2013

altitude.bikes.com

ALTITUDE MSLALTITUDE

ALTITUDE2013

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

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.

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NEWWHOLE RIDEA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

the most innovative products in the industry.

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

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

connection to the prototype and testing process allows us

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

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

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

know how our bikes go together.

Then the really fun part of the R&D

process happens: riding. Our staff

is made up of avid mountain bikers

and we often head out with our team

athletes to put concepts to the test on

some of the most demanding terrain

in the world. Sometimes an idea is

approved or killed in one short ride and

sometimes it takes months.

We pride ourselves on our R&D process

that helps us make the innovative

products we do, always with the ultimate

goal of creating the best riding bikes

possible so you can Love the Ride for

years to come.

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

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2013

ALTITUDE 770 MSL

27.5” WHEELS

From the fi rst 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.

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OTHER SYSTEMS

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : SmoothLink™ SUSPENSION

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.

Lower Link

Lower Link

ACTL

ACTL

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : SmoothLink™ SUSPENSION

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.

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.

FORC

E

TRAVEL

Pedaling Platform Zone

Active Travel Zone

Bottom Out Control Zone

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.

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Lighter Rider, HigherStarting Pressure Slacker Geometry +

More Bottom Out Force

Heavier Rider, LowerStarting Pressure

Steeper Geometry +More Plush

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

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040 60 80 100 120 140 16020

FORC

E (lb

s)

TRAVEL (mm)

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : RIDE-9 SYSTEM

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 confi gurations 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.

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.

When you move the shock upwards, it requires a higher air pressure

to support the rider at sag. This is benefi cial 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.

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A

B

IF

DE

C H

- FRAME SIZE XS S M L XL

A HEAD ANGLE (deg)66.6°-68.3°

66.6°-68.3°

66.6°-68.3°

66.6°-68.3°

66.6°-68.3°

B SEAT ANGLE (deg) 73.6°-75.3° 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

G BOTTOM BRACKET DROP / RISE (mm) -10 to +10 -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

ALTITUDE GEOMETRY

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : StraightUp™ GEOMETRY

When Rocky Mountain debuted StraightUp™ Geometry with Altitude in 2009, its characteristic steep seat angle was the fi rst

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 ineffi cient 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 effi cient trail bike possible.

STRAIGHT UP™ GEOMETRY AS DEMONSTRATED ON ALTITUDE

STRAIGHT UP™ 74.5°

THE COMPETITION

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ABC™ REGULAR SEALED BEARING

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

61.87

30.12

PIVOT TORSIONAL STIFFNESS

TORS

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : ABC™ PIVOT TECHNOLOGY

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.

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.

ABC™ PIVOT LOCATIONS

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES : SmoothWall™ CARBON CONSTRUCTION

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 diffi cult 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 fl ex 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, fi bers or fi ller, meaning

no stress risers or extra weight.

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 fi ber 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) fi bers, yielding a stronger

frame. This all adds up to one of the most sophisticated carbon frames in the world.

Altitude MSL utilizes a precise carbon layup schedule, using multiple types of carbon weaves in specifi c 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.

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1.

2. 5.3.

4.

2013 ALTITUDE TECH FEATURES

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).

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.

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

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2013 ALTITUDE 750 MSL SPECIFICATIONS

FRAME FORM™ C13 Hi Mod Carbon Smoothwall™ Monocoque Front Triangle. FORM™ 7005 Series Custom Hydroformed Rear Triangle. ABC™ Pivots. Tapered Head Tube. Press Fit BB. Internal Cable Routing. ISCG05 Tabs. RIDE-9 Adjustable STRAIGHT UP™ Geometry + Suspension Rate

FORK Fox 34 Float 150 CTD 27.5"

FRONT TRAVEL 150mm. Rebound / Climb (Lockout) - Trail (Compression) - Descend (Open) Settings / 15mm Axle / Tapered Steerer

SHOCK Fox Float Remote CTD Custom Race Valved

REAR TRAVEL SmoothLink™ Design 150mm. Rebound / Remote Climb (Lockout) - Trail (ProPedal) - Descend (Open) Settings / Adjustable Suspension Rate

STEM Race Face 6° x 60-70mm

HANDLEBAR Race Face Evolve 3/4 Rise Ø31.8mm x 725mm x 9° Sweep

BRAKES Avid Elixir 50 XM Hydraulic Disc 180mm

SHIFTERS Sram X7 MatchMaker Triggers 2x10spd

FRONT DERAILLEUR Sram X7 S3 Direct Mount 2x10spd

REAR DERAILLEUR Sram X9 Type 2 All Mountain 10spd

CRANKS Race Face Turbine 170-175mm 36/24T 10spd

FRONT HUB Wheeltech SL Hi Tension Straight Pull / Precision Sealed Japanese Bearings / 24H / 15mm Axle

REAR HUB Wheeltech SL Hi Tension Straight Pull / Precision Sealed Japanese Bearings / Alloy Freehub / 28H / 12 x 142mm Axle

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 RockShox Reverb Stealth 30.9mm x 380-420mm

SADDLE Rocky Mountain XC Light