Altitude 730

2013

ALTITUDE ALTITUDE MSL

altitude.bikes.com

2013

WHOLE

bike on the market. It’s the total Trail bike package. But wait a second, what is this category the bike industry calls “Trail”? Didn’t it used to be just cross-country and freeride? Isn’t most mountain biking done on Trails? How is this a category?

Adding definition to its ambiguous name, Trail represents riders who value descending performance as much as climbing efficiency and light weight as much as durability. Trail bikes are for riders who want one bike that can do it all. Or, in other words, Trail bikes are for most of us. We want a bike that we don’t have to make excuses for on epic climbs, or when things get rowdy on the descents. This is 2013 Altitude.

The story of 2013 Altitude is not a new frame material, or wheel size, or adjustable geometry feature, or suspension configuration, or pivot system, or geometry, or carbon construction process that would enable us to make such bold claims about our new Trail bike; It’s all of them combined in one total package. Every T was crossed and every I was dotted in the development of the 2013 Altitude and the result is an entirely new and complete ride.

2013

We’ll cut to the chase and let you know that the 2013 Altitude is the most complete and best riding Trail

ALTITUDE

ALTITUDE A NEW RIDE

ALTITUDE 2013

RIDER: THOMAS VANDERHAM – LOCATION: WHISTLER B.C. – PHOTO: STERLING LORENCE

in the bike industry. We don’t want to speak to what others do,

process happens: riding. Our staff

but for Rocky Mountain R&D is a cornerstone in our business.

is made up of avid mountain bikers

Arguably, we pool more resources in R&D per bike than any

and we often head out with our team

other brand. It’s this commitment to constant innovation that

athletes to put concepts to the test on

has elevated our brand to where we are now – making some of

some of the most demanding terrain

the most innovative products in the industry.

in the world. Sometimes an idea is approved or killed in one short ride and sometimes it takes months.

Our team of engineers in Vancouver has the luxury of a full prototype and test facility just steps away from their desks. An idea can be born in a meeting room, drawn on the computer

We pride ourselves on our R&D process

and turned into a prototype in a matter of days. This close

that helps us make the innovative

connection to the prototype and testing process allows us

products we do, always with the ultimate

to be as creative and move as quickly as we want. It’s not

goal of creating the best riding bikes

unusual to see one of our engineers holding a welding torch or

possible so you can Love the Ride for

operating the CNC machine. We feel that it’s critical to always

years to come.

know how our bikes go together.

2013

Then the really fun part of the R&D

ALTITUDE

The term ‘Research & Development’ tends to be used loosely

ALTITUDE 2013 LOCATION: RMB R&D FACILITY, VANCOUVER, BC - PHOTO: BRIAN PARK, JOANNE HUGHES

From the first minute of Altitude’s design process, there was never any doubt that we would build it around 27.5” wheels.

The rolling advantage of a 29” wheel is indisputable, but the wheel size is limited when it comes to longer travel bikes. Bike weight, wheelbase and other design constraints prevent manufacturers from creating truly nimble and light bikes with long travel and 29” wheels. Although they are arguably the quickest handling, 26” wheels simply give up too much momentum when rolling through the rough stuff. The limitations of both 26” and 29” for this kind of bike made 27.5” a no-brainer for the Altitude.

Although tire casing sizes vary from brand to brand, on average the 27.5” size is almost halfway between 26” and 29”.

This means the 27.5” rider gets more rolling advantage than a 26”, while maintaining a super nimble and agile ride. The 27.5” wheel size is the best of both worlds and it simply makes sense.

ALTITUDE

27.5” WHEELS

2013

ALTITUDE 770 MSL

Rocky Mountain’s patented SmoothLink™ has been referred to by at least one reviewer as the ‘Holy Grail’ of suspension systems, because it delivers active bump absorption without compromising pedaling efficiency. A big statement, but science backs it up, and please bear with us on the techno-speak for a moment.

SmoothLink™’s design characteristics mean that a line drawn through the main pivot and the rear pivot is always above the rear axle at all points of travel. This is the key differentiator between SmoothLink™ and other suspension systems. The lower linkage member is virtually parallel to the Average Chain Torque Line (ACTL), at all points of travel. THIS is the key to bob-free suspension, since the two are parallel, the chain tension cannot act on the suspension.

ALTITUDE

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : SmoothLink™ SUSPENSION

2013

ACTL Lower Link

OTHER SYSTEMS

ACTL Lower Link

Force at Rear Wheel Curve: Every bike manufacturer will show you a different suspension rate curve for their frame and try to demonstrate to you how their design is superior. However, these curves are all dramatically different, and unless you have a degree in rocket science, indecipherable.

The question riders should ask is how does each curve really FEEL on the trail? We want to change the conversation, and demonstrate what happens with the force at the rear wheel. This is what you the rider will actually experience on your ride.

Active Travel Zone

Bottom Out Control Zone

FORCE

Pedaling Platform Zone

TRAVEL

This is what the rider will actually feel : the force at the rear wheel. Hard to push through the first 20mm (propedal).

Propedal blows off and give smooth, linear feel to 110mm. Suspension ramps from 110-150mm to prevent harsh bottom out, which can throw the rider off.

