Rocky Mountain Instinct Carbon 70 Frameset
The Instinct Carbon 70 frameset is Rocky Mountain’s adjustable-geometry trail carbon full-suspension option, notable for pairing durable construction and practical adjustability with a friendlier price point. It competes as the value leader here by delivering many premium features (including adjustable geometry and broad wheel compatibility) at a lower entry cost than the highest-end CC and T-series frames, making it a go-to for riders prioritizing toughness and tuning flexibility over minimal weight.
Climb-focused pop — summit-smile
Geo-tuned stability — confidence-boost
Climb-focused pop — summit-smile
Geo-tuned stability — confidence-boost
Review Summary
"The Instinct Carbon 70 is lauded for stable, confident descending and efficient climbing for a trail-focused platform; reviewers cite strong capability and value despite a somewhat heavier frame compared with race-oriented models."
Lightweight stomp — nimble laughs
Carbon frame layups balanced to deliver trail-capable stiffness without excessive weight
Lightweight stomp — nimble laughs
Carbon frame layups balanced to deliver trail-capable stiffness without excessive weight
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
The Instinct Carbon 70 frameset is Rocky Mountain’s adjustable-geometry trail carbon full-suspension option, notable for pairing durable construction and practical adjustability with a friendlier price point. It competes as the value leader here by delivering many premium features (including adjustable geometry and broad wheel compatibility) at a lower entry cost than the highest-end CC and T-series frames, making it a go-to for riders prioritizing toughness and tuning flexibility over minimal weight.
Climb-focused pop — summit-smile
Geo-tuned stability — confidence-boost
Lightweight stomp — nimble laughs
Carbon frame layups balanced to deliver trail-capable stiffness without excessive weight
Around 140mm rear travel with modern trail geometry and options to tweak fit and handling
Climb-focused pop — summit-smile
Geo-tuned stability — confidence-boost
Lightweight stomp — nimble laughs
Carbon frame layups balanced to deliver trail-capable stiffness without excessive weight
Around 140mm rear travel with modern trail geometry and options to tweak fit and handling
$2,600-3,400 CAD
Knolly's Fugitive 138 frame is the boutique pick, known for a carefully engineered linkage that prioritizes active, efficient suspension behavior and precise handling on technical trails. While it is typically more costly and produced in smaller volumes than the other frames listed, its distinct kinematic character and race-oriented tuning give riders seeking high-performance trail specificity a technical edge over more mainstream aluminum frames.
138mm pop
Agile chassis
138mm pop
Agile chassis
Review Summary
"Users consistently applaud the Knolly Fugitive 138 for its efficient, confidence-inspiring four-bar suspension and excellent descending stability; common criticisms are higher weight, cost, and limited size/parts availability."
Rider-focused whoop
Alloy frame built around a 138mm rear travel design focused on lively, responsive trail handling.
Rider-focused whoop
Alloy frame built around a 138mm rear travel design focused on lively, responsive trail handling.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Knolly's Fugitive 138 frame is the boutique pick, known for a carefully engineered linkage that prioritizes active, efficient suspension behavior and precise handling on technical trails. While it is typically more costly and produced in smaller volumes than the other frames listed, its distinct kinematic character and race-oriented tuning give riders seeking high-performance trail specificity a technical edge over more mainstream aluminum frames.
138mm pop
Agile chassis
Rider-focused whoop
Alloy frame built around a 138mm rear travel design focused on lively, responsive trail handling.
Suspension kinematics tuned for traction and composure with a supportive leverage curve.
138mm pop
Agile chassis
Rider-focused whoop
Alloy frame built around a 138mm rear travel design focused on lively, responsive trail handling.
Suspension kinematics tuned for traction and composure with a supportive leverage curve.
$1,900-2,600 CAD
Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon Frame
Rocky Mountain's Altitude Carbon frame is a technically versatile trail platform with multi-position geometry adjustments and a carbon layup engineered for a balance of pedaling efficiency and descending traction. It stands out for in-house suspension and frame tuning that aim to retain climbability while opening up aggressive descending potential, positioning it as a refined alternative between Norco's rowdier focus and Devinci's more downhill-biased feel.
Chameleon geometry
Climb-smart pop
Chameleon geometry
Climb-smart pop
Review Summary
"The Altitude Carbon earns high marks for balanced handling, efficient pedaling, and well-executed adjustable geometry that suits mixed climbing and descending; complaints are mostly around price and occasional component builds rather than the frame itself."
