Rocky Mountain just launched three completely new, redesigned bikes: the Instinct, the Instinct B.C. edition and the Pipeline. With the Slayer and the Altitude already taking care of 27.5″ wheel duties, these new mid to long travel bikes all roll on 29″ / 27.5 Plus wheels. The full press release is below with details, weights, pricing, spec and more…
Instinct
- Intended use: Trail
- Wheel size: 29″ (27.5+ ready)
- Front travel: 140mm
- Rear travel: 140mm
Stable and aggressive, the Instinct is our most versatile trail bike.
With 29″ wheels and a wide range of RIDE-9™ adjustments, the all new Instinct is available in both carbon and alloy models. An all-new frame for 2018 pushes the rear travel to 140mm, increasing stiffness and tweaking the suspension kinematics. Despite the increase in travel, the new frame has noticeably more efficient pedaling, with better small bump sensitivity and a host of next-generation features.
Instinct BC Edition
- Intended use: Aggressive trail
- Wheel size: 29″ (27.5+ ready)
- Front travel: 160mm
- Rear travel: 155mm
Born in BC, we’ve turned the Instinct BC Edition into an aggressive trail monster.
Designed with an optimized link and long stroke shock that provide155mm of rear travel and ultra-aggressive geometry, we’ve kitted out the Instinct BC Edition with wide bars, big tires, ultra-stiff wheels, and more capable suspension. It smashes all mountain lines, rails corners, and plows over everything in sight, while displaying all the climbing efficiency that makes the Instinct a crowd favourite.
Improved suspension performance
We’ve increased overall progression and support at sag, while making small bump performance even more sensitive. Higher anti-squat values dramatically improve pedaling efficiency.
Next generation features
Comprehensive evolutionary updates across the platform include features like tooled axles, single-sided bearing pivots, integrated “spirit guide” chainguide, boost spacing, and metric shock compatibility.
Updated RIDE-9™
Our RIDE-9™ system provides a wide range of geometry and suspension adjustability; it has been moved into the link for lighter, narrower packaging. Instinct BC Edition, with its increased travel, comes with a single mounting position in its link to provide the best balance of travel and geometry.
Progressive geometry
To add control and descending capability, we’ve increased reach, slackened the headtube angle, and lowered the bottom bracket. We’ve retained short chainstays to keep the bike agile, and used a moderately steep seat tube for efficient climbing performance.
Technical Details:
- Increased anti-squat for better pedaling efficiency
- 29” Wide Trail and 27.5+ compatible
- Max tire clearance is 29 x 2.6, and 27.5 x 2.8 (3.0 with low profile knobs)
- Bearings at all pivots, including at lower shock mount (compatible with aftermarket shocks as well)
- Blind pivots maximize heel clearance
- Lighter, tooled rear axle
- All Instinct models include the FSA extend-O-matic headset. The bike ships with a second (taller) headset bottom cup, which allows the rider to opt for 27.5+ wheels without negatively affecting handling, and no fork swap is required.
- Improved cable management: large headtube ports, full shift housing, large downtube access port, and internal shift and brake housing within the front triangle
- Future-proofed to be compatible with Di2, Fox Live, and a dropper post simultaneously
- Seat-tube lengths have been adjusted to accommodate longer dropper posts at maximum insertion.
- Chainstay and downtube protectors. *Due to production delays, the initial shipment of 2018 Instincts will not include chainstay and downtube protectors. They will be shipped to shops as soon as they’re available. The October shipment will have them installed.
- Integrated “Spirit Guide” chainguide, with 2-bolt ISCG05
- BC Edition features a dedicated link delivering 155mm of travel and fixed geometry
- 1x optimized design with wider main pivot
- Lower standover height
- Significantly stiffer thanks to a one-piece seat stay, new envelope, and updated layup (47.7% more lateral stiffness)
- Modern parts compatibility (boost spacing, metric shock lengths, post-mount 180mm brakes, etc.)
- All sizes fit a water bottle in the front triangle, even with a reservoir shock
- Sizes: S-XL
- Weight:
- Frame & shock: 5.09lb (2310g), size Medium
- Frame & shock: 5.62lb (2550g), size Medium, Instinct BC Ed.
