A full-suspension cross-country model from Rocky Mountain, the Element is evolving towards a fairly “unbridled” version of XC. If the model was originally equipped with 100 mm of travel, the previous generation increased its travel to 120/130 mm. With this 2025 version, the Canadian brand is playing on perfecting its chassis, which is lighter without losing any of its fun vocation. Explanations:
Maintaining the philosophy while perfecting its chassis, that’s Rocky Mountain’s mission on this Element! A full-suspension cross-country model, the Element had been oriented “downcountry” by the Canadian brand during its last update in 2021. Rocky Mountain’s objective was clearly stated: “ find the right balance between lightness on climbs and efficiency on descents. The idea is to be able to go up quickly and go down even faster » and this 2025 version shares the spirit.
The Rocky Mountain retains its 130/120 mm front/rear travel, with the exception of the luxurious “Carbon 99” version.
The Rocky Mountain retains its front/rear travel of 130/120 mm, with the exception of the luxurious “Carbon 99” version equipped with RockShox SID/SidLuxe Flight Attendant electronic suspensions in 120 mm. If you are looking for the version of the Rocky Mountain Element best suited to cross-country competition, this is undoubtedly the one you should turn to. For others with more committed practices and/or looking for a more versatile bike, two other versions (C70 and C30) are offered by the brand.
If the frame was already entirely made of carbon, a change in size should be noted on the rear triangle side. Rocky Mountain has abandoned the traditional pivot point on bearings, in favor of a flexible stay system, called Smoothlink SL by the brand. “ By renouncing the traditional pivot, not only do we remove weight (350g), but we also improve the rigidity of the rear triangle », Explains the brand. No aluminum version appears in the catalog.
In terms of practical details, the frame is equipped with an internal passage for the sheaths whose entry is at the top of the diagonal tube, a Sram UDH derailleur hanger (read universal) or even a a fixing under the upper tube.
Kidney to note in terms of geometry, Rocky Mountain has retained the dimensions that we found on the previous generation. As a reminder, in size M and neutral position, the Element has a head angle of 65.5°, a seat tube angle of 76.5°, a reach of 455 mm and chainstays of 435 mm. Note that the bike is equipped with 27.5″ wheels in size XS, and 29″ for the rest of the sizes. We see, we are in a fairly radical version of XC, and we can even clearly move towards all-mountain and more committed outings.
The Rocky Mountain Element also retains the brand’s own RIDE-4 system (derived from the RIDE-9 system, found on the Instinct and Altitude). This allows you to adjust the geometry by varying the steering angle and the seat tube angle (+- 0.8°), as well as the reach (+-8 mm).
Three versions are planned in the brand’s catalog, we do not have prices at this stage:
The Rocky Mountain Element Carbon 99 which illustrates this article and which is intended more for an XC program in the literal sense of the name. It is equipped as follows:
- RockShox SID/SIDLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant fork and shock with 120mm travel
- Transmission Sram XX
- Sram Level Ultimate Stealth 4-piston brakes
- Roues DT Swiss XRC 1501 carbone
In a more “downcountry” oriented philosophy, theElement 70 is equipped as follows:
- Fox 34 Performance fork and Fox Float Performance shock
- Transmission Sram GX AXS
- Sram Level Bronze Stealth 4-piston brakes
- RaceFace Arc 27 Wheels
A more accessible version (Element Carbon 30) should also quickly appear in the catalog, with a technical sheet which should look like this:
- Marzocchi Z2 Float fork and Fox Float Performance shock
- Transmission Shimano XT
- Freins Shimano MT4120
- Roues WTB KOM Team i27
This is enough to pique our curiosity! It is not impossible that we attempt to climb this Element during the winter, and we will not fail to share all of this with you if the opportunity arises.
For more information: https://bikes.com/fr-intl/collections/element
