Rocky Mountain shaves a little of the top with Altitude MX Mount
Analog and Powerplay eMTB get optional mullet upgrade
Photo by:
Margus Riga
When Rocky Mountain rolled out the massively re-worked version of its Altitude, there were so many updates that very little beyond the name and intention were the same. One of the more subtle changes was a modular shock mount. Rocky was coy about what that modular mount could be used for at first. Now, with the MX Mount, we’re seeing the first hint at it’s potential beyond “future proofing” shock standards.
The MX Mount lets riders use a 27.5″ rear wheel on 29″ Altitudes. It works with both the Altitude and the eMTB Altitude Powerplay.
LONG-TERM REVIEW: Rocky Mountain Altitude Powerplay delivers quick power and good times
Why? Well, there’s all kinds of good reasons to want a mixed-wheel. Why a different mount? To preserve the geometry and kinematics that Rocky Mountain spent so long developing.
The idea was apparently pioneered by Thomas Vanderham, looking for a more fun approach to the long-travel 29’er. It was quickly picked up by Andréanne Lanthier-Nadeau, one of the Rocky Mountain/Race Face Enduro Team riders. Their diverging interests in the MX Mount show the different benefits of mixed wheel bikes. It’s not just for short riders or park laps (though those also work. It’s a great improvement for riders between sizes or riders that just want a more playful ride feel without losing all the benefits of a 29″ wheel.
The Altitude combines decades of racing experience with our latest technology innovations that allow you to ride harder and faster than ever before. With the new Altitude MX Mount installed, you’ll be able to use a 27.5” rear wheel to help 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.
Vanderham and Lanthier-Nadeau explain it clearly in the video below, so we’ll let them take it from here.
MX Mount for Rocky Mountain Altitude and Altitude Powerplay
Some important details
First, since only Rocky Mountain’s carbon fiber frames come with a modular shock mount, only those bikes will be able to us the MX Mount. Alloy Altitudes are stuck with matching 29″ wheels.
Second, while the MX Mount keeps the geometry similar, it adds a little bit more suspension travel to the Altitude – and a slightly different shock progression (Graph below). As a result, you can’t use all of the Ride-9 positions. Only positions 1-5 (“slack” to “neutral”) can be used. Positions 6-9 (9 being “steep”) don’t have enough clearance and are not compatible with the MX Mount.
If you’re mullet-ing the Altitude Powerplay, you’ll still get a little more travel and a different shock progression, but you can still use all four of the Ride-4 system.
Rocky Mountain MX mount. Photo: Margus Riga
Two screws attach the MX Mount to the Altitude frame
A similar profile to the stock 29" shock mount but more mullet.
The new rate curve on the Altitude with MX Mount is in red.
The Altitude Powerplay rate curve is closer, but still gets a hair more travel.
Rocky Mountain’s MX Mount for Altitude and Altitude Powerplay is available at bikes.com. Installation is straightforward. All you need is the mount and a 27.5″ back wheel.
