Rocky Mountain Element: suspension setup & specs
The Rocky Mountain Element is a downcountry bike with 130 mm of fork travel and 120 mm at the rear. This page lists the 9 current builds with fork, shock and shock size and gives matching starting values for SAG and tyre pressure.
Calculate the setup for your Rocky Mountain Element →
All builds
Fork, shock, shock size (eye-to-eye length × stroke) and rear travel, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29.
| Build | Fork | Shock | Shock size | Rear travel | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy | RockShox Recon Silver RL (130 mm) | RockShox Deluxe Select | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| Carbon 30 | FOX 34 Rhythm (130 mm) | FOX Float Rhythm | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| Carbon 30 | Marzocchi Z2 Float EVOL Rail (130 mm) | FOX Float Rhythm | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| Carbon 50 | RockShox Pike Select (130 mm) | RockShox Deluxe Select+ | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| Carbon 50 | RockShox Pike Select (130 mm) | RockShox Deluxe Select+ | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| Carbon 70 | FOX 34 SL Factory (130 mm) | FOX Float Factory | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| Carbon 70 | FOX 34 SL Factory (130 mm) | FOX Float Factory | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| Carbon 90 | FOX 34 SL Factory (130 mm) | FOX Float Factory | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
| Carbon 90 | FOX 34 SL Factory (130 mm) | FOX Float Factory | – | 120 mm | – | – | Setup → |
How it compares
On travel, the Rocky Mountain Element is right where the “downcountry bike” category usually is: 130 mm up front against a median of 130 mm from 13 bikes. The fork has 10 mm more travel than the rear end with 120 mm – a common layout that takes load off the front on steep terrain. Among Rocky Mountain’s mountain bikes, the Rocky Mountain Element has the shortest fork travel. The frame is made of carbon.
For suspension, Rocky Mountain combines components from FOX, Marzocchi and RockShox. In total, 5 different forks are used, from the RockShox Recon Silver RL to the FOX 34 SL Factory.
Setup notes for this spec
- Fork (RockShox Recon Silver RL): air goes in through the valve on top of the left leg. After every change, compress the fork firmly a few times before measuring SAG.
- Rebound: turn the red FOX, Marzocchi and RockShox adjuster fully closed first and count clicks from there – that way you can note settings and restore them later.
- Air shock (RockShox Deluxe Select): measure SAG in your riding position, ideally with a helper holding the bike. Cycle the shock a few times after every pressure change.
Target SAG for the Rocky Mountain Element
Instead of percentages, this table gives SAG directly in millimetres, measurable with the O-ring on the stanchion and on the shock shaft. Change the pressure step by step until you reach the value; if Rocky Mountain gives its own target SAG, use that.
130 mm fork (all builds)
| Riding style | Fork SAG |
|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 22 mm |
| Trail | 20 % = 26 mm |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 29 mm |
| Bike park | 20 % = 26 mm |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
For 2.40″ wide tyres, tubeless with a trail casing. With an inner tube about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi) more, with an insert about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) less. Stock tyres: F: Maxxis Dissector 3C MaxxTerra EXO+ Tubeless Ready 2.4 | R: Maxxis Rekon 3C MaxxTerra EXO Tubeless Ready 2.4; F: Maxxis Rekon 2.4 EXO Tubeless Ready | R: Maxxis Rekon 2.4 EXO Tubeless Ready; F: Maxxis Rekon 2.4 WT EXO Tubeless Ready | R: Maxxis Rekon 2.4 WT EXO Tubeless Ready; F: Maxxis Rekon WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO Tubeless Ready 2.4 | R: Maxxis Rekon WT 3C MaxxTerra EXO Tubeless Ready 2.4.
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.43 bar (21 psi) | 1.63 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.55 bar (22 psi) | 1.75 bar (25 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.67 bar (24 psi) | 1.87 bar (27 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.79 bar (26 psi) | 1.99 bar (29 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.91 bar (28 psi) | 2.11 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.03 bar (29 psi) | 2.23 bar (32 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.15 bar (31 psi) | 2.35 bar (34 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork and shock
You will find a guide value for air pressure on the fork sticker (or on the shock) or in the suspension makers’ charts. Our calculator also takes riding style and rebound into account. In the end, measured SAG is what counts.
Sources
- Element Alloy
- Element Carbon 30
- Element Carbon 30
- Element Carbon 50
- Element Carbon 50
- Element Carbon 70
- Element Carbon 70
- Element Carbon 90
- Element Carbon 90