Rocky Mountain Growler - expensive, but worth it?
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- čas přidán 26. 05. 2024
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Parts seen in the video:
Rocky Mountain Growler 20 - rb.gy/tlrqz
SRAM HS2 Centerlock Rotors - collabs.shop/pltb2c (Code SAGAMTB for 10% off)
Berd Spokes PolyLight - bit.ly/BerdSpoke
NOBL TR35 Rear & TR32 front - bit.ly/NOBLtr35
Onyx Racing Vesper Hook Flange Hubs - bit.ly/OnyxRacingHubs
Specialized Ground Control Tires - bit.ly/SpecializedTires
CushCore XC Set - amzn.to/3IvAr6r
CushCore Orange Valves - amzn.to/3Ix48nu
Grips - collabs.shop/kzm27w (Code SAGAMTB for 10% off)
Tools:
Bike Repair stand with scale in arm - amzn.to/3ioCsXR
Rubber Mallet - amzn.to/3uVP2R6
Bottom Bracket Removal tool - amzn.to/3X0JIYl
Breaker bar - amzn.to/3YuKoGB
Chain Whip - amzn.to/3vKJAAR
Cassette Lockring Tool - amzn.to/3WQZOnT
Disclaimer: The links above may be affiliate links and earn me a commission. - Sport
Growler is actually one of the cleanest looking frames I've seen. Also, the stability on the descents far outweighs any climbing negatives. This bike deserves a better ranking.
I have a 20. Only stock parks are wheels, headset and crank. It’s a beast on the trails and it plows downhill.
I hear the standard brakes are not too good, what would you say? Thanks for replying.
Canyon stoic ? Might very well be my first mtb, and curious to see a good review. Great video !
Hardtail party just did a really in depth review of it
^^see his review of it before you buy.
Stoic owner here. Get it especially because as a beginner you don't know what you really like in bikes and trails. It gives you the most bang for your buck and you can ride most enduro trails with it (already did that). I have the cheapest the Stoic 2 and upgraded already a lot. Since ergonomics are key to long rides.
Also you get one for under 800€ atm which is a steal.
I own it. If you're a beginner don't but it. If you're a beginner you don't need that spec and you can find something that's easier to ride. It's a very rough bike. Awesome. But rough
Action is fine.. don’t bother w tripod..
I think the Canyon Stoic is a very good hardtail for Hardtail Quest. And it has everything and it has external Cabel routing
Canyon bikes are just incredibly reasonably priced, too. The upmarket Stoic ($1900) has a Rockshox Pike Select fork ($800 MSRP), while the equivalent Commencal Meta HT ($2000) has a Rockshox Yari ($600 mrsp).
I own a stoic 3 and its great. I hope he tries it in the future.
Hardtail Party tested it recently and it was quite a stiff frame. Not saying its a bad bike at all, but just what it is.
Here for the stoic party!
I like todays setup with just you and the action cameras bettet honestly. Feels more honest and more like an actual review of the bike!
Awesome Wilmer thanks for the feedback on that!
Just found your channel and I’m enjoying your content! I appreciate the work you put into production with the high def camera, editing, and sound. Really polished! However, if just using action cams saved you time and keeps you putting out content I’m completely fine with that. Ultimately, it’s the bike nerd/Hardtail stuff I like. You’re doing a fantastic job! Thanks!
Thanks Carabaoray!
Santa Cruz chameleon. Great geometry for all types of riding, sliding rear dropouts and the ability to run mixed wheel sizes. I know it’s expensive but it’s definitely worth a try!
But he only test Alu bikes
don't they have cf and alloy frames?
@@Vitsigun
I have the 2 bikes the Growler Is much better in climbing and downhills and better ride feel, im just selling the chameleon i dont ride It i always take the Growler
I'm digging the series, Evan! I also prefer the action cam stuff. The dual angles are really cool, and it feels more like you're talking with us on the ride without any breaks in between. Digging it.
Keep up the amazing work I love how fast you are punching out this series!
Very well done camera work, I too enjoyed the more personal feel of just you reviewing the bike.
Thanks Nick!
Agreed.
Filming was great! Super fun even just to watch! Good job man!
The action camera footage (bar mount, chest mount, & tripods) absolutely works! The POV shots, especially on new bike reviews (Hardtail Quest), or new trail reviews, is definitely more engaging, and is the best at conveying how the bike actually performs (climbing, tech, flow, jump, cornering). Throw in the side of the trail facing the camera commentary, and its the complete package! Keep doing what you do 😁👍‼️
Thanks Dan! I appreciate the feedback and permission in a way
Love the action cam footage!!
The chest cam is cool with me. Enjoy watching the content and this series! 🙌
chest cam footage looks great dude
I’ve been watching your channel since the beginning and I totally trust your decisions on camera stuff. Action cam or camera man always look good. Looking for to the next hardtail.
