Exclusive First Look: Rocky Mountain Element RSL 29 BC Edition

Rocky Mountain is giving us what we want! A new carbon 29er "BC Edition" with a burlier parts spec and more travel.

Check out our photos, ride impressions, and details on the BC Edition here...[

](http://nsmb.com/5275)

Cool, read a bit like an advert. I hope that NSMB does a long term review to follow up.

Every time I read something like this I want to try a 29'r. It might have been the pics of Morgan getting sideways and the video of speeding over roots that induced the feeling this time though.

What Cheez1ts said.^
I just rode the Test of Metal course and was wondering what a 29er would ride like.
Does anyone know if you can rent a 100+ mm travel 29er in North Van or Squampton?

^ Maybe at Bike Fest next week?

I wish they'd gone a bit further and put a Fox 34 on.

^ indeed. a 32mm stanchion fox on a "spec'd for bc" bike is a fail, imho

yep. The 32mm fox 29'er fork crowns get creaky after minimal "agressive" riding. A fox rep flat out told me this has been an issue and for them and that's why they went to 34mm. Everybody I know who's had a 32mm fox 29'er fork has had to warranty it at least once due to the creaky crown. At lerast Fox stands behind their products.

Yeah it seems that Fox F29 32 forks will creak after a short period of time. But I don't think that they make a 34 with shorter travel yet? You can certainly space one down to 110 or so. Who else makes a decent 29 er 120 travel fork?

Dudes, this is a XC race bike.

The 34 is a solid fork, but I believe that this is an awesome spec for the general usage of this bike.

Nice job Rocky.

If I was to convert to a 29er this would be the one

I dig this build, though Seb's recent post about the Tallboy LT has me wondering if the hoops are up to the task for a taller, heavier, aggressive rider like myself.

Also, question about the "optional remote" mentioned above for the shock: is that a factory option? I don't think one can retrofit a remote to the rear shock for the CTD series. I could be wrong though.

It's all about finding the balance between XC race bike and daily ride. As it sits the RSL 29 BC Edition is still on the lightweight end. A Float 34 would add half a pound, but probably be the right choice for heavier or more aggressive riders not hoping to race the bike seriously.

I stand corrected on the CTD shock with remote; it is indeed not compatible, so if you wanted it you would need to swap out at the time of purchase. The forks are retrofittable to remote but you lose the Trail compression damping adjustment.

If I wanted a bike for racing the XC circuit that I could rip around trails like Sticks n Stones for training, this bike would be ideal. Since I don't, I too prefer slightly more bike for my "XC" duties.

Thanks Morgan for making me a published photographer! Ha!