Rocky Mountain updates the Pipeline

Rocky Mountain updates the Pipeline

More travel and frame stiffness for the plus-size ripper

Marcus Riga / Rocky Mountain

Published: August 24, 2017 at 7:01 am

Rocky Mountain brought back the famous Pipeline name in 2016 with one of the first full-suspension bikes with plus-size tires. Now it's updated with more travel and Rocky Mountain claims to have improved the pedaling performance, small bump action and frame stiffness.

Winner of the 2017 Whistler Enduro World Series race Jesse Melamed had this to say about the Pipeline: "With its plus tires, the Pipeline lets my imagination run wild with what is possible on the trails. It allows me to do all of the crazy things that I can think of."

Rocky Mountain Pipeline features

  • 27.5 x 2.8-inch plus tire and 29-inch wide trail tire capable
  • Travel: 140/140mm
  • Includes FSA Extend-O-matic taller headset cup for 29er geometry
  • 2-bolt ISCG05 tabs
  • Compatible with Shimano Di2 and Fox Live Wire
  • Single-ring only
  • Room for full-size water bottle in the main triangle
  • Small - X-Large sizing
  • Frame + shock weight (medium): 2,310 grams / 5.09lbs

Pipeline Carbon 70

The Pipeline Carbon 70 sits at the top of the heap - Marcus Riga / Rocky Mountain

The 70 is the high-end Pipeline. It features a full carbon frame, Fox 34 Float Performance Elite fork, Float DPS Evol Performance Elite shock and 12-speed SRAM GX Eagle. The binders are Shimano XT discs, wheels are Stan's Baron S1, and the plus width tires are 27.5 x 2.8in Maxxis Minion DHF and DHRII 3C tires.

Pipeline Carbon 50

The Pipeline Carbon 50 has a carbon main frame with alloy rear stays - Marcus Riga / Rocky Mountain

The second tier carbon Pipeline 50 rolls on a carbon main frame with alloy rear end. Fox provides the 140mm of travel front and rear, a Fox Transfer post drops the WTB Volt Race saddle, and SRAM's 12-speed GX Eagle spins the Sun Duroc 40 rims wrapped in Maxxis Minion rubber.

Pipeline Alloy 50

The Pipeline Alloy 50 is finished in Raining Blood/Blue Monday/Back in Black - Marcus Riga / Rocky Mountain

Aluminum finds it way aboard the Pipeline Alloy 50. It might not be carbon but the specs are still on point with Fox dampers on both ends, a Fox dropper post, Shimano discs and an 11-speed Shimano SLX drivetrain. The wheels are Alex XM35 rims shod with 27.5 x 2.8in Maxxis Minion meats.

Pipeline Alloy 30

The Pipeline Alloy 30 is the base model - Marcus Riga / Rocky Mountain

The baseline alloy Pipeline is loaded with all of Rocky Mountain's frame tech: Ride-9 system, ISCG05 tabs, internal cable routing and sealed bearings throughout.

The specs include a RockShox Revelation RC fork, Fox Float DPS shock, Shimano discs and drivetrain, and Alex rims cushioned by plus-size Maxxis Minion tires.

Rocky Mountain Pipeline pricing and availability

Rocky Mountain states it'll have limited models and sizes available as soon as August 24th. The full range is projected to land at Rocky Mountain dealers in mid to late October.

  • Pipeline Carbon 70: $5,299 USD, $6,699 CAD
  • Pipeline Carbon 50: $4,469 USD, $5,649 CAD
  • Pipeline Alloy 50: $3,249 USD, $3,999 CAD
  • Pipeline Alloy 30: $2,599 USD, $3,349 CAD

UK and Australian pricing was not available.

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