Wade Simmons can’t figure out why his favourite home trails around Vancouver’s North Shore seem to be ‘getting easier’, almost – dare we say it – ‘dumbed down’ into beginner’s flow trails. So what’s behind this downgrading? Could it be the new Rocky Mountain Pipeline 770 MSL, reputed to soften the gnar on the gnarliest trails around. And has it convinced us?
The Pipeline is Rocky Mountain’s aggressive 27.5+ trail bike, drawing on the 29er Instinct to feature the same 130 mm rear travel, but teaming it with a 150 mm fork at the front. So while it’s got burly 2.8″ plus-size tyres, the playful aspect is reputed to still be in full force and dish up tons of traction. Unlike many other brands, the Canadians have exclusively gone for this newer wheel size, and specifically adapted the suspension and geometry to suit the plus-size tyres – and, for the record, classic 27.5 or 29er wheels aren’t advised on the Pipeline.
The Rocky Mountain Pipeline in detail
Taking cues from a host of tried-and-tested Rocky Mountain features, the carbon frame’s ‘smoothwall’ construction reduces any excess material by creating an inner surface that’s as smooth as the exterior. The aluminium rear takes the BC2 bushing-style pivot bearings with grease ports. Internally-routed cables, pressfit bottom bracket and Boost hubs are now bywords for high quality these days, the ISCG05 mount for a chain guide is more of a rarity – although that’s not to say it’s not a welcome sight. There’s no front derailleur mount, but that’s no bad thing as it’d be unnecessary in our eyes.
The Geometry of the Rocky Mountain Pipeline
The geometry on the Rocky Mountain Pipeline errs on the conservative side of the spectrum, showing little sign of the growing trend for a long reach, short chainstays and a slack head angle. But just taking a glance at the geometry doesn’t tell the full story – the Pipeline bears Rocky Mountain’s Ride 9 adjustment system, with flip chips to switch between the 9 different settings altering head and seat angle, bottom bracket height and shock rate, all of which impacts on the reach and stack. Check out this video for the options:
| Size | SM | MD | LG | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube Length | 394 mm | 432 mm | 470 mm | 508 mm |
| Top Tube Horizontal | 548 mm | 572 mm | 595 mm | 620 mm |
| Head Tube Length | 100 mm | 110 mm | 120 mm | 130 mm |
| Head Tube Angle | 67,2° – 68,8° | 67,2° – 68,8° | 67,2° – 68,8° | 67,2° – 68,8° |
| Seat Tube Angle | 73,7° – 75,5° | 73,7° – 75,5° | 73,7° – 75,5° | 73,7° – 75,5° |
| Rear Centre | 443 mm | 443 mm | 443 mm | 443 mm |
| Bottom Bracket Drop | 25,1 mm – 3,4 mm | 25,1 mm – 3,4 mm | 25,1 mm – 3,4 mm | 25,1 mm – 3,4 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1119 mm | 1144 mm | 1168 mm | 1194 mm |
| Reach | 372 mm – 390 mm | 394 mm – 412 mm | 413 mm – 432 mm | 436 mm – 454 mm |
| Stack | 597 mm – 610 mm | 607 mm – 619 mm | 617 mm – 629 mm | 626 mm – 638 mm |
The Rocky Mountain Pipeline 770 MSL on spec
Right now the Pipeline comes in two build specs and we’ve tested the top of the range 770 MSL, which retails at € 5,600. The FOX Factory suspension – made up of a 150 mm 34er fork and a FLOAT DPS rear shock – perform sublimely, and are pretty much unrivalled for this sort of riding. The 1x drivetrain with Shimano XT shifters and Race Face Turbine cranks are the silent workhorse, although its 11-42 cassette is on the small side in terms of gear ratio. With a 30 mm internal rim width, the wheels (SUNringlé hubs, WTB spokes and Alexrims) almost seem to be from the spares box, but they give no rise for complaint. In short, the Rocky Mountain Pipeline 770 MSL boasts a really wise and well-considered spec, most importantly including uncompromising suspension. Should you yearn for a bit more bling, then it’s the ideal foundation to customise.
