Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 (2019): Review & Specs

by Alex Braham 51 views

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50, a bike that’s been making waves in the trail riding scene. If you're looking for a versatile and capable mountain bike that can handle everything from smooth singletrack to technical descents, you’ve come to the right place. We'll break down everything you need to know about this awesome ride, from its key features and specs to its overall performance and value.

Overview of the Rocky Mountain Instinct C50

The Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 is designed to be a true all-rounder. It's built around a lightweight aluminum frame, offering a balanced and responsive ride quality that's perfect for a wide range of riders. The bike boasts 140mm of front and rear travel, providing plenty of cushion for tackling rough terrain while remaining efficient enough for climbing and pedaling on flatter trails. Rocky Mountain has a reputation for producing high-quality bikes, and the Instinct C50 is no exception. It blends performance with durability, making it a solid choice for both seasoned riders and those newer to the sport. One of the standout features of the Instinct C50 is its Ride-9 adjustment system. This clever design allows you to fine-tune the bike's geometry to suit your riding style and the terrain you're tackling. Whether you prefer a more aggressive, downhill-oriented setup or a more upright, comfortable position for long days in the saddle, the Ride-9 system gives you the flexibility to dial in the perfect ride. Beyond the frame and suspension, the Instinct C50 comes equipped with a reliable component package. Shimano provides the drivetrain and brakes, ensuring smooth shifting and confident stopping power. The wheels and tires are also well-chosen, offering a good balance of grip, durability, and weight. Overall, the 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 is a well-rounded trail bike that delivers a fun and engaging riding experience. Its versatility, adjustability, and reliable components make it a great option for riders who want a bike that can do it all.

Key Features and Specs

Let's get into the nitty-gritty details. The 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 is packed with features that make it a standout choice in the trail bike category. Understanding these specs will help you appreciate what this bike brings to the table and whether it aligns with your riding needs.

Frame and Suspension

At the heart of the Instinct C50 is its FORMâ„¢ alloy frame. This frame is engineered to be lightweight yet durable, providing a responsive and comfortable ride. The frame geometry is designed to strike a balance between stability at high speeds and agility in tight corners. The bike features 140mm of travel both in the front and rear, which is ideal for soaking up bumps and maintaining control on challenging trails. The suspension is handled by a RockShox Revelation RC fork and a RockShox Deluxe Select+ rear shock. These components offer excellent performance and adjustability, allowing you to fine-tune the suspension to your preferences. The RockShox Revelation RC fork is known for its smooth and predictable performance, while the Deluxe Select+ rear shock provides a plush and controlled feel. One of the key highlights of the frame is Rocky Mountain's Ride-9â„¢ adjustment system. This system allows you to adjust the bike's geometry by changing the position of two interlocking chips located in the suspension linkage. With Ride-9, you can alter the head tube angle, seat tube angle, and bottom bracket height to fine-tune the bike's handling characteristics. Whether you prefer a steeper head angle for quicker steering or a slacker angle for more stability on steep descents, the Ride-9 system gives you the flexibility to customize the bike to your riding style and the terrain you're riding.

Components and Drivetrain

The Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 comes equipped with a Shimano drivetrain, known for its reliability and smooth shifting performance. The bike features a Shimano SLX 11-speed drivetrain, which provides a wide range of gears for tackling various terrains. The Shimano SLX shifters offer precise and consistent shifting, while the Shimano SLX rear derailleur ensures smooth and reliable chain movement. The bike also features a Race Face Ride crankset with a 32T chainring, providing efficient power transfer and good climbing ability. The cassette is a Shimano SLX 11-46T, offering a wide range of gears for tackling steep climbs and fast descents. For braking, the Instinct C50 is equipped with Shimano MT500 hydraulic disc brakes. These brakes provide excellent stopping power and modulation, allowing you to confidently control your speed in all conditions. The Shimano MT500 brakes are known for their reliability and ease of maintenance, making them a great choice for trail riding. The bike rolls on a set of WTB ST i29 TCS 2.0 rims laced to Shimano hubs. These wheels are durable and lightweight, offering a good balance of performance and reliability. The WTB ST i29 rims are tubeless-ready, allowing you to run tubeless tires for improved traction and reduced risk of pinch flats. The tires are Maxxis Minion DHF 2.5 WT in the front and a Maxxis Minion DHR II 2.4 WT in the rear. These tires are a popular choice for trail riding, offering excellent grip and cornering performance in a variety of conditions.

