Increasing Travel on a Rocky Mountain Instinct

[MMcG]

There is a really nice RM Instinct Frame available on EBay right now that I've been visiting quite often lately.

I think it has already gone through auction once without the seller getting his/her reserve met.

Isn't there someone on the forum who was able to add rear travel to an Instinct Frame? Radair perhaps.

http://ebay0.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_1f1d3caa799d5b7284c41c84f09e51df/i-2.JPG

I haven't heard many negatives about Rocky Mountain Rigs so any input would be most welcome and appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

McAskalot ;D

[gungywump]

When you think Rocky Mountain, think overpriced Kona.

[MMcG]

Thanks for the words of advice Gungy...........what is your reasoning behind those words though?

Please elaborate and educate this newbie to the wonderful world of Mountain biking.

at the risk of sounding like a dork...

that is a sweet paint job.

McAskalot -

buying a frame and swapping some old parts until you can buy new ones isn't a bad idea and not a bad winter project. You can also amoritize the cost.

Just make sure you always have a bike to ride and Keep in mind most likely you will need a NEW BB, Seat Post, and perhaps HS to get things going..

[MMcG]

Maybe we are both dorks then NOO, because I think the paint scheme is sweet as well.


With all this damned white stuff on the ground.(its coming down pretty damned hard as I type)...a swap of parts from the Nail Trail to a Squishy frame is becoming more and more tempting. The Nail Trail would then become a Single Speed in the end.

Plus Mrs Marin would probably not notice (or mind so much) a purchase of a bottom bracket here, a crankset there, etc. etc. vs. a huge outlay of $$ for a complete bike. ;)

[I Are Baboon]

Mark, how much travel do you want? 4.5" is not enough for you?

You know how I feel about Rocky Mountains. :)

[I Are Baboon]

By the way, the wife's cousin has an Instinct and loves it. She rides all the same places we do (she is a woman who kicks ass on a bike).

[MMcG]

IAB, I thought that the Instinct only offered 3 to 3.5 inches of rear travel.

If it indeed does offer 4.5" then I wouldn't need to increase it at all.

Does your Spice offer that much travel?

[I Are Baboon]

Mark, you are correct...I get 3.5" in the rear, but I do get 4" in the front. Hmmmm...That just doesn't sound good, does it? ::)

[MMcG]

Mark, you are correct...I get 3.5" in the rear, but I do get 4" in the front. Hmmmm...That just doesn't sound good, does it? ::)


Maybe you should have said fore and aft instead, but that doesn't sound a helluva lot better does it?

Now Playing: The Tragically Hip - 50 Mission Cap (one of the only rock and roll songs I know of with a true hockey reference in it...but then again they are a Canadian band!)

[turch]

Rocky Instincts/elements/spices/fanatiks/carve all run XC-oriented suspension. The rear runs 3.5". They balance well against 80m forks, though I know folks who do the 100mm boing in front.

Rockys Slayer & Edge have the longer stroke a 4.5" (or thereabouts). These are the guys that balance better with 100mm-120mm forks (even 130s).

Not sure if parts swaps between these two series lines (i.e. shock and rocker) is possible. That be a question for your fave Rocky dealer/tech guy.

(Deep sigh), yet another frame/bike to look at.
When will it end?
The indecision, the research, the comparisons.
When will it end?
Do you think if you actually do make a decision and buy a ride that you will be satisfied with it? Won't there always be some deficiency with the bike? Any bike.
When will it end?
Is it not possible that the rider is expected to overcome the challenges placed before them on the trail, through their own physical prowess or skill. Is the bike not a mere tool for the rider to utilize at the best of their ability, until that ability exceeds the limitations of the tool.
When will it end?
Your requests for advice lead in an endless circle. It's a torture to read the replies, sending you once more around the hoop of infinite opinion. Now, at the risk of drowning in your pool of doubt, i will wade in to save you. Please take my hand.
BUY A BIKE.
1. Get the right size, test ride, you cant alter the frame
2. Get the whole bike, ready to ride, 1 shot hurts least
3. Get the one that feels right, and a color you like. No one has your body or mind but you. If it doesn't feel right the first time you get on it, try another. No better advise can i offer.
Lastly, Get your butt out on the trail and never, ever, look back. The human body will adapt to whatever is required of it. Ride, Ride and Ride some more. You can do it. I belive in you.
bill

[joe]

bill,

Isn't the tech talk forum the logical place for people who want to discuss a bike purchase to death to congregate? If you don't want to read yet another discussion about which bike a person is considering then just skip those topics (or stop reading as soon as you realize you aren't interested).

