Many of you might remember my 10-minute love letter to the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude. Since then, much like the mythical Hydra, the Altitude has returned bigger and more capable than ever – amazing for full-on enduro, but it opens up a space for something just a little smaller for everyday use.
Enter the 2024 Rocky Mountain Instinct – a bike many of you have hotly requested I cover.
Editor’s Note:
These articles are adapted by Savannah from Jeff Kendall-Weed’s YouTube videos for riders who prefer reading over watching. They’re written in Jeff’s first-person voice to stay true to the style and storytelling of the original content.
Instinct vs. Altitude: Which One Belongs on Your Trails?
The Instinct has always stood as the Altitude’s slightly leaner sibling – one category smaller, lighter, and more versatile. Where the Altitude is a box-stock enduro race machine, the Instinct is Rocky’s answer to the daily driver – the bike you actually ride, not just dream about.
Let’s face it: most of us aren’t riding triple black diamonds every day. Whether it’s a mix of mellow trails, varied terrain, or just fewer big descents in our backyard, the Instinct is built to thrive where most of us actually ride.
First Impressions: Rocky Mountain’s Attention to Detail
Rocky loaned me the C70 model, built on a carbon frame with Shimano XT, in the Smokin’ in the Boys Room / Bad to the Bone colorway. MSRP sits at $6,500.
What would a first ride be without slippery, wet, and messy conditions? Armed with an open mind, I took it for a pedal on some classic North Shore trails – decorated with some Sedona dirt still lingering from the Instinct’s previous adventures with my friend Tess of Dusty Betty.
From the first climb, the bike felt intuitive – maneuverable in switchbacks and familiar in the way Rocky bikes tend to feel. The secret ingredient? Well, an open mind paired with a side of no expectations usually sets you up for a positive experience.
But beyond the mental game, I’ve appreciated that Canadian precision since my first love affair with the Altitude in 2020. That enjoyment has echoed strongly with Rocky Mountain’s old Slayer, as well as the Instinct Powerplay. And the 2024 updates to the Altitude? Man, I dig them! This is where the combination of great craftsmanship comes together: high build quality, practical touches, and an unspoken expectation that you ride hard and know your stuff.
Being proudly Canadian, the bikes tend to be built at a higher standard than those south of the border might expect. Attention to detail goes above and beyond – from the simplicity of practical adjustments, to using foresight to include spare parts in the bike box. Perhaps it’s the hockey in the water, but Rocky Mountain expects their target customer to be in the category of very serious riders – meaning that you’re good at what you do, with a standard resting temper that simmers just below irate.
And so, the bikes need to work at that high performance level to avoid being crosschecked all the way to Saskatoon.
Over the years, I’ve ridden a handful of bikes from Rocky Mountain and attended brand-hosted events; I can confidently say that the way these bikes feel fits my riding style perfectly – they climb great, working best on descents that cover steeper, more interactive terrain.
Culture War: Canada vs. USA
Head across the border and up to the North Shore, and you’ll soon see that Rocky Mountain is one of the strongest brands in Canada – comparable to the number of sightings of Norco, both of which steal the show from any other Canadian bike brands.
Headquarters sits down the road from the famous Mount Seymour, perfectly placed adjacent to the network of some of Vancouver’s best trails. As for the States? Rocky Mountain is well-respected, but misunderstood. The brand is their own worst enemy here – with so much success in their home country, there hasn’t been much incentive to expand through the USA – and at this point, who can blame them with the increased tariffs sending ripples of change through both our economies? They’ve been working to change things up and expand reach, but at the core there’s the question of: how much maple syrup does it take to crack the American palette? The answer is unclear, especially considering the basic differences in pork terminology…
Trail Time: How It Rides – Fun, Capable, Poppy
With that initial ride on the North Shore, I took the trails conservatively: choosing to skip some lines that I normally would send – I simply didn’t trust the stock tires to hold traction on the steep, slippery features.
Wet roots x wet rocks galore = a need for a softer rubber compound.
After swapping tires , I started putting real miles on the Instinct. In our Pacific Northwest return to moisture, the bike thrived – traction was up, and roots were slick with “mushroom grease.”
Riding alongside bikes like the Haro Daley, Santa Cruz Hightower, and Rocky Altitude, I found the Instinct to demand – and reward – precision and play. It doesn’t beg to be smashed into tech features. It asks you to hop, jib, pump, and engage.
Key geometry details like short chainstays and a compact reach mean this bike wants to lift its front end. It felt natural on lippier jumps, and made me want to get back into the air.
Handling, Geometry, and Trail Behavior
The Instinct rolls on 29″ wheels, with a 150mm fork and 140mm of frame travel. It’s built to handle a wide variety of terrain and encourages a more active riding style.
