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Rocky Mountain Element 50 (09) | $3280.20
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We thoroughly enjoyed riding the Rocky whether we were hard on the gas or just playing down the woods.

BikeRadar verdict

4 out of 5 stars

"Not outstanding performance, but a pedigree classic that you’ll never fail to enjoy"

Mon 27 Apr 2009, 8:00 am UTCBy Guy Kesteven, What Mountain Bike

The Element has been largely unchanged for several years now, but then if it ain’t broke… This year’s 50 certainly still rides well and it’s better value than ever.

It isn’t the lightest in its class and it doesn’t have the smartest suspension, but we thoroughly enjoyed riding the Rocky whether we were hard on the gas or just playing down the woods.

Ride & handling: Still has the fun factor after all these years

The Element is twitchy on steep stuff but poised and balanced when it comes to threading through trees at speed. It’s stiff enough to push the pace hard too, with plenty of useful traction information coming from the all-conditions Hutchinson Toro rubber.

The seatstay pivot suspension stutters noticeably when you’re clouting bigger stuff at speed, and you'll quickly learn to ‘quick flick’ the ProPedal platform damping lever on the shock to stop pedalling bounce on the smooth stuff. Despite decent finishing kit it’s fairly heavy, which cuts its race appeal.

Carbon fibre stays are part of the rocky mountain pimp appeal: carbon fibre stays are part of the rocky mountain pimp appeal

Frame: Proven suspension plus some subtle performance-enhancing changes

There have been a few subtle changes, and top and down tube now both use a vertical teardrop profile with a 3in shared seam for extra vertical stiffness.

The hourglass headtube is low enough to please head-down racers, while a straight but sloped top tube puts plenty of standover room in front of the extended seat tube.

The CNC-machined 3D link driven by single piece carbon H-stays is a well proven design, while the chainstays connect via a neatly scooped and hollowed CNC bridge and main pivot behind and above the bottom bracket.

On the practical side, there’s reasonable tyre space, a spray stopping front seat slot – and it’s one of very few suspension bikes with three proper bottle cage mounts too.

Equipment: Race Face finishing kit is the icing on the cake

There’s certainly nothing wrong with the mixed Shimano XT/SLX transmission in performance terms. The maple leaf detailed Formula brakes are plenty powerful, even with 160mm rotors. Mavic Crossride wheels are tight, reasonably light and good-looking too.

The real deal here though is the amount of quality gear you’re getting from Race Face, which actually started life as Rocky’s in-house brand. 

It’s amazing the difference that a really good handlebar can make, and Race Face’s current low-rise bar shapes are among our favourites. We can see a lot of riders switching to a 90 or 80mm stem to plug in some proper play agility.

Fox’s f100 fork is the benchmark front end for this test: fox’s f100 fork is the benchmark front end for this test

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User Reviews

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  • User review of Rocky Mountain Element 50 (09)

    Sweet and swift

    RM bikes are beautifully made, and the company have the heritage to hit that sweet spot where a bike is just exactly fit for purpose.

    The Element is an XC bike, not a whippet megabucks carbon racer, nor a big lump jumper or all-mountain comfy sofa.

    It has just enough travel, just enough stiffness (the rear is rock solid compared to my Santa Cruz Blur XC) and just enough sophistication to the suspension to curb most of the single-pivot limitations. The pro-pedal switch helps curb a whiff of bob and pedal feedback when needed and full lockout is useful for bashing down the odd road section.

    The best thing about the bike is the geo is spot on, racy enough with a very agile feel but with enough stability for surprising rough stuff confidence. It just grows on you with every ride.

    Not the flashiest bike in the shop, but a very satisfying one.

    0.3

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Specification

Name:
Element 50 (09)
Built by:
Rocky Mountain
Price:
$3280.20

Available Sizes:
16 Inches, 16.5 Inches, 18 Inches, 19 Inches
Size:
18 Inches
Available Colours:
Black/White
Weight (kg):
12.2
Weight (lb):
26.8
Year:
2009

Frame & Fork:

 
Frame Material:
RMB FORM 7005 Alu, carbon seatstay
Fork Model:
FOX 32 F100RL
Rear Shock Model:
FOX Float RPL Custom Valved

Geometry:

 
Seat Angle:
73.5 Degrees
Head Angle:
71 Degrees

Brakes:

 
Brakes Model:
Formula ORO K24 hydraulic disc

Transmission:

 
Cranks Model:
Race Face Evolve XC X-Type 170-175mm 44/32/22T
Bottom Bracket Model:
Race Face Evolve XC X-Type
Rear Derailleur Model:
Shimano XT LP
Front Derailleur Model:
Shimano SLX 31.8mm
Shifters Model:
Shimano SLX Rapid Fire 9spd
Cassette:
Shimano SLX-9 11-34T

Wheels:

 
Rims Model:
Mavic Crossride disc
Front Hub Model:
Mavic Crossride disc
Rear Hub Model:
Mavic Crossride disc

Contact Points:

 
Saddle Model:
WTB Silverado Race SL
Seatpost Model:
Race Face Evolve XC 27.2mm
Stem Model:
Race Face Evolve XC flip-flop 31.8 x 6° 90-100-110mm
Handlebar Model:
Race Face Evolve XC low rise 31.8mm 660mm

:

 
Wheelbase (in):
42.6 in
Bottom Bracket Height (in):
13 in
Chainstays (in):
16.7
Seat Tube (in):
16.5 in
Standover Height (in):
29.8 (in)
Top Tube (in):
23 in

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