The 27.5+ Pipeline has only been in Rocky Mountain’s line-up since last year, developed out of the 29er Instinct. But as the big wheeled Instinct got a major overhaul today, so does that plus-sized Pipeline. Just like the 29er the Pipeline gets a bit more travel, up to 140mm. It gets the same suspension overhaul and new Ride-9 flip chip designs, plus the modern trail bike geometry update. It’s starting to sound very familiar. Find out what’s different after the break…
Rocky Mountain Pipeline 27.5+ mountain bike
While the old Instinct 29er had 120mm & the old Pipeline 27.5+ 130mm of travel, both new bikes go with 140mm. Then we saw spec sheets saying either one could fit 29″ or 27.5+ tires. That got us thinking. The new tech list in each bike made it even more clear. The 2018 Pipelines & Instincts are the same bikes. The difference is only in the wheelsize and spec, but…
That’s not to say that they aren’t two different bikes. They do get a bit different geometry, and certainly the difference between the 27.5 x 2.8″ & 29 x 2.3″ tires makes for a different ride feel and a different type of ideal trail riding for the bikes. The 27.5+ mountain bike builds are surely more suited for riding in wet & loose and maybe even more technical terrain.
That difference in geometry is actually one of the cool things about these bikes. The both use the same frame & fork, but have two different lower FSA extend-O-matic headset cups to allow the geometry to be set for the wheelsize. Taller lower cup for 27.5+. Shorter lower cup for 29er. And the best part – no matter which bike you pick, Rocky Mountain also bundles in the second lower headset cup so you can swap wheel sizes down the road to try your bike out in its other mode.
Tech details
So beyond wheel size & headset stack, the Pipeline gets the same new Horst-link suspension tweak for more progression & improved perfomance at the longer travel. If of course also gets the updated Ride-9 flip chip, integrated chain guide, the same longer/slacker/lower BB geometry, and stiffer Boost rear end.
Max tire clearance is the same 27.5 x 2.8 with big knobbies (3″ on lower profile treads) or 29 x 2.6″ if you switch it up. Routing updates carry over as well for any current or future 1x setup, plus long travel dropper seatposts. Frame weight is unsurprisingly the same as the Instinct – 2310g (5.09lb) for a medium frame & shock.
Carbon bike options & builds
Like the Instincts, the 27.5+ Pipelines are available in both carbon and aluminum versions – two complete specs per frame material. The Pipeline Carbon 70 will set you back $5300 with SRAM GX Eagle drivetrain, XT brakes, and Fox Performance Elite suspension.
While the Pipeline Carbon 50 will run $4,470 with an alloy rear triangle, GX Eagle, Level TL brakes, and Fox Performance suspension.
Aluminum bike builds
For the aluminum bikes, the Pipeline Alloy 50 retails for $3350 with a Shimano SLX 1×11 and Fox Performance suspension.
The Pipeline Alloy 30 at $2600 gets a RockShox Revelation fork and a Deore 1×10, losing the dropper post.
(All $ pricing in US dollars.)
The Pipelines are also getting general availability after mid October 2017. But a limited number & sizes have been made available to shops already today. Get in touch with your local Rocky Mountain dealer ASAP to see if the bike you are lusting over is in stock now, or to pre-order for October delivery.
