Comments
  • 159 2
 Oh my god is that bigfoot??
  • 105 0
 Quick grab my camera from 1960!
  • 76 0
 So, you're telling me there is a large out of focus bike out there... yikes! (RIP Mitch Headburg)
  • 16 0
 @CaseyJones409: +1 for the Mitch Headburg reference.
  • 3 0
 @likeittacky: That blurry pixel might be a mountain bike wheel or bigfoot toes..
  • 16 0
 @CaseyJones409: I can hear Mitch Hedberg now...I went to the store to buy a Rocky Mountain bicycle, but it was not rocky and there was no mountain, just a bike. This is a case of false advertising...
  • 6 0
 @CaseyJones409: RM was offering their enduro bikes with a free frozen enduro banana, man, I don’t want a frozen banana. But I do want a regular banana, later.
  • 2 0
 @likeittacky: and smear some vasoline on the lens
  • 3 0
 Check out like the third post down

www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/2020-MTB-Tech-rumors-and-innovation,10797?page=507
  • 8 0
 @CaseyJones409: I used to think Mitch was the greatest of all time. I still do.... But I used to too
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Session.
  • 1 0
 No, It's me
  • 1 0
 Was going to say the same, I've seen better photos of bigfoot! ha
  • 95 13
 Posting this out of sheer frustration and disappointment with Rocky.

I have the previous generation Slayer and current generation Altitude (bought both brand new). I always cover my bikes in RideWrap or Invisframe. Within a year the clearcoat on the Altitude started lifting around the lower headset cup on the downtube side. It migrated down the downtube until it reached the RideWrap and the wrap stopped it from migrating further. After much back and forth with Rocky and a lot of help from the dealer it turns out if you RideWrap your frame the paint warranty is no longer valid.

I posted this is in a previous comment and Rocky reached out and said they would take of it. However, after the initial reach out they stopped responding and have ignored subsequent emails.

Just be aware of this if considering a Rocky - I just bought my 2024 bike and its not a Rocky.
  • 57 5
 @RockyMountainBicycles Yeah can y'all weigh in on this? Hearing a sticker voids a warranty is a pretty monumental issue.
  • 6 0
 Dangerholm is happy to learn from your approach of clearing your frame of paint. (Attempted) jokes aside, I feel your pain going through the effort of applying the wrap with the very goal of protecting your frame paint.
  • 38 1
 especially dumb because isn't RideWrap a sponsor of the Rocky enduro team (which I think RM runs directly as a factory team)?
  • 2 3
 @sherbet: "the paint warranty" stated above.
  • 3 2
 @uponcripplecreek: Yes, that is a form of warranty being denied due to a sticker. I may be misunderstanding what you're getting at, but that's rubbish if I'm hearing correctly.
  • 4 5
 Does your frame/bike come with a manual. Helmet manuals typically state that one shouldn't apply decals as the solvent in some glues could affect the integrity of the helmet. The manual of my guitar stand even mentions that it could affect certain common guitar paints. So, does the bike manual come with any mention regarding this issue. If so, you're out of luck (and can imagine they've considered sending the RTFM card in their correspondence) but if neither RockyMountain nor RideWrap has made any mention there, it would be a weird one. You'd expect them to compensate you to some extend and issue a warning protecting them from any future claims.
  • 26 11
 @sherbet: Currently RideWrap and other frame wrap brands do void warranty issues related to clearcoat and paint. We cannot guarantee that the adhesive used in any frame wrap material won't affect the clearcoat since we do not manage that product. Additionally there are some requirements around paint adhesion and it might not work with the level of adhesion of the frame wrap. There are gentle ways to remove and replace frame wraps that won't affect clearcoat quality but it's not always known if these methods were employed. The entire topic is quite nuanced but it's something that we are working on currently for future approval.

We currently have stickers all over the frame for various compliance and information reasons. Because we manage these stickers, any frame damage related to removing these is covered.

