Rocky Mountain Launches The 2012 Element

Rocky Mountain recently revealed their new design for the legendary Element-a new aluminum frame available in both 26” and 29” wheels for 2012. I was lucky enough to shoot with Andreas Hestler and Jamie Biluk in Squamish to see how the new models ride.

See for yourself here…

Well….I sure as hell can't wait to see the pricing.

Where is the video shot, it almost looks like Snowden on the island?

Reminisce…sure I can do that:-) It was a kind of a game changer for me…. Back in 1997…bored out of my mind at the Canada games in Manitoba, I borrowed a shiny new Element from a female teammate. We missed curfew that night, ripping around town jumping off everything we could fine. I felt like shiiiiite during the TT the next day. My lycra dreamz were eventually dashed :lol:

really nicely shot.
looked like value added and icy hole of death and some other stuff in squamish.

That looks wickedly fun.

Very fine shooting and editing Matt.

That looks wickedly fun.

Very fine shooting and editing Matt.

I must say, out of anything I've ever shot, that was the most fun looking trail I've WALKED down. :cry:

i can't reminisce about the element , but i can tell you i'm still riding an RM edge , which i guess was introduced as a " freeride " , or should that be " froride " :lol: version of the element , as they share the same 3D link suspension .

while i liked the bike for it's simple design , it didn't really shine until i replaced the fork with a fox , and most importantly , the rear shock with an RP23 . the bike dropped about 3 pounds , and you don't feel like you are wasting your time when you stand up to pedal .

if i was in the market for a new mountain bike , i see that 29 version as a bike i could own .

interesting to hear that Andreas started the BCBR on a 29'er and switched to a 26'er mid race.

Well….I sure as hell can't wait to see the pricing.

There's pricing info here and there on the web.

Some found here

svelte!

interesting to hear that Andreas started the BCBR on a 29'er and switched to a 26'er mid race.

That's because his 29 was set up with 2x10 XTR and his 26 had the new 3x10 XT. He wanted a granny for the second half of the race!

i can't reminisce about the element , but i can tell you i'm still riding an RM edge , which i guess was introduced as a " freeride " , or should that be " froride " :lol: version of the element , as they share the same 3D link suspension .

while i liked the bike for it's simple design , it didn't really shine until i replaced the fork with a fox , and most importantly , the rear shock with an RP23 . the bike dropped about 3 pounds , and you don't feel like you are wasting your time when you stand up to pedal .

if i was in the market for a new mountain bike , i see that 29 version as a bike i could own .

I quote this because it is exactly true for me as well. I still love riding it too.

i can't reminisce about the element , but i can tell you i'm still riding an RM edge , which i guess was introduced as a " freeride " , or should that be " froride " :lol: version of the element , as they share the same 3D link suspension .

while i liked the bike for it's simple design , it didn't really shine until i replaced the fork with a fox , and most importantly , the rear shock with an RP23 . the bike dropped about 3 pounds , and you don't feel like you are wasting your time when you stand up to pedal .

if i was in the market for a new mountain bike , i see that 29 version as a bike i could own .

Just back from a week in Whistler, and had a trip down memory lane (trail?) when we unloaded a friend's o.g. Slayer from the back of the truck. Bassboat black paint, Z1 CR fork, Van rear shock and all… Funny to think that the Element begat the Slayer as well, which is now its own unique chassis. Three of us total in last week's riding group had owned those Slayers (nee Reaper FS) ten years ago, and it was cool to see one still in working condition, and in it's "element" on Thrill Me Kill Me.

These new Elements look pretty sharp. I'm still not a 29er fan, but hey, more bikes is better than fewer bikes.