2013

With SmoothLink™, the force increases steeply at first. This is the platform, giving you a firm pedaling sensation. Once the rear wheel moves through the threshold it flattens out, climbing linearly, giving you that smooth, buttery feeling mid stroke. In the end stroke, the forces begin to climb more steeply again, controlling bottom out. It becomes more and more difficult to reach the hard, bottom out feel, preventing the rider from getting thrown from the bike under heavy impact.

ALTITUDE

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : SmoothLink™ SUSPENSION

Riders come in all sizes and ability levels, and the terrain they ride varies. Featured on our 2013 Altitude, our patent pending new RIDE-9 System enables the rider to customize geometry and suspension rate to their riding style and weight, so they can truly Love the Ride.

Nine possible geometry and suspension rate configurations are possible thanks to two interlocking inserts. By having two nested shock mounts, we have a much greater range of adjustability. Rotating these pieces manipulates the position of the rear shock affecting the head angle (66.6o-68.3o), seat angle (73.6o-75.3o ), and bottom bracket drop (-10mm to +10mm) of the bike, as well as the force required to bottom out the suspension.

When you move the shock upwards, it requires a higher air pressure to support the rider at sag. This is beneficial to lighter riders, allowing them to run “in the sweet spot” of the shock, and not wind up with an under pressurized shock, which feels overly harsh. Conversely, when you move the shock downwards, a heavier rider won’t need as much air pressure, increasing shock and seal durability, and keeps the damping range usable.

2013

The dual rotating inserts allow for nine different positions. By moving the shock forward, the geometry slackens and the suspension rate becomes more progressive, giving greater bottom out resistance for aggressive downhill trail riding. When you move the shock backwards, the geometry becomes quicker and the suspension more supple, for ripping around on technical singletrack and better climbing traction.

Lighter Rider, Higher Starting Pressure

Slacker Geometry + More Bottom Out Force

Steeper Geometry + More Plush

Heavier Rider, Lower Starting Pressure

450 400 350

FORCE (lbs)

300 250 200 150 100 50 0

20

40

60

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : RIDE-9 SYSTEM

80 TRAVEL (mm)

100

120

140

160

When Rocky Mountain debuted StraightUp™ Geometry with Altitude in 2009, its characteristic steep seat angle was the first in the industry. However since then it has changed they way the industry looks at longer travel full suspension bike geometry.

Now, imitators abound. With longer travel full-suspension bikes there is a tendency, once sagged, for the rider to wallow behind the rear wheel, making for inefficient pedaling and positioning on the bike. Altitude’s relatively steep 74.5° static seat angle ensures that once sagged, the rider is still in an optimal pedaling position for optimal power output. This is just another ingredient in creating the most efficient trail bike possible.

ALTITUDE

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : StraightUp™ GEOMETRY

2013

STRAIGHT UP™ GEOMETRY AS DEMONSTRATED ON ALTITUDE STRAIGHT UP™ 74.5° THE COMPETITION

ALTITUDE GEOMETRY D

-

E

B

C

H

A F

I

FRAME SIZE

XS

S

M

L

XL

66.6°68.3°

66.6°68.3°

66.6°68.3°

66.6°68.3° 73.6°-75.3°

A

HEAD ANGLE (deg)

66.6°68.3°

B

SEAT ANGLE (deg)

73.6°-75.3°

73.6°-75.3°

73.6°-75.3°

73.6°-75.3°

C

SEAT TUBE (mm)

381

419

457

483

521

D

HORIZONTAL TOP TUBE LENGTH (mm)

540

565

585

605

630

E

HEAD TUBE LENGTH (mm)

100

110

120

130

145

F

CHAINSTAY LENGTH (mm)

428

428

428

428

428 -10 to +10

G

BOTTOM BRACKET DROP / RISE (mm)

-10 to +10

-10 to +10

-10 to +10

-10 to +10

H

STANDOVER HEIGHT (mm)

734

734

734

734

734

I

WHEELBASE (mm)

1095

1120

1142

1163

1189

Our patent pending Angular Bushing Concept™ (ABC) pivots represent a paradigm shift in high performance suspension linkage in the most literal sense. ABC™ pivots consist of an angular contact polymer bushing which rotates on a tapered alloy pivot. By carefully controlling the tolerance of these pieces, we are able to specify a torque value on the pivot and can eliminate binding, which has been, until now, impossible. The more you tighten a typical bushing system, the more the pivot will bind. Not so with ABC™ Pivots. And get this; they’re lighter, more durable, and laterally stiffer than a cartridge bearing. On Altitude, we saved 120 grams by switching to ABC™ pivots while increasing rear end pivot stiffness by 105 percent. Yes, you read that correctly; ABC™ pivots are more than twice as stiff than a sealed cartridge bearing. Plus, they need almost no maintenance– just clean the contact surfaces from time to time.

