Bike Reviews What Is Comparable to the Trek Pro Calibere 98?

Intro

When considering a new mount bike, in that location are so many like-looking bikes on the market beingness made by so many different companies, it is about impossible to (1) know where to begin; (2) speedily figure out which one or two products from a given make might work well for y'all; and (3) determine what products from other brands might be the about similar and also worth because.

In our "Blister Brand Guide" series, we provide an overview of the entire product lineup of a brand and highlight how each product stands out from the balance to assist you discover the best women's mountain bike or men's all-time mountain bike for you.

In our individual product reviews, we become very deep into the details of particular products. With these Brand Guides, the goal is not Depth, merely Breadth. Our Brand Guides and full reviews are designed to complement each other — provide a broad overview of unabridged company lineups, and and so also very detailed reviews of individual products.

Our mountain bike Brand Guides are presented by CBGTrails. Learn more and start planning your trip today at cbgtrails.com, then download the CBG Trails app for info on the 750+ miles of singletrack and 150+ trails in Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley, Colorado.

See our other MTB Brand Guides

Near Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain has been making mountain bikes since 1981. They also started Race Face Cycle Components in 1993. Since and so, both brands have had great success in the mount bike industry. Today, Rocky Mountain just makes mountain bikes, from cross-country to downhill options, and they offer certain models in both blend and carbon frames.

Rocky Mountain uses their "Ride-9" system, which consists of two flip chips that permit for ix different geometry positions on many of Rocky's full-suspension bikes. Irresolute the Ride-ix position also slightly tweaks the pause rate. They also apply Ride-iv, a similar system with merely 4 positions.  All full-break Rocky Mount bikes (except the Thunderbolt) also feature a size-specific shock tune, pregnant that smaller size bikes get lighter-weight-oriented tunes, and vice versa.

For model-year 2021, Rocky Mountain added ii new bikes and has discontinued their XC hardtail, Vertex. Info on the Vertex can be constitute in our 2020 Rocky Mountain Bike Brand Guide.

They are currently based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Current Warranty (for the original owner)

• V yr warranty for all carbon fiber and aluminum mountain bicycle frames
• One yr for pigment, decals, and frame hardware
• 6 months for pivots and bushings
• For more information, visit Rocky Mount.

Rocky Mountain's suspension design: Smoothlink

(For more on dissimilar pause designs, run across our Suspension 101 commodity)

Build Options: Where to Spend & Where to Salvage Your Money?

Before nosotros get into their specific models and build options, here are some things to keep in mind when deciding on which build level to go with, and why.

Kickoff, when looking at complete bikes, interruption and wheels are going to make the biggest deviation in how a bike actually rides. Spend money on those before other things like higher-end drivetrain parts, cockpit parts (e.yard., stem, handlebars, etc.), cranks, etc.

Tires brand an enormous difference in functioning, but are cheaper and easier to upgrade, peculiarly since they tend to wear downwards quicker than other components. Upgrading a lower-cease front tire to something amend — and saving the original for rear-tire utilize — tin be a good way to improve a bike while notwithstanding making use of the originals, since front tires are by and large a lot more important than rear tires when information technology comes to traction.

Drivetrain parts can be upgraded piecemeal every bit they habiliment out, or if you simply desire to upgrade down the line. Higher-end cassettes are mostly just lighter, while higher-end shifters and derailleurs go lighter, smoother, and sometimes last a chip longer as you go up in price.

How to Use our Blister Brand Guide

Nosotros'll outline here the different models in Rocky Mount's MTB lineup, organized from about cross-land-oriented (XC) to downhill-oriented (DH). In other words, the bikes at the top of the list are optimized to pedal and climb uphill very well, while the bikes at the bottom are optimized to handle very rough, steep, and challenging descents very well.

We've included some notable data for each model:

Available build kits & their MSRP

• Best Budget Build: These are the build kits that we call back make the nigh sense for people trying to spend the to the lowest degree amount without catastrophe upward with a build that's going to immediately suspension or need to exist upgraded.
• Most Functioning for the Price: These are the build kits that we call up brand the most sense for people seeking the best remainder of functioning and cost. I.eastward., if you don't need to go the cheapest bike, but yous likewise don't need the absolute lightest bike or all the newest bling, this is the build we recall makes sense for you.

