Suggestion for a future bike comparison series - provide a graphical representation of which place the bike scored in timed events so viewers can see if the Rocky was 1second slower than the Trek (essentially the same) or 10 seconds faster than the next bike. Similarly, efficiency tests; one might be significant more efficient than the next bike, but only one place apart.
And put probably quantify efficiency in terms of the product of watt hrs x sec required to complete said climb. Lower number = higher efficiency. Or at least publish power data so that we can see how much variance between attempts, really difficult to nail constant power without fluctuation.
Rocky is killing it these days. They’ve come a long way from a few years ago and are now making the best bikes in all categories. It would be nice if they could get their prices down to be more competitive.
LOL that is the one thing they will never change. It is like asking Mercedes to compete on price with Toyota. I would settle just for Rocky Mountain not to need special tools to get the bearing out of the rear shock mount. My local Rocky Mountain dealer does not even have the tool either.
I love the natural style of PB videos. It's not just down to Levy and Kaz, and you can tell in the difference in PB Henry vs GCN Henry. It also feels like the crew has a lot of fun off-camera. Editing, presenting style, presenter chemistry, format, structure are all on point too. Good work PB 👏
Great review, the smaller brands just nail it time and time again - would love to see this back to back with the Transition Spur and Revolver FS120 and the IBIS Ripley.
I get the comment about the bike goading you into writing checks it (or more often - the rider) can't cash. I have found that to be the case with my own "down country" bike - a Spot Ryve 115. It feels so capable I often feel invincible - until I don't. And the change is rather abrupt. The way I've managed to keep those feelings in check is by running the some really light XC tires. Knowing the tires are not quite meant for aggressive riding keeps my own retired DH racer tendencies in check.
That was something I was going to mention. How will these more capable descending bikes hold up over time when the geo pushes you to ride things the suspension can’t handle.
This is the video that convinced me to get this bike. I had a budget of $2000 USD and wanted something for trails, and I was able to find this one new for $2100 (A10), and as you described this bike loves to go fast either climbing or going down, although it might be too much of a bike for flat trails
Super interested to see a comparison between this and the Transition Spur. The response to this bike sounds similar to the response to the Spur in last year's Field Test; low weight, super slack and long, ripper on the descents.
@@kfcnotthechicken The Element is quite a bit lighter, has two bottle mounts, adjustable geo, full internal routing, an actual rear pivot, lower stl and a 130mm fork. Pretty sure I know what I'd pick.
I have the Tallboy, prob around 700 miles on it. I think it’s an excellent climber. The bike likes to climb fast, my fastest club times by far. It also likes to haul as* down hill. Very capable, trail bike.
@@jben4807 Just to help put these comparisons into perspective. I also have a Tallboy, and it is a good climber if you consider how good it descends. But, I come from cross country, I used to have a Scott Spark RC WC. The Tallboy feels like a snail compared to that.
Had a 2018 carbon Element for a week before the chainstays snapped.......hopefully these new one's are designed/built much stronger given their capability.
I converted a 2012 Rocky Element Team XC (26er) into a 27.5 rocket. It is still, by far, the fastest bike I've owned. Only problem was low bottom bracket clearance. I now own an Instinct and a Thunderbolt. They do a great job. I've always wondered about their spec though. Sounds like they made this one light at all costs. Other model years, they've added some of their house brand components which don't make sense at their price point. Glad to hear they've hit another one out of the park. You guys shouldn't act so surprised.
Those older XC racer type bikes were so fast going up hill. Not sure what it was, but it still accelerates so well when you give it the gas. I have a 2010 Pivot 429 that to this day still pedals better than anything else I have ridden. But going downhill on the 429 is not nearly as enjoyable than on a more modern steed.
@@lazylearner967 Agreed. It was able to ramp up to high speed rapidly and it made for very fast flowy rides with very little effort. Steep techy downhills were a bit sketchy with the steep head angle, but for the time period, it was manageable. My 2015 Thunderbolt is also fast uphill and super fun downhill, although it is limited to 120mm of rear travel. Big tires with low pressures made it a fun ride. Unfortunately, both of my bikes are two or three generations old when it comes to modern geometry. I'm building up a 2021 Revel Rascal and hope to bridge the gap and bring it in at 28lbs. All the reviews say it's a capable bike which is fun to ride. The supply chain issues are making some parts hard to get. TG for PB buy/sell and eBay. I miss the 24lb flickyness of my Element. Fun to have options and to be able to tell the difference. Stay safe!
