Big thanks to Endura! I’m rocking the MT500 pants in much of this video, and have used these for a few years now. You likely do not want the “power ranger” look, which means you’re in luck, as plenty of black options are available here: https://jenson.sjv.io/EnduraMT500pantsJKW
FYI, anything you purchase from that link- or the other links here- will help support my efforts. Big thanks!!!
If you’d like to learn more about the Instinct, here’s a link to all the Instinct models: https://jenson.sjv.io/RockyMtnInstinctJKW I have ridden the Power Play models as well.
Here’s a few videos I’ve made about both the Altitudes as well as the Instinct Power Play:
Rocky Mtn 2020 Altitude review (the “love letter” I refer to in this Instinct video): https://youtu.be/VohWdGXc8Zw?si=86lclyWU20YXkg85
Rocky Mtn 2020 Altitude first look: https://youtu.be/33geI1Gkvxo?si=tQxiDn9qRTkzi1es
Rocky Mtn 2024 Altitude Update: https://youtu.be/ZmHOKLMg4nI?si=hChqbMu7t6DS_K8T
Rocky Mountain Instinct Power Play review: https://youtu.be/NEhJVVtq7wk?si=iwSiVVYsd_usUkvl
Instinct vs Orbea Rise: https://youtu.be/VdCXz4Hrmgw?si=yLvVFqygm45bVxSn
Rocky Instinct PowerPlay first ride: https://youtu.be/jmQqQsWibms?si=t6uBaiAdgU2js9hq
Rocky Instinct PowerPlay ride vlog: https://youtu.be/z3XNrmIVXOI
On my personal builds, I’m running a full Shimano drivetrain and brakes- big thanks to Shimano for being my sole sponsor for 2024! Check out the XT groups I use here: https://jenson.sjv.io/ShimanoMTBjkw
Head to http://www.DrinkLMNT.com/Jeff to get your free sample pack with any purchase.
Big thanks to Logan for spending a few days riding with me and helping film- give him a follow here: https://www.instagram.com/loganpatricknelson/?hl=en
Big thanks to Reilly for also helping to film, as well as for editing most of this video: https://www.instagram.com/reillykintzele/
My personal socials:
https://www.instagram.com/jeffkendallweed/
https://www.facebook.com/jeffkendallweedMTB/
Did you know I post a new riding tutorial every month? These are ONLY posted to my Patreon page (https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed), so join now to see these rad videos! Here’s the full list of my riding tutorials posted through September 2024:
How to WHEELIE! https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-wheelie-113121216
Effective braking: https://www.patreon.com/posts/teaching-braking-111172475
How to Drop: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-drop-109195363
Corner Workshop with Reilly: https://www.patreon.com/posts/cornering-with-107184577
How to: Flat Corners https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-flat-104821486
How to Boost Jumps: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-boost-is-103378303
How to Ride Rigid (and not die): https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-ride-and-101461266
Get Low, Get Pro: https://www.patreon.com/posts/get-low-get-pro-99481858
How a Bike CAN Make you a Better Rider: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-bike-can-you-97605000
Avoid a Case of the MTB Mondays: https://www.patreon.com/posts/avoid-case-of-95625880
How to Ride Low Speed Drops: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-ride-low-93774267
How To: Airtime Bike Control https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-air-time-92051562
Riding Techniques for your Feets: https://www.patreon.com/posts/ridings-for-your-89999826
How to Ride in Summer Time Dust: https://www.patreon.com/posts/trust-me-its-88585343
Corners are jumps, change my mind: https://www.patreon.com/posts/corners-are-my-86987274
4 (and ½) Summer Riding tips: https://www.patreon.com/posts/4-5-summer-tips-85207251
How to Hit New Jumps: https://www.patreon.com/posts/hitting-new-and-83883299
Berm line choice: https://www.patreon.com/posts/line-choices-for-82322348
How to ride like a pro (and not a squid): https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-ride-like-80864886
How to MANUAL: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-manual-my-79363708
Wet weather riding tips: https://www.patreon.com/posts/wet-weather-tips-78055037
How to ride ROUGH corners: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-ride-76582910
50 tips to be a better mountain biker: https://www.patreon.com/posts/50-tips-to-be-75352100
How to levitate out of corners: https://www.patreon.com/posts/55607066
Three simple cornering tips: https://www.patreon.com/posts/54371316
How (and when) to rock roll or drop: https://www.patreon.com/posts/53126562
How to jump with fluidity- and not DEAD SAILER! https://www.patreon.com/posts/51914476
How to Lanual: https://www.patreon.com/posts/50695443
How to climb ledges without a bunny hop: https://www.patreon.com/posts/49476021
Which brake to use when: https://www.patreon.com/posts/which-brake-to-48108425
Different bikes, different riding techniques: https://www.patreon.com/posts/46925782
How to ride FLAT PEDALS through the ROCKS: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-ride-flat-45662347
How to ride wet roots and steep chutes: https://www.patreon.com/posts/44507851
And over 25 more videos ONLY posted to my page here: https://www.patreon.com/jeffkendallweed
source
Love my instinct !
Hi jefff super accurate rewiiew..Did it fell simlar from Canyon Spectral or Not..?!
