First Ride: The 2024 Rocky Mountain Instinct Gets Updated Geometry & In-Frame Storage
Someone on the Rocky Mountain marketing team used the term 'quiver killer' in the press release for the 2024 Instinct, a term that I'd thought was banned years ago, right around the time 'climbs like a goat' was put out to pasture (pun intended).
There's still never been a bike that could successfully replace both an XC bike and a downhill bike, although I do understand the urge to use that tired cliché, especially with the new Instinct – its 140mm of rear travel, 150mm fork, and very adjustable geometry make it possible to configure it for big days of pedaling, or to slacken it out for more gravity-oriented adventures. So while 'quiver killer' makes me cringe, the concept of creating an incredibly versatile trail bike is a sound one. Just use another term next time, please.
There's still never been a bike that could successfully replace both an XC bike and a downhill bike, although I do understand the urge to use that tired cliché, especially with the new Instinct – its 140mm of rear travel, 150mm fork, and very adjustable geometry make it possible to configure it for big days of pedaling, or to slacken it out for more gravity-oriented adventures. So while 'quiver killer' makes me cringe, the concept of creating an incredibly versatile trail bike is a sound one. Just use another term next time, please.
Instinct Details
• Carbon or aluminum frame options
• 140 mm rear travel, 150 mm front
• 29" wheels (27.5" for XS & S)
• Weight: 30.6 lb / 13.9 kg (C70, L)
• Head angle: 63.5 - 64.3°
• Chainstay length: 437 or 447mm (size L)
• Sizes: XS - XL / 398 - 513 mm reach
• Price: $2,899 to $10,499 USD
• bikes.com
• Carbon or aluminum frame options
• 140 mm rear travel, 150 mm front
• 29" wheels (27.5" for XS & S)
• Weight: 30.6 lb / 13.9 kg (C70, L)
• Head angle: 63.5 - 64.3°
• Chainstay length: 437 or 447mm (size L)
• Sizes: XS - XL / 398 - 513 mm reach
• Price: $2,899 to $10,499 USD
• bikes.com
The Instinct's amount of travel and 29” wheel size (on all but the XS and S models) are held over from the previous version, but it's undergone a fairly substantial frame design and geometry revision. The overall look is similar, although the headtube does have a beefier appearance in order to accommodate a reach adjusting headset, and there's now downtube storage.
There are six complete carbon-framed version of the Instinct, along with a frame-only option, plus three complete aluminum-framed models. Prices start at $2,899 USD for the alloy Instinct 10, and climb all the way up to $10,499 for the extra fancy, RockShox Flight Attendant-equipped carbon Instinct 99.
The new headtube shape helps the Instinct stand out from the crowd, and allows for reach adjusting headset cups.
Frame Details
The new Instinct shares the same basic shape as the prior model – the shock is still mounted to the underside of the top tube – but it looks more filled out, as if it spent the last few years bulking up in the gym. Personally, I'm a fan of the updated silhouette - it looks angular and modern, at least to my eyes. The more generous proportions allow for plenty of downtube storage space in the carbon models, which Rocky calls the Penalty Box 2.0. A latch holds the cover securely in place, and there's even a little slot to slide in an AirTag or a Tile to help keep track of the bike's whereabouts.
Along with having a snack stash, the new Instinct also has swappable headset cups that can be used to add or subtract 5mm of reach. The cups press into the frame by hand, no tools required, and theoretically you could even do a trailside swap to really figure out which geometry setting works best.
The geometry tinkering possibilities don't end there, though; a Ride 4 flip chip at the rear shock mount allows for, you guessed it, four different geometry positions. There's also a chainstay flip chip that lets riders select from either a 437 or 448mm chainstay length, unless you're planning on running a SRAM T-Type drivetrain, in which case only the longer chainstay position is compatible.
There are 4 geometry settings available by rotating the Ride-4 flip chip.
Another flip chip at the chainstays alters the length by 10mm.
The Penalty Box 2.0 is easy to use, and has a hidden AirTag holder on the underside of the lid.
The included tool roll can also be used for summer sausage storage.
Geometry
All of the aforementioned adjustments mean there's a wide range of possible geometry permutations for the Instinct. The head angle can be set as slack as 63.5-degrees or as steep as 64.3-degrees; 64-degrees is the middle, neutral position. In that same neutral position the seat angle is 77-degrees, .3-degrees steeper than the outgoing model. The seat tube lengths have decreased, and there's plenty of insertion depth, which means riders shouldn't have any trouble running the length of dropper post they'd like.
