A short while ago we had a chance to test ride the 2010 Rocky Mountain Altitude 29, with much success and enjoyment. As the market for 29ers is growing in BC, many people ask the difference between rolling on traditional or big wheels.  For that reason we took a ride on the 26″ version of the Altitude to make a comparison.

2010 Rocky Mountain Altitude 70 26″

2010 Rocky Mountain Altitude 70

Heralding from BC and with a strong racing pedigree in Rocky Mountain’s history, they have approached their all mountain and cross country bikes with a flair for mountain goat climbing ability. Straight Up Geometry and Smooth Link platform suspension provide a nimble, solid bike which will let you climb all day without fade (well at least the bike won’t fade, you might).

Beginning in 2010, and continuing into 2011, this suspension formula is being promoted through the line to include the Element, Altitude and Slayer bike lines. Already people are biting at the order book for next year’s Slayer, a 6 inch version of the Altitude with a more slack front end.

For riders looking to ride a few xc races in the Island Cup, enjoy climbs to some of our Cumberland and other Vancouver Island trails, and like a lighter build, the Altitude makes a great pick.

On the Trails

Here’s a short vid of my test ride on the 26″ wheel Rocky Mountain Altitude 70.

2010 Altitude Review from Kookjai Media on Vimeo.

Conclusions

Each bike has similarities and differences. Travel on the 29″ is approx 4 inches to the 26″ 5 inches. Seat angle is maintained while the 70.5 head angle on the 29 keeps the wheelbase closer to the 69 degrees on the 26″.

Both bikes climb exceptionally well with the 29″ wheels providing a bit more roll over uneven ground which can help maintain speed. The larger wheelbase also helps keep the climbing traction sweet spot larger which helps on those short steep seated climbs.

When the trails became tight, the 26″ showed it’s benefit for nimble movements. Not to say the 29 wasn’t an adept trail bike, but like riding a larger motor bike or driving a larger truck, it can take a bit of time to learn the subtle differences of big wheels.

Rocky Mountain has done a great job on both bikes and in the end it will come down to personal preference and your choice of trails.

Thanks to Blacks Cycles for the test rides and Rocky Mountain Bikes for their demo days.

Specifications

The Altitude series comes in both alloy and carbon forms with build kits ranging from the SLX build Altitude 10 to the XTR, Crossmax equiped 90 RSL. Prices range from $2699 to $7500 with the Altitude 70 coming in at $4599 and stock weight of 28.5lbs.

Sign up for the forums, and send us your comments and questions.

Thanks!

Skifreak

“We’re looking for a few good riders. More specifically, we’re looking for a few avid mountain bikers. People who ride a lot, can tell a good story and lead group rides. Riders who respect and are respected by their riding buddies.”

Quick to note this amazing opportunity both Colin and Teresa wrote up their applications for this awesome contest.

“Having ridden Specialized bikes for many years, this was a great opportunity” the author for cvmtb.com noted. “I wore out my last specialized with many travels around BC, over Vancouver Island and even Europe. For the last few years I have been mapping many of the trails throughout Vancouver Island and thanks to a great warranty on my old M2 I now do so on a Specialized Rockhopper.”

His partner Teresa also raved about this amazing opportunity. “A chance to demo a 2010 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR for a year and all I have to do is write about it? Is this for real? Those were my exact thoughts when I heard about this contest so I figured, why not?” Teresa currently rides a 2007 Stumpjumper FSR Expert, part of the Designs for Women line of bikes.

Specialized has harnessed the world of social media with this contest. “The directions: Get on Twitter, and send an @reply to us at @iamspecialized with a link to a blog post you’ve written or a video you’ve recorded that tells us why you’re the right guy for the job.” They are posting entries on their Facebook page at http://bit.ly/186CLA

Twitter has taken the cycling world by storm this summer with Tour de France tweets from riders such as Lance Armstrong, George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer and more. In Glasgow 200 riders and in Dublin 1000 joined Lance for an impromptu ride from a tweet.

