Description
From riding out of our league at the bike park to finessing the single track and jibbing on the flow trails-when we are looking for the one bike that can do it all, the Rocky Mountain Instinct is one of the first that comes to mind. 140mm of Smoothlink suspension is efficient on climbs, ruthless on descents, and rides high in its travel, giving us a balanced all-around slayer of a trail bike. Size-specific tunes give every rider an optimal ride feel by fine-tuning small bump sensitivity, mid-stroke support, and bottom-out resistance to ensure trail-ready performance from day one. The Instinct features various geometry improvements over older models to give us more capability where it counts. Switching from their Ride-9 adjustment system, Rocky Mountain fitted the Instinct with their simplified Ride-4 system, reducing the adjustments to four settings with a larger change between each one. The Instinct is pretty slack for a trail bike and is equipped with a 63. 5-64. 3-degree head tube angle, so we can bomb down things a trail bike has no business on. In its neutral setting, the Instinct features a longer wheelbase, slacker head tube angle, steeper seat tube angle, a shorter reach, and a shorter standover height compared to the previous model, giving us enhanced capability and a better frame fit for all riders. The 2-position axle allows us to adjust our chainstay length independently of our frame geometry to give us a more stable or playful ride, and the included reach-adjust headset cups allow us to increase or decrease our reach by 5mm in each direction. Other notable features of the revised Instinct frame include integrated downtube and chainstay protectors to protect our frame from the chain, rocks, and bottom-outs. The shuttle guard at the top of the downtube gives us peace of mind when driving to the trailhead. The A30 Deore build of the Rocky Mountain Instinct is stocked with components that sport incredible value and are fit for any trail rider. First up is Rocky Mountain’s Form alloy frame, which boasts an impressive strength-to-weight ratio and gives us confidence sending it through the jump line. Next, Shimano’s Deore 12-speed drivetrain sports a wide range and a reliable, value-based build. Deore 4-piston brakes keep us under control or steep descents, while the WTB ST Light i30 TCS 2. 0 rims give us confidence plowing down chunky trails. The 150mm RockShox 35 Gold RL fork gives us trail-ready performance with rebound adjustments and a compression lockout lever, so we tune our fork to our riding style, and the RockShox Deluxe Select RT rear shock is lightweight and has a custom tune for optimal performance.*Due to a high demand in the global supply chain and bike industry since the start of the pandemic, material weight and exact components are subject to change. We are working diligently to keep tech specs updated, and any adjustments will be of equal or better spec level, If you have any questions, reach out to a Gearhead by chatting online or calling 1-888-276-7130.