I can't speak to the above case as I don't work in customer service but it is actively being worked on, and not being ignored at all.
  • 6 14
flag ATXZJ (Jan 12, 2024 at 10:20) (Below Threshold)
 Do you guys see many Rocky bikes on the trails in BC? Hardly saw any in Quebec, and are pretty rare here in Southwestern USA.

Every shop that tried to carry Rocky in Austin closed within 6-12mos.
  • 7 1
 @kperras: If that's the case that clearcoat better be bombproof
  • 36 3
 @kperras: To remain in context, this gentleman's clearcoat failed above the ridewrap, not at it, so clearly the chemical in the protection sheet wasn't the issue. Flatout denying a warranty while ignoring context is very poor reasoning.

I appreciate your feedback, but this is a very not great look.
  • 6 1
 @ATXZJ: Yeah, they're quite popular here.
  • 12 1
 @sherbet: Yes, exactly. In my case the peeling of the clearcoat started well before the RideWrap and the RideWrap actually stopped it from migrating further along the frame. The RideWrap is a red herring but since its on the frame that's the reason they are using for the peeling.

And yes, not responding to me is the same as ignoring. I would far prefer not having to post my experience here.
  • 12 4
 @sherbet: kperras was responding regarding the warranty (hence he responded to you not stuie), not the specific warranty claim. As he said, he's not in customer service, so he didn't ignore any context or deny anyone warranty.
  • 4 0
 @ATXZJ: a few around Calgary, but nothing compared to 20 years ago when everyone was on a Rocky or a Kona.
  • 14 4
 @sherbet: A sticker doesn't void the paint warranty. A complete frame wrap piece can void the paint warranty in the specific area of application. There is a difference, and that statement is not in reference to @stuie321 's warranty case. You'll find that many brands have the exact same policy regarding 3rd party frame wraps.

The warranty process isn't linear. I wish it could be, but there are many factors that come into play when warranty cases come up. The good news is when I checked, this case was active and not being ignored or denied.
  • 36 27
 Hey @stui321, we're really sorry to hear about the frustration and disappointment you've experienced with your Rocky Mountain bikes, and we appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns. We hate to hear that the clearcoat on your Altitude has been causing issues.

We want to clarify that our paint warranty policy on bikes.com specifies that it may be voided if RideWrap or similar protective films are applied to the frame.

That being said, we apologize for any miscommunication or lack of response you've encountered during your interactions with our team. Since our customer service staff have returned from the holidays, they've reached back out to help where they can through the dealer. Customer satisfaction is a top priority, and we want to assure you that we are committed to resolving this matter.

