Rocky Mountain floats in on new Pipeline full suspension Plus bike

Almost exactly two years ago, we were getting a first look at Rocky Mountain’s thoughts on plus size. At that point plus size bikes were just starting to gain momentum and yet here was Rocky with an ambitious full suspension plus size bike packing concept. While shown as just a prototype in 2014, a year later the Sherpa Overland bike was here in production form.

But the bike packing angle only tells part of the plus size story – now we’re starting to see bikes with much more aggressive intentions take on bigger rubber. Offering better traction, increased stability, and enhanced confidence for the rider, it’s looking like plus size will be more than just a niche in the not too distant future. Especially with bikes like the all new Rocky Mountain Pipeline riding in on the big wave…

From Rocky:

Dumbing Down the Shore is a problem that affects us all, and it’s about time a rider of Wade Simmons’ calibre spoke out.

But seriously, we had a ton of fun making this piece. Filmmaker Dan Barham crushed it, and cameos by Brett Tippie, Geoff Gulevich, Eric Lawrenuk, Andreas Hestler, and Todd “Digger” Fiander are always a good time.

With apologies to Keyser Söze.

If you follow the plot from Dumbing Down the Shore, it seems for Wade Simmons the trails in the North Shore are getting easier. Only it’s not the trails that are responsible – it’s the bike. We’re pretty sure Simmons could ride any trail on any bike, but the point is still there. Plus tires have a way of making trails easier, yes, but also more fun. They seem to have a way to make beginner riders more comfortable and advanced riders even faster.

For the time being, “normal” mountain bikes aren’t going anywhere but for those who are looking for a little more cushion, plus bikes are popping up left and right.

Starting with their popular Instinct platform, Rocky Mountain is adding an aggressive trail charger of a plus bike with their new Pipeline. Built around 27+ tires the bike offers 130mm of rear suspension along with their Ride-9 suspension adjustment chip system. Up front, you’ll find a plus specific offset fork with 150mm of travel. The initial launch will include the Pipeline 770 MSL and the 750 MSL, both of which use a Smoothwall carbon C13 front triangle and a FORM 7005 series aluminum rear triangle with Rocky’s Smoothlink suspension and BC2 bushing pivots with grease ports.

Fitting up to 27×3.25″ tires, the frame utilizes Boost 148 rear spacing, Boost 110 front, and is 1x specific with a PF BB92 bottom bracket, tapered head tube, and internal cable routing with Stealth dropper capability.