For this review, I rode the Instinct C70 version with an aluminum frame and second-tiered components. Out of the box, it’s a fantastic bike that I would buy in a heartbeat. Stock is built predominately with Shimano XT components – including great breaks with four pistons per caliper – an XT drivetrain with solid Raceface cranks, and a higher end Fox suspension without the Kashima (looks cool, but eh).
It features a Grip 2 Fork – not as good as the Grip X, but it still works great. The rear shock features a Float X. We have an adjustable reach with interchangeable headtube cups, and a RIDE-4 system – which means two positions for geometry and two positions for suspension feel. One is easier to get into the end of the travel; the other is a bit more progressive. Of course, I’ll test all four settings! And lastly, there’s an adjustable rear-end to change rear length… I’ll be keeping it short because I like my bikes in the fun category.
I tested the geometry adjustments extensively: front and rear positions, RIDE-4 settings, shock progression modes. My preferred setup landed in hole number 3 (455mm reach) – a sweet spot for my size and style.
If bikes embodied spirit animals, the Instinct is a fox – playful, responsive, and sneaky fast when you put in some effort. It’s not built to bulldoze through chunder, but rather to dance over it. Why the fox? It isn’t the largest critter out there, but for what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in sneaky tricks fueled by a playful personality. If one were to be punny, they might say that this bicycle has an instinct not unlike that of a fox!
First Impressions Post-Customizations
From the first few pedal strokes aboard the tweaked Rocky Mountain Instinct, I could tell – it was going to be a fun bike. One that rides best when you lean into its playful foxy nature.
A big part of what makes a bike feel nimble is a relatively short reach. That allows the rider to more easily lift the front end (wheelies, anyone?). Combine that with a short enough rear end, and the front pops up without needing to awkwardly shift your weight way back. On longer bikes, I typically run a taller cockpit to shorten the feel and bring the bars into a better position for jumps and wheelies. But with the Instinct’s very short stack height, that wasn’t necessary. The geometry is naturally eager to get airborne.
While I’m not the fastest rider out there, I love playing on the trail – treating each section as an excuse to jib, jump, and explore the bike’s capabilities. The more aggressively you ride the Instinct, the better it responds. Just watch my legs pumping the trail – it thrives on rider input.
This Bike Was Made for Play
The Instinct doesn’t come with enough suspension travel to let you mindlessly plow through rough, gnarly terrain. Instead, it asks you to do your human-powered part – hopping over big obstacles with finesse rather than force.
It doesn’t store up hypothetical momentum in a high-pivot system or overly damped rear end. Instead, it responds immediately -generating speed from active input.
It’s not about brute force; it’s about skillful engagement.
The rest of the geometry backs that up: great handling on steeper trails, responsive under a standing rider, and – like other reviews have noted – superb in corners. I rode it extensively with the Maxxis Highroller III up front, and even with that tire, it held its own on twisty singletrack. When you load into and out of corners, the Instinct rewards you. It’s more of a cornering coyote than a careening canoe.
Geometry That Inspires Confidence on Jumps
The Instinct rekindled my desire to hit jumps again. I’d been too busy pedaling around town to spend much time at the local lips, but this bike had me itching for airtime. With its progressive suspension and shorter reach, it felt natural on steeper takeoffs and confident nosing into landings.
That compact wheelbase and light, stiff frame also make it incredibly easy to place the bike exactly where you want on the trail. Rocky Mountain’s build quality shines here – torsionally stiff, well-balanced, and clearly designed for serious riders.
Upgrade Potential: Coil Shocks, Fork Travel, and More
In the name of science, I swapped in a DHX coil shock, and yeah – it felt great. Was it a game-changer? Not exactly. But I do think most riders would benefit from pairing the Instinct’s progressive rear end with a coil shock or a more linear air shock (something with a larger air chamber).
I’ve only been riding the Instinct for about a month, but I’m already plotting upgrades to build it into what I’m calling an Instinctitude. Without FAA approval, I’d love to try:
A 160mm fork
Longer reach adjustment
Carbon wheels
I’ve got a hunch this bike could evolve into a slightly smaller, more agile version of the Altitude I loved so much.
Rear Shock Controversy: Let’s Talk About It
Yes – Pinkbike recently reviewed the Instinct and criticized the rear shock’s lack of damping support, especially at high speeds in the Whistler bike park. I hear that, but my experience was a little different.
For my kind of trail riding (more jump-focused, less full-tilt DH), the stock shock felt fine. I did add pressure to bring sag down to 30% and switched to the less progressive RIDE-4 setting. The rear shock shipped with a 0.4 volume spacer, which felt overly progressive out of the box, but once tuned, it felt dialed for me.
I’ve ridden Ibis’ lighter tuned suspension for a few years now, and I do enjoy the feel of more open suspension. If I have to choose between too little or too much damping, i”m always going to go with too little, and compensate with body positioning and technique. Relying on suspension to save your tea kettle, especially on a short travel bike, is a quick way to get earl gray all over your shirt.
Would a coil shock improve things? Sure – I tested the DHX coil and it felt great. But do you need to upgrade out of the box? Not necessarily.