Action cam and pov is fine, the value is in the evaluation you give and insight you provide.
Awesome video...glad you tested the Growler! We have the same exact Birkenstocks too
Loving this series!
Good Vid Evan , Chest cam does the job well . Picture quality is very good too . Keep up the good work
Great way to introduce the video's sponsor! You got my attention
Action shots are great. Stay hydrated bro. ❤ The reviews. Team Rocky Mtn!
The Growler is an amazing frame!!! I regularly ride mine on downhill trails and decent sized jump lines. Specifically the Growler 20 so I could upgrade it down the line.
And that frame can take an obscene amount of abuse. It's built like a tank. Had a hard time deciding between a 40 and something more "xc" oriented.
@@funky-phantompersonally get the 20 and build it. That’s what I did
Nice camera setup🤙🏾💯
Very smart Evan, reading your ads while showing the tear down ... Your sponsors should be appreciative since viewers are much more likely to watch the ad. Reminds me of Howard Stern back in the day, who started reading ads during the live broadcast (which was a massive success and now a staple in the industry, plus he charged those companies a premium for doing it live). Your production and especially your attention to detail is top notch, and only Seth rivals you at the moment.
Thanks topspot! I used to listen to Howard from like 2010-2015, definitely an innovator! Thanks for the compliments as I'm working on the next video right now!
The action cam is great content don’t worry about having to set up a tripod all the time the best content to watch is one you enjoy yourself to film, also glad to the the scout on top still
Vitus Sentier, absolutely love mine! Super light and single and responsive
Loving this Hardtail Quest ep.
Good video as always! Cant wait for the next one
Camera angles look great!
I think it adds value when you have a camera man to get those 3rd person shots to combine with your 1st person GoPro footage. I like seeing both perspectives.
Absolutely love my growler 20. Upgraded the shit out of it and its an absolute monster. XT drivetrain, Lyrik 150mm, Hope Tech 4s, RaceFace wheels etc
bar camera is cool for when you pause to talk or when less is going on. ofc with external pov is the best but this video was really good like that too
Loving this series!!!
I think it would be interesting to test the vitus nucleus (or sentier)... 😂 The bike which started it all❤️.
Fantastic work, keep it up!
I think the setup with 2 action cameras (chest + bar) is the sweat spot. Really nice content!
Quality content man, I'd never ride a hard tail but I just like your videos. Rode a rocky mountain altitude for years and they make great bikes, there is a reason you see them everywhere in bc.
Thanks for the support Aaron! You gotta try a Hardtail sometime!
I telling you man, you need to try the Orbea Laufey. And your content is yours, i will still love it either way.
Nice review, filming is fine. Thanks for a good video.
I have an identical growler 20. Mine came spec'd differently, drivetrain wise (must have had part shortage). I was able to get some used parts to built it up, and including buying ghe bike new, it was cheaper to build with "new take offs", rather than buying a higher spec'd bike like the norco torrent A1. I noticed immediately that the frame absorbed the lip hit of jump. I added a bottomless tolken (3 in total) to my 150mm lyrik and lowered high-speed compression, and bumped my fork psi +5. I hope you give it more of a ride when youre a little less under the weather, it is an amazing bike.
Love the work ❤
I really like this series and I'm looking foward to a full suspension series. I just think you should stick the scoring to whole numbers from 1 to 5.
(2)
Nice, I bought a Rocky Instinct last summer and ran into the same issue with price and components. It was a good bike, but I was disappointed. Even after putting about 1k into it, ($3900 total), I would've been better off with something else. This year I bought a YT Capra and I absolutely love it, and the price was insane. Fox 38, SRAM GX, Code R's, Crankbrother's wheels. $2380 total. Cameras were fine in this video.
I have the 2023 Growler 40 and love it. I Have a vitus nucleus in 27.5 and true...little harder on super tight stuff then vitus but you can do it. Im 6"5' and the XL is AWESOME.
Great review, all points are valid and I agree totally. I too got a growelr 20 with the idea of immediately upgrading the fork to a fox 36 w/160mm and slowly updating the rest of the bike overtime. Even with the fox the bike was still too heavy and sadly the stock hubs where defective which forced my hand upgrading those which I did with a new wheelset from Hunt. It should be noted RR sent me a new wheel set with Shimano hubs and WTB i30 rims which is great but I love the hunts and those will make a good backup set. I ended up replacing everything but the handlebars, stem, grips, drivetrain. In hindsight the scout would have been a better deal but I wanted to be able to ride while upgrading. I will say I ride with my brother who went with the scout and it is a much stiffer frame as well as the lower BB does have him getting more pedal strikes even with 155 cranks. Im still super happy with the bike and it has been great with all that front travel. With that said the nukeproof gets all the attention on the trail by other riders. Im glad the growler did as well as it did vs the other frames, keep up the good work!
keep in mind all hard tales are for different types of riders and some people just love hard tales for chunk and downhill because its a whole other challenge, but otherwise i love the series, ur doing great and you have been riding super well!
