Rocky Mountain Altitude is an all-round trail and enduro mountain bike designed for aggressive riding, fast climbs, and even faster descending.
The wide range is filled with options for different components and frames, whilst the aggressive geometry makes the Rocky Mountain Altitude a favorite bike of aggressive downhill mountain bikers.
In this review, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the Rocky Mountain Altitude mountain bike. We’ll take a look at who it’s designed for and how it can fit your price range in our Rocky Mountain Altitude review.
Introducing the Rocky Mountain Altitude Series
Rocky Mountain Altitude is a fully capable enduro mountain bike with a complete range of options from basic alloy to race-ready carbon. This year’s series is capable of tackling everything from local singletrack or gnarly downhill descents, with short chainstays and 160mm of rear travel to reflect its true modern enduro bike geometry.
See more: Full Review of Rocky Mountain Bikes
What separates the Rocky Mountain Altitude from its competitors is its wide price range from $3,839 to $10,229. For an all-rounder, it is difficult to find a comparable trail bike with 27.5” or 29” wheel options and this kind of capability. If you’re looking for a do-it-all enduro/trail mountain bike review, you’ve come to the right place.
The Rocky Mountain RIDE 9 adjustment system allows the rider to tailor the bike to their riding style and terrain, creating a one-and-only experience on the full range of Altitude’s.
Here we have the Rocky Mountain Altitude review, where we take a closer look at the all-mountain/trail/enduro mountain bike that will shred on climbs, descents, and everything in between.
Altitude Alloy 30
The Altitude Alloy 30 is the cheapest bike available in the Rocky Mountain Altitude series, with an alloy frame and a $3,839 price tag. Available in three different sizes – medium, large, and extra-large – the Altitude Alloy 30 is also available in two different wheel sizes, 29” or 27.5”.
Like the rest of the Altitude lineup, the Alloy 30 comes with 170mm front fork suspension travel, and 160mm of rear shock travel. The fork is a RockShox Zeb Select, while the shock is a RockShox Super Deluxe Select+.
This bike comes with a 12-speed Shimano Deore groupset and other entry-level Shimano components such as the MT4120 hydraulic disc brakes. The rims are WTB ST i30 tubeless, with Maxxis Minion tires measuring 2.5” in the front and 2.4” in the rear.
Altitude Alloy 50
The second bike in the Rocky Mountain Altitude series is the Alloy 50, which is a slight upgrade from the Alloy 30 that will cost you $4,739. Perhaps underrated is the paint job option, as the Alloy 50 comes in two different color schemes: Grey/Pink or Green/Green – as opposed to the Alloy 30 which only comes in one color.
Altitude Alloy 50 has upgraded components in the Shimano XT, as well as the front and rear suspension systems.
The fork is a Fox 38 Float with 170mm of travel, while the rear shock is a Fox Float X Performance, which is a good value at this price point.
On the Alloy 50, there are Maxxis Assegai tires on the front, while Maxxis Minions stay on the rear, providing plenty of traction for this all-rounder enduro mountain bike.
Altitude Alloy 70 Coil
The best alloy model from Rocky Mountain Altitude is the Alloy 70 Coil whose name emphasizes the high—quality Fox DHX Coil Factory shock.
Upfront is the Fox 38 Float fork, the same as on the Alloy 50. For $5,749, you get a few upgrades in the rear shock as well as the Race Face AR 30 rims.
Tires are the same in the Maxxis Assegai and Maxxis Minion, while a few components have been upgraded in the Shimano XT groupset. The shifters and rear derailleur are Shimano XT, while the 12-speed 10-51t cassette comes from Shimano SLX.
This bike’s chain is upgraded as well, to the Shimano M7100, making it the best value alloy enduro mountain bike from Rocky Mountain.
Altitude Carbon 50
The rest of the Rocky Mountain Altitude frames are all made of carbon fiber – specifically, SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon frames with internal cable routing, RIDE-9™ Adjustable Geometry, and the SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon rear triangle.
This enduro mountain bike weighs just 32.1 lbs. (14.59 kg) which makes it lighter than the Alloy 50, though Rocky Mountain have not disclosed the exact weight difference.
As you may have guessed, the Altitude Carbon 50’s components are almost identical to the Altitude Alloy 50’s.
The drivetrain is Shimano XT and Shimano SLX, with WTB ST i30 tubeless rims and Maxxis Assegai and Maxxis Minion tires. The biggest difference between the Carbon 50 and Alloy 50 (besides the frame) is the chain and rear hub, which are the Shimano M7100 and Race Face Trace Boost, to be precise.
Again, the Carbon 50 comes in two different color schemes, with the same Fox 38 Float fork and Fox Float X Performance shock as the Altitude Alloy 50. This bike costs $6,069.