• Suspension travel (e.g., 100 mm of travel, 130 mm of travel, etc.)
• Bike size (e.g., 27.5", 27.5+, 29")
• Frame cloth options (eastward.chiliad., blend vs. carbon)
• A cursory description of what the cycle was designed for and any notable pattern details.
• Some of the wheel'southward most directly competitors from other brands
• Which Rocky Mountain bike it'southward most similar to
• Reasons why y'all should purchase it
• Reasons why y'all should not buy it

Rocky Mount's Mountain Bikes

(Most Cantankerous-Country-Oriented to Most Downhill-Oriented)

Rocky Mount Fusion

Geometry

• Front: 100 mm
• Rear: Hardtail
• 29″
• Alloy

Rocky Mountain'south entry-level sport 90 bicycle (i.due east., not racing oriented), ideal for beginners or those who prioritize depression price over meridian-of-the-line components, low weight, and functioning.

Consider If:

• Yous are a beginner looking to get into the sport
• You plan to ride mellow, shine trails
• You are looking for a wheel that could double as a commuter
• You are on a upkeep

Don't Bother If:

• Yous plan on riding steep, technical, and bumpy trails
• Yous want a bike that is forgiving on descents
• You are willing to spend some more money for more overall performance

Build Kits

• ten: $749
• 30: $899
• 40: $1,199 – Best Budget Build & Most Performance for the Price

Most Similar Bikes from Other Brands

• Specialized Chisel
• Scott Aspect
• Kona Kahuna
• Expedition X-Caliber

Rocky Mountain Soul

Geometry

• Front end: 120 mm
• Rear: Hardtail
• 27.five″
• Blend

This entry-level Trail hardtail is a solid pick for beginners on a tight budget looking for 27.5" wheels.

More like the Fusion than the Element.

Consider If:

• You are a beginner looking to get into the sport
• You program to ride mellow, smooth trails
• Y'all are looking for a bicycle that could double as a driver
• You are on a upkeep

Don't Bother If:

• You plan on riding steep, technical, and bumpy trails
• You like a bike that is forgiving on descents
• You are willing to spend some more money for more overall functioning

Build Kits

• x: $749
• xx: $839 – Best Upkeep Build & Most Performance for the Price

Most Similar Bikes from Other Brands

• Specialized Fuse 27.5"
• Kona Fire Mountain

Rocky Mountain Element

Geometry

• Forepart: 100-120 mm
• Rear: 100 mm
• 29″
• Carbon

A full-suspension 90 bike that features Ride-9 geometry aligning arrangement. The XCO edition features a 100 mm fork along with a more XC-oriented build kit. Other kits feature a 120 mm fork.

More similar the Growler than the Soul.

Consider If:

• Y'all like a total-suspension wheel that climbs well
• You want a full-intermission XC bike with many geometry settings
• You race or ride cross-country fashion on bumpy, steep, and technical trails

Don't Bother If:

• You often ride very steep, fast, technical, bumpy trails
• Y'all like a bike that is more forgiving on descents than it is a good climber

Build Kits

• 50: $iv,599 – All-time Budget Build
• lxx: $v,799 – Most Performance for the Price
• seventy XCO Edition: $6,199
• 90: $7,499
• Frameset: $2,899

Most Like Bikes from Other Brands

• Specialized Ballsy & Epic EVO
• Santa Cruz Blur
• Trek Peak Fuel
• Pivot Mach 4 SL
• Giant Canticle 29 & Trance Advanced Pro 29
• Kona Hei Hei
• Scott Spark & Spark RC
• Intense Sniper Ninety & Sniper Trail
• Norco Revolver FS 100 & Revolver FS 120
• Cannondale Scalpel & Scalpel SE
• Mondraker F-Podium & F-Podium DC

Rocky Mountain Growler

Geometry

• Front end: 130-150 mm
• Rear: Hardtail
• 29″+
• Alloy

The Growler tin can inspire confidence on loose trails thanks to its wide ii.6" ten 29″ tires. It comes with a 130 mm fork on the "20" build, a 140 mm fork on the "forty" build, and a 150 mm fork on the "50" build. This bike is a nifty choice for beginners and those on a tight budget who want something with higher-stop components and more downhill-capable geometry than the Fusion and Soul.

