Rocky Mountain are true veterans in the mountain bike business. With the new Altitude, the Canadian manufacturer lines up a revised version of their enduro bruiser, which generates 170/160 mm of travel and features a deeply integrated shock and countless geometry adjustments. Is this the recipe for success in our big 2024 enduro comparison test?
16.5 kg in size L | € 8,400 | Manufacturer’s website
With over 40 years of history on their shoulders, Rocky Mountain have long been an integral part of cycling. However, the new Altitude proves that the Canadian manufacturer are not just trading on their name, but moving with the times. The latest iteration of the Altitude is very different from its predecessor, with the most striking change being the brand new rear suspension system. The deeply integrated rear shock controls 160 mm of travel and is combined with a 170 mm fork. Rocky Mountain’s extensive Ride4 system enables countless geometry adjustments, while an additional flip chip allows you to convert the Canadian 29” enduro bruiser into a mullet bike. Tipping the scales at 16.5 kg, the Altitude is 200 g heavier than average in our 2024 enduro group test, and it’s also amongst the pricier competitors, retailing at an impressive € 8,400.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test
The 2024 Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 in detail
The Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 takes on the competition with a discreet black finish, which is nevertheless striking thanks to the exposed carbon weave that peers through the clear lacquer. For the rear suspension, Rocky Mountain rely on their proprietary Low Centre Counter Rotating design (LC2R), a virtual pivot layout with a low centre of gravity that connects the stiff swingarm to the main frame via two short links. This leaves plenty of room for a practical storage compartment, with an opening in the down tube, right above the shock mounts. The cover of the storage compartment relies on a robust metallic locking system, which is easy to operate and also features a practical AirTag holder. There’s also a bottle cage mount on the cover, while a tool mount on the top tube allows you to secure a spare inner tube and tire levers directly to the frame. With the Altitude, you can stash away your trail essentials on and inside the bike. The Canadian manufacturer chose a conventional cable routing system over a fancy (and complex) headset routing system. The cables disappear into the frame on the side of the head tube and are securely clamped at the ports. Nevertheless, on our test bike, the cables rattled loudly in the bottom bracket area. It’s a similar story with the chainstay protector, which looks fancy, but doesn’t cover the whole chainstay, resulting in the chain slapping loudly against its bare front section. Just a few laps into this test, the swingarm’s paint job was visibly damaged. At least the generously sized down tube protector shields the frame against stray rocks and also prevents scuffing when you throw your bike on the back of a shuttle truck – a regular occurrence on its home trails in Canada.
The Rocky Mountain Altitude relies on a conventional cable routing system with ports on the frame. On the trail, however, the cables rattle loudly against the frame.
The spec of the 2024 Rocky Mountain Altitude C70
Retailing at € 8,400, the Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 comes with a high quality, sensible spec. FOX supply the 170 mm 38 Factory fork, which relies on a GRIP2 damper and is paired with a 160 mm DHX2 coil shock. Both components offer countless adjustment options, though the encased coil shock is pretty hard to reach and also requires a special tool to change the spring – annoying! Fellow Canadians Race Face provide the Turbine R dropper post, which is meant to provide additional freedom of movement downhill. However, at 170 mm, this is almost 30 mm shorter than the average dropper in this test, so falls somewhat short of achieving its goal.
The shock is integrated deep into the frame, so you really want to nail your spring rate the first time – removing the shock again can be a headache!
The cover of the storage compartment features a practical Airtag holder, allowing you to track your bike in case of theft – provided no one removes the cover.
The high front end ensures a dominant riding position, making you feel as if you were driving a monster truck, and inspiring huge amounts of confidence in the process.
The Altitude’s flip chip allows for up to four settings which, together with the adjustable headset cups and the wheel size flip chip, makes the Rocky Mountain one of the bikes with the most customisable geometry in this test field.
Shifting is taken care of by a reliable, cable operated Shimano XT drivetrain, while Shimano XT four-piston brakes do stopping duties, providing powerful and reliable deceleration together with the 200 mm rotors. Race Face also supply the AR 30 alloy wheelset, which is paired with MAXXIS tires, with an ASSEGAI in the soft MaxxGrip rubber compound and EXO+ casing at the front, and a Minion DHR II in the harder MaxxTerra rubber compound and robust DoubleDown casing at the rear. Reckon you still need more puncture protection? Rocky Mountain have you covered, and deliver the Altitude with CushCore Trail tire inserts front and rear as standard – awesome!
Rocky Mountain Altitude C70
Specifications
Fork FOX 38 Factory GRIP2 170 mm
Rear Shock FOX DHX2 Factory 160 mm
Seatpost Race Face Turbine R 170 mm
Brakes Shimano XT 200/200 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1x12
Stem Rocky Mountain 40 mm
Handlebar Race Face Turbine Alu 780 mm
Wheelset Race Face AR 30 Alloy, DT Swiss 350 29"
Tires MAXXIS ASSEGAI, EXO+, MaxxGrip/MAXXIS Minion DHR II, Doubledown, MaxxTerra 2.5/2.4
Technical Data
Size S M L XL
Weight 16.5 kg
Specific Features
Storage compartment
Adjustable Geometry
Toolmount
Cushcore Trail front and back
Tuning tip: Complement the chainstay protector with some mastic tape | Put a foam sleeve around the cables to prevent them from rattling against the frame
The geometry of the 2024 Rocky Mountain Altitude C70
The Altitude combines a 63.8° head tube and 77.8° seat tube angle, which are typical values for a modern enduro bike and well within the average in this group test. To ensure consistent handling across all sizes, Rocky Mountain rely on three different chainstay lengths across the four frame sizes, with the smallest S size sporting a rather conservative 427 mm (with 27.5” wheels), size M rocking 440 mm and the biggest L and XL a very generous 450 mm. The special feature of the Altitude is Rocky Mountain’s proprietary Ride 4 flip chip system, which can be adjusted into four different positions, allowing you to fine tune the geometry and progression of the bike. In this test, we mainly rode in the steep position no. 4. If you want to convert your Altitude to a mullet bike with a smaller 27.5″ rear wheel, you’ll have to turn the second flip chip in the rear shock mount. On top of that, you can alter the 483 mm reach by +/- 5 mm by rotating the headset cups.
