Rocky Mountain AltitudevsInstinct

Rocky Mountain's 2024 Altitude and Instinct both received significant redesigns, yet they carved out clearer identities. The Altitude sheds its former 'long-legged trail bike' guise to become a full-blown enduro race machine, completely overhauling its suspension to the LC2R dual-link system. This makes it a formidable gravity sled, unapologetically focused on speed and stability through challenging terrain. In contrast, the Instinct, while also gaining capability, refines its role as the brand's 'do-it-all' trail bike. It maintains a Horst Link design but adds extensive adjustability, aiming for a playful, agile ride that thrives on active input across diverse singletrack, without the Altitude's sheer burliness.

The Altitude, with its new LC2R suspension, offers a ride quality reviewers frequently describe as a "Magic Eraser" for rough terrain. It feels incredibly planted and confidence-inspiring at speed, especially on steep descents, earning monikers like "full-blast, straight-line monster." The low center of gravity and stiff rear triangle contribute to an unwavering ability to hold a line through chunder, soaking up bumps large and small with exceptional small-bump compliance and mid-stroke support. Yet, this composure comes at a cost: it's less poppy and playful than its predecessor, feeling less lively on flatter, more mellow trails and demanding commitment to come alive. The Instinct, conversely, is praised for its lively and agile character. Reviewers often liken it to a "fox" – sneaky fast, playful, and responsive to rider input. Its Horst Link suspension delivers excellent climbing traction and remains active under braking, while the carbon frame's unique lateral flex is celebrated for enhancing cornering, making it feel like it "bends around turn apexes." This allows for a more artistic and intuitive carving sensation through turns. While its high-speed stability is surprising for its travel, it rewards active pumping and jibbing more than plowing, offering a more engaging, though less utterly composed, ride than the Altitude. Regarding suspension performance, the Altitude's LC2R is lauded for its plush yet supportive feel, with coil shock options often highlighted for their deep, gooey ride that resists wallow and handles big impacts without harshness. However, there's a split opinion on the stock Fox Float X2 air shock tune, with some aggressive riders finding it too light and wanting firmer compression for hard charging. The Instinct's suspension also receives mixed reviews on its damping: some find it plush and supportive, especially with the RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate, while others, particularly Pinkbike, argue the stock tune is "underdamped," leading to a "wallowy mid-stroke" and instability at high speeds. This suggests that rider weight, aggression, and specific shock spec might heavily influence the Instinct's perceived performance, potentially requiring a re-valve or coil for the hardest chargers.