2018
Introducing the new Instinct and Instinct BC Edition
Stable and aggressive, the Instinct is our most versatile trail bike.
With 29" wheels and a wide range of RIDE-9™ adjustments, the all new Instinct is available in both carbon and alloy models. An all-new frame for 2018 pushes the rear travel to 140mm, increasing stiffness and tweaking the suspension kinematics. Despite the increase in travel, the new frame has noticeably more efficient pedaling, with better small-bump sensitivity and a host of next-generation features.
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In the same family, born in BC, we’ve turned the Instinct BC Edition into an aggressive trail monster.
Designed with an optimized link and long stroke shock that provide 155mm of rear travel and ultra-aggressive geometry, we’ve kitted out the Instinct BC Edition with wide bars, big tires, ultra-stiff wheels, and more capable suspension. It smashes all mountain lines, rails corners, and plows over everything in sight, while displaying all the climbing efficiency that makes the Instinct a crowd favourite.
Please head to your local Rocky Mountain Bicycles Dealer to order your new Instinct or Instinct BC Edition.
“I can't believe how much fun I've had riding the new Instinct. I was blown away by how effortlessly the bike carries speed, while improvements to the geometry and stiffness keep it nimble and stable. The Instinct has handled every type of terrain I've thrown at it and even opened up new lines for me on trails I've been riding for over a decade." - Thomas Vanderham
INSTINCT
Intended Use: Trail
Wheel Size: 29" (27.5+ ready)
Front Travel: 140mm
Rear Travel: 140mm
INSTINCT BC EDITION
Intended Use: Aggressive Trail
Wheel Size: 29" (27.5+ ready)
Front Travel: 160mm
Rear Travel: 155mm
Improved suspension performance
We’ve increased overall progression and support at sag, while making small-bump performance even more sensitive. Higher anti-squat values dramatically improve pedaling efficiency.
Next generation features
Comprehensive evolutionary updates across the platform include features like tooled axles, singlesided bearing pivots, integrated “Spirit Guide” chainguide, boost spacing, and metric shock compatibility.
Updated RIDE-9™
Our RIDE-9™ system provides a wide range of geometry and suspension adjustability; it has been moved into the link for lighter, narrower packaging. Instinct BC Edition, with its increased travel, comes with a single mounting position in its link to provide the best balance of travel and geometry.
Progressive geometry
To add control and descending capability, we’ve increased reach, slackened the headtube angle, and lowered the bottom bracket. We’ve significantly shortened the chain stays to improve agility and used a moderately steep seat tube for efficient climbing performance.
Technical Details
- Increased anti-squat for better pedaling efficiency
- 29” Wide Trail and 27.5+ compatible
- Max tire clearance is 29 x 2.6, and 27.5 x 2.8 (3.0 with low profile knobs)
- Bearings at all pivots, including at lower shock mount (compatible with aftermarket shocks as well)
- Blind pivots maximize heel clearance
- Lighter, tooled rear axle
- All Instinct models include the FSA extend-O-matic headset. The bike ships with a second (taller) headset bottom cup, which allows the rider to opt for 27.5+ wheels without negatively affecting handling, and no fork swap is required.
- Improved cable management: large headtube ports, full shift housing, large downtube access port, and internal shift and brake housing within the front triangle
- Future-proofed to be compatible with Di2, Fox Live, and a dropper post simultaneously
- Seat-tube lengths have been adjusted to accommodate longer dropper posts at maximum insertion.
- Chainstay and downtube protectors. *Due to production delays, the initial shipment of 2018 Pipelines will not include chainstay and downtube protectors. They will be shipped to shops as soon as they’re available. The October shipment will have them installed.
- Integrated “Spirit Guide” chainguide, with 2-bolt ISCG05
- BC Edition features a dedicated link delivering 155mm of travel and fixed geometry
- 1x optimized design with wider main pivot
- Lower standover height
- Significantly stiffer thanks to one-piece seat stays, new envelope, and updated layup (47.7% more lateral stiffness)
- Modern parts compatibility (boost spacing, metric shock lengths, post-mount 180mm brakes, etc.)
- All sizes fit a water bottle in the front triangle, even with a reservoir shock
- Sizes: S-XL
- Weight:
- Frame & shock: 5.09lb (2310g), size Medium
- Frame & shock: 5.62lb (2550g), size Medium, Instinct BC Ed.