More like the Thunderbolt than the Chemical element.

Consider If:

• You capeesh hardtails, merely want one that has slightly more than aggressive geometry
• You are a beginner looking for a conviction-inspiring bike
• Y'all ride trails that take loose surfaces
• You are on a budget

Don't Carp If:

• You ofttimes ride very steep, fast, technical, bumpy trails
• You similar a wheel that is more than forgiving on descents than information technology is a proficient climber
• You are looking for a lightweight, Ninety race-style hardtail
• You are willing to spend more than money for more than overall performance

Build Kits

• xx: $999
• 40: $i,599
• 50: $1,999 – Best Budget Build & Virtually Operation for the Price

Most Similar Bikes from Other Brands

• Santa Cruz Chameleon 27.5"+
• Kona Big Honzo
• Devinci Kobain HT
• Giant Fathom 29
• Canyon Stoic

Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt

Geometry

• Forepart: 150 mm
• Rear: 140 mm
• 27.5″
• Alloy

This bike is designed to be a quick and nimble option for those on a budget looking for a exercise-it-all, full-pause trail wheel. Comes with Ride-9 aligning and can run 26"+ wheels and tires.

More than like the Instinct than the Growler.

Consider If:

• The trails you ride are somewhat bumpy, steep, fast, and technical
• You are looking for a well-balanced bike in terms of climbing and descending
• You desire a bike that has quick and nimble handling
• You are on a upkeep

Don't Bother If:

• You ride trails that are mostly flat and smooth
• Yous are looking for a wheel that climbs uncommonly well
• You are willing to sacrifice climbing efficiency for a bike that absolutely crushes descents

Build Kits

• Blend x: $2,199
• Alloy 30: $2,499 – All-time Budget Build & About Performance for the Price

Most Like Bikes from Other Brands

• Giant Trance
• Kona Process 134 27.five
• Ibis Mojo
• Trek Remedy
• Evil The Calling
• Transition Scout
• Intense Primer 27.5
• Devinci Troy 27

Rocky Mountain Instinct

Geometry

• Front: 150 mm
• Rear: 140 mm
• 27.5" (sizes XS and Due south) or 29" (sizes Southward-40)
• Carbon or Alloy

Released March 2021, the new Instinct is Rocky Mountain's all-time Quiver Killer. The updated Instinct has longer and slacker geometry, and has updated suspension kinematics. This bike shares the same frame as the Altitude with a different front shock mount. Features Ride-ix geometry adjustment system and x mm of chainstay length adjustment.

More like the Altitude than the Thunderbolt.

Consider If:

• You lot're looking for a do-it-all Trail bike
• You capeesh a good, fast, technical, and / or steep descent, and are willing to climb for it
• You ride a mix of terrain and styles
• You like a bike that is well-rounded in terms of climbing and descending

Don't Bother If:

• The trails you ride are more often than not smooth and flat
• You lot want a bike that absolutely crushes descents and are willing to cede some climbing efficiency
• You want an Xc-style full-suspension bike that climbs very well

Build Kits

• Blend 30: $3,129 – All-time Budget Build
• Alloy 50: $4,499
• Carbon 30: $four,499
• Carbon 50: $five,549
• Carbon 70: $vi,899 – Near Performance for the Price
• Carbon 70 Coil Edition: $7,629
• Carbon 90: $9,399
• Carbon 99: $10,449
• Carbon Frameset: $iii,549

