‘New’ bike, same name. That’ll just mean a few tweaks then – a degree off the head angle, a tweaked leverage rate. Not the 2013 Rocky Mountain Altitude – it’s got an all-new frame, suspension setup and wheel size, plus the top-end models are now carbon fibre. Rocky reckon it’s “the total trail bike package”. It’s certainly easier on the eye.
This is the 2013 Rocky Mountain Altitude 790 MSL
For comparison, here's the 2012 Altitude 70
So what’s changed?
1 Wheel size
All Altitude models now have 650b (27.5in) wheels. The 2012 bikes used a mix of 26in and 29in.
2 Frame material
The 2012 bike had an aluminium frame. Now there’s a choice of carbon (Altitude 790 MSL), carbon front/alloy rear (770 MSL) or alloy (730, 750).
3 Adjustability
The new RIDE-9 system allows you to adjust head angle (66.6°-68.3°), BB height (+/-10mm) and suspension rate via a pair of rotating chips at the upper shock mount
4 Pivots
The bike uses Angular Bushing Concept pivots instead of cartridge bearings. These are said to be lighter, stiffer and need less maintenance
5 Travel
The 2013 Altitude offers 150mm of travel, up from 140mm, via a reconfigured version of Rocky’s four-bar SmoothLink design
6 Up-to-date features
It has all the latest must-have trail bike features, including a 142mm rear axle…
… internal cable routing (including for a ‘stealth’ dropper post and, on the carbon frame, a rear shock remote)…
… ISCG-05 chain guide tabs…
… stainless steel plates to protect the carbon frame from damage…
… and an oversize bottom bracket shell, in this case BB92 rather than BB30.
7 Rear mech hanger
It’s also one of the first bikes we’ve seen with a hanger for Shimano’s new direct mount derailleurs
Here are the other models in the range:
Find out more at altitude.bikes.com.
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