Issue #047, Review - June 11, 2021

Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 in review – Reined in by its spec

The Rocky Mountain Altitude secured victory in our 2021 enduro group test – as the little brother of the Altitude, the new Rocky Mountain Instinct relies on the same frame platform and promises to deliver solid downhill performance. Are these just empty promises or can the C70 deliver on the trail?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best mountainbike of 2021 – 22 models in review

**Rocky Mountain** Instinct C70 | 150/140 mm (f/r)
14.2 kg (size L) | € 6,500 | Manufacturer-website

The Instinct C70 shares the same frame platform as Rocky Mountain’s enduro racer, the Altitude. Accordingly, the elegant and well-thought-out carbon frame was developed for rowdy trail riding. Using a different shock mount than the Altitude, the Horst-link suspension of the Instinct generates 140 mm travel, complemented by 150 mm travel up front. Closer inspection reveals incredibly well-thought-out frame details, which give the 14.2 kg Instinct a discreet and elegant look. A huge TPU plate on the down tube protects the frame from stray rocks and prevents scuffs to the paint when you throw your bike on the back of a pickup. A small plastic fender protects the rear end from flying debris while a reasonably-sized seat and chainstay protector prevents scratches and paint chips while keeping the noise down. Moreover, a minimalist chain guide keeps the chain secure. Nevertheless, the Instinct isn’t completely quiet, because the cables rattle inside the frame on rough descents. The high-quality paint job is visually pleasing, rounded off with charming details like the subtle Canadian maple leaf on the top tube which only reveals itself after a second glance. Unfortunately, the beautiful look is short-lived. Shoes and knee pads rub off the delicate paint on the chainstays and top tube in no time. Here, other manufacturers like Nukeproof are way ahead, delivering their bikes with high-quality frame protection as standard.

Throttled! The spec doesn’t live up to the potential of the Rocky Mountain Instinct C70

By sending the Instinct C70, Rocky Mountain didn’t enter the race with a top-of-the-range model. As a matter of fact, at € 6,500 it’s a whopping € 4,000 cheaper than the Instinct C99 top-end build. For the C70, the Canadians rely on robust alloy components for uncompromised trail performance instead of eye-catching bling. While the FOX DPX2 Performance Elite shock may not have the lustrous Kashima Factory coating, it’s in no way inferior to the Factory model. The FOX 36 fork also features the black stanchions of the Performance Elite series, but contains a GRIP2 damper, controlling 150 mm travel at the front. However, the standard Instinct C70 model features an inferior FIT4 damper. While our test bike comes with a dream suspension setup, you’ll have to accept compromises in fork performance if you buy the standard C70. Not cool! A Shimano XT groupset takes care of shifting and braking, with the four-piston brakes stopping on small 180 mm rotors front and rear. Unfortunately, this setup doesn’t live up to the potential of the Instinct, both in terms of braking power and heat management. Fellow Canadians Race Face supply the wheelset, 780 mm bars, stem and dropper post. The Turbine R dropper offers 175 mm travel in size L and the matching remote ensures silky-smooth action and a very tidy cockpit in combination with the I-SPEC clamps. The AR30 wheelset rolls on MAXXIS Minions in the puncture-prone EXO+ casing. Particularly at the rear, the thin casing limits the high-speed capabilities of the Instinct.

**Love for detail**
The build quality and attention to detail of the Instinct are top. All critical points on the carbon frame are protected against stray rocks and flying debris.

**We want more!**
While downhill, the Instinct is capable of crazy speeds and crazy lines, the puncture-prone EXO+ casing can’t keep up. Luckily, the bike rolls on alloy rims.

**Almost superfluous**
The RIDE-9 flip-chip allows you to adjust the geometry and progression of the suspension. We rode the Instinct almost exclusively in the slack and progressive setting, which we liked the most!

Rocky Mountain Instinct C70

€ 6,500

Specifications

Fork FOX 36 Elite FIT4 150 mm
Rear Shock FOX DPX2 Performance Elite 140 mm
Seatpost Race Face Turbine R 175 mm
Brakes Shimano XT M8120 180/180 mm
Drivetrain Shimano XT 1x12
Stem Rocky Mountain AM 40 mm
Handlebar Race Face Turbine R 780 mm
Wheelset Race Face AP 30 29"
Tires MAXXIS Minion DHF EXO+ 3C MaxxTerra/DHRII EXO+ 3C MaxxTerra 2.5/2.4

Technical Data

Size XS S M L XL
Weight 14.2 kg

**Saving on paint protection**
The frame of the Instinct is well protected against hard impacts and rocks. However, we’ve already managed to rub off the elegant paint from the top tube and chainstays with our shoes and knee pads. In this regard, Nukeproof set an example, delivering their bikes with frame protection as standard. Rocky Mountain, take note!

