Posted on July 20, 2022 by Jessie-May Morgan
Rocky Mountain Bikes has released an MX Mount for its Altitude Enduro MTB and Altitude Powerplay eMTB, allowing owners of current carbon 29″ models to switch to a mullet setup. The brand tells us that the MX Mount will allow you to corner faster, and ride more playfully, all while giving you a bit more clearance when you’re behind the saddle on a steep, technical line. Their Pro Enduro Racer, ALN, agrees with that sentiment, choosing to run her Altitude Carbon in the mullet configuration.
The 2021 Rocky Mountain Altitude is already a rather complex beast, with the RIDE-9 Chip allowing riders to fettle between nine subtly different geometries and suspension leverage curves; Positions 1, 2 and 3 represent the slacker, more progressive setups, positions 7, 8 and 9 the steeper and more linear arrangements, with positions 4, 5 and 6 hitting the middle ground, neutral setup.
*This pic shows the Ride 9 chip in the slackest position (Pos. 1). Credit: Steve Fisher – check out his long-term review of the 2021 Altitude Carbon 70 here.
Why do I bother telling you this? As a Rocky Mountain Altitude owner you will be well aware, of course. As a prospective buyer, you may not, and news of the new MX Mount could be pushing you closer than ever to committing your basket. Whichever camp you fall into, you should know this: The new Altitude MX mount is only compatible with Positions 1-5 of the RIDE-9 adjustment system. As the bike becomes incrementally steeper and and less progressive as you move towards Position 9, the steepest position, clearance between the back of the seat stay brace and the seat tube diminishes. Thus, positions 6-9 are incompatible with the use of the Altitude MX Mount.
Switching out the stock shock mount for the MX Mount increases the Altitude’s rear wheel travel, concomitantly lowering the rate curve. Overall progression drops from 40.3% to 36.1%. Rocky Mountain tells us you might have to increase shock pressure or, if you run a coil shock, switch out your coil for one with a higher spring rate in order to achieve proper sag and suspension feel.
“I like to bring a creative approach to the trails, search for alternate lines, look for things to double up. Ultimately, I like the extra clearance from running my Altitude with mixed wheel sizes.” – Thomas Vanderham, Rocky Mountain Freerider
As we saw on the Altitude, switching out the stock shock mount for the MX Mount on the Altitude Powerplay eMTB increases rear travel, while also altering the leverage curve, reducing overall progression from 45.5% to 43.4%.
The Altitude PowerPlay has a 4-position geometry and leverage curve altering flip-chip, and all four positions are compatible with the MX Mount.
The Ride-4 Flip-Chip on the lower shock mount of the 2022 Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay eMTB
Hit up Rocky Mountain or your local dealer for more information on pricing & availability.
Rocky Mountain Race Face Factory Enduro Pro, ALN, riding her 2021 Altitude in the MX setup
Jessie-May Morgan is the UK & Ireland Tech Editor of Bikerumor. She has been writing about Mountain Bike Riding and Racing, and all the technology that comes along with it for 3 years. Prior to that, she was an Intern at the Mountain Bike Center of Scotland, and a Mountain Bike Coach and Leader in the Tweed Valley, and prior to that, a Biological Research Scientist at the University of Edinburgh. Based in Innerleithen, Scotland, Jessie-May can regularly be seen riding the Tweed Valley’s Enduro and Downhill Tracks, often with a race plate tied to the handlebar.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
© Copyright 2022 Bikerumor, All Rights Reserved