Design & Technology
A really good bike doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s the result of a principled design process that combines decades of experience with a keen eye toward the future. Here’s how our design and engineering team approaches every bike (yes, even kids bikes), and how every bicycle from Rocky Mountain comes into existence.
A short pedal from the Mount Seymour trailhead, Rocky Mountain’s Development Center is nestled at the foot of Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains.
It’s here that our engineers take full advantage of our prototype frame shop and testing facility to develop our world renowned bikes. This facility and our proximity to some of the world’s most rugged and versatile terrain provides us with a very short product feedback loop - an idea can be born over an early coffee meeting, computer modeled throughout the day, and come out of the CNC machine in time to hit the trails by dusk.
LC2R™ suspension
LC2R™ (Low Centre Counter Rotating) is our unique take on a virtual pivot suspension design, delivering a smooth and predictable ride on challenging terrain.
SMOOTHLINK™ suspension
Smoothlink suspension is efficient yet supple when you’re on the pedals and across a wide range of gears. It features a controlled end-stroke and a rate-curve that feels more capable than the travel would suggest.
RIDE-9™ adjustment system
The RIDE-9 adjustment system allows riders to quickly fine-tune their geometry and suspension with a single Allen key. Nine configurations are possible thanks to two interlocking chips.
RIDE-4™ adjustment system
The RIDE-4 adjustment system allows riders to quickly fine-tune their geometry with a single Allen key. Four configurations are possible thanks to one rotating chip.
Two position axle
The Altitude, Instinct, and Slayer frames, in both alloy and carbon, are equipped with a two-position axle dropout.
Reach adjust headsets
Latest Instinct models now come with reach adjust headsets allowing riders to fine tune their reach with center, +/- 5mm offset options.
PenaltyBox™ 2.0
Latest Instinct carbon models now come with our new PenaltyBox™ 2.0 downtube storage that includes generous capacity, custom tool wrap and our rock-solid hinged door system that doubles down as a water bottle mount and built-in concealed AirTag/Tile compartment.
PenaltyBox™
Latest Slayer carbon models now come with our new PenaltyBox™ downtube storage, including a custom storage solution for both a tube and tools.
Size Specific Tune
Size Specific Tune ensures that riders of all sizes get the right balance of small-bump compliance, mid-stroke support, and end-stroke progressiveness. Our design team does custom shock tunes based on real world field testing, and adjusts each tune for specific frame sizes.
SMOOTHWALL™ Carbon
Smoothwall carbon uses one of the world’s most sophisticated carbon processes to deliver industry leading stiffness-to-weight, ride quality, and durability.
FORM™ Alloy
FORM™ tubesets utilize premium materials to meet our strict requirements. Each FORM™ tube that we create is engineered for its specific purpose within the frame, ensuring optimized strength, weight, and ride quality.