The alloy Instinct 29er trail bikes were introduced last year at Eurobike. Now, the 2014 Rocky Mountain Instinct MSL brings carbon to the party for lighter, stiffer options. All trail tested by none other than Wade Simmons.
Three Instinct MSL models will be offered, all with their Smoothwall™ C13 hi-mod carbon front triangle. The 999 MSL, shown above, gets the full carbon frame with a claimed weight of just 2350g. The 770 and 750 get a hydroformed alloy rear triangle, but all get internal routing for dropper posts…and most are spec’d with the Rockshox Reverb Stealth.
The bikes have 130mm of SMOOTHLINK™ travel and use their RIDE-9™ geometry & suspension adjustment chip so you can dial the ride to your local conditions and style. Check Saris’ tech breakdown of RIDE-9 here. All of it rotates on their ABC (Angular Contact Bushing) pivots for smooth, maintenance free action.
On top of that, they’re also offering a “BC Edition” with longer travel and a burlier build. Pics, video and specs below…
All of the bikes use internal cable routing and have ISCG05 tabs. Spec listings on their website aren’t correct at the moment, but here’s what we’re seeing so far.
2014 Rocky Mountain Instince MSL 999:
- New Race Face NEXT carbon cranks?!?
- SRAM XX1 drivetrain
- Fox Factory Kashima CTD fork and shock w/ remote
- DT Swiss wheels w/ Continental tires
- Rockshox Stealth Reverb
- WTB saddle
- Claimed weight is 11.3kg (25.0lbs), size medium w/ tubes
Rocky Mountain Instinct MSL 970 spec:
- Fox Performance or Evolution CTD fork and shock
- DT Swiss wheels w/ Continental tires
- Race Face bar and stem
- Race Face cranks
- Shimano XT 2×10 drivetrain and brakes
- Rockshox Stealth Reverb
- WTB saddle
- Claimed weight is 12.6kg (27.7lbs), size medium w/ tubes
2014 Rocky Mountain Instinct MSL 750 spec:
- Fox fork and shock
- DT Swiss wheels w/ Continental tires
- Race Face 2×10 crankset
- SRAM 10-speed group
- Avid brakes
- Race Face cockpit
- Claimed weight 12.8kg (28.2lbs) medium w/ tubes.
Prices for these complete bikes will range from $4,000 to $7,600.
The Instinct MSL 970 “BC Edition” is built for the more aggressive roots and rocks of the North Shore. It gets a taller 140mm Fox 34 Float, custom “BC Valved” Fox Float shock, wider bars, rims and tires and a chainguide standard. Claimed weight is 13.7kg (30.2lbs) size medium w/ tubes.
Already got your parts kit? Grab the full carbon Instinct MSL 999 frameset and build your own.
