Rocky Mountain RIDE-9 User manual

RIDE-9™Setup Guide
2018 Instinct
This guide introduces the geometry and suspension of the
2018 Rocky Mountain Instinct. It describes each of the
bike’s RIDE-9™ positions, and provides setup information
for riders, mechanics, and suspension professionals.

7
4
1
8
5
2
9
6
3
Low Rising RateHigh Rising Rate
Progressive Rising Rate Linear Rising Rate
RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 02RIDE-9™ System / Setup Tips / Terms
TERMS
RIDE-9™ SYSTEM
The RIDE-9™ adjustment system allows riders to quickly ne-tune their geometry
and suspension with a pair of Allen keys. Nine congurations are possible thanks to
two interlocking chips.
2018 Instinct Ride-9™ conguration shown
SETUP TIPS
Suspension and geometry setup are complex art forms with huge variations in rider style, preference, terrain, and ability. We do recommend
the use of professional services, but we also believe that learning to dial in your own bike is the best way to fully understand its performance.
Adjust your RIDE-9™ position for geometry before considering suspension eects, or variables like air pressure and shock compression.
Make gradual, incremental changes, take notes, and be methodical. Don’t adjust in a hurry before a big ride. Take your time and enjoy
the process.
Suspension Rise is the dierence between
how hard it is to move the suspension at the
beginning of travel and how hard it is to
move the suspension at the end of travel.
Higher suspension rise makes a bike
softer at the start of travel and rmer at
the end of travel; on the other hand, too
much suspension rise will cause a bike to
feel harsh. We measure suspension rise in
percent (eg. 40% is higher rise than 30%).
Suspension Progression is the function
that increases or “ramps up” the rate of
rise throughout the suspension curve.
More progression means the eects of
suspension rise will be felt further into the
travel. Suspension that’s too progressive
can cause the bike to wallow at sag, while
suspension that’s too linear can cause a
harsh feeling at sag or allow the bike to
approach bottom-out too quickly.

RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 03Terms (Continued)
Seat Tube Angle (STA) is the angle from the ground to the seat
tube, measured from bottom bracket to top of the extended
seatpost. Steeper seat tube angles put the rider in a more
powerful pedaling and climbing position, but too steep will
cause awkward pedaling and steering dynamics.
Reach (R) is the horizontal distance measured from the bottom
bracket to the head tube. It determines how the bike ts while
the rider is standing up. Shorter reach makes the bike more agile
and playful. Longer reach provides a roomier cockpit.
Bottom Bracket Drop (BBD) is how far below the height of the
axles your bottom bracket is. More bottom bracket drop means a
lower bottom bracket, which is critical in determining your centre
of gravity. More bottom bracket drop (lower bottom bracket)
makes cornering easier and increases the feeling of being “in”
the bike, while less bottom bracket drop (higher bottom bracket)
makes it easier to avoid pedal strikes.
Head Tube Angle (HTA) is the angle from the ground to the fork.
A slacker head tube angle allows the bike to plow over obstacles
more easily, while a steeper head tube angle makes the bike
respond faster to steering input.
TERMS (CONTINUED)

2018 Instinct Suspension Curve — Slack, Neutral, and Steep RIDE-9™ Positions
Travel
Rate
80 1006020 400
0.300
0.340
0.320
0.360
0.380
0.400
0.420
0.440
0.480
0.460
0.500
120 140 160
Position 1 (slack)
Position 5 (neutral)
Position 9 (steep)
RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 04Geometry Information / Suspension Information
GEOMETRY INFORMATION
SUSPENSION INFORMATION
The Instinct received a substantial geometry update for 2018, while retaining the
condence and handling that people loved about the previous generation. It’s slacker to
keep things stable, but uses a longer fork oset to keep steering dynamics precise.
We’ve shortened the rear centre, lengthened the reach slightly, and steepened
the seat-tube angle—allowing for shorter stems and wider bars without sacricing
a powerful pedaling position.
We tuned our four-bar Smoothlink™ suspension to increase the Instinct's anti-squat values and maximize pedaling performance
without sacricing the traditional Rocky Mountain ride feel. It has a moderately progressive rate curve, and a rising rate that’s adjustable
between 20% and 50%.
Riders Geoff Gulevich & Thomas Vanderham
Photo Margus Riga
Location Whistler, BC

RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 05RIDE-9™ Position 1
POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 POSITION 4 POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 POSITION 8 POSITION 9
Suspension Progression
Progressive
Suspension Rise
45.8%
Neutral SteepSlack
2018 INSTINCT RIDE-9™ POSITIONS
HTA STA STL TTH HTL RC BBD SH WB R S
S66°74.5°392 576 95 436 36 816 115 4 408 607
M66°74.5°432 601 100 436 36 811 1179 432 611
L66°74.5°470 626 110 436 37 810 1206 455 621
XL 66°74.5°508 656 120 436 36 809 1237 482 630
7
4
1
8
5
2
9
6
3
HTA Head Tube Angle (deg)
STA Seat Tube Angle (deg)
STL Seat Tube Length (mm)
TTH Top Tube Horizontal (mm)
HTL Head Tube Length (mm)
RC Rear Centre (mm)
BBD Bottom Bracket Drop (mm)
WB Wheelbase (mm)
R Reach (mm)
S Stack (mm)

RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 06RIDE-9™ Position 2
POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 POSITION 4 POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 POSITION 8 POSITION 9
Suspension Progression
Progressive
Suspension Rise
44.4%
Neutral SteepSlack
7
4
1
8
5
2
9
6
3
2018 INSTINCT RIDE-9™ POSITIONS
HTA Head Tube Angle (deg)
STA Seat Tube Angle (deg)
STL Seat Tube Length (mm)
TTH Top Tube Horizontal (mm)
HTL Head Tube Length (mm)
RC Rear Centre (mm)
BBD Bottom Bracket Drop (mm)
WB Wheelbase (mm)
R Reach (mm)
S Stack (mm)
HTA STA STL TTH HTL RC BBD SH WB R S
S66 .1°74.6°392 576 95 436 35 816 115 4 409 606
M66 .1°74.6°432 601 100 436 35 812 1179 433 610
L66 .1°74.6°470 626 110 436 35 811 120 6 456 620
XL 66 .1°74.6°508 656 120 436 35 810 1237 483 629

RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 07RIDE-9™ Position 3
POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 POSITION 4 POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 POSITION 8 POSITION 9
Suspension Progression
Progressive
Suspension Rise
42.4%
Neutral SteepSlack
7
4
1
8
5
2
9
6
3
2018 INSTINCT RIDE-9™ POSITIONS
HTA Head Tube Angle (deg)
STA Seat Tube Angle (deg)
STL Seat Tube Length (mm)
TTH Top Tube Horizontal (mm)
HTL Head Tube Length (mm)
RC Rear Centre (mm)
BBD Bottom Bracket Drop (mm)
WB Wheelbase (mm)
R Reach (mm)
S Stack (mm)
HTA STA STL TTH HTL RC BBD SH WB R S
S66.2°74.7°392 576 95 435 33 817 1153 411 605
M66.2°74.7°432 601 100 435 34 812 1179 434 610
L66.2°74.7°470 626 110 435 34 811 120 6 457 619
XL 66.2°74.7°508 656 120 435 34 810 1237 484 628

RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 08RIDE-9™ Position 4
POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 POSITION 4 POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 POSITION 8 POSITION 9
Suspension Progression
Progressive
Suspension Rise
38.4%
Neutral SteepSlack
7
4
1
8
5
2
9
6
3
2018 INSTINCT RIDE-9™ POSITIONS
HTA Head Tube Angle (deg)
STA Seat Tube Angle (deg)
STL Seat Tube Length (mm)
TTH Top Tube Horizontal (mm)
HTL Head Tube Length (mm)
RC Rear Centre (mm)
BBD Bottom Bracket Drop (mm)
WB Wheelbase (mm)
R Reach (mm)
S Stack (mm)
HTA STA STL TTH HTL RC BBD SH WB R S
S66.4°74.9°392 575 95 435 32 817 1153 412 604
M66.4°74.9°432 600 100 435 32 813 1179 436 608
L66.4°74.9°470 625 110 435 32 812 1206 458 618
XL 66.4°74.9°508 655 120 435 32 811 1237 486 627

RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 09RIDE-9™ Position 5
POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 POSITION 4 POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 POSITION 8 POSITION 9
Suspension Progression
Progressive
Suspension Rise
36.4%
Neutral SteepSlack
7
4
1
8
5
2
9
6
3
2018 INSTINCT RIDE-9™ POSITIONS
HTA Head Tube Angle (deg)
STA Seat Tube Angle (deg)
STL Seat Tube Length (mm)
TTH Top Tube Horizontal (mm)
HTL Head Tube Length (mm)
RC Rear Centre (mm)
BBD Bottom Bracket Drop (mm)
WB Wheelbase (mm)
R Reach (mm)
S Stack (mm)
HTA STA STL TTH HTL RC BBD SH WB R S
S66.5°75°392 575 95 435 30 818 1153 413 603
M66.5°75°432 600 100 435 30 814 1179 437 608
L66.5°75°470 625 110 435 30 813 1205 460 617
XL 66.5°75°508 655 120 435 30 812 1237 487 626

RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 10RIDE-9™ Position 6
POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 POSITION 4 POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 POSITION 8 POSITION 9
Suspension Progression
Progressive
Suspension Rise
34%
Neutral SteepSlack
7
4
1
8
5
2
9
6
3
2018 INSTINCT RIDE-9™ POSITIONS
HTA Head Tube Angle (deg)
STA Seat Tube Angle (deg)
STL Seat Tube Length (mm)
TTH Top Tube Horizontal (mm)
HTL Head Tube Length (mm)
RC Rear Centre (mm)
BBD Bottom Bracket Drop (mm)
WB Wheelbase (mm)
R Reach (mm)
S Stack (mm)
HTA STA STL TTH HTL RC BBD SH WB R S
S66.6°75.1°392 575 95 435 28 818 1153 415 602
M66.6°75.1°432 600 100 435 28 814 1179 439 607
L66.6°75.1°470 625 110 435 28 813 1205 461 616
XL 66.6°75.1°508 655 120 435 28 812 1237 489 625

RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 11RIDE-9™ Position 7
POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 POSITION 4 POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 POSITION 8 POSITION 9
Suspension Progression
Progressive
Suspension Rise
31.4%
Neutral SteepSlack
7
4
1
8
5
2
9
6
3
2018 INSTINCT RIDE-9™ POSITIONS
HTA Head Tube Angle (deg)
STA Seat Tube Angle (deg)
STL Seat Tube Length (mm)
TTH Top Tube Horizontal (mm)
HTL Head Tube Length (mm)
RC Rear Centre (mm)
BBD Bottom Bracket Drop (mm)
WB Wheelbase (mm)
R Reach (mm)
S Stack (mm)
HTA STA STL TTH HTL RC BBD SH WB R S
S66.7°75.2°392 574 95 435 27 819 115 3 416 601
M66.7°75.2°432 599 100 435 27 815 1179 440 606
L66.7°75.2°470 624 110 435 27 814 1205 462 615
XL 66.7°75.2°508 654 120 435 27 813 1237 490 624

RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 12RIDE-9™ Position 8
POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 POSITION 4 POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 POSITION 8 POSITION 9
Suspension Progression
Progressive
Suspension Rise
29.0%
Neutral SteepSlack
7
4
1
8
5
2
9
6
3
2018 INSTINCT RIDE-9™ POSITIONS
HTA Head Tube Angle (deg)
STA Seat Tube Angle (deg)
STL Seat Tube Length (mm)
TTH Top Tube Horizontal (mm)
HTL Head Tube Length (mm)
RC Rear Centre (mm)
BBD Bottom Bracket Drop (mm)
WB Wheelbase (mm)
R Reach (mm)
S Stack (mm)
HTA STA STL TTH HTL RC BBD SH WB R S
S66.9°75.4°392 574 95 434 25 819 115 3 417 600
M66.9°75.4°432 599 100 434 25 815 1178 441 605
L66.9°75.4°470 624 110 434 25 815 1205 464 614
XL 66.9°75.4°508 654 120 434 25 814 1237 491 623

RIDE-9™ Setup Guide: 2018 Instinct 13RIDE-9™ Position 9
HTA Head Tube Angle (deg)
STA Seat Tube Angle (deg)
STL Seat Tube Length (mm)
TTH Top Tube Horizontal (mm)
HTL Head Tube Length (mm)
RC Rear Centre (mm)
BBD Bottom Bracket Drop (mm)
WB Wheelbase (mm)
R Reach (mm)
S Stack (mm)
POSITION 1 POSITION 2 POSITION 3 POSITION 4 POSITION 5 POSITION 6 POSITION 7 POSITION 8 POSITION 9
Suspension Progression
Progressive
Suspension Rise
26.3%
Neutral SteepSlack
7
4
1
8
5
2
9
6
3
2018 INSTINCT RIDE-9™ POSITIONS
HTA STA STL TTH HTL RC BBD SH WB R S
S67°75.5°392 574 95 434 23 820 115 3 419 599
M67°75.5°432 599 100 434 23 816 1178 443 604
L67°75.5°470 624 110 434 23 815 1205 465 613
XL 67°75.5°508 654 120 434 23 815 1236 493 622

DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Rocky Mountain Bicycles
1225 East Keith Road, Unit #10
North Vancouver, BC Canada, V7J 1J3
T. 604-980-9938 F. 604-980-9975
HEAD OFFICE
Rocky Mountain Bicycles
9095, 25th Avenue,
St-Georges, QC Canada, G6A 1A1
T. 1-800-663-2512 F. 1-800-570-8356
Rocky Mountain, its logo and other trade names are registered trademarks.
Some technologies on Rocky Mountain products are patented or patent pending.
©Rocky Mountain Bicycles 2017