If anyone else has questions or concerns, our customer service team is here to help and can be reached at info@bikes.com. We truly value your feedback, and your experience will help us improve our processes moving forward.
  • 22 34
flag j-t-g FL (Jan 12, 2024 at 12:34) (Below Threshold)
 @RockyMountainBicycles: why bother replying in the comments if you're just going to ghost the guy like you did last time?
  • 10 2
 This isn’t only Rocky that does this. I’ve seen similar situations from Santa Cruz, Trek, Norco, and I think one other that I can’t think of. Paint standards are ridiculous now, that’s why car paint gets scratched so easily now. Most paint has moved to being water based which isn’t as strong and can react to adhesives much more negatively than older paint. Situation sucks, but you’ll come across this with many brands.
  • 2 0
 @Keegansamonster: Doesn't it also have to do with the frame material? My frame is steel and powdercoated, alu frames can be anodized too and titanium frames don't need much anyway (though obviously they can be powdercoated as well). But nowadays you have carbon frames too (and assuming the frame in question is carbon too) and you can neither powdercoat nor anodize them. So you're left with just paint and I can imagine they'd never stick as well to the smooth epoxy underneath. Or at least, the adhesion has to compete with the adhesion to the protective film. It is a bit like thinking it is clever to protect the hairs on your body with Brazilian Wax.
  • 13 8
 @RockyMountainBicycles: why would applying ride wrap void the paint warranty? The adhesion of the glue on the sticker should not lift of the clear coat no less the paint
  • 2 1
 @vinay: that’s true, yes. Powder coating is always going to be far more durable than paint. But you can’t powder coat carbon (other than guerrilla gravity) or aluminum due to the heat associated with the process. The rest your left with automotive paint which will chip, lift, etc.
  • 7 1
 @Keegansamonster: you certainly can powder coat aluminum. Temps for curing powder coat are usually around 200C, while the temp for altering the previous heat treatment of aluminum are generally much higher than that.
  • 2 0
 @mammal: Both @Keegansamonster as well as me only claim you can't powder coat carbon (other than GG apparently). Powder coating aluminum is common indeed.
  • 3 0
 @vinay: incorrect. You can read it above, but this statement is definitive:
"But you can’t powder coat carbon (other than guerrilla gravity) or aluminum due to the heat associated with the process."
  • 2 0
 @mammal: yeah that was a typo on my part. I had a separate sentence typed out that I changed but never deleted the second half of my original sentence. I’ve had plenty of powder coated aluminum parts (both MTB and automotive).
  • 2 0
 @mammal: Ah, I stand corrected, misread that. My first mountainbike frame was powdercoated AL7005T6.
  • 4 0
 @Babytoejam: paint protection film routinely lifts clear coat when removed from cars. I would guess it's at least as likely to happen on bikes, especially carbon frames.
  • 1 0
 @Keegansamonster: sure, no shade intended by me, just wanted to set the record straight for anyone worried about PC vs aluminum frames
  • 5 1
 FYI China only recently adopted strict lead paint standards.
Lead is bad for people, but does a great job of making paint more durable.
The Chinese gov't rolls out policies very quickly, versus typical USA EPA slow phase out, so manufacturers haven't had as much time to develop alternatives.
ipen.org/news/china-adopts-new-lead-paint-standards-protect-children%E2%80%99s-health
This means paint on consumer goods is less durable.
Not sure what color your bike is, but Rocky looovvess a red bike, and red has poor colorfastness (ever accidentally washed something red in your light load? Also, this is why red bikes are faster)
Ride wrap should not void your warranty IMO.
If the paint is failing prematurely, the frame manufacturer should take responsibility.
That being said, a bike with failing paint is rideable, it's reasonable to expect some level of cost sharing, in these troubled times.

Also, I recommend to people regularly riding at altitude to use a UV spray:
www.westmarine.com/303-products-303-marine-recreation-aerospace-protectant--16oz.-132821.html
For every 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) of altitude, UV levels increase by about 10%
www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-ultraviolet-.
  • 12 18
flag wobblegoblin (Jan 12, 2024 at 15:56) (Below Threshold)
 @RockyMountainBicycles: I’ll add this to my list of reasons why I won’t be buying a RM anytime soon…along with poor value, lousy adjustable geo design, and of course the Slayer snapping during a PB test.

Lousy customer service sucks.
  • 24 3
 @wobblegoblin: yes, the one pinkbike comment definitely holds some weight. Never mind all the good customer service they give people. My shock bolt anodizing started chipping off, I asked for a new one, they sent 2 sets of new ride 9 chips, 2 new sets of lower eyelet bearings, and 2 new bolts free of charge. I also bought an instinct used in 2018, I over torqued the rear axle, asked them for the part number after explaining it was a used frame and the issue was caused by me. Instead they sent a new rear axle and hanger for free.
  • 3 1
 Yeah you know what's crazy? I have a 1999 Rocky mountain Blizzard from back in the days before the Frenchie takeover, and I know the guy's kid that did the powder coat. And he's powder coated all of my subsequent frames.

