XC race season is almost upon us, which means a number of new race-ready rides are starting to pop up. Proving that the hard tail isn’t dead, today we’re seeing two new XC race rigid frames with one of them being the new Rocky Mountain Vertex. Featuring a new carbon frame and all new geometry, Rocky Mountain is off to the races.

Compared to their traditional Smoothwall carbon frames, the Vertex features Smoothwall HBO which claims to eliminate excess resin while incorportating 40 ton carbon fiber sheets into the build on the Vertex 90 and frameset to create a lighter, stronger frame. The Vertex 50 and 70 use the standard Smoothwall build.

Moving to Boost spacing, the frame while meant for 29″ wheels has clearance for 29 x 2.3″ or 27.5 x 2.8″ tires. The frame also features a new tooled axle, improved internal cable routing, Di2 and 27.2mm dropper post compatibility (front derailleur compatible), BB92 bottom bracket, post mount brakes, and a rubberized chain stay protector. The frame is built around a 100mm suspension fork up front, and complete bikes will ship with 29 x 2.2″ tires.

Even with the XC racing focus, the Vertex still benefits from a more modern, aggressive geometry. You’ll find a longer reach, slacker 69.5º head tube angle and a shortened wheel base.

In total there are three complete Vertex builds, all with carbon frames – but only the Vertex 90 gets the higher end Smoothwall HBO carbon. While the top two builds stick with SRAM Eagle 1×12 drivetrains, the Vertex 50 still runs a 2×11 double

Vertex Carbon 90

MODEL HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel: 100mm
• Superlight Smoothwall HBO carbon layup
• All-new next generation Vertex geometry
• Dropper post compatible
• Wide range SRAM 12spd drivetrain
• SRAM Level TLM brakes

IMPROVEMENTS OVER PREVIOUS MODEL

• All-new frame
• Rockshox Sid Remote fork
• SRAM X01 Eagle 12spd drivetrain
• 2 tone paint job

Vertex Carbon 70

Vertex Carbon 50

MODEL HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel: 100mm
• All-new next generation Vertex geometry
• Dropper post compatible
• Shimano wide range XT / Race Face 2×11 drivetrain
• Shimano SLX brakes

IMPROVEMENTS OVER PREVIOUS MODEL

• All-new frame
• Rockshox Reba RL fork
• DT Swiss rear hub
• 2 tone paint job

 

 

Weight

• Vertex Carbon frameset: 1.22kg (2.68lbs), size Medium
• Vertex Carbon 90: 9.70kg (21.4lbs), size Medium
• Vertex Carbon 70: 10.00kg (22.0lbs), size Medium
• Vertex Carbon 50: 11.10kg (24.5lbs), size Medium

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