A big year for Rocky Mountain, growth in the United States continues at 40% per year, impressive considering the market is flat. Sales in Europe also continue to grow and we are seeing strong interest in the new southern markets. Production facilities are again expanded and another CNC machine is purchased to keep up with production and to keep everything built in house. Even with our growth every bicycle continues to be produced in our Vancouver factory. In the same year our head engineer wins the prestigious gold award in the National Design Engineering Contest. "Ride the Difference" slogan is introduced.
Rocky Mountain introduces the first true "freeride" bicycle, the Pipeline. A mixture between DH and XC the Pipeline offers on the fly adjustability with 4"-6" of travel. Rocky Mountain also becomes the first company in the world to sponsor a professional "Freeride" team. Rocky Mountain sponsors the new Freeride movie Kranked and three riders, Richie Schley, Wade Simmons, and Brett Tippie astonish the world with a new riding which changes the industry.
Rocky Mountain Bicycles is bought over by Procycle Group, a well-established Canadian company. Rocky Mountain operated independently from Procycle, with all employees and operations continuing to be based at the Delta, BC manufacturing plant.
The Hammer Race is selected "Bike of the Year" by Mountain Biking magazine in California. Rocky Mountain begins to target the United States. Rocky Mountain's new and larger facilities allow for extra production capability. This was also the year that the first "3D link" design (Element Race) was introduced.