You can find Colin’s entry at http://bit.ly/CDJQu and Teresa’s at http://bit.ly/13wRa1 and check out more about the 2010 Specialized Stumpjumper line at http://bit.ly/114lR9

Comox Valley Mountain Biking.com is a local Comox Valley community site offering trail info, forums, maps, weather info and more for trails across Vancouver Island.
www.cvmtb.com

Wow what an opportunity! Use of a brand spanking new 2010 Stumpjumper FSR from the biggest name in cycling? To someone other than a “PRO” none the less! Although I have had many many years in cycling, have worked hard and offered my time to the sport I’ve never been sponsored! So I guess I better write up a nice little bio to make it impossible for the nice boys and girls at the Big “S” to pass up!

Passion – “a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept”

Burnt Bridge Circa 1992

Hmm… a strong liking or devotion… I guess then you could easily say I have a passion for mountain biking which rolls back many years. My first true mountain bike was a Raleigh Safari in 1984 at age 10. While it was brutally heavy, clunky and downright slow (as most mid 80′s bikes were), It gave me freedom to explore the many local trails and overgrown logging roads which had not seen the likes of this two wheeled contraption. The family property became a location for building trails and getting muddy. I was hooked.

My first paying job was working at a local North Vancouver bike shop as a mechanic. This was just around the time that racing events started to appear and I competed in my first downhill in 1989. More racing, the introduction to technology such as suspension and clipless pedals, and even riding down the backside of Haleakala Volcano on Maui spanned the next number of years, continuing to ignite my passion for the mtb. I didn’t experience the ride of a Specialized mountain bike until 1992 with my purchase of a S-Works M2 Team from our local bike shop. In glorious red with yellow lettering this was the bike of legends. Ned Overend was already one of my heros, and now I had “the” bike!

The M2 instantly became my trusty companion. We travelled through Europe, met the Tour de France outside of Geneva and joined the Festival du VTT in the French Alps. For many years we rode the trails in and around Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Whistler, Dallas and to the 1994 World Championships in Vail Colorado where met Mr. Overend. Either loaded with paniers or lightened up for climbing prowess it would handle it all.

A setback in my riding occurred in 1995 when I tore my knee skiing. I was told it would be months before I should try riding, but only 2 weeks post op I was back on the bike, just coasting and lightly pedalling my way back to health. I spent many days rebuilding my strength in the knee and my M2 kept me on the trails.

A sad time came just recently when my trusty companion showed signs of the many miles of joy. It was a cool spring day and I had just finished washing my M2 when I noticed a small crack in the chainstay. Sure enough she was done. After thousands of miles, many great memories, gut busting climbs and epic downhills it was time for her to go to the great bike heaven in the sky.

I called up my local dealer who sold me that bike 16 years earlier and after some calls, a new 2006 Rockhopper frame was on it’s way to my door. While the M2 was sad to be missed, this new Specialized fit like a glove. It was amazing to see that after all these years, while my shape has changed, the fit and ride of a Specialized was still the same!

Riding in Squamish BC

In the last few years, I have focused less on personal racing but more in advocacy and trail information in our local community. Both with my M2 Team and now with my Rockhopper, I have mapped thousands of miles of trails in and around Vancouver Island, developing maps for our local riding community and creating a community mountain biking website. Involvement in the Island Cup Mountain Bike Race Series, organizing trail days, meetings with local forestry companies, government bodies, and businesses to help with advocacy and keep trails alive and well are my current duties. On top of all this, each July I spend a week of my summer volunteering with the medical team for the BC Bike Race, helping many racers achieve their goals to win or just finish this amazing event. It’s also shown the worldwide popularity of Specialized bikes. Likely the most common bike on site, the many FSR variations seen at the race are the amazing evolution from the original mass produced mountain bike, the Stumpjumper.

• Black’s shop rides – Black’s Cycle – 250-339-7011
• UROC mixed rides – Dodge City Cycles – 250-336-2200
• UROC ladies rides – Dodge City Cycles / Riding Fool Hostel – 250-336-2200 / 250-336-8250
• Cruiser rides – Trail Bicycles – 250-334-2456
• Simon’s Shop Rides – Simon’s Cycles – 250-339-6683

Looking for a ride on other days? Want some help finding trails suited to your skill level? Why not check out the Guided Mountain Bike Tours with Island Mountain Rides.

• Guided rides – Island Mountain Rides – 250-702-3940

Also don’t forget some of our local events including Lucky Thursday’s at Mount Washington Alpine Resort throughout August.