A classic Rocky Mountain rig that has been kicking around the XC circuit for two decades, the Element is entering the 2017 season with a whole new character that the Canadians claim is more versatile than ever. So what’s changed on this XC speedster?

Lots of people immediately associate the idea of XC bikes with slick racing whippets, skinny guys in skintight neon garb, shaved legs, gels and podium spots, only shedding the lycra when they’re forced into slumber after too many hours in the saddle. But we reckon that image is a thing of the past: given the rise of new geometry setups, modern XC bikes have gotten more versatile than ever and the best of the bunch could even be classed as lively trail bikes. Hence why it’s no surprise to hear that Rocky Mountain are claiming that the new Element is a ‘full-on XC marathon weapon, but with the confidence of a trail bike’.

Das Topmodell Rocky Mountain Element 999 RSL erstrahlt in „Team Only“-Lackierung und kommt mit den feinsten Anbauteilen.
The top-of-the-range Rocky Mountain Element 999 RSL shines with its ‘Team Only’ paintjob and pure pedigree components.
Finally! In our eyes no mountain bike is complete without a dropper post and Rocky Mountain have responded to our cries!
Finally! In our eyes no mountain bike is complete without a dropper post and Rocky Mountain have responded to our cries!
The firm FOX 34 fork are a regular on trail bikes and totally in tune with the Element’s concept.
The firm FOX 34 fork are a regular on trail bikes and totally in tune with the Element’s concept.

The Rocky Mountain Element 2017 in Detail

On paper the new version of the Element looks promising, with burly 120 mm travel FOX 34 forks doing the groundwork and the Reverb dropper post giving freedom on banging descents. But no worries; despite its new trail bike attributes, the Element still has its thoroughbred XC genes. As a lightweight 29er, the rear has 100 mm travel and the suspension rate can be altered with the now familiar RIDE-9 system. Marathon and touring riders will be stoked to see no fewer than two bottle cage mount options.

The new Element hasn’t fully sacrificed a front mech – add one if you like.
The new Element hasn’t fully sacrificed a front mech – add one if you like.
The internal cable routing goes well with its clean look.
The internal cable routing goes well with its clean look.
A versatile bike’s best friend: SRAM’s XX1 Eagle 1x12 drivetrain with a giant 500 % gear range.
A versatile bike’s best friend: SRAM’s XX1 Eagle 1×12 drivetrain with a giant 500 % gear range.

In a size medium, the Rocky Mountain Element frame tips the scales at a lithe 2,250 g including rear shock and hardware. Thanks to the RIDE-9 system, the head angle can be altered between 69° and 70°, while the reach can sit between 442 mm and 453 mm depending on your chosen setting. Consequently, it’s unlikely to be too compact or too stretched out. Alongside the regular S-XL sizes, there’s also an XXL version with a reach between 486 mm to 498 mm, which should generate a great riding position for ultra tall riders too.

Geometry of the Rocky Mountain Element 2017
(Pos. 1 – Pos. 5 – Pos. 9)

Size SM MD LG XL XXL
Seat tube 394 mm 432 mm 470 mm 508 mm 546 mm
Top tube 565 mm 590 mm 615 mm 645 mm 665 mm
Head tube 95 mm 150 mm 120 mm 130 mm 145 mm
Head angle 69° – 69.5° – 70° 69° – 69.5° – 70° 69° – 69.5° – 70° 69° – 69.5° – 70° 69° – 69.5° – 70°
Seat angle 74.5° – 75° – 75.5° 74.5° – 75° – 75.5° 74.5° – 75° – 75.5° 74.5° – 75° – 75.5° 74.5° – 75° – 75.5°
Chainstay 439 mm – 438.2 mm – 437 mm 439 mm – 438.2 mm – 437 mm 439 mm – 438.2 mm – 437 mm 439 mm – 438.2 mm – 437 mm 439 mm – 438.2 mm – 437 mm
BB Drop 47 mm – 40 mm – 33 mm 47 mm – 40 mm – 33 mm 47 mm – 40 mm – 33 mm 47 mm – 40 mm – 33 mm 47 mm – 40 mm – 33 mm
Wheelbase 1107 mm – 1107 mm – 1105 mm 1133 mm – 1133 mm – 1131 mm 1160 mm – 1160 mm – 1158 mm 1191 mm – 1191 mm – 1189 mm 1212 mm – 1212 mm – 1210 mm
Reach 398 mm – 404 mm – 410 mm 421 mm – 427 mm – 433 mm 442 mm – 448 mm – 453 mm 470 mm – 476 mm – 482 mm 486 mm – 492 mm – 498 mm
Stack 604 mm – 600 mm – 596 mm 613 mm – 609 mm – 605 mm 627 mm – 623 mm – 619 mm 637 mm – 633 mm – 628 mm 651 mm – 647 mm – 642 mm

