Today, we’ve got the all-new Rocky Mountain Instinct, a platform that was due for an update. It’s now on the sharp end of the geometry, suspension, and frame features side of things. It’s still the take anywhere, do anything mountain bike it’s famous for being, just modernized. So, is it better than the previous version? Stick around to find out.
Rocky Mountain Instinct Geometry and Frame Details
Let’s chat for a second about everything that’s new with the Instinct. We’re not going to cover every last detail of the bike right now. If you want that, head over to our site for a deep dive. First of all, I’d call the category the Instinct sits in the “mountain bike” category. It’s designed to do it all, a one-stop shop, if you will. It still has 140mm of rear travel and a 150mm fork. This time around, it’s purpose-built for the application. As of right now, it’s a standalone frame that comes in around 200 grams lighter than the previous one. It can’t go back and forth between Instinct and Altitude like the previous model. I see that as a good thing. It will make far fewer compromises in the name of versatility.
It’s still a versatile platform, though, especially when you consider all the geometry adjustments available. It now uses Ride-4 instead of Ride-9, which, yeah, you get five fewer geo positions, but nine may have been on the excessive side anyway. There’s still a wide range of head tube angles and BB heights. Now, the HTA ranges from 64.3 to 63.5. That’s 1.9 to 1.6° slacker when comparing steep to steep and slack to slack. I did a few rides in the neutral and high settings before putting the bike in slack to stay there.
The new Instinct still features the adjustable, two-position axle, giving you a 437mm or 447mm chainstay in the 29” rear wheel version. There’s also a full 27.5” option in sizes XS and S. At 6’2”, I’ve been riding the XL frame in the neutral reach position at 510mm. With an offset headset cup, you can adjust the reach plus or minus 5mm to fine-tune your fit and ride quality.
Other frame details include the Penalty Box 2.0 internal frame storage. The compartment door has a clever little spot to hide an air tag — just don’t tell bike thieves to look there. Also, because you’re going to ask, the C30 build I’m riding weighs 32.5lb without pedals.
Rocky Mountain Instinct Ride Review
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Uphill
The previous Instinct wasn’t much of a show-stopper on the climbs. It was perfectly acceptable but probably on the slower side of the climbing spectrum. The new Instinct gets better as it’s purpose-built for trail riding. It still isn’t the top dog in the climbing department, but it’s not like I’m complaining about the performance, either.
The biggest improvement to the Instinct’s climbing ability has to come from the body position and handling. The seat tube is a little bit steeper now at 77° (neutral) compared to the 76.7° (neutral) on the previous edition. I know it’s small, but that extra half-degree or so makes a bit of a difference. Paired with new suspension kinematics, your weight falls off the back of the bike less. The new kinematics hold you up a bit better. I described the previous Instinct as having “more nimble geometry and more active suspension.” The new one flips that on its head. It has longer, slacker geometry with a bit more efficient suspension. It still retains a good amount of climbing traction, giving it a calm approach in technical, slippery, and loose terrain.
With those new kinematics, there’s a bit more pep in the Instinct’s step these days. It’s still not as snappy as something like the Occam SL, but it’s a bit quicker than something like the Sentinel. It could have quite a bit to do with the tires specced on the new one. It comes with Maxxis Dissectors front and back versus the Maxxis Minions on the old one. The only problem is those tires have EXO casings, which lasted all of 34 seconds my first time out on the bike. That rear tire will likely need a Double Down or tire insert to keep up with how well the bike descends.
Overall, the Instinct gains a couple of points in the climbing department. It’s still not the fastest trail bike I’ve ridden, but it is certainly a viable option for folks who enjoy climbing or end up pedaling a lot of vert. It’s efficient enough, light enough, and traction-y enough for the category.
Downhill
Where the new Rocky Mountain Instinct improves the most is in the descending department, which I found a little surprising as it’s purpose-built as a trail bike these days. I did my first few rides on the Instinct before I looked at any geometry charts. Based on the quick overview I got about the bike, I would have assumed Rocky Mountain would have scooched this down the capability scale a few notches. It only took a couple of minutes riding it to realize it’s now more capable than ever.
The geometry is what changes the bike’s ability more than anything. The head tube angle is nearly two degrees slacker than the old one in some of the geo settings. That change alone has a huge impact on the bike’s capability. I found the new instinct to be far more stable at speed and in the rough. Keep in mind I’m riding mine with a 34mm stanchion Marzocchi Z2. With the Fox 36 or Rockshox Lyrik on other builds, that’s only going to get better. In terms of capability, I think the Instinct falls a little closer to bikes like the Transition Sentinel and Orbea Occam LT, although maybe just a notch or two below those. That would make sense, given the similarities in their geometry and head tube angles.
