Bikers Edge is dedicated to providing top-tier mountain biking reviews and entertainment. Our team of experienced riders breaks down the latest gear and products in easy-to-understand language, giving you the information you need to make informed decisions about your next purchase. We also bring you exciting on-trail footage and behind-the-scenes looks at some of the best bikes in the game. We believe that mountain biking is for everyone, and our goal is to make the sport accessible and enjoyable for riders of all levels. Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned pro, we have something for you. So, if you want to stay on the cutting edge of mountain biking, be sure to subscribe to our channel to stay updated on all of our latest content.
I demoed the 2024 Altitude C70, the two things that stuck out vs my 2023 Altitude C70. The back end is almost excessively long, it's roughly the same wheelbase as a Spire (about 20mm longer than my 2023 with mine in the long chainstay setting), but it feels like a longer bike than the Spire. It does pedal slightly better than my 2023. Both the 2024 and my 2023 Altitude ride noticeably smoother than the Spire does (every Transition I've ridden has felt a tad chattery, but they absolutely eat up big hits).
I’m pretty tall and most frames have a short rear for my height even in XL. I appreciate the stability from the long rear center. Most of our trails out here are pretty high speed and straight so the longer bike isn’t too detrimental.
Dude, I’m sorry but a lot of this is just you complaining and justifying your purchase. Why don’t you talk about why this is a smart decision for certain people instead of justifying why you don’t have something
Not complaining about anything other than the wheels that broke the first ride and the dropper that never worked. The whole video talks about why I think the build is smart for me. It’s a bike check that explains why I have what I have and how I like to run my bike - Not a review.
Love your Bike setup. I’m pretty much the same type of rider as you are. Been riding mtb way before front suspension was a thing and before that, bmx in my youths. At my age, it’s all about exploring the trails and still doing it as long my body let it. I leave the huge jump flow tracks, skinnies to your shredders.
I don't have a lot of beach ball trails in my list of rideable places. A ton of newcomers to the sport idealize that type of trail as perfection because RU-vidrs told them so it's sad because that's not where all the fun is 😂
Great idea and execution ! Kudos. I have been following your videos for a while and just recently revisited the Continental tires one since mine are up for a change soon. Noticed you don't have them on this bike ... any changes in your recommendations since that Continental video ?
Great video. Completely agree with you on this build. I'm going back to mechanical after the last 6 months on SRAM AXS T-Type. My biggest complaint is it just shifts too slow. Completely agree with you on your favorite trail type too. Hope to see more videos like this!
This is the first bike check I didn't think was lame, but rather enjoyed. Great insights. Commentary is candid and authentic without hamming it up or being vulgar. 5 stars out of 5.
@@xhead86 it all depends on your size, riding style, trails and how tough you are on tires and wheels. I break a handful of wheels every year so I try to prevent that with slightly higher pressures and thick tire casings.
Nice bike check! I've been looking at one of these for my new "big boy" build. Between this, SB160, HD6 or Megatower. Speaking with people who have ridden all, it seems like the HD6 and Altitude are on top (and also the are the newest of the bunch) - Unfortunately the importer for Rocky Mountain where I live filed for bankruptcy a few months ago, so having a hard time sourcing one... You think any of the others are on par with this?
I think this and the Megatower are the most similar. They both align with how I like to ride a bike better. The SB160 pedals well and is pretty quick, but less forgiving. The HD6 takes that one step further and toes the line between enduro and all mountain.
@@bikersedge Thank you for the response! Yeah, your answers almost exactly resonate with the info i've found myself through forums and reviews. The altitude is probably the one I want the most. But since there is no dealer currently, and dont want to take any warranty issues with an abroad retail dealer etc. I might go for the Megatower. I'll be buying a framset, and want RS suspension. And the Megatower is the only one you can get with something other than an X2, I can get it with a SDU Coil. And they are also some deals on it here, about $1k~ less than a Altitude framset. So that migth be the ticket.
Great reviews! I definitely wouldn't mind seeing more bike checks. I am a videographer in the MTB space and this stuff it not only entertaining to watch, but also helps me learn and get better with what I do weekly.