Laser-descend focus
High-quality carbon layup tuned for an optimal strength-to-weight balance and controlled ride feel.
Laser-descend focus
High-quality carbon layup tuned for an optimal strength-to-weight balance and controlled ride feel.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Rocky Mountain's Altitude Carbon frame is a technically versatile trail platform with multi-position geometry adjustments and a carbon layup engineered for a balance of pedaling efficiency and descending traction. It stands out for in-house suspension and frame tuning that aim to retain climbability while opening up aggressive descending potential, positioning it as a refined alternative between Norco's rowdier focus and Devinci's more downhill-biased feel.
Chameleon geometry
Climb-smart pop
Laser-descend focus
High-quality carbon layup tuned for an optimal strength-to-weight balance and controlled ride feel.
Adjustable geometry via flip-chip and headset/shock options to fine-tune handling between slack and efficient modes.
Chameleon geometry
Climb-smart pop
Laser-descend focus
High-quality carbon layup tuned for an optimal strength-to-weight balance and controlled ride feel.
Adjustable geometry via flip-chip and headset/shock options to fine-tune handling between slack and efficient modes.
$3,200-4,200 CAD
Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon Frame
The Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon Frame is a premium, trail-oriented carbon frameset that accommodates coil or air shocks and emphasizes tunable geometry and high-stiffness layup for aggressive riding. It stands out for refined construction and adjustable handling that give it a technical edge over value-focused frames like the Norco and the more narrowly focused Forbidden, albeit often at a higher price point.
Efficient pedaling
Downhill command
Efficient pedaling
Downhill command
Review Summary
"Riders consistently highlight the Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon for its exceptional all-around trail capability, stiff accurate handling and excellent pedaling-to-descend balance; common criticisms are the high price and that optimal feel depends on precise setup."
Carbon-light grin
Full-carbon construction engineered for aggressive trail performance with ~150mm rear travel.
Carbon-light grin
Full-carbon construction engineered for aggressive trail performance with ~150mm rear travel.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon Frame is a premium, trail-oriented carbon frameset that accommodates coil or air shocks and emphasizes tunable geometry and high-stiffness layup for aggressive riding. It stands out for refined construction and adjustable handling that give it a technical edge over value-focused frames like the Norco and the more narrowly focused Forbidden, albeit often at a higher price point.
Efficient pedaling
Downhill command
Carbon-light grin
Full-carbon construction engineered for aggressive trail performance with ~150mm rear travel.
Designed to run coil or air shocks and optimized for platform damping and small-bump sensitivity.
Efficient pedaling
Downhill command
Carbon-light grin
Full-carbon construction engineered for aggressive trail performance with ~150mm rear travel.
Designed to run coil or air shocks and optimized for platform damping and small-bump sensitivity.
$3,200-4,800 CAD
Rocky Mountain Altitude Carbon Frame
The Altitude Carbon frameset is a stout, confidence-inspiring trail platform engineered for stability under load and rowdy descents, with a suspension layout that soaks up rough terrain when carrying gear. It stands out against nimbler options like the Horsethief by prioritizing downhill composure and chassis robustness, a tradeoff some bikepackers prefer when planning long, technical routes—albeit typically at a higher price point reflecting its heavier-duty construction.
Slack-descent power
Speed-stable ride
Slack-descent power
Speed-stable ride
Review Summary
"The Altitude is lauded for confident descending, adjustable geometry and pedaling efficiency, with reviewers valuing its durability; a number of users mention higher weight and price compared with some competitors."
Aggressive fun
Progressive, adjustable geometry that balances confident descending with efficient climbing while loaded.
Aggressive fun
Progressive, adjustable geometry that balances confident descending with efficient climbing while loaded.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Altitude Carbon frameset is a stout, confidence-inspiring trail platform engineered for stability under load and rowdy descents, with a suspension layout that soaks up rough terrain when carrying gear. It stands out against nimbler options like the Horsethief by prioritizing downhill composure and chassis robustness, a tradeoff some bikepackers prefer when planning long, technical routes—albeit typically at a higher price point reflecting its heavier-duty construction.
Slack-descent power
Speed-stable ride
Aggressive fun
Progressive, adjustable geometry that balances confident descending with efficient climbing while loaded.
Stiff carbon construction for precise handling with loaded racks or frame bags.
Slack-descent power
Speed-stable ride
Aggressive fun
Progressive, adjustable geometry that balances confident descending with efficient climbing while loaded.
Stiff carbon construction for precise handling with loaded racks or frame bags.
$3,000-4,000 CAD