PIVOT TORSIONAL STIFFNESS TORSIONAL STIFFNESS, [N-M/DEG]

70

61.87

60 50 40 30.12

30 20 10 0

ABC™

ABC™ PIVOT LOCATIONS

REGULAR SEALED BEARING

2013

We first introduced ABC™ Pivots in 2011 on Element RSL and MSL and most of our customers are still riding the same bushings that came on their bikes. The technology has been such a success for Rocky Mountain, that it was a no-brainer to use them on 2013 Altitude. The result is not only one of the stiffest and lightest trail bikes on the market, but one that also requires less maintenance.

ALTITUDE

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : ABC™ PIVOT TECHNOLOGY

There’s a wide range of quality in carbon bicycle construction nowadays and it makes a huge difference in the ride and durability of a bike. It’s difficult for the customer to tell what’s inside the frame. If we could put windows in ours to show what’s going on, we would! Before we get into detailed tech-talk, the take away is that our carbon manufacturing process in conjunction with ABC™ pivots put us at the very front of the pack of the industry in stiffness-to-weight ratio and frame durability. A super light bike isn’t any good if the rider loses power to frame flex or the frame is fragile in crash situations.

Rocky Mountain’s FORM C13 High Modulus SmoothWall™ construction is 100% designed, engineered and tested in house by our engineering team. SmoothWall™ construction is achieved by sculpting the inner surface of the frame as carefully as the outer, with the help of an inner mold, as opposed to the traditional air bladder. This results in no excess resin, fibers or filler, meaning no stress risers or extra weight.

Altitude MSL utilizes a precise carbon layup schedule, using multiple types of carbon weaves in specific locations to maximize stiffness and impact resistance while minimizing weight. We’ve taken special care with the Altitude to reinforce the high impact areas (underside of downtube, chainstays, sides of seat stays) with impact resistant carbon weave, negating the need for clunky bolt on protection.

2013

The most important characteristic of SmoothWall™ technology is that it enables us to construct frames with the highest carbon layup density. SmoothWall™’s super high fiber to resin ratio with maximum compression of the pre-preg carbon layers results in the lightest and stiffest construction possible. SmoothWall™ also allows us to use full length (uncut) fibers, yielding a stronger frame. This all adds up to one of the most sophisticated carbon frames in the world.

ALTITUDE

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : SmoothWall™ CARBON CONSTRUCTION

1.

142mm E-Thru Rear Axle We put a lot of hard work into making Altitude’s frame one of the stiffest in the industry, so there was never any doubt whether to use a 142mm rear axle. Not only is it the stiffest setup possible, wheel changes are easier than ever.

2. Internal Cable Routing A bike with such clean lines should have clean cable routing. Altitude’s internal cable routing keeps things tidy, and importantly, is very service friendly. No fishing around with a coat hanger and headlamp needed!

3. Rear Shock Remote Cable Routing With many remote options available for the new generations of rear shocks, cable routing is an issue, but we allowed for them with clean routing (external on alloy and internal on MSL).

2013

4. “Stealth” Dropper Post Routing Tired of ripped hydraulic lines or that loop of cable bunching up when you drop your saddle? Both are a thing of the past with Altitude’s “Stealth” routing.

5. ISCG-05 Chainguide Mounts For Super-D and Enduro style riders, we spec’d ISCG-05 mounts so you need not worry about dropping your chain.

2.

ALTITUDE

2013 ALTITUDE TECH FEATURES

1.

4.

3.

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ALTITUDE 2013

RIDER: THOMAS VANDERHAM – LOCATION: WHISTLER B.C. – PHOTO: STERLING LORENCE

ALTITUDE

2013 ALTITUDE 730 SPECIFICATIONS

2013

FRAME

FORM™ 7005 Series Custom Hydroformed Alloy. ABC™ Pivots. Tapered Head Tube. Press Fit BB. Internal Cable Routing. ISCG05 Tabs.

RIDE-9 Adjustable STRAIGHT UP™ Geometry + Suspension Rate

FORK

RockShox Revelation RL Solo Air 27.5"

FRONT TRAVEL

150mm. Motion Control Lockout / Rebound / 15mm Maxle Lite / Tapered Steerer

SHOCK

RockShox Monarch RT Custom Valved

REAR TRAVEL

SmoothLink™ Design 150mm. Rebound / Trail Threshold Lockout / Adjustable Suspension Rate

STEM

Race Face 6° x 60-70mm

HANDLEBAR

Race Face 3/4 Rise Ø31.8mm x 700mm x 9° Sweep

BRAKES

Elixir 3 Hydraulic Disc 180mm

SHIFTERS

Sram X5 Triggers 2x10spd

FRONT DERAILLEUR

Sram X7 S3 Direct Mount 2x10spd

REAR DERAILLEUR

Sram X7 10spd

CRANKS

Sram S1000 170-175mm 36/22T 10spd

FRONT HUB

Wheeltech AM Sealed 15mm Axle

REAR HUB

Wheeltech AM Sealed 12 x 142mm E Thru

CASSETTE

Sram PG-1030 11-36T 10spd

RIMS

Wheeltech Inferno 25 27.5" by SunRINGLÉ

TIRES

Schwalbe Nobby Nic Folding 27.5" x 2.35"

SEATPOST

Race Face 30.9mm x 375mm

SADDLE

Rocky Mountain XC

© 2012-2013 Rocky Mountain Bicycles