The Rocky Mountain Altitude is one of the most important models for the Canadian brand, a hard hitting trail bike for real-world riders. Rocky Mountain has just dropped a fresh new Altitude for 2018 with a more aggressive personality, but does it stay true to the classic Altitude attributes.?
“Often imitated but never surpassed, the all-new Altitude pushes the envelope of what a modern trail bike is capable of.”
Now, just hang on a minute! We’ve heard that slogan before – the previous Altitude was advertised with the same catchphrase. Is the new bike just a warmed up microwave meal or a full-on fiery vindaloo?
The Rocky Mountain Altitude 2018 in Detail
Just like its predecessor, the new Altitude rocks 150 mm travel on the rear and 160 mm on the fork, but that’s where the similarities end, it’s an entirely new affair. The new bike appears noticeably cleaner, especially because the linkage is a lot more elegant. Rocky’s proven RIDE-9 system has been moved from the mainframe to the rocker, creating a much slimmer profile. The new frame is said to be significantly stiffer and weighs in at 2,470 g including the rear shock. Rocky Mountain claims a weight of 12,88 kg in size M for the top spec version.
Many details have been updated to current standards, preparing the Altitude for the future. Tooled rear axles, boost hub spacing and metric rear shocks are only the tip of the iceberg. Rocky is moving away from the BC2 bushing-style pivots in favour of sealed bearings, even on the lower shock mount. The internal cable routing has been optimised with bigger ports and is, of course, Di2-ready.
The rear suspension has been tweaked to offer improved small bump compliance and more mid-stroke support, higher anti-squat characteristics should increase pedaling efficiency. The pixelated rear shock on the top spec model grabbed our attention, currently, it’s not clear what’s behind the secret curtain. Rocky Mountain does indicate that the frame is compatible with FOX Live though – possibly the electronic suspension system debuted as a prototype 2015 is finally ready for serial introduction.
Geometry of the Rocky Mountain Altitude 2018
The bike gets some serious geometry updates, rendering a much slacker and longer ride that the previous incarnation. With 65° head angle and 452 mm reach in size L (in the slackest RIDE-9 setting), aggressive without being extreme. The bottom bracket is now slightly lower, the chain stays have been shortened ever so slightly to 435 mm – Rocky Mountain strives to maintain the agility of the Altitude despite the longer main frame.
| Size | XS | SM | MD | LG | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube | 368 mm | 394 mm | 432 mm | 470.5 mm | 508.5 |
| Top Tube | 548 mm – 545 mmm | 578 mm – 575 mm | 603 mm – 600 mm | 628 mm – 625 mm | 658 mm – 655 mm |
| Head Tube | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm | 145 mm |
| Head Tube Angle | 65° – 66.1° | 65° – 66.1° | 65° – 66.1° | 65° – 66.1° | 65° – 66.1° |
| Seat Tube Angle | 74° – 75.1° | 74° – 75.1° | 74° – 75.1° | 74° – 75.1° | 74° – 75.1° |
| Chainstays | 425mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm |
| Bottom Bracket Drop | 13 mm – (-1) mm | 13 mm – (-1) mm | 13 mm – (-1) mm | 13 mm – (-1) mm | 13 mm – (-1) mm |
| Wheelbase | 1122 mm – 1119 mm | 1153 mm – 1150 mm | 1180 mm – 1177 mm | 1206 mm – 1204 mm | 1239 mm – 1236 mm |
| Reach | 380 mm – 391 mm | 407 mm – 419 mm | 430 mm – 441 mm | 452 mm – 464 mm | 479 mm – 490 mm |
| Stack | 589 mm – 578 mm | 595 mm – 587 mm | 604 mm – 596 mm | 613 mm – 605 mm | 628 mm – 619 mm |
Specifications of the Rocky Mountain Altitude 2018
The components are pitched firmly towards the aggressive trail rider. All models come with 1-by drivetrains, the frame doesn’t offer the option to run a front derailleur. Rocky Mountain specs MAXXIS’ new Wide Trail tires on wide rims, a combination that should offer face-bending traction. The naming convention has been changed too, the 790 MSL now becomes the Altitude Carbon 90, the Altitude Alloy 50 replaces the 750-model. The following models will be available:
Altitude Carbon 90
Fork Fox 36 Float EVOL FIT4 Factory 160 mm
Rear Shock will be announced soon
Drivetrain Sram X01 Eagle 1 x 11
Crankset Sram Descendant Carbon Eagle 34T
Hubs Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost (V) / DT Swiss 350 Boost (H)
Rims Stans Flow MK3
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF WT Maxx Terra 3C (V) / Maxxis Minion DHR II WT Maxx Terra 3C (H)
Price € 7,900
Altitude Carbon 70
Fork Fox 36 Float EVOL FIT4 Performance Elite 160 mm
Rear Shock Fox Float DPS EVOL Performance Elite 150 mm
Brakes Shimano XT
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1 x 11
Crankset Race Face Turbine Cinch 32T
Hubs Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost (V) / DT Swiss 370 Boost (H)
Rims Stans Flow MK3
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF WT Maxx Terra 3C (V) / Maxxis Minion DHR II WT Maxx Terra 3C (H)
Price € 5,900
Altitude Carbon 50
Fork Fox 36 Float EVOL Grip Performance 160 mm
Rear Shock Fox Float DPS EVOL Performance 150 mm
Brakes Shimano SLX
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1 x 11
Crankset Race Face Aeffect Cinch 32T Steel
Hubs Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost (V) / DT Swiss 370 Boost (H)
Rims Sun Düroc 30
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF WT EXO (V) / Maxxis Minion DHR II WT EXO (H)
Price € 4,800
Altitude Alloy 70
Fork Fox 36 Float EVOL FIT4 Performance Elite 160 mm
Rear Shock will be announced soon
Brakes Shimano XT
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1 x 11
Crankset Race Face Turbine Cinch 32T
Hubs Shimano XT Boost
Rims Sun Düroc 30
Tires Maxxis Minion DHR II WT Maxx Terra 3C (V) / Maxxis Minion DHR II WT Maxx Terra 3C (H)
Price € 4,500
Altitude Alloy 50
Fork Fox 36 Float EVOL Grip Performance 160 mm
Rear Shock Fox Float DPS EVOL Performance 150 mm
Brakes Shimano SLX
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1 x 11
Crankset Race Face Aeffect Cinch 32T Steel
Hubs Shimano SLX Boost
Rims Sun Düroc 30
Tires MMaxxis Minion DHF WT EXO (V) / Maxxis Minion DHR II WT EXO (H)
Price € 3,500
Altitude Alloy 30
Fork RockShox 2018 Yari RC 160 mm
Rear Shock RockShox Deluxe RT 150 mm
Brakes Sram Level
Drivetrain Sram NX 1 x 11
Crankset Race Face Aeffect Cinch 32T Steel
Hubs Rocky Mountain Sealed Boost (V) / Sram MTH 746 Boost (H)
Rims Sun Düroc 30
Tires Maxxis Minion DHF WT EXO (V) / Maxxis Minion DHR II WT EXO (H)
Price € 3,000
First Impression
With the Altitude, Rocky Mountain have dropped what looks to be a very modern trail bike, moving ever closer to its sibling, the Slayer, in terms of spec and geometry. We are particularly curious about the rear shock that has not been revealed yet – is FOX Live really coming to market soon?
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Words: Photos: PM Rocky Mountain