I got it new and I haven't bought a Rocky new since then.
  • 4 0
 I have seen a few of the altitudes with clear coat issues. The salmon colour carbon frames were bad for it.
  • 10 3
 Please keep us posted. I see they responded here in typical pr damage control fashion but would love to hear from folks like you what they actually did do beyond pretend they care. Generally speaking, kind of just seems like these warranties, sort of like policies, are designed to be confusing and open to interpretation. They sell you life time warranties and then refer to the fine print they know nobody reads where it says they can ultimately do whatever the fuck they want including deny your warranty because they feel like it.
  • 1 0
 What the the warranty say about paint and protection films on your 2024 bike?
  • 5 2
 @Pabsm80: intl.bikes.com/pages/warranty

"Rocky Mountain does not warrant against any damage caused to your bicycle during installation or removal of any protective film products "
  • 2 0
 @vinay: I mean the 2024 bike they just bought that isn't a rocky mountain.

Curious if it's any different to rocky warranty
  • 3 2
 @j-t-g: exactly. More importantly, why is the clearcoat so fragile on that bike? According to them you are not supposed to protect your investment.
  • 10 14
flag freestyIAM (Jan 13, 2024 at 7:32) (Below Threshold)
 @RockyMountainBicycles: telling people that using something, Ride Wrap, on their bikes when YOUR OWN ENDURO TEAM USES AND IS SPONSORED BY that product is lame as f*ck. Change your policy or make your paint more resilient against stickers. f*cking overpriced POS peddling muppets.
  • 2 2
 @ATXZJ: in my ride group of about 16 guys I am currently in the 1/2 NOT on a Rocky, but I've owned.... oh yeah 6. I have a '22 Blizzard so in the winter in the 1/2 that DO! Set it up for commuting in the summer.
  • 5 1
 @freestyIAM: Chill. If a team cleans their bike with a jet wash despite the manual urging you not to, doesn't mean the bike is still supposed to be able to deal with such a treatment.
  • 11 4
 @vinay: No, he has a fair point. You keep defending this, but I'm starting to wonder if you really understand what happened.

Dude put ridewrap on his frame, such as the company that he bought the bike from does for their pro team. He then had his clearcoat start to fail at his headtube, not where the ridewrap was. He left it for a time, and eventually went to get a warranty for the MANUFACTURING DEFECT that his frame had, that was in no way related to having a protective sticker on his frame.

That's crap. There's no way to spin that as reasonable. The paint failed, Rocky did not honour the warranty for the paint job, citing a poor excuse that wasn't even relevant, and then proceeded to ignore the customer. Notice they came in here and said they'd be willing to help? If they actually read his post, they'd discover he bought a new bike and has moved on.

Nothing about this incident is good customer support. This was poorly handled from dealer to forum.
  • 2 1
 @sherbet: That's not the point @freestyIAM has, who I was responding to. The "chill" bit was regarding his offensive language.
  • 6 2
 @freestyIAM: in general, race teams do all sorts of things that a manufacturer won't want to provide warranty for. I'm not sure why this aspect is a big deal at all.
  • 7 1
 @sherbet: I don't think there's one person in this thread that is saying stuie's frame shouldn't be warrantied IF his issue is resulting from something other than the ride wrap, or that it's cool if he gets ignored by the Rocky CS/quality team. Since nobody here aside from stuie has seen his issue, or can verify the exact details of their communications back and forth, we don't know the whole story, and hopefully stuie gets a fair shake.

What's being defended here is whether it's reasonable for a company to void paint warranty if there's a chance that the product could cause damage if improperly applied/removed. I can certainly understand why that might be the case, and obviously a number of other manufacturers feel the same way.

I think it's important to make a distinction between the those two issues.
  • 2 0
 So lets get back into the context of this reply chain and make comments regarding that. The alternative is irrelevant and I have no idea why it would be contested.
  • 2 1
 @mammal: This really depends on whether the protective film was the cause of the damage. If not then obviously I agree that it could be a manufacturing defect which would be warrantied. The only mechanism where I can imagine the film to be the cause of the failure is if (1) the adhesion between film and paint is stronger than between paint and frame and that (2) the film shrinks over time. I have no experience with those films so can't tell for sure. But both (1) and (2) are true then I can imagine the shrinking film shears the paint off the frame. Not saying I know for sure (me just being a guy behind a keyboard just like anyone of us) but this is what I can imagine.

