Spotted at Sea Otter: Rocky Mountain Sherpa Concept Bike

10.04.2014
by
rocky mountain sherpa expedition mountain bike 1 810x540


Do bikes prompt people to plan trips to remote parts of the world, or are they built because they’re just needed. The Rocky Mountain Sherpa, with custom Nepalese inspired paint job, might be both. Read on to see if in conjures up crazy dreams in your head.

The Sherpa looks awesome and quite ready to handle your off road adventures.
The Sherpa looks awesome and quite ready to handle your off road adventures.

Standing out amongst a growing variety of off road, touring mt bikes is the Rocky Mountain Sherpa. Based on the Element frame, it’s an “expedition capable” bike, ready to take on the trips that exist in your creative mind. This bike only exists as a concept bike right now, as Rocky Mountain gauges interest at Sea Otter, the biggest consumer bike festival in the world. On the otherwise quiet Thursday morning their booth was jammed with people checking the bike out.

The bike has 95 mm rear travel, and 100-120 mm front suspension. Using a 29” fork, and here’s where things get interesting. Rocky Mountain says the wheel size is “27.5 plus”. Meaning it has 27.5” wheels, but uses 2.8 tires, giving it an extra plush feel. Fat, but not overly fat. Based on a 40 mm wide rim, the wheel is a brainchild of Alex at Rocky Mountain. He says it’s a super capable off road tourer, but with smaller wheels than 29”, it still handles well and is fun to ride.

This thing has an awesome custom, one off, paint job. Designed in conjunction with Rocky Mountain, Stacy Glazer of North Vancouver painted the Nepalese snow leopard, inspired by trips to that part of the world. It looks sweet!

One of the really interesting features of the bike is the front Dynamo hub, which can power and recharge electrical devices like a GPS or phone. Through brushes in the hub that rub together, thereby creating friction, it supplies enough juice to power up your devices.

The bike isn’t available to the public yet, and might not ever be, but if you want one, and you’re at the Sea Otter Classic, stop by Rocky Mountain, check it out, and tell them you want one. The Rocky Mountain Sherpa looks to be a really fun and capable bike for going the distance in the mountains.

Custom paint job from Stacy Glazer of North Vancouver, CAN
Custom paint job from Stacy Glazer of North Vancouver, CAN
More custom paint. The snow leopard is an ultra rare creature, much like this bike.
More custom paint. The snow leopard is an ultra rare creature, much like this bike.
Dynamo hub supplies power to GPS or other handlebar mounted devices.
Dynamo hub supplies power to GPS or other handlebar mounted devices.
Very cool internally routed power lines with USB port coming from stem. Awesome.
Very cool internally routed power lines with USB port coming from stem. Awesome.
Beefy seat stays help to reassure you on an expedition.
Beefy seat stays help to reassure you on an expedition.
27.5 plus. New wheel size? Maybe, maybe not.
27.5 plus. New wheel size? Maybe, maybe not.
Front and rear mounted cargo bikes help you get your gear out there.
Front and rear mounted cargo bikes help you get your gear out there.
Words, Photos: Daniel Dunn

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