Other Notable Specs

Beyond the core components, the Instinct C50 includes a few other notable features. It comes with a Rocky Mountain Toonie Drop Composite dropper post, allowing you to quickly and easily adjust your saddle height on the fly. This is a great feature for trail riding, as it allows you to get the saddle out of the way on descents and quickly raise it back up for climbing. The bike also features Rocky Mountain's own cockpit components, including a stem and handlebar. These components are designed to provide a comfortable and ergonomic riding position. The Instinct C50 also includes internal cable routing, which helps to keep the cables clean and tidy while also protecting them from damage. This gives the bike a sleek and modern look. Overall, the 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 is a well-equipped trail bike with a focus on performance and reliability. Its combination of a lightweight frame, capable suspension, and dependable components makes it a great choice for riders who want a versatile and fun bike for tackling a wide range of trails.

Riding Experience

Okay, so specs are great, but what’s it actually like to ride? The 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 truly shines on the trails. It's designed to be a versatile machine, and that's exactly what it delivers. Whether you're climbing steep ascents, bombing down technical descents, or navigating twisty singletrack, this bike handles it all with confidence and poise.

Climbing

When it comes to climbing, the Instinct C50 performs admirably. The bike's efficient suspension design minimizes pedal bob, allowing you to maintain a steady cadence and power up steep grades. The Shimano SLX drivetrain provides a wide range of gears, making it easy to find the right gear for any climb. The bike's relatively light weight also helps with climbing, making it easier to accelerate and maintain momentum. The Ride-9 adjustment system can also be used to optimize the bike's climbing performance. By adjusting the geometry to a steeper seat tube angle, you can improve your pedaling efficiency and make it easier to stay on top of the pedals. Overall, the Instinct C50 is a capable climber that can handle a wide range of ascents with ease.

Descending

Descending is where the Instinct C50 truly shines. The bike's 140mm of travel provides plenty of cushion for soaking up bumps and maintaining control on rough terrain. The RockShox Revelation RC fork and Deluxe Select+ rear shock work together to provide a smooth and predictable ride, allowing you to confidently tackle technical descents. The bike's slack head angle and long wheelbase provide stability at high speeds, while the short chainstays make it easy to maneuver in tight corners. The Shimano MT500 hydraulic disc brakes provide excellent stopping power and modulation, allowing you to confidently control your speed in all conditions. The Maxxis Minion DHF and DHR II tires offer excellent grip and cornering performance, further enhancing the bike's descending capabilities. The Ride-9 adjustment system can also be used to optimize the bike's descending performance. By adjusting the geometry to a slacker head angle, you can improve the bike's stability on steep descents and make it easier to stay in control.

Handling and Agility

The Instinct C50 strikes a great balance between stability and agility. The bike's geometry is designed to provide a stable and confident ride at high speeds, while also remaining nimble enough to navigate tight corners and technical sections. The bike's short chainstays make it easy to whip around corners, while the long wheelbase provides stability on rough terrain. The bike's suspension is also very responsive, allowing you to quickly react to changes in the trail. Overall, the Instinct C50 is a fun and engaging bike to ride, offering a great balance of stability, agility, and control. Whether you're carving through flowy singletrack or tackling technical trails, this bike will inspire confidence and put a smile on your face.

Pros and Cons

Every bike has its strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons of the 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 to help you make an informed decision.

Pros

  • Versatile Performance: The Instinct C50 is a true all-rounder, capable of handling a wide range of trails with ease.
  • Adjustable Geometry: The Ride-9 system allows you to fine-tune the bike's geometry to suit your riding style and the terrain you're riding.
  • Reliable Components: The Shimano drivetrain and brakes provide smooth shifting and confident stopping power.
  • Comfortable Ride: The suspension and frame geometry are designed to provide a comfortable and efficient ride.
  • Dropper Post: The included dropper post allows you to quickly and easily adjust your saddle height on the fly.

Cons

  • Aluminum Frame: While the aluminum frame is durable and lightweight, it may not offer the same level of compliance as a carbon frame.
  • Entry-Level Brakes: The Shimano MT500 brakes are reliable, but they may not offer the same level of power and modulation as higher-end brakes.
  • Weight: While the Instinct C50 is relatively lightweight, it may not be as light as some other trail bikes in its price range.

Final Verdict

So, what's the final word on the 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50? This bike is a fantastic choice for riders who want a versatile and capable trail bike that can handle a wide range of terrain. Its adjustable geometry, reliable components, and comfortable ride make it a great option for both seasoned riders and those newer to the sport. While it may not be the lightest or most high-end bike on the market, it offers excellent value for the money and delivers a fun and engaging riding experience. If you're looking for a do-it-all trail bike that can handle everything from smooth singletrack to technical descents, the Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 is definitely worth considering. Its combination of performance, versatility, and reliability make it a standout choice in the trail bike category. Whether you're exploring new trails or pushing your limits on familiar ones, this bike will help you get the most out of your riding experience. So, go ahead and give it a try – you might just find your new favorite trail companion!