**Unfortunately not the standard spec**
We tested one of the first available models of the new Instinct. While our test bike comes with a GRIP2 damper, the standard model features a FOX 36 with the more basic FIT4 damper. What a pity! We’d happily trade in the lockout for better damping performance.

**Too small = too hot**
Rocky Mountain pair the four-piston XT brakes with small and more basic 180 mm rotors front and rear. In this configuration, the brakes offer too little braking power and tend to overheat without the ICE-TECH rotors.

**Silence is golden**
The soft seat and chainstay protector is reasonably sized, making the Instinct super quiet downhill. Other manufacturers should follow suit.

The geometry of the Rocky Mountain Instinct C70

The geometry of the Instinct can be adjusted to a great extent. Moreover, Rocky Mountain make numerous size-specific modifications across the Instinct range, which includes a total of 5 frame sizes: the smallest XS rolls exclusively on 27.5” wheels and has a slightly modified frame shape, while the size S is available both in a 27.5″ and 29″ version. All other frames rely on big 29″ wheels. The RIDE-9 flip-chip in the shock mount allows you to fine-tune the geometry and suspension characteristics of the Instinct in 9 stages. In the slackest setting, the Instinct has a 65.1° head angle, while in the highest, this steepens by just over one degree to 66.2°. To spare you time-consuming experiments, we recommend the slack and progressive setting, which suits the Instinct best downhill. Furthermore, the chainstay length can be set at either 438 or 448 mm and anything in between.

Chainstay length, bottom bracket height, suspension kinematics… The adjustable geometry of the Instinct can be tuned down to the smallest detail – almost too many details! Our recommendation: choose the slack and progressive RIDE-9 setting and play around with the chainstay length.

On our size test bike with 481 mm reach (size L/slack setting), both settings make sense and have a noticeable effect on the character of the bike. At just over 76°, the seat angle is sufficiently steep, even in the slackest geometry configuration. As a result, the pedalling position is nicely balanced and comfortable, with the weight evenly distributed between your hands and saddle, making epic backcountry adventures a real pleasure. Uphill, this encourages a centred pedalling position and helps you weight the front wheel. Nevertheless, the Instinct can’t keep up with Canyon Spectral, which climbs more efficiently and feels smoother even with the shock open. As with the Nukeproof Reactor, it’s well worth using the climb switch on fire roads. Compared to the Brits, the Canadians strike a better balance between traction and efficiency for technical climbs.

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL
Seat tube	355 mm	380 mm	420 mm	445 mm	480 mm
Top tube	549 mm	582 mm	608 mm	636 mm	670 mm
Head tube	90 mm	90 mm	95 mm	110 mm	125 mm
Head angle	65.9°	65.7°	65.7°	65.7°	65.7°
Seat angle	76.9°	76.7°	76.7°	76.7°	76.7°
Chainstays	437 mm	437 mm	437 mm	437 mm	437 mm
BB Drop	19 mm	36 mm	36 mm	36 mm	36 mm
Wheelbase	1,133 mm	1,182 mm	1,209 mm	1,240 mm	1,277 mm
Reach	414 mm	437 mm	462 mm	487 mm	517 mm
Stack	581 mm	611 mm	615 mm	628 mm	642 mm

**Helmet** POC Tectal | **Glasses** 100% Glendale | **Shirt** Vans Party Shirt
**Shorts** ION Resistance Scrub Short | **Kneepads** Chromag Rift | **Shoes** Giro Chamber II
**Socks** Stance | **Watch** Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL

Takes on anything – The Rocky Mountain Instinct on the trail

Downhill, you feel nicely integrated between the big wheels. In all geometry settings, the spacious front end offers plenty of freedom of movement. On flowing trails, the short chainstay setting ensures lively handling and begs you to pull manuals and shralp through berms at Mach 10. On natural trails and especially in open corners, the Instinct requires a very active riding style. In other words, if you want to keep the front wheel tracking, you’ll have to actively shift your weight forward. Alternatively, you can run the long chainstay setting, which ensures an overall smoother ride and allows you to carve through corners with ease, just like the Nukeproof Reactor. The supportive and poppy suspension invites you to pull off ledges, jump over obstacles and even gap rough trail sections. Not because you have to, but simply because you can! If there’s one thing the Instinct has, its reserves.

The Rocky Mountain Instinct is potentially very capable. Just imagine how much faster and rowdier it could be with the right spec.