- Protectors, chainguide, & axle: 0.57lb (260g)
- Instinct Carbon 70 complete: 27.4lb (12.4kg), size Medium
- Instinct Carbon 90 BC Edition complete: 29.5lb (13.4kg), size Medium
Please note:
We have a new naming convention In the interest of describing our lineup more clearly, we’ve updated our naming conventions. What used to be called Instinct 970 MSL is now Instinct Carbon 70, and what used to be called Instinct 950 is now Instinct Alloy 50. The Instinct still uses high-quality Smoothwall carbon and FORM alloy frames, and higher spec numbers still indicate higher end specs.


Limited quantities and sizes available from August 24th. General availability from mid to late October. Please head to your local Rocky Mountain dealer to pre-order. Regional availability may vary.
See the full line-up here with complete details.
Introducing the new Pipeline
The all-new Pipeline combines the confidence of plus-sized tires in raw, technical terrain with an aggressive trail chassis.
An all-new 2018 Pipeline frame pushes the rear travel to 140mm, increases stiffness, adjusts the suspension kinematics for more efficient pedaling and better small-bump sensitivity, and gives the frame a host of next-generation features. Available in both carbon and alloy models, the Pipeline plows through greasy roots and square-edged chunder with authority, while providing near limitless traction on rocky, slippery climbs.
Please head to your local Rocky Mountain Bicycles Dealer to order your new Pipeline.
“With its plus tires, the Pipeline lets my imagination run wild with what is possible on the trails. It allows me to do all of the crazy things that I can think of." - Jesse Melamed
Intended Use: Aggressive Trail
Wheel Size: 27.5+ (29" ready)
Front Travel: 140mm
Rear Travel: 140mm
Improved suspension performance
We’ve increased overall progression and support at sag, while making small-bump performance even more sensitive. Higher anti-squat values dramatically improve pedaling efficiency.
Next generation features
Comprehensive evolutionary updates across the platform include features like tooled axles, singlesided bearing pivots, integrated “Spirit Guide” chainguide, boost spacing, and metric shock compatibility.
Updated RIDE-9™
Our RIDE-9™ system provides a wide range of geometry and suspension adjustability; it has been moved into the link for lighter, narrower packaging.
Progressive geometry
To add control and descending capability, we’ve increased reach, slackened the headtube angle, and lowered the bottom bracket. We’ve significantly shortened the chain stays to improve agility and used a moderately steep seat tube for efficient climbing performance.
Technical Details
- Increased anti-squat for better pedaling efficiency
- 27.5+ and 29" Wide Trail compatible
- Max tire clearance is 27.5 x 2.8 (3.0 with low profile knobs) and 29 x 2.6
- Bearings at all pivots, including at lower shock mount (compatible with aftermarket shocks as well)
- Blind pivots maximize heel clearance
- Lighter, tooled rear axle
- All Pipeline models include the FSA extend-O-matic headset. The bike ships with a second (shorter) headset bottom cup, which allows the rider to opt for 29" wheels without negatively affecting handling, and no fork swap is required.
- Improved cable management: large headtube ports, full shift housing, large downtube access port, and internal shift and brake housing within the front triangle
- Future-proofed to be compatible with Di2, Fox Live, and a dropper post simultaneously
- Seat-tube lengths have been adjusted to accommodate longer dropper posts at maximum insertion.
- Chainstay and downtube protectors. *Due to production delays, the initial shipment of 2018 Pipelines will not include chainstay and downtube protectors. They will be shipped to shops as soon as they’re available. The October shipment will have them installed.
- Integrated “Spirit Guide” chainguide, with 2-bolt ISCG05
- 1x optimized design with wider main pivot
- Lower standover height
- Significantly stiffer thanks to one-piece seat stays, new envelope, and updated layup (47.7% more lateral stiffness)
- Modern parts compatibility (boost spacing, metric shock lengths, post-mount 180mm brakes, etc.)
- All sizes fit a water bottle in the front triangle, even with a reservoir shock
- Sizes: S-XL
- Weight:
- Frame & shock: 5.09lb (2310g), size Medium
- Protectors, chainguide, & axle: 0.57lb (260g)
- Pipeline Carbon 70 complete: 29.1lb (13.2kg), size Medium
Please note:
We have a new naming convention In the interest of describing our lineup more clearly, we’ve updated our naming conventions. What used to be called Pipeline 950 MSL is now Pipeline Carbon 50, and what used to be called Pipeline 950 is now Pipeline Alloy 50. The Pipeline still uses high-quality Smoothwall carbon and FORM alloy frames, and higher spec numbers still indicate higher end specs.