I did the same thing. Extremely fast in the tight twistys. Not so much on tech downhills though. Also, at 2400g for a large, the new element frame isn;t exactly light compared to an epic evo, blur tr or oiz tr.
BTW, I'd like PB to do a video on Brakes. I notice a lot of people are moving away from the giants: Shimano and SRAM, and are opting for Magura and other brands. Maybe you guys could do an overview highlighting the pros and cons of the popular models? ( sorry to go off the subject, btw).
new subscriber here and mounting bike ridding I have my eyes on her the Rocy Mountain element alloy 30 29 thank you you guys for the review. nobody is changed my mind about her. I have ride bikes when growing up but nothing serious like going to trails these is new to me. I haven't ride bike since I was a kid to boy. am adult now let's keep riding everyone
Do you think it would be good for lightweight bikepacking? It looks like you could get a large frame bag in there. I would like to do the coast to coast in the UK across the rocky mountainous trails of the Lake District and the Moors of Yorkshire. The Element looks like the best bike for the job.
Thanks for this review - based on this a managed to get one the few C70 for the German market. It really feels and rides like you described it - it is by far the prettiest bike on the market and is for me the ideal cocktail of XC, trail and donhill capabilites. As I lease the bike via my employer, I don't feel the sick price in my wallet. 😀
Went to the bike shop today (Rocky dealer) ready for them to take my money and order me an Element. Reply: they can't order, Rocky has nothing to sell, no parts, maybe something in Fall 2022. I am now very depressed. 😞
Is it ok to be convinced that this bike could be my holy grail? So many trail "chads" would disagree and wine about travel length almost as if that is the way you judge how talented a mntBiker is. You said it well, but After have this bike on lone for most of last fall I described like,,, As a 50 yr old homie with a billion old broken bones and sports injuries, if on paper the bike shouldn't go down something than I definitely, likely should not go down it either. But like you said the element would likely rip down almost anything. "confidence inspiring" is the truth.
I had a 2019 Instinct BC carbon 90 for 2 years, i did ALL upgrades like XO 10-52, etc. I sold it maybe 6 months ago, amazing bike but i really didn't need a full enduro bike and maybe the 25 pound Element be a nice replacement Yeah 10 grand it should have 4 piston and 30 MM DT swiss XMC 1200 wheels not some cheap ass wheels
It is sort of odd what bike manufactures do today. My Ripley which at the time was Ibis' most conservative trail bike came spec'd with 35MM wheels. I think the more narrow rims on the Element make more sense than the 35mm wheels on the Ripley. It seems wheels are the first place manufactures cut costs.
@@lazylearner967 I would think that at least a 30 mm rims would be placed on these bikes especially since they’re setting them up to take much wider tires and they have in the past. I noticed that the trek top fuel has 30 mm rims. I’m definitely in the mood to buy a new bike in the spring and have been doing a lot of research on RU-vid and on the bike manufacturers sites. All things being even it’s going to be something along the lines of whatever is in stock in April will determine what I get.
@@lazylearner967 I really just wanted a frame, but couldn't find one so I bought a C30 build, stripped it down to the frame, and rebuilt it with parts I've been collecting for a Spur build. Had my first shakedown ride today. Totally blown away. Incredibly fast and efficient climber, but plush and poppy on the way down. Kept expecting to bottom out the rear shock but it sucked up even the biggest hits. Stoked!
Let's just say it now and I cannot believe that it was not said in the video. They should buy Transition a load a beers and thank them for making a bike that everyone wants to copy. It literally is that bike. Slacker in the head tube and steeper in the seat tube, but it's a copy. You know why? Cause it works. and people love it. My spur is amazing. And this bike seems to have all the attributes that the Spur has. I would love to throw a leg over this one day. Great review.
Found the transition fanboi... Similar geo doesnt make a bike a copy. Ride4, internal routing, an actual rear pivot, lower STL and 130 fork are some notable differences.
@@johnr5001 yes those are differences. I don't mean a carbon copy. Its intended purpose is the same and has very similar silhouette. It looks like the transition. Fanboi, no I just really like the bike I bought. If the rocky came out first I would have said the same thing about the Transition.
I’m not seen this model whit such components like Fox fork and SRAM cassette . They sell this model whit Shimano and Marzochi fork for the carbon version
So Element or Top Fuel? I’m looking at the XT build (C50 & 9.7). Element is $4,900 compared to $4,230. That $670 is a decent difference. The Element sounds better (lighter, more downhill focused but just as fast up). But is it worth the cost? 130mm vs 120mm front as well.
Can't get a 9.7 in Oz until March next year I was told. Cemented the decision for me - getting the C50. Has better fork and lighter wheels so goes some way to matching price.