Most Similar Bikes from Other Brands

• Specialized Stumpjumper
• Expedition Fuel EX
• Santa Cruz Hightower
• Yeti SB130
• Pin Switchblade
• Kona Process 134 29
• Commencal Meta TR
• Behemothic Trance X 29
• Intense Primer 29
• YT Jeffsy 29
• Norco Sight 29
• Devinci Troy 29
• Evil The Offering
• Scott Genius
• Cannondale Habit
• Revel Rascal
• Canyon Strive
• Ibis Ripmo & Ripmo AF

Rocky Mountain Altitude

Geometry

• Front: 170 mm
• Rear: 160 mm
• 27.5" (sizes S & K) or 29" (sizes K-XL)
• Carbon or Blend

Rocky Mount's Enduro race bike. Updated for the 2021 lineup, the Distance got more travel, rolls on either 27.v" or 29" wheels, got more progressive geometry, and received updated pause kinematics. Features Ride-9 geometry adjustment system and 10 mm of chainstay adjustment.

More similar the Instinct than the Slayer.

Consider If:

• Y'all want a cycle that is capable and forgiving on the descents
• You savour pushing your limits on steep, mesomorphic terrain
• You race Enduro, like to shuttle to the summit of descents, and / or ride elevator-served terrain

Don't Bother If:

• You ride generally shine and flat trails
• You are looking for an XC-style bike that climbs very well
• You want more of a freeride-mode bike, rather than an enduro racer

Build Kits

• Blend 30: $3,649 – Best Budget Build
• Blend l: $iv,489
• Alloy 70: $5,479 – Most Performance for the Toll
• Carbon l: $5,739
• Carbon 70: $7,329
• Carbon 70 Coil Edition: $7,329
• Carbon ninety Rally Edition: $ix,499
• Carbon 99: $10,449
• Carbon frameset: $3,859

Most Similar Bikes from Other Brands

• Specialized Enduro
• Trek Remedy & Slash
• Pivot Mach 6 & Firebird 29
• Santa Cruz Bronson & Megatower
• Yeti SB150
• Giant Reign 29
• Intense Carbine
• Nukeproof Mega
• Devinci Spartan
• Scott Ransom
• Mondraker Superfoxy
• Kona Process X
• YT Capra
• Norco Sight
• Canyon Spectral
• Evil The Wreckoning

Rocky Mountain Slayer

Geometry

• Front: 180 mm (27.5"), 170 mm (29"), or 200 mm (Park Edition)
• Rear: 180 mm (27.5″) or 170 mm (29″)
• 27.five" (sizes S & Chiliad) or 29" (sizes M-XL)
• Carbon or Alloy

Rocky Mount's virtually downhill-capable bike. Updated for 2020, this wheel got longer and slacker in add-on to some changes to the suspension kinematics. Features Ride-four adjustment organization. There is also the "Park Edition" build of the Slayer, which comes with a dual-crown fork.

Consider If:

• You want a bike that is capable and forgiving on the descents
• You like to shuttle to the top of descents, and / or ride elevator-served terrain
• You lot enjoy pushing your limits on fast, steep, mesomorphic, and technical terrain
• You ride trails that are steep, fast, mesomorphic, and/or accept large jumps

Don't Bother If:

• You ride generally smooth and apartment trails
• Y'all are looking for an Ninety-style bicycle that climbs very well
• You want an enduro racer, rather than a freeride bicycle

Build Kits

• Alloy xxx: $three,759 – All-time Budget Build
• Blend 30 Park Edition: $four,279
• Alloy 50: $iv,599
• Carbon l: $5,539
• Carbon 70: $6,789 – Most Operation for the Cost
• Carbon 90: $viii,359
• Carbon frameset: $3,239

Most Similar Bikes from Other Brands

• Santa Cruz Nomad
• Yeti SB165
• Commencal Disharmonism
• Revel Rail
• Transition Patrol
• Nukeproof Giga
• Norco Range
• Canyon Torque
• Mondraker Dune, & Dune Carbon XR

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Source: https://blisterreview.com/gear-reviews/mountain-bike-reviews/blister-brand-guide-rocky-mountains-mountain-bike-lineup-2021

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