Along with slightly steeper seat tube angles, the Instinct's reach has actually decreased, and is 7mm shorter on the size large compared to the previous version. Don't forget, the old model shared a frame with the longer travel Altitude, just with a different size shock and mount. That's no longer the case, which likely made it easier to optimize the geometry for the bike's intended purpose.
Builds
Instinct Carbon 99 $14,999 CAD / $10,499 USD
Instinct Carbon 90 $11,999 CAD / $8,999 USD
Instinct Carbon 70 AXS $9,999 CAD / $7,899 USD
Instinct Carbon 70 $8,299 CAD / $6,499 USD
Instinct Carbon 50 $6,999 CAD / $5,499 USD
Instinct Alloy 50 $5,599 CAD / $4,599 USD
Instinct Alloy 30 $3,999 CAD / $3,399 USD
Instinct Alloy 10 $3,199 CAD / $2,899 USD
Ride Impressions
I've only been able to sneak in one long ride on the Instinct so far, a ride that put me in directly in the path of an atmospheric river. It's a little harder to really suss out a bike's nuances when you're simultaneously trying to stay warm and keep from getting sucked into monstrous mud holes, so I'll be following up with a full review later this year, ideally one that includes riding in some slightly nicer weather.
I'll also be experimenting more with the geometry settings as time goes on, but I started off with the chainstays in the longer position and the head angle in the -5mm setting. That put me in a comfortable seated climbing position, and the bike felt nicely balanced on the descents. It doesn't feel quite as high strung as the previous version, which is a good thing – that slacker head angle makes it feel more at home in steeper terrain, and the tune of the Float X shock helped keep the rear wheel grip in the slippery, slimy conditions. Those Dissector tires aren't totally out of place on a trail bike, although I'll probably stick something a little meatier on, at least until the sun starts showing up more regularly.
Overall, the new Instinct seems to have evolved nicely – it's noticeably more capable on the descents than before, without giving up much when it comes time to climb. Plus, with all that extra room for storage it's possible to ride even further without running out of sweet treats.
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Back in January I posted about my frustration that the clearcoat on my Altitude was peeling and that my warranty claim was being ignored. Rocky posted that they would take care of me and they have.
Within a couple of days the Director of Customer Service got back to me. She had done her homework, figured out where things had gone wrong, apologized and took full responsibility. She also connected me with their top paint guy about the problem. Within a couple of weeks I had a new frame and during that time she followed up to make sure I was kept informed, and then followed up again once I received the frame to make sure everything was good.
I learnt a few things about Rocky in the process: They owned up, were deeply concerned that things had gone wrong, apologized, and made things right. Based on my experience they are passionate about customer satisfaction, their brand, and their products.
For me they turned around a difficult situation into a positive experience.
Now, I own an altitude. The finish on the bolt that goes through my ride 9 was wearing away causing a creak. Rocky wanted me to take it to a dealer, so I did. Dealer told me they sent the request to rocky but hadn’t heard back (about 3 weeks later). I contacted rocky asking for any follow up on the dealers request. Rocky told me they have had no warranty requests from that shop in about 3 months. Rocky asked for my address and told me they would fix it. They send me new hardware, 2 new ride 9 bolt, and new ride 9 chips.
I’ve had nothing but good experiences with them.
I’m on my 8th, going on 9th, Rocky in a row in the past 8 years and I couldn’t be happier. The new bikes are lookin’ reeeal good
/s
Sorry this had nothing to do with the article or your post, except for JD.
But I do agree it's pricing with room for discounts, for sure
These bikes look great, they are priced similarly to other new bikes, and will come down in price in a year or so, just like everything else....
Good news, you can get stonking good deals on current Instinct, which is prolly the ideal BC "1" bike for most of us.
And pivot?
I guess I'm just looking at a sea of bikes: Transition Smuggler, Specialized Stumpjumper, Trek Fuel Ex, Canyon Spectral. The Rocky just fails to stand out in any way, and doesn't seem cost competitive for most build kits.
I'm not saying RM is better or others are worse, but it's a small company compared to others, so maybe they can't get their prices that low. Also, DW is a 4-bar suspension as the FSR one. At least Norco and Forbidden designed their thing.
Rockys suspension execution is among the cleanest in the industry, visually it looks fantastic.
The movement of pivot locations in mm's makes for different ride feel, along with stack, reach, bb height, etc.
Horst link is popular cause it is a cost effective solution for rear bicycle suspension, with acceptable compromises. As is Dual link, and both become part of brand identity
I do not get along with dual link bikes.
just because you like dual link bikes (and even saying that points to a lack of innovation on their part ) doesnt make a dual link bike "more innovative" or exciting, or bespoke, its just different, and just as different as a Rocky is from a Transition, or Spesh
I hate DW link bikes. They are efficient but you feel it on the descent. Different strokes for different folks.
