Rocky Mountain has unveiled its new Altitude enduro bike with an updated LC2R suspension linkage, size-specific suspension tuning and slacker geometry.
The new bike has 160mm of rear suspension, matched by a 170mm fork up front.
The Altitude is available with both alumnium and carbon fibre construction, with the carbon frame using the brand’s Smoothwall composite construction.
Three aluminium and five carbon fibre models will be available at launch, alongside a carbon frame-only option.
Prices and due on-sale dates are yet to be confirmed.
Low-slung suspension
Rocky Mountain has used its Smoothwall construction technique on the carbon fibre models, which employs rigid internal moulds instead of air bladders to support the frame's insides during the carbon layup.
This is said to eliminate excess resin in the construction, leading to a higher stiffness-to-weight ratio.
The aluminium models are made using the brand’s Form Alloy, which uses individually shaped tubes in the front and rear triangles.
Rocky Mountain has revived its Low Center Counter Rotating linkage, the LC2R, after a near decade-long hiatus.
The design sees the rear shock positioned deep in the frame, opposed to being mounted on the top tube as it was on the previous model.
The brand says this design offers a lower centre of gravity that contributes to better cornering characteristics and increased lateral stiffness thanks to the main pivot being concentric to the bottom bracket.
Size-specific suspension tuning is used to increase small-bump sensitivity and add more progression to the rear end.
Rocky Mountain says it has done this by using three separate rear triangles across the size ranges, with further tuning done on the SM bike to provide better performance for lighter riders.
MD to XL bikes can roll on 29in wheels or a mullet setup thanks to a flip chip in the linkage, with the SM-sized bike featuring a full 27.5in wheelset.
Carbon models feature the brand's integrated PenaltyBox 2.0 down tube storage, which has an in-built compartment to store an AirTag to track your bike if it’s stolen.
Rocky Mountain has bucked the trend of internal headset cable routing, with brake and gear cables entering the frame at the top of the down tube.
Adjustable geometry
The new Altitude is available in four sizes, ranging from SM to XL, with only the smallest bike featuring 27.5in wheels.
Rocky Mountain’s Ride-4 geometry adjustment features in the linkage, enabling you to switch the bike into three settings: Slack, Neutral and Steep.
In the Slack setting, the bike features a 63-degree head angle – 1.4 degrees slacker than the previous model.
This, in theory, should make it feel comfortable on steep terrain.
Seat tube angles are around the 77-degree mark and reach measurements for a size large are about average for an enduro bike at 480mm.
Rocky Mountain Altitude specifications
Rocky Mountain Alloy 30
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Select RC, 170mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance
- Drivetrain: Shimano Deore 12-speed
- Brakes: Shimano MT6120
- Wheels: WTB ST i30
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 (r)
Rocky Mountain Alloy 70 Coil
- Fork: Fox Factory 38, 170mm
- Shock: Fox DHX Factory
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT 12-speed
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheels: Race Face AR 30
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 (r)
Rocky Mountain Carbon 50
- Fork: Fox Performance 38, 170mm
- Shock: Fox Float X Performance
- Drivetrain: Shimano XT 12-speed
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Wheels: WTB ST Light i30
- Tyres: Maxxis Assegai 2.5 (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 (r)
Rocky Mountain Carbon 99
- Fork: RockShox ZEB Ultimate Flight Attendant, 170mm
- Shock: RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant
- Drivetrain: SRAM X0 AXS Transmission
- Brakes: SRAM Code RSC
- Wheels: Race Face ERA Carbon
- Tyres: Maxxis Rekon 2.4 (f), Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 (r)