I got to ride my first Rocky Mountain bike in Sedona and it was also an Instinct. I really enjoyed it. I've got my eye on the 2023 Altitude when it was still an AM bike as compared to it's more Enduro 2024 version.
Your Canadian puns are spot on….eh?
the timing is crazy lol
8:50, that’s a carbon frame, not aluminum
I'll take a JKW review over PB every day
The 500 Burner pants are proper. I’ve put many thousands of miles on them and they perform well whether others do not. Size down for a race fit. Haven’t jumped on their jerseys yet, but I’m tempted. 🙂
It’s weird listening to this video knowing Rocky announced bankruptcy……nothing good comes from growing too fast
I always wanted to own a Rocky but they are just too expensive compared to other companies.
Could you review a banshee bike?
I rode a Rockey with fox live valve and that is the only way I would take it. That being said Jeff your review was insightful as usual.
Love your reviews, all I need to know.
Absolutely unrelated but we treated a fox for mange with anti parasitic meds from the vet every 3 days iirc for almost a month it wasn't cheap, the little effer didn't even came back when we stopped feeding him the meds!
No gratitude at all, no pets allowed.
I was so bummed 😂
I had a very hard time choosing between this and the Hightower v3. Ended up going with the Hightower just because I got such a good price on it but would have really liked to throw a leg over one of these.
I’ve only owned one Rocky and it was the last version of the altitude and it was such a fun bike.
Sad to hear that they are having a hard time right now. I hope they can pull through.
RM bikes always seemed great, they're just very lackluster in appearance. Something the US and Europe have pretty dialed in that aspect. They at least need a new font for their logo, something. Should you buy a bike based on that? Absolutely not but people do and will just because there's so many other options now. Plus this isn't a direct to consumer brand, so you're paying a lot for a bike that doesn't give you chubby when you open the garage door like most other $8k+ bikes will
Could we get a review of a different kind of bike? I.e. high pivot like the forbidden Druid?
PinkBike didn't necessarily give the Instinct a bad review, all of the reviewers just agreed that the tune wasn't great for the bike. They threw different shocks on the Instinct and confirmed that it felt great. You can dismiss most of the reviewers if you want, but Matt Beer is a beast of a rider and I would absolutely trust his POV on any given bike.
You bowleg too much, the pants plus bowlegging looks terrible
You and other reviewers say the Instinct suspension is very progressive. So if a rider wanted more support early in the travel, what can be changed? Coil shock, more air pressure, volume spacers, replace internal dampers?? Or is that baked into the kinematics of the bike?
@7:40 where you say, "but, I drove my way back to America"…. WOW DOOD! Where were you!!?!?! Europe? Africa? Australia? Antarctica? MaDagascar? j/k Also, Kashima is a bullshit FOX charge that does very little (and COSTS very little). A tad less friction that does nOt affect low speed sticktion but they'd like you to believe it does. Is it durable? sure. Its it lower sliding friction? We've never seen tests but that's claimed.
i was wondering if you were going to mention the pinkbike review. Im not saying either one of you is right or wrong as all of you have different requirements from a bike than i do and all of you ride significantly harder than me. i think people can forget reviews from pros, or ex pros (like yourself), or high level riders may not always ring true for weekend warriors or casual riders. however its not without saying experienced riders can better describe whats happening under them than a casual rider who might say it feels good or doesnt feel good, without knowing why.
I got the chance to ride the Element and Instinct a few months ago. The trail was fine for the Element but wish I had more rough and hilly stuff for the Instinct. The Element was the most natural turning bike I've ridden, just dropped over super easy whereas my Evil Following MB seems to take more effort. The Instinct split the middle there. The Element was quick and absorbed small chatter better than the Evil but the Evil is much better at harder hits (drops, casing a double) without feeling overly soft, bottoming or bouncing (more like a supercross than enduro dirt bike). The impression I got from the Instinct though was that while it was slightly plusher for the small/rough stuff, I wasn't sure it would be any better for the bigger hits than the shorter travel Evil, meaning I would be concerned it just didn't offer enough more to be worth it, leading me to believe an Offering would be a better/more capable bike. But I also know I did not have access to the right terrain to truly feel it out.
The spitfire is 435mm chainstay
Shame I'm on with the Rocky brand and like their approach!
Hey dude, you're looking lean…. congrats. Sometimes we hear better those sounds that come from afar.
what is the, since you didn't mention it, extremely "light weight" of your modded test bike?
I used to watch the PB crew, but stopped due to their pompous and arrogant demeanor. But when I did watch them, there wasn’t a single person on their squad that could ride as well as JKW. Your skill level trumps theirs thus I think your opinion carries more weight
Ehhh I’ve lost respect for pinkbike. They put out lots of good stuff but you gotta take what they say with a grain of salt
I've owned 3 Rockies, and their frames were/have been excellent excellent quality.
But each time it was a lucky circumstance that allowed me to afford it- European retailers historically charge a LOT for these bikes.
Absolutely love my -21 Altitude and plan on keeping it for many more years! Time to stock up on spare parts…
Please try new kona 134!!!
Great vid as always Jeff! Needed some new riding pants so picked up the Endura u rec from Jenson. Cheers!!