Altitude Carbon 70
Onto the Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon 70, we have the mid-range carbon enduro bike which you can get for $7,669. Again, the Altitude Carbon 70 is a lot like the Altitude Alloy Coil 70 in terms of its drivetrain and components (Shimano XT), but there are a few notable differences that stick out.
The Altitude Carbon 70 comes with a Race Face Turbine R (by Fox) dropper post, which is a nice upgrade from the Race Face Aeffect R on the Altitude Alloy Coil 70. The Altitude Carbon 70 also has a Fox Float X2 Performance shock with 160mm of rear travel, a d a Fox 38 Float Performance Elite fork with 170mm of front travel.
This bike has the same rims and tires as the Altitude Alloy Coil 70 enduro bike.
Altitude Carbon 70 Coil
For a little bit more money, the Altitude Carbon 70 Coil comes in at $7,779 and offers a new rear shock and fork on top of the SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon frame.
This bike is only available in the Green/Green color scheme, but it does come with the same Shimano XT components and Race Face AR 30 rims with Maxxis Assegai and Maxxis Minion tires.
The biggest difference – besides the slight weight increase to 33.1 lbs. (15.04 kg) is the Fox 38 Float Factory Series fork with 170mm of travel, and the Fox DHX2 Factory shock with 160mm of rear travel.
On an all-rounder mountain bike designed for enduro and trails, the Altitude Carbon Coil 70 delivers on its most important components.
Altitude Carbon 90 Rally Edition
At the very top of the Rocky Mountain range is the Altitude Carbon 90 Rally Edition, a high-end enduro mountain bike with a $10,229 price tag. Available in Grey/Pink, this bike is also available in either 29” or 27.5” wheels, but now with a host of components that are ready for racing.
Like the rest of the Altitude series, the Carbon 90 Rally Edition has 170mm of front travel and 160mm of rear travel, this time provided by the Fox 38 Float Factory Series fork and Fox Float X2 Factory shock.
This is, in fact, a combination of the suspension systems of the Carbon 70 and Carbon 70 Coil – and now you get the best of both worlds.
The real difference makers are in the components and drivetrain, which is now the Shimano XTR with Trail 4 Piston brakes and an XTR cassette and chain.
One of the biggest upgrades is the wheelset, which now sports Race Face ARC Carbon tubeless-ready rims with upgraded Maxxis Minion MaxxGrip DD and Maxxis Minion MaxxTerra DD tubeless-ready tires with Cushcore tire inserts.
Even the stem, handlebars, hubs, and spokes have been upgraded – it doesn’t get any better than this in the Rocky Mountain Altitude enduro mountain bike series.
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Take a look at our list of the best mountain bike brands for more.
FAQ
How much is a Rocky Mountain Altitude?
Rocky Mountain Altitude costs between $3,839 and $10,229. The price depends on the build, components, and frame material – alloy or carbon. The cheapest model has an Alloy frame with Shimano Deore components, while the top Altitude model is a carbon frame with Shimano XTR components.
What is the difference between Rocky Mountain Instinct and Altitude?
Rocky Mountain Instinct is a more comfortable and less aggressive enduro mountain bike designed for long rides and efficient climbing. The Altitude is designed for aggressive riding and enduro racing, whilst the Instinct is designed for long climbs and all-day rides.
Rocky Mountain Instinct has a steeper head tube angle and seat tube angle compared to the Altitude, though both share the same frames and many of the same components. On the Instinct, the bottom bracket and stack height are both lower than the Altitude’s, whilst the reach is simultaneously longer.
What type of bike is a Rocky Mountain Altitude?
Rocky Mountain Altitude is an all-rounder, an enduro mountain bike and a trail mountain bike made for shredding. The Rocky Mountain Altitude is perfect for riding single-track and is fully equipped to handle downhill trails with plenty of jumps and bumps.
It is simultaneously playful and aggressive because of its unique and moldable geometry, and you even have the choice of 29” or 27.5” wheels. With 170/160mm of front and rear suspension, the Rocky Mountain Altitude will make you faster on everything from fire road climbs, to steep mountain descents, and everything in between.
Final Verdict
Rocky Mountain Altitude is one of the most versatile full suspension mountain bikes on the market, especially in this wide of a price range.
It is hard to compare other bikes to the best value enduro mountain bike Rocky Mountain Altitude. This bike is also built for trail riding, steep descents, and off-road jumps.
This bike is one of the best mountain bikes under $4,000 in the Altitude Alloy 30, and it has a huge range of options all the way up to the pro-level Altitude Carbon 90 Rally Edition.
With plenty of travel and a unique geometry, Rocky Mountain Altitude could be the perfect toy for your next off-road adventure.