Tuning-tips: 200 mm brake rotors | more robust rear tire (e.g. MAXXIS DoubleDown) | when you get your fork serviced after a year, upgrade to a superior GRIP2 damper (if you can budget an extra € 580!).

Like the Canyon Spectral and Nukeproof Reactor, the Instinct doesn’t shy away from challenging bike park trails and gets you through the occasional enduro stage too. But when the going gets rough (and fast), the tires and brakes reach their limit and feel easily overwhelmed. While we didn’t ride the Instinct with the standard FOX 36 FIT4 fork, it would no doubt fall behind the superior GRIP2 model on our test bike. Particularly on rough sections and at high speeds, the standard build would fall behind its two direct competitors, the Spectral and Reactor, which come equipped with superior forks.

Riding Characteristics

Uphill

sluggish
efficient

Agility

cumbersome
playful

Stability

nervous
confident

Handling

demanding
balanced

Suspension

harsh
plush

Fun Factor

planted
poppy

Value for money

terrible
very good

Intended Use

XC

Trail

Enduro

Downhill

Conclusion

The Rocky Mountain Instinct C70 is a great all-rounder that copes with any trail, both up and downhill, and doesn’t shy away from long days in the saddle either. However, the inconsistent spec prevents it from unlocking its full potential – this is a real shame because the frame platform itself is outstanding. The frame details, super adjustable geometry and discrete, elegant look are excellent, though the latter will be short-lived due to the delicate paint job.

Tops

adjustable geometry and kinematic concept
high-quality and well-thought-out frame
conveys safety and fun on every trail downhill
comfortable on long rides

Flops

the spec doesn't live up to the potential and rowdy nature of the Instinct
climbing efficiency
heavy paint wear on chainstays and top tube

Find more information here: bikes.com

The testfield

Get an overview of the grouptest here: The best mountainbike of 2021 – 22 models in review

This scale indicates how efficiently the bike climbs. It refers to both simple and technical climbs. Along with the suspension, the riding position and the weight of the bike all play a crucial role.↩
How does the bike ride and descend? How spritely is the bike, how agile is it through corners, how much fun is it in tight sections and how quickly can it change direction?↩
Is the bike stable at high speeds? Is it easy to stay in control in demanding terrain? How composed is it on rough trails? Stability is a combination of balanced geometry, good suspension and the right spec.↩
This is all about how balanced the bike is and particularly about how well it corners. Balanced bikes require little physical effort from the rider and are very predictable. If a bike is unbalanced, the rider has to work hard to weight the front wheel to generate enough grip. However, experienced riders can have a lot of fun even with unbalanced bikes.↩
How sensitive is the suspension over small bumps? Can it absorb hard impacts and does it soak up repeated hits? Plush suspension not only provides comfort and makes a bike more capable, but it also generates traction. The rating includes the fork and the rear suspension.↩
This aspect mainly comes down to the suspension. How much pop does it have, does it suck up the rider’s input or is it supportive, and how agile and direct is the bike?↩
We don’t calculate value for money in an excel spreadsheet or based on how high-end a bike is specced. We are more concerned with how a bike performs on the trail and how the bike benefits the rider. What good are the best components if the bike doesn’t perform well on the trail? Expensive bikes with a lower-end spec can offer very good value for money – provided they excel where it matters. Just as supposedly cheap bikes with good components can get a bad rating if they don’t deliver on the trail.↩
No, it’s not about racing, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along flowy singletrack and gravel roads need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret XC more like the Americans do: big back-country rides instead of a marathon or XC World Cup with the ultimate in lightweight construction! Uphill-downhill ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
...also known as mountain biking. Classic singletrack with roots, rocks and ledges – sometimes flowy, sometimes rough. For this, you need a bike with good all-round qualities, whether climbing or descending. Uphill-downhill ratio: 50:50↩
Even more extreme and challenging compared to Trail riding, riddled with every kind of obstacle: jumps, gaps, nasty rock gardens, ruts and roots. For this, you need (race)proven equipment that forgives mistakes and wouldn’t look out of place on a stage of the Enduro World Series. Climbing is just a means to an end. Uphill-downhill ratio: 30:70↩
Strictly speaking, a 200 mm travel downhill bike is the best choice for merciless tracks with big jumps, drops and the roughest terrain. Those would be the black or double-black-diamond tracks in a bike park. But as some of the EWS pros (including Sam Hill) have proven, it’s the riding skills and not the bike that define what you can ride with it. Climbing? On foot or with a shuttle, please! Uphill-downhill ratio: 10:90↩
You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩

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