I find some of these threads interesting and others boring, but I assume that most are of value to someone (even if that value is just giving something to read and write while work is slow).

Riding is what it's all about, but there's nothing wrong with putting some time and thought into researching and then discussing your options when buying new bikes (or parts, clothes, and other gear). And honestly, even if a person were to spend more time discussing bikes than riding them, who really cares?

joe

[MMcG]

(Deep sigh), yet another frame/bike to look at.
When will it end?
The indecision, the research, the comparisons.
When will it end?
Do you think if you actually do make a decision and buy a ride that you will be satisfied with it? Won't there always be some deficiency with the bike? Any bike.
When will it end?
Is it not possible that the rider is expected to overcome the challenges placed before them on the trail, through their own physical prowess or skill. Is the bike not a mere tool for the rider to utilize at the best of their ability, until that ability exceeds the limitations of the tool.
When will it end?
Your requests for advice lead in an endless circle. It's a torture to read the replies, sending you once more around the hoop of infinite opinion. Now, at the risk of drowning in your pool of doubt, i will wade in to save you. Please take my hand.
BUY A BIKE.
1. Get the right size, test ride, you cant alter the frame
2. Get the whole bike, ready to ride, 1 shot hurts least
3. Get the one that feels right, and a color you like. No one has your body or mind but you. If it doesn't feel right the first time you get on it, try another. No better advise can i offer.
Lastly, Get your butt out on the trail and never, ever, look back. The human body will adapt to whatever is required of it. Ride, Ride and Ride some more. You can do it. I belive in you.
bill


Justbill,

I appreciate your willingness to jump in and "save" me, but I'm doing just fine doing things the way I see fit.

The reason for this post was because I thought I read in a previous post in a different thread that someone, perhaps Raidair, had in fact increased the rear travel of an RM Instinct.

In this case, I knew the frame would fit me, and had seen it on Ebay earlier without reaching it's reserve and thought it might be a good deal, hence my search for input. Unfortunately Raidair has neither confirmed or denied my hunch.

I got out and rode tonight on the road with my hardtail and had a blast so I do agree with your statements to that effect.

As for my quest for a new bike/frame, well I'm happy to report I am narrowing down my options. All in due time for me sir!

Thanks for caring Bill.

Slainte,

Mark

Sorry,
I post because i care. I thought you were troubled with self dought and indecision. I was wrong. I humbly beg your forgivness.
My opinion on bike choice remains unchanged. If the advise is helpfull to some other reader then my effort is not fully in vain.

[MMcG]

I believe you care Justbill...and thanks for caring.

Now what the hell are we doing on this forum at 1:something in the a.m?

For me, the kids are in bed, I was able to get out and ride around in the white stuff a bit (straight and steady was the key out there) and I couldn't get back to sleep.

What about you?

I was going to ask you about your decision on the Klein squishy, but I'll hold back for now! ;D

P.S. I am troubled by self doubt and indecision but on a much higher level than "what FS rig/frame to buy" but that's a whole different story.

To Your Health!

Mark

[MtnBikerChk]

Rocky Instincts/elements/spices/fanatiks/carve all run XC-oriented suspension. The rear runs 3.5". They balance well against 80m forks, though I know folks who do the 100mm boing in front.



I thought the Instincts and Elements ship with 100mm in the front. The spice can go either way.

btw, Mark - Instinct is a XC race machine. If you want more rear travel, get a different frame.

[MMcG]

Thanks MBC..........I'm still fairly confident that Raidair posted that he did a conversion to his INstinct, using a Slayer swingarm perhaps?

Hence my creation of this thread.

Raidair where are you man? Help me out here.

Is there a way to search for posts by an individual forum member?

[radair]

Sorry, I haven't been lurking.

I have the answers you're looking for, but have been sworn to secrecy. But I'll tell you.
;D

Expensive Kona? I got rid of mt Heckler very shortly after test riding the Instinct.

The Rocky X bikes are really amazing.

[radair]

MMc - I sent you a message. Let me know if you got it or not.