@@technovelodos what fork was on the 9.7 for you? Spec sheet shows Fox 34 “Rhythm” for US. Not sure if that is different from 34 Performance on Element.
@@kevinclark9176 The Rhythm is one step down from the Performance in the Fox line-up. Actual performance differences are debatable but the Rhythm is a bit heavier.
My opinion, this isn’t a “down country”, or whatever you wanna call this category, bike….it’s just a short travel trail bike, a great one for sure though.
when a xc bike gets 130mm travel at the front and 120 at the rear with 65(!) degrees headtube angle , you can safely say that it is a trail bike not a xc bike.
Which bike is better: Ibis Exie (non-usa deore build $5k) vs. Rocky Mountain Element (C50 build $5k)??? No xc racing, but will be doing marathons and 100 milers. Ride mostly 'blue' trails, fair amount of green as well, just a touch of black. My weight is 120lbs.
And vs. the Ripley, how does it do ? Presumably the Ripley is better at descending and worse in efficiency but tech climb performance might be similar ?
I've alway been curious about Rocky Mountain! Considering how affordable the Alloy version is, what would be the disadvantages of buying one compared to a Carbon model ( aside from the Carbon of course!...LOL) ? Also, are 2P brakes really that bad? I been riding 4P SLX and XT for over a year now and am not impressed. In fact, I feel my 2P XT were better......LOL.
Right? I had 2 pot Deore on my last bike that had way more power than my current 4 pot SRAM joke brakes. Carbon frame will translate to a stiffer ride and better acceleration IMO. Apart from that and the weight the Alu would be great.
I switched from 4 pot Sram G2R brakes to XT 2 pot. I will admit I am a Shimano fan, but the XTs seem to stop far better than the G2's. This is on a Ripley AF.
So the 2 piston shimano brakes are great if you buy anything between the really cheap ones and the xtrs. The slx and xts are much better because they feature shimano's servo wave lever, which makes them way way more powerful.
@@Nickubus99 I ride a V1 Ripmo as my one and only bike and been thinking of getting a 2nd bike as backup. This bike would be a good candidate unless I get a Ripley AF...LOL.
@@lazylearner967 I'm a big Shimano fan too and had them on all my bikes. I did have some Level Ts on my Ripmo and upgraded them to 4P SLX - they were ok. I know Levy complains about the bite point on Shimano brakes. I've also heard of people switching to Magura. I don't want to do something that drastic. I wonder how good 2 P XTR brakes are?
Which one would you recommend element alloy 10, Instinct alloy 10, Trek Fuel ex 5 or Davinci marshal, for overall better climbing and handling corners in fast descend?
I'm Curious too. A LBS in Utah who carries both told me the Spur would most likely climb better but the Element would be "easier" on the downs. Granted he didn't have the Element in stock yet, so take that with a grain of salt.
Seems like a nice bike at 3 times the cost i or anybody i know can pay 😉 The entry level will be almost 16 kg ready to ride. That's interesting because i have a 7 year old alloy AM bike kitted for downhill that weigh less.
When the bike is nearly 10 grand you arent being nitpicky to expect more expensive carbon rims or 4 piston brakes. Its unforgivable really given the competition
I think the brakes on Orbea Laufey has two pistons on 180 mm disc, and I love those brakes. About the rims. I think rims on a bike like the Element should hawe width optimized for ca 2.35" tyres.
When are you going to take the rocky element on a tough trail ? Been waiting. Every video I watch with this bike from you guys says “would love to ride this on something more intense” . Give me that video. Put this into something out of its element
The crew does some more in depth comparisons in a podcast we launched today, and there's still a roundtable coming up as well. www.pinkbike.com/news/the-pinkbike-podcast-episode-95-field-test-down-country-bike-debrief.html
Nice looking bike but poor quality control or poor transport.Rear wheel has major issues right out of the box. ru-vid.comUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Rear axle is bent! Derailleur is misaligned.Since the rear wheel comes assembled I would have expected better.Assembly instructions poorly written, but that was not unexpected...just annoying.I just had the bike checked at a shop and was told that I should contact the seller about getting a whole rear wheel assembly with cartridge. (The bike shop could not do anything to help me).Not a good experience with this bike, so lesson learned.Added 3 stars for excellent customer serviceUpdate Sept 8 2020Just received a complete replacement wheel for free. Great service and an otherwise fine bike.
How would it compare to the Trek as an XC racer? It is much lighter, and obviously more efficient- but without that fire under your butt… also; which one is just more fun and poppy? (The Blur 🤓)