Honestly, I like the purely action cam footage. Sometimes tho e switching back and forth from GoPro to cameraman makes it to where you can’t really see the trail as well. If allowing you to pump out more content means only action camera. Go for it!
Wow, that frame is sweet
Rode a friends Growler E bike with big 3.0 tires on it. It was a perfect combo! The bike was a size or two too small for me so I couldnt get a genuine feel for it, however with that kit, the big tires and the E bit, it was an excellent explorer in some very rough spaces!
The day is saved when evan uploads, keep up the Work man
Thanks dude!
The suspense! Love my growler. :)
Same!
I really like the chest cam+bar mount combo for these reviews (almost better than the cameraman side of trail?)
Yay for the Lost Co shout out! They are my local Bike shop!
I need to see a specialized fuse. It’s sold in a frame set option with adjustable rear dropouts and I think it would be great for this type of riding
I couldn't get my hands on one. Out of stock everywhere
Yes, the fuse would be great.
I've got a growler 40 it's great I've got no complaints
Super excited for this one! Bought my growler 50 for 540eur!
Wow what a smoking deal!
Great reviews! I hope Specialized Fuse and Santa Cruz Chameleon are in the list.
Huge fan, I have watched all of your videos
I have a specialized fuse comp 29, would like to see evan try that frame on this episodes. And see what kind of rating it would get! I personally love it.
I like the way you produce your videos. Chest cam is a given. Having a camera facing you is nice when you're stopped and speaking, but not needed while riding. Having a camera person panning shots is great when you can get it, because it shows off the scale of the features your riding, but you do just fine without a crew. My sister was trying to buy a Growler 20 because of the price. I talked her out of it because of the parts spec. The Growler is definitely a cool bike, but I would advise people to pony up the extra cash for a Growler 40 or 50. There's no point in getting a rowdy frame with a bunch of non rowdy parts bolted to it.
OK That RSD Looks sick! That's a 5 on looks. That my favorite So far, looking for ward to next week. I also 100% agree on the component spec. That is junk and its stuff you would have a very hard time selling to anyone else. So it almost like a 1200 frame.
Oh yeah good point I didn't even think of that. Basically 0 resale value in the wheels, fork, cranks, bars
RSD middlechild yes!! can't wait to see you on that as I've been wanting it for months now. Also the Marin san quentin is pretty nice but not rly compliant, and the banshee enigma is the 27.5 version of the paradox..and I'm a sucker for small wheels. 26 ain't dead boys!
Did you know they made the Middlechild to be used with 29", 27.5", or 26" wheels?
@@EvansMTBSaga I didn't know about 26, but I'm only wanting it more now. Just imagine a 10-52 casette with a long cage derailleur on a 26er o.o
I ride this in super chunk and lots of jumps and absolutely love this bike. Been riding full suspensions for years and got this bike and with a few upgrades on it and I love it more than the full sus. Bummed it wasn’t higher because I do believe it is one of the best bang for buck (geo wise)
You should mention that this the entry lever Growler. I love my RM Growler 40!
I have this bike as a companion to my full sus, climbing is definitely not the strong suit as you said, however going down and on flows it's one of the best bikes I've ever ridden. I actually feel that if the trail is not bumpy or rooty it's more capable than my izzo, probably due to geometry. That stack and steepness is immensely confidence inspiring. And climbing is actually not as bad as you would think it would be. Overall I think it's purpose is pretty intentional and it does it perfectly
Great video series. I am curious why you are limiting frames to aluminum only. Seems like some of the steel options may be great for your purposes.
The POV camera is definitely better for this series. It’s easier to understand how a bike rides from that angle.
The polished shots are cool but I prefer when they’re used sparingly.
Hardtail Party really liked the Team Marin and how it "felt like a trail bike should". I own one and coming from a decked out Trek marlin, it sure does ride nice. On my first exercise loop ride (and first ride of 2023) it beat my Trek marlin time by almost 20% from the previous year.
My experience is limited but I do like how my Team Marin rides. It's stability gave me confidence that the Marlin couldn't touch.
I'll check into that one! Thanks!!
Team Marin’s are beautiful bikes but there “XC” bikes. Evan only reviews trail /enduro Hardtails.. sorry buddy.
Great video👏 Evan! Sad that Rocky Mtn did not spec the bike better. Smaller companies usually don’t have the buying Power… Not sure it makes sense to ‚fork out‘ $1200 just to get the frame. The same can be said for the Poseidon Norton, component specs aren’t great but at least that bike (with $100 off) only costs 899, frame only is $399. BTW… i suspect you are riding these bikes all with the same tire pressure?