The best part about the Instinct, though, is that it doesn’t lose any of the previous versions’ fun and lively ride quality. In fact, it’s intensified on this one — only in a completely different way. The previous Instinct felt very firm and supportive and largely relied on the steeper angles to keep it lively and engaging. And that’s great when your trails are slower and smoother. The new one now combines much slacker geometry with a more plush, forgiving, and comfortable suspension design. I know that might sound like a recipe for making a bike ride like a bean bag, but it works really well on the Instinct. It’s plusher off the top and easier to get into the travel. That as well contributes to the bike’s capability. It doesn’t lack any midstroke support, however, making it easy to unweight and bunny hop. I found myself popping off of just about everything in sight.
My absolute favorite quality about the Instinct is the cornering performance. Because the suspension is soft off the top, there’s a ton of traction on offer. The frame is also stiff and predictable. Combine those two things, and you’ve got a recipe for a tire peeler. In fact my first ride out, that’s exactly what I did. The Instinct doesn’t seem to care if you’ve got flat, marble-y corners or perfectly bermed velcro corners. It just wants to rip through them as fast as possible. It’s probably time to start doing some squats so you don’t just crumple into the bike under the cornering forces on this thing.
Overall, I couldn’t be happier with the Instinct’s descending performance. I try really hard not to play favorites or come across as a fanboy, but every once in a while, a bike gets me to break character. The Instinct is one of those bikers. It ticks all the boxes I’m looking for. It’s capable enough for just about anything, it’s fun as hell, and corners like crazy. Personally, I couldn’t ask for more.
Rocky Mountain Instinct Comparisons
Now, it’s time for some comparisons. Let’s start with the old Instinct.
2024 Instinct vs previous Instinct
I can’t help but think the new Instinct is better than the old one in almost every way. It’s more capable, more comfortable, more fun, and climbs just as well, if not a hair better. The only place the old one might take the win is on those East Coast-style trails with slower speeds, tighter corners, and more ups and downs. For us Western US kids, the new one is a no-brainer. It handles the higher speeds, loose marbles, and crummy dirt really well.
Read the old Instinct review here
Instinct vs Transition Sentinel
The bike that kept coming to mind while riding the Instinct was my Transition Sentinel. To this day, that is still one of my favorite bikes. The Instinct rides quite a bit like that one except shifted down the burly scale, maybe 10-15%. It feels more nimble, playful, and lively. It also feels less capable and stable, of course. The instinct takes the win on the climbs, too.
Read the Transition Sentinel Review
Occam LT vs Instinct
I also found a lot of similarities between the Orbea Occam LT and the Instinct. The Occam does ride a little bit bigger and burlier, but I can’t help but think a stiffer, bigger fork on my Instinct would close that gap quite a bit. They both have similar handling characteristics and overall ride quality. The Occam feels deeper, but the Instinct feels a little bit plusher and smoother, even given the differences in travel and suspension. The Instinct takes the win on the climbs, if only for the weight advantage.
Who is the Rocky Mountain Instinct for?
The Rocky Mountain Instinct is easy to recommend to most folks looking for a mountain bike. It’s not pigeonholed into one style of riding. It’s very adjustable and versatile, so it can suit a wide range of riders. I like it for a few groups.
First of all, I think the “I can only have one bike” riders will like this. It’s got you covered on everything from cruisy, jumpy, berm-y blues all the way up to rough and rugged double black diamonds. There’s not a trail I’ve ridden that I wouldn’t take the Instinct on. It’s going to work on your home trails, whether that’s the PNW, Moab, or the mellow foothill stuff wherever you might live.
I can see this being a good option for the aggressive and active descenders, too. Folks who typically like to ride big bikes with a lot of travel and really slack angles. I’m typically riding bikes like that. Every once in a while, though, I end up wanting to have a bike that’s a bit more fun, lively, and engaging, even if I know it’s not going to allow me to plow through everything as fast as possible. The instinct checks that box for me without compromising too much on the capability and comfort I enjoy.
I also see this as a good option for folks who do big, exploratory rides. It’s got the climbing chops to go all day, but it’s going to be suitable for any kind of downhill you encounter. If you head out your front door not knowing where you’ll end up riding or what sort of trouble you might get into, the Instinct would be a smart choice.
Well, there you have it. We’ll see you next time.