What constitutes an “enduro bike” these days? That seems to be the question Rocky Mountain wanted to answer with the release of the 2021 Altitude – a true do-it-all mountain bike for riding day in day out on just about any kind of trail, whether its racing at the highest level or just spending a day out for fun. We’ve already seen it under the Rocky Mountain enduro race team at Crankworx events this summer, but today we’re introduced to the new machine. In the past, Rocky Mountain’s enduro offerings were split across three bike ranges, the 29-inch Instinct BC, the 27.5-inch Altitude, and the Slayer. Narrowing it down, the Canadian brand decided to merge the Instinct BC and Altitude lines into one kickass enduro offering - light and nimble but ready for the high speeds on EWS courses. Meanwhile, the Slayer still occupies the smasher/brawler end of the spectrum for those looking for more of DH-bike ride that can pedal.
What stands out the most about the new bike is that very little stands out. There’s no uber-fancy linkage or frame parts, just a modern update to Rocky Mountain’s tried-and-true design that has stood the test of time and rides really damn well. It gets a slight travel boost (to 170/160mm), some slightly revised suspension kinematics, and the usual longer and slacker treatment that any 2021 bike should expect to get, but nothing too extreme.
The 2021 Altitude comes with a 160mm travel frame, but wheel size is dependent on what size frame you choose. It's a 27.5-inch bike in sizes XS – M, and a 29-inch bike in sizes M-XL. The size medium, which the brand says hits the sweet spot for the majority of its customers is offered in either wheel size, adding versatility and choice. A 29-inch wheel doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense for smaller riders, so the it’s nice to see the brand making appropriate wheel sizes choices across the board.
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The 160-mm travel frame features Rocky Mountain’s Ride-9 geometry adjust system and 2-position adjustable chainstays, allowing the rider to fine-tune geometry to their liking. See below for the full set of numbers.
The Altitude is available in carbon and alloy models, including a high-end Alloy 70 build dripping with drool-worthy components. The bike is available now, starting at $3500. Check out Rocky Mountain’s page for the full lineup and more details, and check back here soon for a full TGR Tested Review as we put the bike through the wringer this fall.
