Rocky Mountain Bikes, based in North Vancouver, Canada, recently unveiled their revamped Pipeline and Instinct trail bikes, each designed for a distinctly different riding experience, much like the diverse trails surrounding Fruita, Colorado. This location served as the backdrop for a recent Rocky Mountain riding camp, hosting athletes, ambassadors, and members of the press, including Mtbr. Fruita’s terrain is a tale of two halves: south of I-70, the Kokopelli zone presents rocky, technical trails like Horsethief Bench and Moore Fun, while to the north, the 18 Road system is known for its flowy berms and punchy climbs. Both areas are a mountain biker’s dream, demanding bikes that can climb efficiently and descend with confidence – precisely what the Rocky Mountain Instinct and Pipeline aim to deliver.
The Rocky Mountain Instinct: A Versatile Trail Companion
The revamped Rocky Mountain Instinct is engineered as a versatile rocky mountain bike, built around 29-inch wheels and boasting 140mm of travel both front and rear. This rocky mountain bike is designed to tackle a wide spectrum of trails, from technical climbs to fast descents. It accommodates tires up to 29×2.6 inches and features Rocky Mountain’s Ride-9 system, a unique feature that allows riders to fine-tune the bike’s geometry and suspension characteristics.
The Ride-9 system provides significant adjustability, altering the headtube angle between 66 and 67 degrees and the seat tube angle from 74.5 to 75.5 degrees, depending on the chosen setting. Reach on a size large frame ranges from 455mm to 465mm. Adding to its adaptability, the Instinct includes two headset cups, allowing riders to switch to a taller cup for plus-size tire configurations.
The Rocky Mountain Pipeline: Aggressive Trail Focus
Sharing the same frame as the Instinct but with a different paint scheme, the Rocky Mountain Pipeline distinguishes itself with 27.5+ wheels and a more aggressive trail demeanor. This rocky mountain bike comes stock with the taller headset cup to accommodate the slightly smaller diameter of plus tires. The Pipeline also offers 140mm of front and rear travel, but its geometry is tweaked for more aggressive riding.
The headtube angle on the Pipeline ranges from 65.6 to 66.6 degrees, while the seat tube angle varies between 74.1 and 75.1 degrees. These subtle yet impactful changes in geometry give the Pipeline its “aggressive trail” designation, making it ideal for riders who prioritize descending prowess and technical handling.
Instinct BC Edition: Upping the Ante for Enduro Enthusiasts
For riders seeking even more capability, Rocky Mountain offers the Instinct BC Edition. This rocky mountain bike takes the 29er Instinct platform and beefs it up with components and geometry tailored for more demanding terrain, mirroring the preferences of Rocky Mountain’s own staff. Similar to Specialized’s EVO or Yeti’s Lunch Ride models, the BC Edition is designed for aggressive trail riding and enduro-style adventures.
The Instinct BC Edition increases travel to 155mm in the rear and 160mm up front and comes equipped with wider handlebars and tires, along with more powerful brakes. Notably, it forgoes the Ride-9 system for a fixed geometry, settling at a 65.9-degree headtube angle and a 74.4-degree seat tube angle. Tire clearance remains at 29×2.6, with the option to run 27.5×2.8 plus tires by swapping the headset cup.
Shared Features and Technological Advancements
All three rocky mountain bike models – Instinct, Pipeline, and Instinct BC Edition – benefit from several updates over previous iterations, adhering to the modern trend of longer, lower, and slacker geometries. Rear ends are shortened, and Rocky Mountain’s Smoothlink suspension is now more progressive, offering enhanced support at sag level. This allows riders to run slightly lower shock pressures for improved small-bump sensitivity while maintaining mid-stroke support.
Rocky Mountain also emphasizes improved anti-squat for more efficient pedaling and redesigned internal cable routing for easier maintenance and reduced noise. Practical features include space for a water bottle inside the front triangle, even with a reservoir shock, an integrated upper chain guide, compatibility with longer dropper posts, Boost spacing, metric shock compatibility, and provisions for Di2 electronic shifting and future Fox Live suspension technology. Furthermore, the bikes utilize bearings instead of bushings in key pivot points for increased durability and feature visually striking single-sided blind pivots in the rear suspension.
Riding Impressions: Taming the Trails of Fruita
Testing both the Pipeline and Instinct on Fruita’s diverse trails provided valuable insights into their capabilities. The Pipeline was tested on the technical Kokopelli Trails, while the Instinct tackled the flow-oriented 18 Road system. Both bikes demonstrated commendable climbing ability, aided by steepened seat tube angles that effectively position rider weight over the front wheel. Pedal bob was minimal, even with the suspension in the open setting.
For uphill performance, the Instinct, with its 29-inch wheels and narrower tires, held a slight edge in rolling efficiency. The Pipeline’s plus tires offered superior traction, though this advantage was less critical on the well-maintained Fruita trails, where the added rolling weight was more noticeable. One notable aspect of the Pipeline was its low bottom bracket height, which led to frequent pedal strikes during the test ride, suggesting potential crank arm adjustments for some riders. However, the Pipeline confidently handled technical sections, including drops and rocky creek beds, showcasing the benefits of plus tires in challenging terrain.
Instinct on 18 Road: A 29er Revelation
Switching to the Instinct on the 18 Road trails revealed the evolution of modern 29er trail bikes. Despite being inadvertently set up with the taller headset cup (intended for the Pipeline) on the test bike, the Instinct excelled. It conquered steep climbs and proved both playful and stable at high speeds.
The Instinct demonstrated agility in bermed corners and poppy responsiveness on trail features, dispelling any notion of sluggishness often associated with earlier 29er designs. The experience reinforced the notion that modern 29er trail bikes, like the Rocky Mountain Instinct, offer a compelling blend of climbing efficiency and descending capability.
Conclusion: Choose Your Rocky Mountain Ride
Both the Rocky Mountain Instinct and Pipeline deliver on their promise of all-around trail capability. The Instinct stands out as a versatile 29er, adept at both climbing and descending, while the Pipeline offers a more aggressive, plus-tire-enhanced experience for technical trails. Ultimately, the best rocky mountain bike for you depends on your riding style and terrain preferences. Test riding both models is highly recommended to determine which Rocky Mountain ride best suits your needs.
To explore the full specifications and range of Rocky Mountain bikes, visit www.bikes.com. For local trail information and advice in Fruita, Colorado, check out otesports.com.
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