Rock Mountain Pipeline 770 MSL
- Fork: FOX 34 FLOAT Factory 150 mm
- Rear shock: FOX FLOAT DPS Factory
- Brakes: Shimano XT 180/180 mm
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT 1×11
- Cranks: Race Face Turbine 28Z
- Hubs: Rocky Mountain Sealed/SUNringlé SRC (v/h)
- Spokes: WTB 1.8-1.6
- Rims: Alex XM 35
- Tires: MAXXIS Rekon EXO 2.8″
- Bars: Race Face Turbine 35 760 mm
- Stem: Rocky Mountain 35 AM 60 mm
- Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth 125 mm
- Weight: 13.06 kg
- Price: € 5,600
Rocky Mountain Pipeline 750 MSL
Alongside the 770 MSL, there’s also a lower price-point model with RockShox suspension.
- Forks: RockShox Yari RC 150 mm
- Rear shock: RockShox Monarch RT DebonAir
- Brakes: Shimano M506 180/180 mm
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT 1×11
- Cranks: Race Face Aeffect SL 28Z
- Wheels: Alex XM 35/SUNringlé SRC
- Tires: MAXXIS Rekon EXO 2.8″
- Price: € 4,000
Climbing on the Rocky Mountain Pipeline 770 MSL
A glance at the Rocky Mountain Pipeline’s geometry figures might prompt you to make a rash judgment, but after just a few moments we felt right at home on the bike. Its moderate reach gives a comfy riding position, and the Pipeline rolls satisfyingly along on the flat. Its small-bump sensitivity and outstanding pedal efficiency meet our approval. On climbs the Pipeline delivers plenty of traction, and it climbs like it’s possessed on technical terrain. While a plus-bike is never quite going to rival the nimbleness of a bike with regular tyres, this Rocky is definitely at the better end of the spectrum and far from burly. The 28 tooth chainring has enough gears for climbing, although it comes at the cost of the ultimate sprint finish speed.
Descending on the Rocky Mountain Pipeline 770 MSL
The Pipeline really comes to life once the climb is ticked off and you’re dropping into the trail. Its Smoothlink suspension design draws out the ultimate efficiency from the travel without any risk of bottoming out harshly. The 2.8″ MAXXIS Rekon tires gnaw into the terrain, ironing out roots and rocky edges. It’s worth taking the time to find your personal air pressure sweet spot; our testers settled for somewhere between 0.9 and 1.2 bar at the front and 1.1 and 1.3 bar at the rear depending on weight and riding style. The Rocky Mountain Pipeline 770 MSL proved to be a bike that delivers stability in the extreme on technical trails, taking each rider’s confidence to a new high. The pretty compact reach suits the handling, as the Pipeline is playful, willingly cornering on tight bends. It’s a bike worth a self-evaluation before you purchase: long and slack might be best for elite riders, but the Pipeline’s more moderate geometry (and fun ride) is perhaps better primed for most amateurs.
This is no serious bike, mind, it’s made for fun with its cheeky-chappy desire for air. The XT brakes put a bit of a dampener on the fun factor though, as their vague bite point (an issue we’ve seen on many of this season’s test bikes) is frustrating. Taller riders would also benefit from a seatpost with more adjustment, as the 125 mm available was limited in steep terrain. However, you’ll probably overlook these bugbears in the short-term as the Pipeline coasts you over a seemingly-unrideable root garden once again.
Conclusion
A top-flight trail bike, the Rocky Mountain Pipeline 770 MSL is the ultimate alternative for the majority of riders looking out for a conventional-tired enduro bike with more travel. Anyone not racing enduro every weekend or shredding bike parks regularly will glean more benefits from the extra traction of the plus-size tyres than from a few extra millimetres of travel. The Pipeline is – just like an enduro – on the burly side for a lot of flow trails, so perhaps look to Rocky Mountain’s Thunderbolt or Instinct if agility is number one on your priority list. However, if you’re usually found riding in the mountains and shredding down technical natural trails towards valley floors, then expect the Pipeline to provide a ton of fun and really push your limits – just like Wade Simmons.
For more information on the Rocky Mountain Pipeline 770 MSL visit bikes.com
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Words: Photos: Noah Haxel