@sherbet : As in any conversation, replies are to whatever is being said in the conversation. The @-mention already helps clarify which comment is being replied to.
  • 1 0
 @mammal: you can also powder coat composite materials you just have to make sure the tg is higher
  • 1 0
 @Compositepro: Fer sure
  • 1 0
 @Pabsm80: Its quite similar and says frames will be free from manufacturer defects in materials and workmanship. It goes on to exclude damage to paint or finish caused by wrapping the bike frame with any sort of third-party protection. In my case while the Altitude frame is wrapped it has nothing to do with the clearcoat peeling but its being used as the reason.
  • 3 0
 @RockyMountainBicycles: I look forward to hearing back. While you may have reached back to the dealer I have not heard anything myself.
  • 4 0
 @stuie321: did you ever reach back out to the dealer? Sounds like this may be more of a dealer issue than a rocky issue…
  • 5 2
 @freestyIAM: tbf its the entire f*cking industry. "Please buy our overpriced bike, but remember, lifetime warranty! (Variable based on our team members mood that day and whether we feel like it).
  • 3 0
 @hardtail29errba: let's be clear a mountain bike is not an investment!
Its gonna be beaten from day one, your gonna lose 50% of its value and your going to be spending on it regularly!
  • 5 4
 @mammal: not sure anyone is questioning the difference between a defect and not. Obviously if the aftermarket part caused the damage, no reasonable person should expect the warranty to cover it.

And not a jab at you of course but f*ck any company that would deny a warranty based on a possibility. Figure it tf out then. That's what people pay a premium for.

For example, with Santa Cruz, they're pretty clear about it because its pretty cut and dry. If the damage is caused by anything but their own mistake or a defect, they likely wont cover. The implication being they'll figure it out and determine that. Not just provide some blanket statement implying you cant make any upgrades to your bike.

Rocky Mountain, even in their response here just cited that wrap CAN void the warranty, completely ignoring the issue here while crying about staff being off as an excuse for poor CS.
  • 2 3
 @issasledgehammer: The warranty exclusion as described on their website doesn't come out of thin air. If the failure @stuie321 experienced coincides with what they themselves observed when testing protective films then their rejection seems perfectly reasonable to me. Sure, maybe they could or should have responded earlier but I'd always be a bit more tolerant towards those smaller companies with a smaller staff. I understand not everyone would accept that so ideally those stick with the bigger corporations and don't bother with the smaller ones.

If you feel this particular failure couldn't be caused by this protective film, put a bit more effort in your comment and for instance explain why the failure mode I described in my previous post isn't a possibility.
  • 3 4
 @issasledgehammer: I guess I get that but RM positions itself as a premium brand while apparently providing horrible customer service. You expect this kind of BS from a bargain basement brand like Vitus (btw i had to warranty a rear triangle from them and they were lovely to work with), not a brand that charges you a premium to tell you that your use of a frame protection voids warranty when it clearly did not cause the issue. It's an excuse to not pay out.

It's just infuriating to see a company happy to be associated w a product if it means dollars coming in to the race team, but then turn around and f*ck their customers because honoring their warranty would mean dollars going out. It's a have my cake and eat it to mentality that is absurd.

Whatever, I knew RM was overpriced. Now I know warranty service sucks too. Just one more reason I'm not buying one of their bikes anytime soon.

@vinay, 2 f bombs and I need to chill? Why are you so hellbent on defending this clearly shitty company? And don't tell me it's because other brands also suck. We can focus on them when there is an article about them and someone makes the effort to give us insights into their warranty process.
  • 3 3
 @vinay: re your bike washing analogy, if the race team is sponsored by a high power jet washers and put that name all over their jerseys and other marketing, a reasonable person should expect to be able to use the product on their bike. You and I know we shouldn't because we are steeped in the culture, but your avg Joe would have every right to feel mislead by that kind of advertising.
  • 3 5
 @freestyIAM: 100% and even more infuriating to me when folks defend these companies. Many slaves to the machine, especially Americans where corporation are better protected than people.
  • 1 0
 @stuie321: thanks for replying.

