"It certainly doesn't feel like a cross-country bike – it's not intended to – but it does have the pedaling potency that Rocky's bikes are quickly becoming known for...rear suspension is efficient, as expected, and it feels a lot like 130mm should feel; it's supple on top despite the on-power competence, but is much, much more forgiving than bikes sporting just 10mm less squish." - Mike Levy, Pinkbike Technical Editor

Pinkbike's Mike Levy was one of a select few journalists to get an advance look at our new Thunderbolt. Head over to Pinkbike to see the rest of his initial impressions. 

"When losing altitude, it’s so goddamn balanced, and holy crap does it grip. About two-thirds of the Altitude’s rear wheel travel is very active and linear. When setup with the quick rebound (like it should be), you can load the suspension into corners, achieve incredible grip, and then pop right back out without losing any speed. I know I can’t roost like Vanderham, but the Altitude makes me feel like I’m doing it exactly like him."

Bike Magazine's Ryan Palmer was one of a select few journalists to get an advance look at our new Altitude. Head over to Bike Mag to see the rest of his first impressions.

We're honoured to have two bikes selected to be in Bike Magazine's 2016 Bible of Bike Tests. Both the Altitude 770 MSL and the Thunderbolt 799 MSL were lauded by testers, and we're proud of how they stack up against the competition.

Altitude 770 MSL

"Compared to some of the other all-mountain bikes, it felt downright ethereal. This was refreshing and liberating when it came time to hump uphill, and the Altitude has the steep seat angle and clean suspension kinematics to hustle upward with an ease that will endear it to XC racers and all-day climbers alike. The absence of heft and sense of balance persisted when pointed downhill too, making for a nimble ride aided by neutral handling and an effective, supple suspension."

Full Round Table video, review, and Q&A here.

Thunderbolt 799 MSL

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We've been blown away by all the ladies ripping it up on the Thunderbolt, so for this year's Bible of Bike Tests we floated the idea of their women's bike testers evaluating it. We had them try the top-of-the-line 799 MSL model just to be cheeky, but don't worry: we make Thunderbolts across most price points.

"It “climbs like a cheetah on speed,” wrote one tester, while another noted: “This bike is built to go fast." (...) The XC-trail nature of the Thunderbolt was a perfect match for the Kingdom Trails network, which largely consists of buttery-smooth dirt ribbons twisting through tight trees, with an occasional root section mix in, and short, punchy climbs and descents. The 27.5-inch wheels, 16.6-inch chainstays and 44-inch wheelbase (size medium) no doubt aided in the Thunderbolt’s exceptional maneuverability through the forest mazes, and its rocket-like acceleration points to its astounding 25.5-pound weight. Testers also remarked that the bike descended with more authority than expected, with its 120 millimeters of rear travel feeling deeper than the number purports."

Full Round Table video, review, and Q&A here.

Bike Magazine's Brice Minnigh selected our Thunderbolt BC Edition as the platform for his 2016 "Dream Build."

"When it came to choosing my dream build, I approached the privilege as literally as I could: I picked the bike that had pervaded my dreams the most over the past year" said Brice. "And while a small handful of bikes have crept into my dream space in recent months, none of them have left such an indelible impression as the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 790 MSL BC Edition."

Read the full spec breakdown of Brice's Chromag-adorned Thunderbolt over on bikemag.com!

"Why did two of our editors pick the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 790 MSL BC Edition as their favorite of the 2015 Bible of Bike Tests? Well, for starters, because it climbs with the speed of a lightning bolt hurled by Zeus himself. And such spectacular displays of fireworks are aptly followed by the heavy rumble of thunder as it blasts through burly descents with all the power of a 6-inch-travel all-mountain bike."
— Bike Magazine, 2015 Bible of Bike Tests

Read the full review over on bikemag.com or in the January issue of Bike Magazine

With equipment we would trust to succeed in any enduro race, [the Altitude 770 MSL] creates an advantage due to technology — true to the motto "I am faster than you." — Enduro Mountainbike Magazine

Read the full review here.

Check out our Altitude Rally Edition bikes here.