- Protectors, chainguide, & axle: 0.57lb (260g)
- Instinct Carbon 70 complete: 27.4lb (12.4kg), size Medium
- Instinct Carbon 90 BC Edition complete: 29.5lb (13.4kg), size Medium
Pipeline
- Intended use: Aggressive trail
- Wheel size: 27.5+ (29″ ready)
- Front travel: 140mm
- Rear travel: 140mm
The all-new Pipeline combines the confidence of plus-sized tires in raw, technical terrain with an aggressive trail chassis.
An all-new 2018 Pipeline frame pushes the rear travel to 140mm, increases stiffness, adjusts the suspension kinematics for more efficient pedaling and better small bump sensitivity, and gives the frame a host of next-generation features. Available in both carbon and alloy models, the Pipeline plows through greasy roots and square-edged chunder with authority, while providing near limitless traction on rocky, slippery climbs.
Improved suspension performance
We’ve increased overall progression and support at sag, while making small bump performance even more sensitive. Higher anti-squat values dramatically improve pedaling efficiency.
Next generation features
Comprehensive evolutionary updates across the platform include features like tooled axles, single-sided bearing pivots, integrated “spirit guide” chainguide, boost spacing, and metric shock compatibility.
Updated RIDE-9™
Our RIDE-9™ system provides a wide range of geometry and suspension adjustability; it has been moved into the link for lighter, narrower packaging.
Progressive geometry
To add control and descending capability, we’ve increased reach, slackened the headtube angle, and lowered the bottom bracket. We’ve significantly shortened the chainstays to improve agility and used a moderately steep seat tube for efficient climbing performance.
Technical Details:
- Increased anti-squat for better pedaling efficiency
- 27.5+ and 29” Wide Trail compatible
- Max tire clearance is 27.5 x 2.8 (3.0 with low profile knobs), and 29 x 2.6
- Bearings at all pivots, including at lower shock mount (compatible with aftermarket shocks as well)
- Blind pivots maximize heel clearance
- Lighter, tooled rear axle
- All Pipeline models include the FSA extend-O-matic headset. The bike ships with a second (shorter) headset bottom cup, which allows the rider to opt for 29″ wheels without negatively affecting handling, and no fork swap is required.
- Improved cable management: large headtube ports, full shift housing, large downtube access port, and internal shift and brake housing within the front triangle
- Future-proofed to be compatible with Di2, Fox Live, and a dropper post simultaneously
- Seat-tube lengths have been adjusted to accommodate longer dropper posts at maximum insertion.
- Chainstay and downtube protectors. *Due to production delays, the initial shipment of 2018 Pipelines will not include chainstay and downtube protectors. They will be shipped to shops as soon as they’re available. The October shipment will have them installed.
- Integrated “Spirit Guide” chainguide, with 2-bolt ISCG05
- 1x optimized design with wider main pivot
- Lower standover height
- Significantly stiffer thanks to a one-piece seat stay, new envelope, and updated layup (47.7% more lateral stiffness)
- Modern parts compatibility (boost spacing, metric shock lengths, post-mount 180mm brakes, etc.)
- All sizes fit a water bottle in the front triangle, even with a reservoir shock
- Sizes: S-XL
- Weight:
- Frame & shock: 5.09lb (2310g), size Medium
- Protectors, chainguide, & axle: 0.57lb (260g)
- Pipeline Carbon 70 complete: 29.1lb (13.2kg), size Medium
Pricing & Availability
Limited quantities and sizes available from August 24th. General availability from mid to late October. Please head to your local Rocky Mountain dealer to pre-order. Regional availability may vary.
Instinct Carbon 90 BC Edition: $5,899 USD, $7,499 CAD
Instinct Carbon 90 BC Edition Frameset: $2,799 USD, $3,699 CAD
Instinct Carbon 70: $5,299 USD, $6,699 CAD
Instinct Carbon 50: $4,299 USD, $5,449 CAD
Instinct Carbon 30: $3,649 USD, $4,649 CAD
Instinct Alloy 70: $4,199 USD, $5,399 CAD
Instinct Alloy 50: $3,199 USD, $3,999 CAD
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Pipeline Carbon 70: $5,299 USD, $6,699 CAD
Pipeline Carbon 50: $4,469 USD, $5,649 CAD
Pipeline Alloy 50: $3,249 USD, $3,999 CAD
Pipeline Alloy 30: $2,599 USD, $3,349 CAD
