Winno
Likes Dirt
Pretty damn excited about this build.
I've been on an On-One carbon Whippet hardtail for the last few months and loved every minute of it.
At a recent XC race series up here in Paradise though, a couple of competitors were pushing around on Rocky Mountain Element MSL dual suspension bikes. I'd been considering a move back to a dually and I fell in love with the fit and feel of the RMs immediately. There was no adjustment period when moving from one bike (the Whippet) to another (the RM) - it just fit right straight away and soaked up the bumps.
Decision made - I'd order one but, I purchased the 100mm travel RSL instead (MSLs are 120mm travel with slacker angles).
I wanted something that still had a strong XC feel to it so I ordered the RSL version.
All Element MSL/RSL frames are the same. The shock and linkage determine the bike type and travel.
The RSL also allows a 650b conversion with plenty of seat tube clearance and no loss of travel should I want to go down this road later.
Anyway, the build is as follows:
Frame - Rocky Mountain Element RSL (medium/18") 26er with Ti hardware kit.
Rear shock - Fox Float Kashima RP23 (165x38)
Front shock/fork - Magura TS8 R100
Handlebars -Raceface Next SL flat riser*
Stem - Raceface Turbine 60mm/-6 degree*
Headset - FSA Orbit tapered
Grips - Raceface Straffe lock-on
Saddle - Selle Italia SLR TT*
Seatpost - Raceface Next SL (30.9)
Front brake - Hope Tech 3 / X2 with 160mm floating rotor*
Rear brake - Hope Tech 3 / X2 with 160mm floating rotor*
Cranks - Raceface Turbine with 34T Raceface NW single ring*
Chainguide - C-Guide chainstay mounted*
Chain - Shimano XTR*
Pedals - Shimano XT race*
Front derailleur - n/a
Rear derailleur - Shimano XTR carbon cage (non-clutch)*
Front shifter - n/a
Rear shifter - Shimano XTR iSpec*
Cassette - Shimano XT 10sp - 11-36 with Hope 40T REX*
Wheelset - Spinergy Xyclone Disc 26er with PBO fibre spokes*
Axles - Hope 9mm quick release*
Tyres - Maxxis Ardent Race - 23psi front and 27psi rear*
Tubes - generic*
Other - 3M frame skin, Jagwire Road Elite fully sealed shifter cables
Total weight - Just sneaks in under 10kg.
* parts xfered from the Whippet.
All other bits are new and ordered.
Update: 24 December
Bits have been turning up here and there over the last week or so and what I thought was going to be a new year build has been finished on Christmas eve after a few late nights in the bike shed. I had a hiccup with the Raceface Next seatpost I'd ordered being the wrong colour and finish but as luck would have it, I managed to offload it and pick up the older version (better match to the frame and the handle bar) in the same day - thanks Koma for the great deal.
Anyway, perfect weather up here again so I took some pics...
The paint finish on the frame is awesome! In some light, the UD carbon shows through,
And in other light, the metallic grey finish does its sparkly thing
A shot of the cockpit
And finishing up with the back end
I'm running 70psi in the fork and 170psi in the shock on the back. The suspension action is very active and the Propedal seems to work well when activated.
Looking forward to riding it in anger at Nerang Forest next week.
About the only thing I'd change out now would be the Turbine cranks for some Next carbons. Very happy with everything else.
Thanks for looking.
I've been on an On-One carbon Whippet hardtail for the last few months and loved every minute of it.
At a recent XC race series up here in Paradise though, a couple of competitors were pushing around on Rocky Mountain Element MSL dual suspension bikes. I'd been considering a move back to a dually and I fell in love with the fit and feel of the RMs immediately. There was no adjustment period when moving from one bike (the Whippet) to another (the RM) - it just fit right straight away and soaked up the bumps.
Decision made - I'd order one but, I purchased the 100mm travel RSL instead (MSLs are 120mm travel with slacker angles).
I wanted something that still had a strong XC feel to it so I ordered the RSL version.
All Element MSL/RSL frames are the same. The shock and linkage determine the bike type and travel.
The RSL also allows a 650b conversion with plenty of seat tube clearance and no loss of travel should I want to go down this road later.
Anyway, the build is as follows:
Frame - Rocky Mountain Element RSL (medium/18") 26er with Ti hardware kit.
Rear shock - Fox Float Kashima RP23 (165x38)
Front shock/fork - Magura TS8 R100
Handlebars -Raceface Next SL flat riser*
Stem - Raceface Turbine 60mm/-6 degree*
Headset - FSA Orbit tapered
Grips - Raceface Straffe lock-on
Saddle - Selle Italia SLR TT*
Seatpost - Raceface Next SL (30.9)
Front brake - Hope Tech 3 / X2 with 160mm floating rotor*
Rear brake - Hope Tech 3 / X2 with 160mm floating rotor*
Cranks - Raceface Turbine with 34T Raceface NW single ring*
Chainguide - C-Guide chainstay mounted*
Chain - Shimano XTR*
Pedals - Shimano XT race*
Front derailleur - n/a
Rear derailleur - Shimano XTR carbon cage (non-clutch)*
Front shifter - n/a
Rear shifter - Shimano XTR iSpec*
Cassette - Shimano XT 10sp - 11-36 with Hope 40T REX*
Wheelset - Spinergy Xyclone Disc 26er with PBO fibre spokes*
Axles - Hope 9mm quick release*
Tyres - Maxxis Ardent Race - 23psi front and 27psi rear*
Tubes - generic*
Other - 3M frame skin, Jagwire Road Elite fully sealed shifter cables
Total weight - Just sneaks in under 10kg.
* parts xfered from the Whippet.
All other bits are new and ordered.
Update: 24 December
Bits have been turning up here and there over the last week or so and what I thought was going to be a new year build has been finished on Christmas eve after a few late nights in the bike shed. I had a hiccup with the Raceface Next seatpost I'd ordered being the wrong colour and finish but as luck would have it, I managed to offload it and pick up the older version (better match to the frame and the handle bar) in the same day - thanks Koma for the great deal.
Anyway, perfect weather up here again so I took some pics...
The paint finish on the frame is awesome! In some light, the UD carbon shows through,
And in other light, the metallic grey finish does its sparkly thing
A shot of the cockpit
And finishing up with the back end
I'm running 70psi in the fork and 170psi in the shock on the back. The suspension action is very active and the Propedal seems to work well when activated.
Looking forward to riding it in anger at Nerang Forest next week.
About the only thing I'd change out now would be the Turbine cranks for some Next carbons. Very happy with everything else.
Thanks for looking.
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