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05/16/2008
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First Look: The 2004 Rocky Mountain RMX
Years of refining an old favourite have created an
all-new bike for the freeride crowd
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Words by Corey Anderson
The year just turned 2000. The world never blew up, computers never crashed
and the lights never went out. And there were bikes. Lots of them. Suspension
bikes were on the cusp of taking over showroom floors in bike shops all over
the world, and bike suspension designs were as creative as ever. One bike in
particular was generating a lot of talk and interest, with prototypes being
spotted under the then "Fro-riders" on trails in North Van and in
the videos. One of the standouts was Vancouver-based Rocky
Mountain's RM-6.
The moto-looking RM-6 was one of the first single pivot swingarm
type bikes to hit the market. It was at this time I did what my friends and
family thought was insane, and took out a loan to purchase myself a new bike.
I landed myself one of the first production RM-6 bikes, intercepting it before
it even hit the showroom floor. The original bike was available in both freeride
and DH builds, constructed with a beefy skeleton of Easton RAD tubing, boasting
6 inches of travel via Rocky's "Thrust Link" suspension design (a
unique linkage actuated by the swingarm driving the rear shock).
With top freeride Jedis Wade Simmons, Brett Tippie and Ritchey
Schley piloting these rigs off of things that at that time seemed impossible,
the RM-6 rose to almost immediate fame. Its popularity was such that you could
pretty much see one each time you went for a rip on the legendary trails in
North Van.
As hot as it was, the initial design began to develop a few issues
that were exaggerated by the harsh wet and muddy conditions on the Shore. The
degradation of rear suspension integrity drove further development in regards
to the pivot materials and frame design and brought a new "RM" series
bike each year since.
What began with bushings evolved to needle bearings, beefier frame
components right up to a one piece CNC'd bottom bracket and main pivot frame
section. The ride characteristics of the bike kept it popular, and it continued
to hold some serious time in the spotlight with the continued skill and flow
put forth by the Rocky Team riders.
Things came to a T with the then-RM-7 design when the sport began
to really challenge the design of the bike. When the top-dogs began to run into
problems at the progressive Red Bull Freeride competitions, events that have
arguably changed the face of freeriding, a massive overhaul was put in the works.
Enter the RMX.
The all-new RMX Team, sexy and black from front to back - Photo:
Corey Anderson
Rumours were already circulating of a new RM bike on the go before
it was debuted at the Marzocchi conference at Whistler in 2003. The all-new
RMX had been born. Its design confirmed all rumours and hinted that the engineers
and design team at Rocky hadn't been getting a whole lot of rest while redefining
the company's flagship ride.
Rocky kept the layout and geometry as close as possible to a bike
that had proven to be both high performance and in high demand. But that's about
all they kept.
The front triangle got a facelift. A 44.5mm diameter headtube
is mated to a massive Easton RAD downtube acting as the backbone for a series
of graciously formed, cut and bent tubing. The plates that used to double as
both frame and shock mounts have been replaced with beefy tubing and a stout,
dedicated shock mount.
Beefed up linkage for more travel, courtesy
of the Thrust Link
Photo: Corey Anderson
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They are pushed farther forward to accommodate the massive 8.75"
x 2.75" rear damper (the shock make and model varies with each model
of the RMX).
The longer stroke shock and overall greater size accomplishes two important
things that shine on the RMX; more travel, now a full 8", and a plush
low leverage ratio of 2.9:1.
Combined with the progressive nature of the Thrust Link, the rear end
is designed to shred small bumps right up to Red Bullesque hits.
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The beefy main pivot retains the needle bearings of the RM-7,but now features
a grease injection fitting for easy lubing and maintenance to keep it running
smooth. The Thrust Link has been completely redesigned, and spans a solid 3"
at its widest point. Everything has been built big to house oversize sealed cartridge
bearings and provide a degree of lateral stiffness that did not exist in previous
models.
The swingarm has also been beefed up, most notably in the yoke
area. This allows greater tire clearance, a more rigid ride and gives heavy-hitters
more confidence.
For full geometry specifications, check out the Rocky
site.
RMX-Team
The good folks at Rocky Mountain bikes were kind enough to throw us a sort-of,
pre-production RMX Team. It is the same frame as the production bike in both
size (medium), suspension components (front and rear) and geometry, but the
build is somewhat unique and does not feature all of the goodies that the production
model will.
Having spent just over two years on both my 2000 and 2001 RM-6
bikes, I had become more than comfortable with the RM bikes of the past. Though
it has been several years since I have spent any time on one, the feel of the
bike came back to me almost instantaneously when I threw my leg over the RMX.
Flying through the air on the RMX Team - as easy as it looks
Time is the ultimate test. The plan is to be ripping on this bike
for about two months. This will allow enough time to get a good feel for how
it rides and to try it with both the Manitou Swinger rear shock that comes with
the Team model and the Fox ProPedal RC that comes on the Wade Simmons signature
ride. It also allows a chance to get an idea of longer-term durability.
Check back at nsmb.com in a few more weeks to read "RMX Part
Deux" to see how all of the refinements translate in the dirt.
Corey Anderson
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