Limited quantities and sizes available from August 24th. General availability from mid to late October. Please head to your local Rocky Mountain Bicycles dealer to pre-order. Regional availability may vary.
See the full line-up here with complete details. Check out the full list of models with specs and geometry.
The new Altitude is here
Taking trail to new heights. Often imitated but never surpassed, the all-new Altitude pushes the envelope of what a modern trail bike is capable of.
For 2018 we've designed an all-new frame to increase stiffness, improve pedaling efficiency and small-bump sensitivity, and include a host of next-generation features. Now available in both carbon and alloy models, the Altitude allows for a wide range of RIDE-9™ adjustments to tackle any terrain—from technical BC loam, to clapped out EWS tracks, flowy New Zealand jumps, and Moab slickrock singletrack.
"The Altitude has always been my go-to, do-everything bike, from technical climbs here on the North Shore to burly descents in the Italian Alps. This new one improves everything I love about the bike—it’s smoother, stiffer, lower, slacker, quieter, and nails all the little details. Just like this old freerider, the Altitude gets better with age!” — Wade Simmons
Intended Use: Aggressive Trail Wheel Size: 27.5 Wide Trail Front Travel: 160mm Rear Travel: 150mm

Improved suspension performance
We’ve increased overall progression and support at sag, while making small-bump performance even more sensitive. Higher anti-squat values dramatically improve pedaling efficiency.
Next generation features
Comprehensive evolutionary updates across the platform include features like tooled axles, single-sided bearing pivots, integrated “spirit guide” chainguide, boost spacing, and metric shock compatibility.
Updated Ride-9™
Our Ride-9™ system provides a wide range of geometry and suspension adjustability; it has been moved into the link for lighter, narrower packaging.
Progressive geometry
To add control and descending capability, we’ve increased reach, slackened the headtube angle, and lowered the bottom bracket. We’ve retained short chainstays to keep the bike agile, and used a moderately steep seattube for efficient climbing performance.
Technical Details:
- Increased anti-squat for better pedaling efficiency
- 27.5” Wide Trail and 26+ compatible
- Bearings at all pivots, including at lower shock mount (compatible with aftermarket shocks as well)
- Blind pivots maximize heel clearance
- Lighter, tooled rear axle
- Improved cable management: large headtube ports, full shift housing, large downtube access port, and internal shift and brake housing within the front triangle
- Future-proofed to be compatible with Di2, Fox Live, and a dropper post simultaneously
- Seat-tube lengths have been adjusted to accommodate longer dropper posts at maximum insertion.
- Chainstay and downtube protectors. *Due to production delays, the initial shipment of 2018 Altitudes will not include downtube protectors. They will be shipped to shops as soon as they’re ready.
- Integrated “Spirit Guide” chainguide, with 2-bolt ISCG05
- 1x only
- Lower standover height
- Significantly stiffer thanks to one-piece seatstay, new envelope, and updated layup (25% more lateral stiffness)
- Modern parts compatibility (boost spacing, metric shock lengths, post-mount 180mm brakes, etc.)
- All sizes fit a water bottle in front triangle, even with a reservoir shock
- Sizes: XS-XL
- Weight:
- Frame & shock: 5.45lb (2470g), size Medium
- Protectors, chainguide, & axle: 0.57lb (260g)
- Altitude Carbon 90 & Carbon 70 complete: 28.4lb (12.88kg), size Medium
Naming: In the interest of describing our lineup more clearly, we’ve updated our naming conventions. What used to be called Altitude 790 MSL is now Altitude Carbon 90, and what used to be called Altitude 750 is now Altitude Alloy 50. The Altitude still uses high-quality Smoothwall carbon and FORM alloy frames, and higher spec-numbers still indicate higher end specs.
Rider: Vaea Verbeeck Photo: Margus Riga Location: Sunshine Coast, BC Rider: Remi Gauvin Photo: Dave Trumpore Location: Derby, Tasmania Rider: Carson Storch Photo: Tyler Roemer Location: Queentown, New Zealand Rider: Wade Simmons Photo: Brian Vernor Location: Los Angeles, CaliforniaSelect models and sizes available from May 15th. Regional availability may vary.