Rocky Mountain Element Downcountry Custom Build Review
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- čas přidán 14. 06. 2024
- The Rocky Mountain Element is likely my favorite bike ever. It makes me a better all-around rider, and here's why:
Way back in the day, say 2012 or so, I dreamed about a short-travel XC bike with the build spec and capability to absolutely smash all the advanced downhill and freeride lines that I love to ride. Fast forward a decade, and Rocky Mountain have done it perfectly. A bike that's light, nimble, fun to ride, but robust enough and with geometry slack enough to really feel at home in aggressive terrain. It's encouraged me to shuttle less and climb more, and even has me chasing uphill KOM's as well as the downhill ones.
So here's my build. It's a little unorthadox (the suspension, drivetrain and brakes are all from the Enduro world) but it's exactly what I want to ride on the type of trails I enjoy most.
Build Spec:
2023 Rocky Mountain Element C90 frame
Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate fork, 140mm
Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock, 190x45, H compression tune, linear rebound.
Rockshox Reverb AXS wireless dropper post, 170mm
Zipp 1Zero HiTop SW wheels
SRAM XXSL Cassette and chain
SRAM XX crankset
SRAM GX/XXSL transmission derailleur
SRAM Code stealth brakes, 200mm HS2 Rotors
OneUp ebar
Maxxis EXO+ tires, varying tread patterns.
As always, thanks for watching, and drop any questions or comments below! - Sport
Love the nerding out, makes me feel like I'm not alone
Hell yeah! I saw your bike on vital a while ago. I have the same green bike as well. Seeing as though you're a data nerd here's my build.
Fox 34 with grip 2 damper upgrade, stock rear fox float, Shimano slx 4 piston brakes (180r, 203f), Shimano xt drivetrain, stem stacked up with dmr 35 (35mm length) stem with older renthal 35 40mm rise 800mm carbon bars, ESI extra chunky grips, i9 enduro 1/1 wheelset, maxxis dhf exo 2.5 f, maxxis rekon 2.4 exo r. Blackburn bike bag in the front triangle, one-up bike pump/tool combo, one-up 210mm dropper, enduro adhesive Garmin mount on top tube in back of stem, Kona wah wah 2 pedals, about all I can think of, such an awesome bike!
That's a sweet build! Are you running 130mm or 140mm on your fork?
@@dsanfdsa1 upped the travel to 140 and running the flip chip in neutral to achieve the "normal" slack mode at 140.
Nice man! I did a similar thing with mine except with a Fox fork and dropper and a Cane Creek Coil IL shock and I love it. Handles 99% of what you throw at it and still climbs like a goat
Very insightful video with shredder knowledge. I enjoy your tech savvy Witt that always come with a purpose. The tire pressure tech is spot on..well the whole bike presentation is super rad to watch multiple times - a lot of knowledge to soak up for me, Thanks again for another great video!
Cheers! Glad you got something out of it!
Meanwhile i forked down to a 120mm 34 sc with a float dps lockout here in the midwest😂
Loving the green color scheme - looks sick! I have the same bike and love it :) Looking to beef out my suspension also - are you liking the super deluxe ultimate? What shock hardware did you need? Thanks man, enjoy the ride.
Hey, thanks so much!
I'd definitely recommend the Super Deluxe, if only for the additional adjustments. Being able to fine tune high speed compression damping is clutch for keeping this bike composed on trails it wasn't designed to rally.
Hardware swapping is a bit of a bitch. Rocky make a proprietary bearing eyelet puller, so you'll need to go to a RM dealer to swap the lower shock hardware. Top hardware is standard, so that's an easy swap.
@@dsanfdsa1 Sweet, thanks for the response!
What trail system is that?
Which power meter cranks are you running? I've been on Garmin rally xc200 pedals but need to switch to a non-pedal power meter in order to run different pedals (mallet E maybe)
These are the SRAM Transmission cranks with a spindle-based power meter. It's only $250 more than the standard cranks, which is pretty cool.
@@dsanfdsa1 oh cool, I hadn't heard that transmission has spindle meters. And thanks for replying.
Did you use power meters before transmission? I don't think I can drop $3000 across my fleet to upgrade to transmission...
@applicablerobot this is my first real test of a power meter in the last decade. I use it all the time, to the point that I bought a power meter crankset for my next bike as well.
You can upgrade a standard drivetrain with a powermeter crank, and SRAM sells left-side/spindle only sets as well.
Which ride position are you using?
Woah! I missed that! Low and slack.
You are too good at riding low travel bikes in rough circumstances. I'm sure the bike is great, but I've seen you send on other low travel bikes as well. Great review, though, and cool tech.