Comparisons: Haro Daley, Canyon Spectral, and More
Lately, I’ve been enjoying my time on a few good ol’ fashioned acoustics compared below.
Haro Daley
Despite having similar travel, the Haro Daley delivers a noticeably different ride compared to the Rocky Mountain Instinct.
The Daley has a longer-feeling front end and, although the geometry numbers might suggest otherwise, it also feels lower on the trail. With a longer rear end, the Daley seems more at home when both wheels stay planted – making it a better choice for riders who prefer stability over playfulness.
The suspension on the Haro Daley is tuned for a more traditional, grounded riding style. In contrast, the Instinct excels in the hands of someone who grew up riding BMX – it’s lively, poppy, and loves to get airborne. I tested a carbon Instinct, which was significantly lighter than the Haro, though the Instinct Alloy comes in at a more comparable price point to the Daley.
Key selling points? The Instinct offers more adjustability and a livelier ride for those who like to jump. The Daley, on the other hand, shines when plowing through rough, technical trail sections thanks to its more composed suspension feel.
Canyon Spectral
As for the Canyon Spectral, I rode a size small – which is surprisingly close to the Instinct in medium. Like the Instinct, it responds well to an active, aggressive riding style. It’s been about 10 months since I last rode the Spectral, but I remember needing a longer stem to make the cockpit feel balanced. Despite that, the Spectral handled tight, twisty trails with ease.
At higher speeds, though, the Instinct felt more planted and confidence-inspiring. The Spectral was a blast – so long as I had the energy to stay on top of its shorter rear end.
Other Notable Bike Comparisons
Conclusion
Throughout the process of making this bike review, I kept forgetting that this was indeed a review, and not just a ride report of how much fun I had — if that’s not the best kind of problem to have, I don’t know what is!
The 2024 Rocky Mountain Instinct is that kind of bike – it makes you want to ride more, play harder, and maybe even get airborne again.
Short Travel, Big Fun
Sure, a longer travel bike – like the Santa Cruz Hightower – might offer more control in gnarlier terrain. But that’s part of what I loved about the Instinct: it rides like a short travel trail bike should. Light, nimble, playful. I like my smaller bikes to be more fun than planted – and the Instinct delivered. It’s more fox than capybara: energetic, fast, and never boring.
About the Noise…
Let’s talk noise. Honestly, when I’m riding hard, I’m usually too cross-eyed to care about what the bike sounds like. But yes – I’ll admit it – the Instinct is a loud bike. Rather than hunt down every rattle, I just kept pedaling. Good times still happened.
So… Should You Buy the Rocky Mountain Instinct?
If you’re after a fun, nimble, well-built trail bike that rewards rider input and has real versatility, yes, the Instinct deserves a serious look.
It’s not the most efficient climber out there, but it’s no slouch either. It’s not as plush as some longer travel bikes, but it’s way more playful. And Rocky’s signature quality shows up in every bolt, bearing, and adjustment point. That won’t matter for every rider, but for the right one, it’s a major plus.
Key Takeaways:
Progressive, but maybe a bit too much out of the box
Best with active riding style
Loves jumps, corners, and steep terrain
Loud, but who cares when you’re having fun?
Top-tier build quality
Tons of geo/suspension adjustment
Final Thoughts
The fun factor on the Instinct is high. The build quality is excellent, and while you do pay a bit of a premium for a Rocky Mountain here in the U.S., I think the value is still there – especially for riders who want a trail bike they can really tune to fit their riding style.
So, should you buy the Rocky Mountain Instinct? That’s up to you – but I hope this ride report helps make the decision a little easier.
Shoutout for Support!
Massive thanks to Endura for sponsoring this video. I’m rocking the MT500 pants in much of this video, and have used these for a few years now. Whether you like to zoom through the forest as a highlighter or embody the PNW monochrome, there are plenty of both options are available here.
And, lastly — with the heat of summer enhancing the amount of sweat on our rides, I love to stay hydrated with replenishing electrolytes from LMNT. Get a free sample pack with your purchase over here.
Thanks for reading!
Peace, wheelies, and please let me know your thoughts in the comments. 🚲
🙂 Jeff
2 comments
Hi Jeff, thanks for the insights!
I’m currently.rising the bike in position 4. The less progressive settings are also my favorites. Uphill performance is a bit better, and it’s still capable to rock my local trains down.
And 64.3° head tube angle is still pretty slack for a mid-travel trail bike.
Did you swap the volume spacer for a smaller one? If yes, what’s the spacer size that was best for you?
Greetings
Clemens
Hey Clemens, it’s been about a year since I last had the Instinct here, so my memory is not perfect. But I found I quite enjoyed the feel of the bike for my jumpy style, and don’t recall removing reducer spacers. Since a reducer pack for the Float X is only about $20 USD, it’s totally worth the minor expense of trying some smaller volume reducers.