Yeah where it's disconnected to the warranty issue you are seeking resolution on it is not so great of Rocky. All noted- I had thought (until now) they were good for customer service (or at least not known for being bad)
  • 2 2
 @vinay: Idk i must be misunderstanding. Maybe we need less words. My stance on the matter is that if a possibility exists, it's time to investigate. Most failures *could* be the result of misuse. Should all warranties be void then? You'd be okay with that? "Hey my frame snapped while riding" "well its possible you crashed"
"Okay I'll happily buy a new bike at full cost then"

Thats what I'm reading.

What I'm reading is you're ultimately giving companies the ability to do whatever they want.

Again, might be missing the point but just sounds like you're more lenient with companies and saying they don't need to investigate if they don't want to, to each their own I guess.. Small staff, big staff, it's big money. I don't demand anything at the snap of a finger but if I pay you big bucks, I eventually expect to be taken care of. The money I paid does not change and not should the CS throughout the duration of the life of the bike of terms of the warranty.

And its funny how you think about this considering I've received the best CS from the smaller companies. In fact, it's pretty much widely observed the bigger the corp, the worse the CS. The smaller staff might make it less timely but should make it way better.
  • 3 5
 @mammal: also, regarding effort in my comment. Plenty of it. Kindly go f*ck yourself, you twat. Is that better? It's not on me to make up for people's stupidity or to validate RM's position. RM made the decision, they can tell us how a piece of tape in one location impacts the paint in another.
  • 2 3
 @vinay: also, RM is not a small company by any means. Go do your research.
  • 4 3
 @issasledgehammer: I guess you haven't realized that i actually didn't reply to any of your comments here, so wtf are you even on about. Keep fighting your war or whatever, if it helps you sleep at night.
  • 2 5
 @mammal: haha, god dammit. Appreciate you being a dick about it! By the way, it's based in your OG comment if you need to know wtf I'm going on about to help me sleep.
  • 2 1
 @issasledgehammer: I've been completely civil in this thread. I'm just adding some context for discussion, as someone whose quality manager at a non-bike manufacturer, and a customer of bike companies for 24 years. I think you're getting confused again, regarding who's being a dick. I've heard early onset altzheimers can be a bitch, eh?
  • 73 2
 I love how in a day and age of amazing, high-resolution cameras we still take spy shots on potatoes.
  • 17 0
 Probably digital zoom...
  • 15 21
flag HeatedRotor FL (Jan 12, 2024 at 10:26) (Below Threshold)
 @Allen82: probably iphone zoom aswell. dunno why people still buy those phones lol
  • 10 0
 @Allen82: digital zoom on a potato?! Now I’m impressed
  • 15 0
 @bouldertom: potato competing fiercely with apple
  • 1 0
 @bouldertom: What a time to be alive
  • 3 0
 what's all about potato references? kindly enlighten this poor clueless mtb'er
  • 3 0
 @bouldertom: Never underestimate the power of a potato
  • 1 0
 @kilazilla: I don't know the full history of the potato but it's said if a picture or video is of bad quality, they must of used a potato instead of a camera to capture it.
  • 1 0
 @Allen82: Just come closer and take a normal picture????
  • 1 0
 @RedBurn: Sorry. I'll try harder next time.
  • 1 0
 The same pic is over on the other site in much better quality…
  • 3 0
 @kilazilla & @Allen82: It's a reference to Portal 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSk_37So0Xk