“If you don’t like the Rocky Mountain’s geometry straight out of the box, the Ride 4 flip chip and the headset cups allow you to customise your ride.
| Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 433 mm | 458 mm | 483 mm | 513 mm |
| Stack | 599 mm | 630 mm | 640 mm | 653 mm |
| Chainstay Length | 430 mm | 440 mm | 450 mm | 450 mm |
| BB Drop | 13 mm | 27 mm | 27 mm | 27 mm |
| Seat Tube | 365 mm | 410 mm | 440 mm | 470 mm |
| Head Angle | 63.8° | 63.8° | 63.8° | 63.8° |
| Seat Angle | 77.8° | 77.8° | 77.8° | 77.8° |
| Horizontal Top Tube | 553 mm | 584 mm | 610 mm | 642 mm |
| Head Tube | 100 mm | 105 mm | 115 mm | 130 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1188 mm | 1242 mm | 1282 mm | 1319 mm |
The 2024 Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 on the trail
Every good shred starts with a climb. Here the Rocky Mountain does well, placing you in a pleasantly upright pedalling position with its high front end. However, the sensitive Twin Link suspension with the coil shock bobs slightly, which, together with the rather ponderous 16.5 kg system weight and chunky tires, certainly makes itself noticed when you’re on your way to the trailhead. For comparison’s sake, the Altitude lags behind the Trek Slash on the trail, with its high pivot suspension layout. Overall, the pedalling position enables long days and even longer backcountry expeditions, albeit at a more leisurely pace.
When gravity takes over, the high stack and deeply integrated riding position inspire huge amounts of confidence, even on the steepest trails, preventing dreaded OTB moments in tense technical sections with nasty drops and rock slabs. In fast trail sections, the Altitude always makes you feel in control, with the suspension providing tons of traction and excellent control on rough terrain, allowing you to hold your line without fighting the trail. All in all, the Rocky Mountain is just as exceptionally composed as our test winner, the Ibis HD6, and the only e-bike in this test, the Orbea Wild. When bombing your way down the side of the mountain, the only drawback is the loud background noise of the chain and cables slapping against the frame – but this is really annoying! On narrow, technical descents with tight switchbacks, you have to ease it up a bit. In a nutshell, the Rocky Mountain Altitude lacks agility and requires great physical effort to flick the rear end around tight corners, making it hard to spontaneously change your line. This is partly due to the high front end, which makes it hard to weight the front wheel to keep it tracking. As a result, the Altitude fails to strike a balance between composure and agility, compromising technical ability in favour of straight-line speed.
Full-blast, straight-line monster – the Rocky Mountain Altitude eats rough trails for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Who should take a closer look at the 2024 Rocky Mountain Altitude C70?
The Altitude will definitely appeal to Rocky Mountain fans, who like their clever details, such as the wide range of geometry adjustment options. But what rider type does it suit best? Speed junkies who like to bomb their way back down into the valley in a straight line. You’ll need a decent level of fitness too, because the Altitude requires plenty of input from the rider to flick the bike around bends in tight, twisty trail sections. Experienced riders can play around with the countless geometry settings to find their optimal riding position.
Our conclusions about the 2024 Rocky Mountain Altitude C70
The Rocky Mountain Altitude lives up to its name, allowing you to descend plenty of vertical metres in a short time, provided you like to bomb down the side of the mountain in a straight line. On narrow, technical trails, however, it requires plenty of input from the rider and isn’t as intuitive to throw around corners. Overall, the Altitude is a specialist for the rough stuff, with limited all-round appeal. On the other hand, the countless adjustment options allow you to customise the geometry to suit your local trails and riding style.
Tops
- Extremely composed
- High-quality storage compartment cover with Airtag holder
- Customisable geometry
Flops
- Loud rattling noise
- Not the most agile bike out there
For more info, visit Rocky Mountain’s website.
The test field
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best enduro bike 2024 – 14 of the most exciting enduro bikes in our 2024 comparison test
All bikes in test: Bold Unplugged Ultimate (Click for review) | Canyon Strive CFR LTD (Click for review) | GIANT Reign Advanced 1 V2 (Click for review) | Ibis HD6 GX AXS (Click for review) | Norco Sight C1 (Click for review) | Orbea WILD M-LTD (Click for review) | Propain Tyee 6 CF MIX (Click for review) | RAAW Madonna V3 (Click for review) | Rocky Mountain Altitude C70 (Click for review) | Santa Cruz Megatower GX AXS RSV (Click for review) | SCOTT Ransom 900 RC (Click for review) | Trek Slash 9.8 XT (Click for review) | Yeti SB160 T3 (Click for review) | YT CAPRA CORE 4 (Click for review)
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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Peter Walker Translation: Eric