That being said, I'm not sure I know anyone that has ever paid retail for a RM. Local shop often has crazy sales on them and if you rub your chin looking at one they'll immediately offer 10% off.
RM has always been a poor value proposition at msrp. Look at the new Optic builds compared to this. Norco is better value and I'd argue Norco has a better track record (*cough cough* alloy frame recall).
Both bikes are cool, and thats cool for all us.
When the Druid first came out, I thought, well the CFO will never sign off on that.
But now, well lets just say theres a box waiting at the bike shop for me
But when we are talking relative "value" comaprisons, an argument can be made that a 10 year old bike is perfectly acceptable, and will return more smiles for price than anything, even on sale.
So we can agree, the Druid at time of release was eye wateringly expensive (even more than the release price of the WAO Arrival)
I definitely agree the Druid at release was crazy expensive. So was the V1 Dread (9K for the XT build iirc).
But if I walk into my LBB today and see this RM sitting beside a 2023 Sight C1 for under 7K or a Ripley SLX (with Fox Factory) for just over 7K, SC Bronson GX for $6.5K I doubt I'm choosing the RM. If anything I'm choosing the prev season RM. There's nothign about this bike that screams, "Take my CC!"
If YOU do, and thats cool, thats why its great that theres loads of choice out there.
Theres really nothing about many new bikes that scream "take my money" theres always going to be a better value out there than the day old bike that came out.
In a year you'll be saying the same thing about the Santa Cruz Nomad.
Hot take, your opinion is also nothing new, its said about every friggin new bike that comes along. So youre neither right or wrong, and thats fine
Anyway, nice looking bikes.
#ridelowparklower
Now only if they could reach adjust their pricing....
If I was forced to replace that bike, I'd certainly entertain this new Instinct. I dig the geo changes, the availability of a Grip2 36, and the fact that they kept the weight in check. My only quibble is the sizing is a bit bigger, my preferred fit is now right between the Medium and Large, whereas the 2020 Large fits perfectly.
Even with all this flip chips, the highest angle is 64.3 that seems still slack for a mud travel bike.
I guess it must be hard to manage on slow, tight hairpins up and down (nose turns)?
hashtagworthit
I think its great to have options in the trail bike category, from slacker things like this, to bikes like the Ari Delano Peak.
This bike looks to be like the near perfect BC "1" bike, especially when you add a stout 160 fork.
And you could swap a 140 fork on, and correct HA to accommodate. Just remember there are those of us that live and ride in spicy areas that we have to pedal too, these types of bikes are built for that
Admittedly my preferred operating window is very small, it goes from too much, to just right, to absolute zero very quickly, but it at least is consistent along that progression. I go through 2 a season, but I just love it!
So basically it's the avocado of mountain bike tires.
I dont think I know anyone running FA, so I've heard no rider input/review.
If you have time, write us a paragraph about your views
I'll buy you a beer for your time
www.singletracks.com/mtb-gear/sram-flight-attendant-review
Stoked for a good read tonight
Thank you
Was hoping you were more of an everyday man, but i'll get into it
On the climbs it saves time or energy depending on one's focus. Leaving more energy for the downs.
As @WayneParsons states it is already in the mode you would choose before you decide to choose it. You can adjust the bias to suit your riding or the ride.
My 2020 Sight was already an excellent bike and the Lyrik/ SDLX Ult and then Zeb/ SDLX Ult Flight Attendant just made it even better.
The only 'weakness' over the non Flight Attendant Ultimate equivalents is the inability to make changes to HSC on the trail. But to be fair this is something that probably only the very best riders would want to/ need to do anyway as they are chasing split seconds on the clock when racing.
Both you and @WayneParsons: can frig right off with your "its amazing" review
The last thing I need is to be looking at FA stuff with lust in my heart........Jesus Wept, cocaine is a cheaper addiction
How the hell can you guys climb for an hour and hear an idler, or zip zip from a fork or der over your own breathing?
theres no way the sounds dont drive you crazy,
in fact, lean a little heavier into your luddite ways, and let me know when its for sale.....
A Xynotal (Enduro Soft) is a better Dissector (way more durable, talking 2-3x more, more traction, on par rolling, 20% cheaper but weighs ~150grams more).
Is it predictable? is it easy to get loose?
is there a comparable to the Assegai (my vanity triggers if I try to run different tires)
Tried a set of Schwalbe Big Betty, Magic Mary, did not like on hard pack, felt too squirmy on hard pack, but great in loamy soft soil.