Come on…Light weight IS not overrated, just over priced A lighter bike will help. You’ll be Less fatigued. Hence more riding time Carry a Garmin computer or watch. It will tell you when your AXS batteries are running low
Pedaling performance is the one of the lowest things on my priority list in a bike. I’ll pay the pedaling penalty in favor of better descending performance and durability. I 100% think “light” is overrated. Light tires don’t hold up, light wheels are too flexy, light chains can snap easily, light brakes aren’t powerful enough, light rotors get too hot too quickly. Lots of light things compromise descending capability.
@@bikersedgePlus a little extra weight carries through the chunk better. I’m with you on the heavier builds for the big bikes being better in a lot of scenarios. Also if I have a heavier bike I just get fitter. Evens out in the end.
Totally agree. If I rode XC, or my priorities involved uphill speed and efficiency, then maybe I’d spring for some lighter parts. But that stuff just doesn’t excite me.
Due to unfortunate circumstances and bike thieves, I have ridden the 2024 Altitude C70 coil and now am on a C50. I am curious to know which ride 4 setting you find suits tech trails the best. Also, how do you find the overall amount of progression? I feel like it has been a challenge to get full travel out of the rear. Should I remove some volume spacers, or try a different ride 4 setting? Any idea how the progression changes between position 3 and 2?
Bike thieves suck. I think there isn’t one best setting for tech. I think it depends on the rider more than anything. I like position two with the lower BB but not as slack as position one. I don’t know if I can tell too much of a difference in progression between the settings. I’m sure it varies slightly but not enough for me to notice. That said I haven’t ever done back to back laps with different settings.
@@bikersedge are you consistently getting full travel? What sag % have you settled on? At 30% in position 3 I’m leaving probably 10mm of stroke unused on the shock…
@@shredwithscott yeah I get full travel. I’ll bottom out a couple of times a ride. You could probably get away with a bit more sag, or look at removing a spacer.
It is an enduro bike. Why are going on about weight? Lol. I have a 2023 Instinct C30 and it is the best bike I have owned after 25+ years of Stumpjumper and Enduros. I have a heavy Deore group set and OEM parts, but they are durable and reliable. The frame is prime for upgrades over time. That is the enduro bike I would buy, if my terrain demanded it. Great bike! I am glad they separated the Instinct and Altitude with frame design. My Main pivot loosened after about a month on it. It wasn't super loose, but It creaked like mad. I pulled the bolt and put lock tight on the treads before greasing it up and tightening. Now it is butter. It is the quietest bike I have personally ridden now. The main pivot should be a regular check for Rocky owners, according to my bro who owned a bike shop and sold/maintenanced them. Mine has stayed tight, but I check it after most every ride.
@@bikersedge I agreed w you in my comment???? Want a light bike? Buy a trail bike. Your main pivot maintenance is more involved than mine w the suspension design on the new Altitude.
Oh yeah. Exactly. Think I just misunderstood you over the interwebs. Yeah the lower link takes a little to get to on this one. Not terrible and luckily I only had to do it once.
@@bikersedge I did have typo in the original comment so I can understand the confusion. I meant to type "Why are we going on about weight"... not "you" in the vid. I prefer heavier durable parts if on a light frame. Happy trails and great, smart build.
A couple years older and couldn't agree more on happy trails. Pull some ferns....maybe a little rake....let the trail develop. Really enjoy all your stuff.
Connor gotta ask your honest opinion I’ve been watching you for years: e-bikes - what percentage of your writing has switched over to e mtb ? Also do you feel the stigma as you ride one ? - miss feeling of accomplishment of a big climb? I’m struggling with this .
It seems like right now it’s been way more e than meat powered. That’s only because there haven’t been many new pedal bikes released to review. Personally I ride the ebike about 15-20% of the time. I love e-bikes and I love pedal bikes. I have folks that will give me a hard time while I’m on the ebike but I’m usually prepared with a snarky response for them. Ride what you like and let everyone else ride what they like.
More often than not I end up riding and reviewing really expensive bikes. My personal bikes are all way more reasonable. I’d rather spend the extra money on gummy worms.
Please help! My Trance Advanced Pro 29 2 has a creaking noise, it's been to the bike shop twice and they can't figure it out. They regreased the bottom bracket, derailleur hanger, pedals and it still creaks while I'm sitting and pedaling especially on the uphill parts. Its only 3 months old.
You mentioned that Spur was less responsive on direction changes than the Ripley. I imagine then that the Spur is not a good choice for a first FS bike for a rider who rides mostly "old" geo HTs with shorter WBs and steeper headtubes?
