1997 Rocky Mountain Element Race - Updated 22/3/10

[Tallpaul]

BACKGROUND

Secured with help from Anthony. Basically original spec except for Race Face Cranks, Flite Saddle and some tyres that were too wide. It was in very good condition, even the elastomers in the Indy SL's still worked. Here is how it looked when I received it:

Here the original catalogue image (thanks FluffyChicken):

The bike wasn't setup how I'd like it, so I sourced some NOS mid-school RaceFace components and tweaked the cockpit to a more comfortable/rideable fit. Also, I hate Gripshift so I ditched the X-Rays in favour of some XT M740 shifters. I upgraded the cassette and chain while I was at it, to ensure the gear-change was as crisp as possible.

SPECIFICATION

Frame: 1997 Rocky Mountain Element Race

Rear Shock: Fox Vanilla

Fork: Rock Shox Indy XC (Long Travel)

Headset: Ritchey Logic
Stem: RaceFace Deus
Handlebar: RaceFace Air Alloy Lo-Rise
Grips: Onza Porc Chops

Brakes: Shimano LX M600
Brake Levers: Avid SD 2.0

Shifters: Shimano XT M740
Front Derailleur: Shimano LX M565
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT M737
Cassette: Shimano XT M737 11 - 30t
Chain: SRAM PC890
Cranks: RaceFace Turbines
Chainrings: Raceface 22, 32, 44t
Pedals: Shimano PD-M520

Hub Skewers: Shimano LX M565
Rims: Sun DW 6000
Hubs: Shimano LX M565
Nipples: Brass
Spokes: DT Swiss
Tyres: Tioga Factory XC

Saddle: Selle Italia Flite Ti
Seatpost: RaceFace Prodigy
Seatpost Binder: Rocky Mountain

Weight: 26lb

PICTURES

 

[REKIBorter]

I like that

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

Agreed. It still looks like a bike and not a motorbike sans engine.

 

[FluffyChicken]

The crank goes well.
Planning on any changes to it ?

What do these ride like

Just adding the cat scan, i'll remove if you want
(at 66.6% of it scan though so not to mess the screen up hopefully.)

 

[lewis1641]

looks very clean. have you restored it or is it just really well kept?

also interested to hear how it rides

 

[Anthony]

It really is as shiny as new this bike. The eBay seller had never had the heart to take it off road because he didn't like to get it dirty. His other bike was a Litespeed road bike.

I think Paul is its first owner to connect the front brake to the right hand lever. The seller had bought this in Germany for a lot more than Paul paid him, but I wasn't quite clear whether he was the original owner. It seems as though the great majority of all the Rocky Mountains in Europe are in Germany. Something to do with the high levels of prosperity there I guess, and poverty-stricken Brits not being able to afford RM prices.

 

[fingers]

I really like that!

 

[Scrat]

All Rockys NEED Raceface cranks

It the law, nice ride. Please take it off road and ride the bejesus out of it :twisted:

 

[letmetalktomark]

Gonna ride this one

 

[RockiMtn]

That looks ace mate! Good to see another lovely RM added to the RB family here!