Oh yeah all the same pressures. Everything is the same other than changing the bar/stem combo to make it work. I never really looked into Poseidon, maybe that could be a separate video outside of Hardtail Quest
I picked up a Cannondale Habit HT. I’m a fan of it, it’s a lot easier to pedal around than my Banshee Legend 😬
I think the bar camera and the action cam is good I don’t think it needs the other shots your videos are extremely high quality wir or without the other cameras.
Love the series, as a Canadian with a soft spot for Canadian made bikes, the Rocky is a classic but as an Ontarian, the middlechild wins out in my and can't wait to see the review. I'm looking to pick up the middlechild as they sell frame only and moving my Optic parts over for winter riding, I don't want FS in the winter.
That's what I love about Hardtails. The frame only is pretty cheap, and frame swapping is super easy and can be done in an hour. I haven't been on a full suspension in like 2 months haha. I don't really miss it
I'd love to know what you think of the Identiti AKA. It's a bit of an odd ball (hence why I own one 😅).
I don't see many around or even many reviews. I love it though apart from getting a bit of wrist ache but I'm new to riding so still learning how I like my bars, suspension setup etc.
Love your content though! Thanks for all the work you put in 😁
Every rocky mountain bike I have ever ridden has been stellar and the don’t look cheap
Action camera footage is just fine
I agree and enjoyed the footage.
Norco Fluid HT also deserves a review 😊
Can’t see how the build is terrible considering it’s $1200? The last bike frame alone cost $900, good luck building it up anywhere near $1200… the other models of the growler are all great value
It isn't it's very nice bike
Get a Kona Honzo ESD. Steel frame. Great build. Slack geo. Amazing color.
For season 2, you should look at the Ribble Ht Al. Essentially a downhill hardtail.
With the seat pushed forward the Growler has what I consider ideal Trailbike Hardtail geometry, 76* STA and 64* HTA. In addition, the Growler has a long top tube for the given size which will make the bike even longer. A bike with similar geo that might be good to test would be the Cannondale Habit HT.
Yeah it was really nice, if only it had sliding dropouts
An Ideal HTA for a trail bike is 65.5-65* anything under and your pushing Enduro territory.
@@joshuaallswang8016 For a full-sus, I would agree with you. A 77* STA, 65* HTA is about ideal for a full-sus Trailbike. However, Hardtails are different. To get the same geometry when a Hardtail is sagged both the seattube and the headtube need to be about 1* slacker than for for a full-sus Trailbike, 76* STA, 64* HTA.
@@marksandoval5361 hmmm.. makes sense. Thanks for the insight brother.
Canfield Yelli Screamy or Nimble 9 would be good choices, and can be bought as a frame only option and not crazy expensive.
Hey all the way from Tasmania, Australia!🤘
Kona Honzo!!! I love mine it’s a super great aggressive hardtail
Great video! Still sad that i couldn’t film it due to high school orientation 😕
I think you would try the Sonder signal Ti, or if you want the cheap one or aluminium you can go with Sonder transmitter, they made really cool bike.
With Rocky Mountain, it used to be that you were paying for craftsmanship in the frame, as they were manufacturing their own frames. But nowadays they've outsourced their frame production (like pretty much every other bike manufacturer) to overseas.
If you are wanting a forever hardtail and you want steel I’d check out Stanton. They make some beautiful frames
Can you please review the Cannondale Trail 1. I have a Scalpel and love it, was curious if any of the DNA was put into the trail series.
Evan u have amazing videos but whats that 'mini phone' on ur bars?
Thanks for letting us know the next bike in the test. Most youtubers would blur it it. 😂
Funny sleeper gingium reference to his Volvo haha
Thank you !
Hoping you release or show the full score breakdown excel sheet of all the builds at the end of the series. I'd place heavier weight on the jumping ability of a bike for the overall score since that's where the most fun is had. Curious to see which bike you think is the best jumper.
I can post it next video. I'm not intentionally leaving it out, its just super wide and doesn't fit on the screen that well haha
You should definitely try out the Salsa Timberjack
Evan follows Gingium?!! What a cool path cross of my CZcamsverse!!!
Absolutely! Love his builds
you gotta ride the Cannondale Habit HT 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Hey, Evan you should do the Commencal meta ht as your next bike.
a test of the Orbea Laufy please. Decision was down to a Growler 40 or Laufy 10 and the dealer gave a deal and a half on the Laufy so that is where the money went.
heres a thought... just keep all of them! a friend named scott fitzgerald taught me that the amount of bikes you should have is n+1 (N stands for the amount you have)
Like to see the Canyon Stoic in this list.
Is the specialized fuse 29 gonna be in your list?
Just curious about the reviews from you.
Damn i wish you tried those Clark's brakes out they are unbelievable for the money