Rocky Mountain Element line-up in spec

Rocky Mountain Element 999 RSL

Fork: Fox 34 Float Factory 120 mm
Rear shock: Fox Float DPS Remote Factory 100 mm
Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate 180 / 160 mm
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Drivetrain: SRAM XX1 Eagle 1×12
Cranks: SRAM XX1 Eagle Boost 32T
Hubs: Stan’s Neo Ultimate Boost
Rims: Stan’s Valor Carbon
Tires: MAXXIS Ikon 29 x 2.2 Maxx Speed TR
Price: € 10,500

Rocky Mountain Element 970 RSL

Element970_RSL_1x11_C1_Profile

Fork: Fox 34 Float Performance Elite 120 mm
Rear shock: Fox Float DPS Remote Performance Elite 100 mm
Brakes: Shimano XT 180 / 160mm
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Drivetrain: Shimano XT / XTR
Cranks: Race Face Turbine 32T
Hubs: Rocky Mountain / SUNringlé SRC
Rims: Stan’s ZTR Crest
Tires: MAXXIS Ikon 29 x 2.2 Maxx Speed TR
Price: € 5,900

Rocky Mountain Element 950 RSL

Element950_RSL_1x11_Profile

Fork: Fox 34 Float Performance Elite 120 mm
Rear shock: Fox Float DPS Remote Performance Elite 100 mm
Brakes: Shimano SLX 180 mm / 160 mm
Drivetrain: Shimano SLX / XT
Cranks: Race Face Aeffect SL 32T
Hubs: Rocky Mountain / SUNringlé SRC
Rims: Sun Helix SL TR25
Tires: MAXXIS Ikon 29 x 2.2 Maxx Speed TR
Price: € 4,200

Rocky Mountain Element 930 RSL

Fork: RockShox Reba RL 120 mm
Rear shock: RockShox Monarch RL 100 mm
Brakes: Shimano SLX 180/160 mm
Drivetrain: Shimano SLX 2×11
Cranks: FSA Comet Modular 38/28T
Hubs: Shimano M618
Rims: WTB SX19
Tires: MAXXIS Ikon 29″ 2.2
Price: € 3,700

Rocky Mountain Element 990 RSL BC Edition

The ‘BC Edition’ models bring the fun to the trails for Rocky Mountain: the wider cockpit, more stable wheels and grippier tires whisk up the trail bike vibes on the Element.
The ‘BC Edition’ models bring the fun to the trails for Rocky Mountain: the wider cockpit, more stable wheels and grippier tires whisk up the trail bike vibes on the Element.

If we had to pick one model and one model only from Rocky Mountain, then we’d hands-down go for the ‘BC Edition’ of all their bikes. These all boast a cherry-picked spec from Rocky Mountain’s employees and tend to be even more primed for downhills than the standard models. The Element BC Edition is no exception and its 800 mm bars, robust wheels and 2.3″ MAXXIS tires promise an additional dose of fun.

The RockShox PIKE forks offer 120 mm of travel and a stiff chassis.
The RockShox PIKE forks offer 120 mm of travel and a stiff chassis.
Familiar from Rocky Mountain’s trail bikes, the RIDE-9 system on the Element has been moved into the link.
Familiar from Rocky Mountain’s trail bikes, the RIDE-9 system on the Element has been moved into the link.
Das neue Element ist unverkennbar ein Rocky Mountain!
The Element bears all the hallmarks of a Rocky Mountain!

Rocky Mountain Element 990 RSL BC Edition in spec

Fork: RockShox Pike RTC3 120 mm
Rear shock: RockShox Monarch RT3 100 mm
Brakes: Shimano XT 180 mm
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Drivetrain: Shimano XTR 1×11
Cranks: Race Face Turbine 32T
Hubs: Rocky Mountain / DT Swiss 350
Rims: Stan’s ZTR Arch
Tires: MAXXIS DHR II / Minion SS
Price: € 6,900

Our impression

We’ve still not had chance to tear around the trails on this new Rocky Mountain Element but we’ve seen enough to know that we’re enamored. Forget your prejudices and embrace the fact that short-travel bikes can bring a hell of a good time to any ride. In our eyes, for many riders it could serve as a decent replacement for a trail bike and shouldn’t be confined to race circuits. The Element has the right ingredients for fun and should still have its infamous speed against more conservative XC bikes.


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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer