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Rocky Mountain takes Altitude to new heights, teases Fox Live suspension

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Rocky Mountain passed on the Sea Otter Classic this year, but that doesn’t meant they haven’t been working on something…like an all-new Rocky Mountain Altitude. Positioned as an aggressive trail/all mountain rig, the Altitude offers 150/160mm of travel but with a number of features that hint towards the future of the mountain bike.

For now we’ll have to deal with the blurred out images of the rear shock, but we’ve got a little inside intel to fill in the blanks…

Available in both Smoothwall Carbon or FORM Alloy framesets, the Altitude continues with their Ride9 geometry and suspension adjustment system, though it has been updated to make it lighter and sleeker. The suspension curve itself has been tweaked to touch all the bases – better small bump absorption, increased progressivity, and higher anti-squat for better pedaling.

Add to that a more modern geometry with a longer reach, slacker head tube angle at 65.6º in the neutral setting, lower BB, and short chainstays, and you should end up with a super fun bike no matter the terrain. The frame also includes a number of new features including an integrated “Spirit Guide” chain guide, a minimized ISCG05 mounting system that only uses the two lower bolt tabs, Boost spacing, tooled axles, internal routing, metric shock compatibility, and… Fox Live compatibility.

So, what’s Fox Live? Fox isn’t official saying, but they did hint at it while we visited them for the AX gravel suspension fork launch. The system is an electronic brain that automatically adjusts rear shock compression damping based on both terrain and rider input on the system. Using sensors on the frame, the fork’s arch and near the rear axle, it knows what’s going on and adjusts quicker than we can perceive. Or at least that’s the goal…it’s still in testing and development, and it’s likely to be much later in the year before they’re ready to talk details and show it off.

Both frames offer 150mm of travel coupled with 160mm of travel out of the fork, running 27.5″ ‘Wide Trail’ wheels and tires. Additional details include Di2 integration, and a PF92 bottom bracket.  The carbon version uses a new naming structure where the 790 MSL is now the Altitude Carbon 90. It’s also available in the Carbon 70 and 50, as well as a frameset.

The alloy version follows a similar naming convention with the Alloy 70, 50, and 30. Framesets are only available in the carbon option which includes the “to be announced” rear shock.

Carson Storch New Zealand/Photo c. Rocky Mountain

Features, as told by Rocky Mountain:

  • Increased anti-squat for better pedaling efficiency
  • 27.5” Wide Trail (aka 2.5″ tires) and 26+ compatible
  • Bearings at all pivots, including at lower shock mount (compatible with aftermarket shocks as well)
  • Blind pivots maximize heel clearance
  • Lighter, tooled rear axle
  • Improved cable management: large headtube ports, full shift housing, large downtube access port, and internal shift and brake housing within the front triangle
  • Future-proofed to be compatible with Di2, Fox Live, and a dropper post simultaneously
  • Seat-tube lengths have been adjusted to accommodate longer dropper posts at maximum insertion.
  • Chainstay and downtube protectors.
    • * Due to production delays, the initial shipment of 2018 Altitudes will not ship with downtube protectors. They will be delivered to the shop where you purchased your Altitude as soon as they’re available. 
  • Integrated “Spirit Guide” chainguide, with 2-bolt ISCG05
  • 1x only
  • Lower standover height
  • Significantly stiffer thanks to one-piece seatstay, new envelope, and updated layup (25% more lateral stiffness)
  • Modern parts compatibility (boost spacing, metric shock lengths, post-mount 180mm brakes, etc.)
  • All sizes fit a water bottle in front triangle, even with a reservoir shock
  • Sizes: XS-XL
  • Weight:
    • Frame & shock: 5.45lb (2470g), size Medium
    • Protectors, chainguide, & axle: 0.57lb (260g)
    • Altitude Carbon 90 & Carbon 70 complete: 28.4lb (12.88kg), size Medium
  • Select models and sizes available from May 15th. Regional availability may vary.

Pricing:

  • Altitude Carbon 90: $6999 USD, $8699 CAD
  • Altitude Carbon Frameset: $2749 USD, $3499 CAD
  • Altitude Carbon 70: $5299 USD, $6499 CAD
  • Altitude Carbon 50: $4099 USD, $4999 CAD
  • Altitude Alloy 70: $3999 USD, $4999 CAD
  • Altitude Alloy 50: $3199 USD, $3999 CAD
  • Altitude Alloy 30: $2899 USD, $3699 CAD

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12 Comments
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paquo
paquo
6 years ago

frame sensors ? my pivot has a constant layer of mud regardless of cleaning it always reappears

Chasejj
Chasejj
6 years ago

Crank torque meters. Genius.

Josh
Josh
6 years ago

Can we say Lapierre EI system. It is funny that just after Lapierre goes back to Europe after failing in the US for 2 years that Fox comes out with a system that is a blatant copy. Fork and Frame sensors seems like the folks at Fox were jumping up and down when LP went under in the US market.

Yus
Yus
6 years ago
Reply to  Josh

Because anyone that uses sensors or any sort of electronic smart suspension system is directly copying a floundering MTB brand. Get real man. That’s like saying anyone with an air shock on the market should be frowned upon for using air shock technology! It’s just progression.

Shafty
Shafty
6 years ago
Reply to  Josh

How is this any sort of “coming out with”? They’ve mentioned it, and that’s about all. It sounds like you don’t understand how product development works either. They don’t just decide what they want and slap it together, then come December you can buy it.

Ya know those threaded holes that have been on Fox fork arches for YEARS? There’s your sensor mounting.

Gillis
Gillis
6 years ago
Reply to  Josh

And they must be copying K2/Proflex that experimented with this in the late 90’s. The Smart Shock.

JNH
JNH
6 years ago
Reply to  Josh

Well hopefully this system will be a departure from Lapierre’s effort and actually work.

Andy
Andy
6 years ago

The graphics on the carbon frames is making me puke a little. Random unmatched colors and messy lines.

Bryan Fraser
Bryan Fraser
6 years ago

What it sounds like is Fox is finally bringing what they were calling the “FOX Live Valve Active Suspension System” to market (https://www.pinkbike.com/news/exclusive-ride-report-fox-live-valve-active-suspension-system.html)(I know, I know, its a different website, but does a good job of explaining how the system works).

bedampft
bedampft
6 years ago

Wow, 2018 already?
Glad i’m no Rocky Dealer.

Billy Jack
Billy Jack
6 years ago
Reply to  bedampft

It was explained to us as more of a mid-season release. Our rep kinda squirmed and made it seem like they may be trying to distance themselves from product years. Also, there wasn’t really a “2017” Altitude, so they aren’t pushing any of our standing inventory. That said, you ain’t kiddin about the general state of the industry!

k
k
6 years ago

best bike they’ve made in years

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