Are the shock cable connections at the controller and the fork permanently connected or break-away? With that much open cable slack in the front I could see a branch getting between the bike and the cable and ripping it right off. If that were to happen, then is it RIP for the controller without a shop fix?
I usually start by getting sag right and then getting a ballpark feel for damper settings. I’ll make changes for the first little while until I get it dialed.
Job well done with this review! I am considering replacing my rear derailleur (Shimano XT 12sp) on my current ride - 2023 Intense Tracer 279 (Pro build) with current componentry as follows: Cassette: Shimano SLX 12 sp. 10-51t Chain: Shimano SLX 12sp Cranks: e*Thirteen Helix Base 30t 170mm Chainguide: e*Thirteen Vario Guide & Bash Looking for feedback as to whether or not to do the conversion to the GX AXS and ditch the Shimano XT 12sp rear derailleur and shifter. All feedback welcomed!
@@bikersedgeMakes sense, but I didn't hear you say it would or would not work, and that's ok as I'm looking for all feedback and I will decide based on the feedback provided by others. But what about from a maintenance perspective, any advantage? No cable stretch is one advantage I can think of. No adjustments once the initial adjustment is set? Of course having a dead battery would be a disadvantage.
It would work with the setup you described as long as you use the older type AXS and not a current T Type. There’s a bit of a maintenance benefit to AXS but it’s not purely set and forget. There will still be adjustments to make over time like with a cable derailleur. I went back to cable on my bikes because of the dead battery thing. I’m not good at remembering to charge batteries.
@@bikersedge What I meant was that according to rumors spotted in Europe there is opinion that smaller frame sizes are Ok what means they are not breaking down under the heavy use condition.
I think this will be my next bike….if/when I have the space & scratch to add to my quiver. I’m looking for something more apt at park days, but still able to be pedaled for laps without a lift.
I had a 2023 Rocky Mtn Altitude 4.0 . It required a lot more rider energy than a Brose, Bosch or Yamaha to get the most out of it. The biggest drawback was the battery charging system overcharged the battery and the battery exploded and burned everything in my garage to ashes. Rocky Mountain seemed to want to help, but in the end they just wanted to get the burned bike out of my possession and pretend it never happened. They hired a bunch of lawyers to threaten me from telling this true event. I feel a duty to warn potential buyers of the very real danger of keeping a Rocky Mountain bike indoors. The damage to my home and property is over 350k, and I am lucky to be alive. Don't take the risk with a Rocky Mountain E-MTB. It is not worth it.
Just saw this (3 yrs later) after buying a YT Capra MX 2 days ago and trying it out at Deer Valley today. Coming from a full 29er (who's rear traingle I just shattered), it's a completely different animal. This. Bike. Rips. It's everything you liked 3 years ago in a bike that was co-designed by YT and Ohlins to do exactly what you were hoping manufacturers would. It occurred to me that the more we ride mtb like motocross, the more our bikes resemble lighter-weight versions of them. MX has always been mullet...for the same reasons (descending) that we are now doing mullets in mtb. The more I ride mtb, the more similar it feels to riding MX.
Awesome review mate. Was recommended these by a friend who swears by them, and did a RU-vid search for a review….perfect and really informative. Went for the following: FRONT: Continental Argotal Downhill Soft Compound Foldable 29" MTB Tyre 29 x 2.4" Black/Black REAR: Continental Kryptotal Rear Downhill Soft Compound Foldable 29" MTB Tyre 29 x 2.4" Black/Black All ready and waiting to fit for this years ARD ROCK SPORT ENDURO here in UK 🇬🇧 🤜🏼🤛🏼
Both would be great on the more XC trails down there. I think the Ripley AF will be a little bit more forgiving when you’re in the bigger terrain down there.
It's not just the sweet spot that's important, it's the seat angle too. As they get steeper, for every 1 degree you lose approximately 1cm of cockpit reach - the roominess between your seat and your handlebars. I'm looking at the new Nicolai Saturn 16 in XL and XXL, compared to my Santa Cruz Megatower in XXL. I'm 6'6' with even leg/torso length and, despite the Saturn in XL being almost identical to the Megatower in XXL, i'm thinking it'll be best to go XXL on the Saturn, as the steeper seat tube angle will push me closer to the bars. I also have an early Trail Pistol that has a steeper SA than the Megatower and I have the seat slammed as far back as it goes, run a 50mm stem and still feel cramped compared to the Megatower.
