Altitude

The 2024 Rocky Mountain Altitude marks a significant departure from its predecessor, shedding its long-legged trail bike roots to become a dedicated enduro race machine. Built around 160mm of rear travel and a 170mm fork, the defining change for this generation is the return of the LC2R virtual-pivot suspension layout. By positioning the shock and linkages low in the frame, Rocky Mountain drastically lowered the bike's center of gravity while increasing lateral stiffness. This redesign signals a clear intent: the Altitude is built for riders who prioritize high-speed stability and composure on steep, aggressive descents. While it retains the pedaling manners necessary for long transfer stages, its primary focus is erasing rough terrain and maintaining momentum when pointed downhill.

Rocky Mountain Altitude

Year

Build

Size

03 / Geometry

Geometry & fit.

3 sizes published.

The Altitude’s geometry reflects its aggressive intentions, featuring a slack head tube angle that hovers around 63 degrees and a steep effective seat tube angle near 77.5 degrees. This combination keeps the rider centered and comfortable during long, seated climbs while pushing the front wheel far enough ahead to handle vertical descents. Size-specific chainstays ensure that the bike's front-to-rear balance remains consistent across the size run.

What truly sets the frame apart is its extensive adjustability. The RIDE-4 flip chip at the shock mount allows riders to fine-tune the head angle, bottom bracket height, and suspension progression across four distinct positions. Additionally, a reach-adjust headset offers five millimeters of adjustment in either direction, letting riders tailor the cockpit length for stability or quicker handling without altering the rest of the geometry. For further customization, Medium through XL frames include a secondary flip chip to accommodate a mixed-wheel setup, while the size Small is designed exclusively around 27.5-inch wheels.

Reach × Stack · size lgmm

Where the handlebar sits relative to the bottom bracket — the single most important fit pair.

01Fit geometry6 values

Stack639 mm

Reach475 mm

Top tube610 mm

Headtube length115 mm

Standover height797 mm

Seat tube length440 mm

03Handling geometry5 values

Headtube angle62.9°

Seat tube angle77°

BB drop29 mm

Wheelbase1282 mm

Chainstay length450 mm

Which size should I buy?

Slide your height to see the recommended size. GearWise's fit algorithm works from the published stack, reach, and ETT — the brand's own recommendation may differ.

Your height

5'8"173 cm

5'0"5'5"5'10"6'3"6'7"

Recommended sizemdBased on stack, reach & ETT for your height · score 79/100.

→Calculated from GearWise's own stack / reach / ETT algorithm — the brand's size chart may recommend a different size, and a proper bike fit beats any calculator.

04 / Other builds

The lineup.

5 builds, ranging $3,999 – $5,799.

The Altitude lineup spans five builds, split between carbon and alloy frames. Carbon models feature the PenaltyBox 2.0 downtube storage, which includes a secure latch and a hidden compartment for a tracking device. Across the range, Rocky Mountain equips the bike for immediate enduro racing. Most builds, including the Carbon 70 and Alloy 70 Coil, ship with heavy-duty Maxxis tires—typically a DoubleDown rear and EXO+ front—paired with pre-installed CushCore Trail inserts. This aggressive rubber specification adds weight but saves buyers from needing immediate durability upgrades.

The Carbon 70 relies on a RockShox ZEB Select+ fork and Vivid Select+ air shock, paired with a SRAM GX Eagle Transmission and Maven Bronze brakes. Alternatively, the Alloy 70 Coil opts for Fox Factory suspension, featuring a 38 fork and DHX2 coil shock, driven by a Shimano XT drivetrain. While the suspension and drivetrain choices are widely praised for their performance, reviewers frequently noted that the stock Race Face AR 30 alloy rims are prone to denting under heavy impacts, and the DT Swiss 370 hubs spec'd on several mid-tier builds offer notably slow engagement.

05 / Reviews

From the press.

23 reviews from the cycling press.

Reviewers consistently characterize the Altitude as a gravity-focused sled that excels at speed but demands an active pilot. The LC2R suspension earns widespread praise for its exceptional traction and bump absorption, with one tester noting it acts as a "magic eraser" (YouTube) that smooths out harsh terrain and forgives poor line choices. The low-slung shock placement translates to a highly stable ride, allowing the bike to track predictably through rough, off-camber sections.

However, this stability comes at the expense of low-speed agility. Testers found that the bike's length and planted nature mean it "requires great physical effort to flick the rear end around tight corners" (Enduro MTB). It prefers wide radiuses and high velocities, feeling somewhat sluggish on flatter, mellower trails. Climbing performance is generally viewed as efficient for the category, with the active suspension providing relentless grip on technical ascents, though some riders noted noticeable pedal bob when leaving the shock fully open.

While the ride quality is highly regarded, several reviewers pointed out minor hardware frustrations. A recurring issue on early production models was a main pivot bolt that loosened, which requires removing the crankset to tighten. Additionally, multiple testers experienced a "baffling" (PinkBike) rattle from the stock dropper post or internal cables, which detracted from an otherwise composed ride.