@drjohn: The "much better quality" version of the pic on "the other site" (you can say it's VitalMTB, it's okay) is simply an AI upscaled version of this one.
  • 2 0
 @kilazilla: potato pc as in a slow computer has been a ref for years. Think someone has just extended the tech spread of the joke without the alliteration.
Cabbage cam?
  • 51 0
 If I got one dollar for every pixel in that photo I'd have 1 dollar.
  • 40 0
 I thought it was illegal for Canadian brands to produce non high pivot bikes!
  • 2 4
 Really expected the new Altitude to follow the EebAltitude and be a mid high pivot at least!
  • 21 0
 We are one? Straight to jail, believe it or not.
  • 4 1
 @mechatronicjf: Great reference. Earned a genuine chuckle.
  • 25 2
 full review tomorrow?
  • 8 2
 Unfortunately not.
  • 24 0
 Of the camera?
  • 6 0
 @vinay: a review of a potato?
  • 6 1
 @Dogl0rd: Should have used a RAW potato, could of enhanced the image files in Adobe Camera Raw.
  • 18 0
 Hmm. I kinda thought the Altitude was cool the way it was. One of the few remaining enduro sleds that hasn't gotten the sub 64 HA treatment. Not that there's anything wrong with sub 64 HA, but it's nice when there's a selection of different riding styles within a given travel range, rather than every brand going for the same thing. If Pinkbike's pro enduro bike checks are to be believed, pro riders feel the same way.
  • 7 0
 I rode one as a bike park rental over the summer. Couldn’t really let ‘er rip because it was super wet on unfamiliar trails* but that bike was a lot of fun. There were a couple tight janky technical trails where it really shone.

*my skill level won’t allow it.
  • 7 0
 Yeah, I understand why they are changing it, to generate marketing material to sell more bikes but my issue is that the Altitude is a damn good bike, infact i'd happily say it rode better than my current lot of bikes and many others ive had, The only problem was the price. overpriced here in NZ very similar to Transition but For some reason people were more than happy to overpay for low quality transition frames lol.
  • 6 2
 I currently own one and think the bike is insanely good, but it needs just some minor tweaks. I'd prefer it to have 64-65 degree range than 64.4-65.5, as I don't think the steepest setting has any sense. Also, I'd like the M to have reach at about 460 at neutral position, as in the slackest setting 449 is too short. The thing is I'm between sizes and a jump to 480 reach on L is pretty big. Also, I'd like an in-frame storage and a little less flexy chainstays. Those all more of a minor tweaks, as I think the geo is pretty great along with the suspension performance, once you get it dialed.
  • 4 0
 I bought one in 2022 & the main reason I chose the Altitude was because it *wasn't* a full-on sled/monster truck. Really interested in this new version as well but it would take a *lot* to make me pull the trigger.
  • 1 0
 The general layout of the Altitude hasn't changed since the 2013 model. I definitely agree that it's current form gives the best of both worlds between trail and enduro bikes, but I can see how they might want to change things up from a marketing perspective.
  • 1 0
 Maybe the current altitude will live in as it shares the same frame as the instinct. You just need a frame specific shock mount and applicable shock. 2 bikes in one Wink
  • 22 1
 This looks AI-generated to us... You could never catch Remi without a Kashima fork. Can you confirm @foxfactory ?
  • 22 1
 I ain’t never seen that man in my life. I would never wear an orange vest like that…
  • 7 1
 *editor's note: Probably not Remi, frock too fancy
  • 5 0
 Only one question in this inquiring mind: who the hell wears an orange burlap sack while riding? Did Rocky replace pro testers w/ rodeo clowns in a down economy?
  • 17 0
 low slung linkage a la 2009 slayer?
  • 2 0
 My thoughts too. Looks like a Slayer.
  • 3 0
 That's what I was thinking, he was just having a bit of fun on an old bike in the off-season.
  • 1 0
 Buddy had a low-slung ‘08 slayer that broke… It looked sweet but was in pieces a lot of the time. I get the pursuit of something “better” than the current Altitude, but maybe don’t fix what ain’t broke? It won a championship! What do I know.
  • 2 0
 I was thinking it looked similar to the old slayer, but let's hope it's not a conventional single pivot with linkage like that bike was.
  • 17 0
 “I was thinking the same thing. That John Denver's full of sh!t, man.”
  • 5 0
 From arguably the best film ever. Love it.
  • 3 0
 watched this last weekend with a couple of friends and it's better than ever.
  • 2 0
 I can’t wait until my kids are old enough for this treasure of a film
  • 8 0
 Shops have already gotten catalog photos of the new bike. Looks like VPP for sure, very similar looks to a Nomad.
  • 3 0
 Rumor has it they teamed up with the engineering team from Unno for this new frame.
  • 5 0
 @Jvhowube: oh no
  • 8 0
 It’s always the one guy still using a flip phone that spots something cool
  • 4 0
 Flip potato
  • 5 1
 Ah yes, the old anonymous grainy photo of " potential new bike" release schtick. To stir the pot of speculation, and stoke the fire of future sales.. Nothing to see here folks..move along..
  • 7 4
 Love the fact PB are saying that don’t know what it is. It’s the one you have in the bike shed boys for testing, the same one you got invited out to go see for a first ride so you could submit a review ready for the launch so… just tell us what it is. lol
  • 1 0
 If you head to your Rocky dealer they can show you photos and specs. At least mine said they were allowed to. I'm glad they did. I promptly bought the 2023 Altitude. There will be lots who love the new bike, but she's too steep for me.
  • 2 0
 Having demo’d the current version I will say it was one of the better all arounders I’ve been on. Hope the new version is as good.
  • 3 0
 Will this depreciate my 2018 Altitude with a cut down seat tube and 26" rear wheel? Please advise
  • 2 0
 That crank arm is loose. The welds on that swing at look great tho. And the bite point is so wandering that I can see it from here
  • 1 0
 Let me help you guys out here....
Third post down theres a pic of a drawing of the new suspension design

