Good news for fans of Rocky Mountain’s more aggressive BC Editions. If you’re looking for an Instinct with all the attitude, but a smaller price, your Alloy BC Edition is here. Starting with the 155mm travel Instinct platform with 29″ wheels, Rocky Mountain created an aluminum version of the bike to bring the BC stoke to more riders.
While there are a lot of similarities in the carbon and aluminum models, one big difference is the absence of the Ride-9 chip. The Alloy 50 BC has a single position link that locks the bike into a single geometry.
Fortunately, that geometry is the progressive geo found on the carbon version with a longer reach, slackened head tube, lower bottom bracket, and shorter chainstays. Sold with 29 x 2.5/2.4″ tires, the frame is 27.5+ compatible with the included FSA Extend-O-Matic headset which has two lower headset cups (one is taller to compensate for the difference in tire size). Maximum tire clearance is said to be 29 x 2.6, and 27.5 x 2.8 (3.0 with low
profile knobs).
Like the carbon version, the A50 gets internal cable routing with full shift housing and large access ports, and blind pivots at the dropouts for increased heal clearance. You’ll also find lighter tooled thru axles at the rear. The frame is also compatible with Di2, Fox Live, and a dropper post, all at the same time – just in case you decide to do some major upgrading in the future.
The bike is designed around a 1x drivetrain and includes an integrated Spirit Guide two bolt ISCG 05 chain guide. That 1x focus apparently allows Rocky Mountain to use a larger main pivot which increases the frame’s stiffness. Additionally, you’ll find Boost 148mm spacing, metric shock lengths, and post mount 180mm brakes. Bonus – every size of frame will fit a water bottle in the front triangle, even with a reservoir shock.
Offered in S-XL frame sizes, the FORM aluminum frames build up to a complete weight of 14.65kg (32.3lbs claimed) in a size medium. Following in the BC Edition tradition, the build echoes how the Rocky Mountain staff in Vancouver actually spec their bikes. That means wider tires, wider bars, stiffer wheels, and better suspension – now available on an aluminum frame, a first for Rocky.
Available now, the Instinct Alloy 50 BC Edition will sell for $3,699.