FYI, the system opens up as soon as the bike is pointed downhill, so no motor sounds. Only climbing and flat ground.
You should defintly get rid of it, I hear its pure garbage, and wayyyy noisy
The Kryptotal-F is probably the Assegai competitor from Conti (I'm currently running the Xynotal Enduro Soft Rear x Assegai EXO+ MaxxGrip front, will chuck on the Kryptotal-F Enduro Soft up front when it's worn).
Wish they made the Kryptotal-F in Super Soft (only availiable in DH casing) but from touch it's a touch softer than a MaxxTerra which is fine by me (not that wet here in my part of Aus + MaxxGrip compunds have a relatively short life anyway).
I wouldn't have hesitation running it up front on a trail bike though as the Xynotal doesn't have that empty channel between the center and side knobs like the Disssector.
Only downside is on a light trail bike, your only option for a softer compound on the front would be an Enduro casing and up (lightest Trail casing only comes in their Endurance compound which I'd only use on the rear).
Weights (and proportionally casing thickness) is (from feel): Trail (between EXO and EXO+), Enduro (between EXO+ and DD) and DH (between DD and DH).
If I rode mostly in loam/damper/softer conditions I'd probably go a Kryptotal-R on the back which rolls a bit faster than a DHR II and a touch less straight line braking bite.
I have a buddy who swears by the new Conti's as well, but we have vastly different riding styles. He is much more precise, and prefers grip. I prefer, loose, and on the very edge of eating $hit.
prevailing terrain here is loose over hard, much like I would expect in Aus, but I travel with my bike a lot, so I've gotten used to sometimes tires being good, sometims not so good.
Maybe I'll give some Contis a go when this Disseector inevitably wears down to the belts.
Rose Valley is in shambles.
Theres a local raffle from Smith Creek cycle to refurbish the trails. Great chance to get a super cool Deviate Highlander, well specd, and help out the trail society.
trellis.org/rosevalley?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=uo9eLo9j_3MR-zNblE2v1y5UQMNWzGl5RErcNruKwIyGDEpGKUiyiZK6ydz4Y6E2.XcctXv
If you know Brian from Smith Creek Cycle, hes a pretty incredible guy, way too humble, smart, and has a spectacular shop. One of the best deep voices you'll ever hear as well!
I snuck a ride in in December, trails were frozen, but no snow, was so foggy, you couldnt see 10' in front of you. It was like riding on the moon, everything was black, huge holes in the ground where trees burnt through the roots, and not a single sound, not a bird chirp, no cars, no people, it was an incredible ride.
If you come to town let me know, I'll buy you a beer, and ride bikes
Thanks for the raffle info and the offer. Will let you know when I'm in town next.
Cheers
check out Sovereign and Chainline bikes as well, awesome guys, good selection, cool shops.
Smith Creek Cycle, Some seriously cool stuff in there!
Also, Smith creek has some good trails, if you want some puckeringly spicy stuff, Gillard is really good. New climb trail, big road gaps, some steep jank, and lots of stuff in between!
Love everything here except the funky head tube shaping…
- barely different in geometry (you could accomplish something close to this on the last bike with a bit of creativity)
- loses customization - gone are instinct/altitude frame swapping ability
- less pretty, subjective of course
- not 20% off like the current one.
I guarantee like 1% of people actually took advantage of that fact. You’re for sure in the tiny minority.
That group is also likely a very small percentage of riders. You realize the majority of people aren’t as nerdy as us right? Most people just buy a bike and ride it.
Can we refer to the A30 build as the "Carolina Squat" build?
Not the kind of attention to detail you expect from a premium brand.
Edit: Whoops, looks like this has already been pointed out.
Carolina Squat model!
Provides a sensation of speed at green groomer levels of exposure. Thats why its on the A30 model, for beginners obviously.
Get someone to stuff some cheese, crackers, and a bladder of wine and you've got the charcuterie crew (50:01, watch out)
A bike company will set the sale price of old stock to whatever number they think will get it out the door. If that one doesn't work they'll try a lower number. It would be insane to just keep them forever.
Norco added a high pivot and jumped prices $1,100 usd on the sight C1.
But you seem to be happy that Rocky lower their prices, cant be agains that!
That being said, other than having the tools to extract and press bearings, I can't say my pressfit bike has ever given me a single spec of an issue. I mean, I'd rather have a threaded BB for ease of home mechanic work, but I get the impression that most of the PFBB issues were ironed out after the first few years that they gained popularity.