www.vitalmtb.com/forums/The-Hub,2/2020-MTB-Tech-rumors-and-innovation,10797?page=507
  • 4 0
 It looks like a ...
  • 2 0
 If you keep talking about shafts and tunnels then oh boy am I really going to get wound up about this
  • 2 0
 This looks like I rubbed my eyes while imagining a bike, then opened them real quick.
  • 2 0
 This is a better look - design drawing
www.pinkbike.com/photo/25541649
  • 1 0
 If you're going to ride a secret prototype out in the wild, make sure your rider wears day-glo colors and make sure one rider brings his potato phone....
  • 1 0
 Rocky Mountain has been rocking the same suspension design for what 30 years maybe?
  • 1 2
 The close-up photo is better quality than the one taken from afar, which clearly shows that the editors have the original photo of better quality, and this one is taken on purpose Smile
  • 1 0
 Anyone want see new altitude??
  • 3 3
 Spy shots on a Friday. Official press release on a Saturday? There is a disturbance in the Force.
  • 4 2
 Looks like a bike
  • 4 0
 Are you sure? I was going to say it looks like a snowboard to me.
  • 2 0
 Probably why their website is bikes.com
  • 2 0
 Long live Enduro!!
  • 1 0
 Sweet. Having a flashback to the 2009-ish Flatline.
  • 1 0
 "pardon the potato quality" lol...
  • 1 0
 sure its not the new Specialized Enduro?
  • 1 0
 Minions and Shimano..... take my cash
  • 1 0
 Right on
  • 1 0
 rabble rabble rabble.
  • 1 1
 heard it here first, ''looks like a santa-cruz''
  • 1 1
 Look like a Session......urrr SantaCruz
  • 1 0
 absolutely hideous bike
  • 1 0
 XTR is jewelry.
  • 1 0
 Like I said
  • 1 0
 Enhance!
  • 1 0
 iphone 3gs dam
  • 1 0
 Pull Shock?
  • 1 3
 Spy shots on a Friday. Official press release on a Saturday? There is a disturbance in the Force.
  • 1 0
 used to be win on sunday sell on monday. now its spy shots friday, review on monday.
  • 4 5
 Slow news day?
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