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Rocky Mtn. ETSX vs 3D Link: better, or just different (7 posts)
|  Rocky Mtn. ETSX vs 3D Link: better, or just different | NoBonk
Oct 7, 2002 12:59 PM | | I was checking out the new RM bikes and saw an almost equal mix of ETSX (their new new FS design) bikes and 3D Link (their new FS design) bikes and started to wonder what is the real performance difference? Is one better than the other? or are they just different for different riding. They are both X-country FS bikes. RM says ETSX is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Then why isn't it are then Element Team bike? Can anybody solve this million dollar dilemma? Or just help me understand which, why, how, what, how, when? |
| great question because I have an Element... | 32:20
Oct 7, 2002 1:02 PM | | and started to wonder if I was beginning to date myself. When I saw their Team ride was still the 3D linkage I figured I can't be that far behind....
I'm still pissed at Rocky for discont'ing the Blizzard as a complete bke though... |
| the difference | islander
Oct 7, 2002 2:22 PM | | The question you ask is best solved with a test ride on both bikes. They are very different designs so they will feel different for sure. The question of which is better can only be decided by you after you felt both types of suspension.
The 3D link design is getting dated now and with the advent of NRS, VPP etc -type FS XC designs, RMB needed to introduce a new design to show they are still a leading company. Right now, the links on the ETSX frames are machined in Vancouver, so the frames are quite expensive to produce (about same as an RM7!) but once they start to forge these links, the price should come down.
Mike |
| Took a brief ride on a prototype 2 summers ago... | Dave K
Oct 7, 2002 4:49 PM | | And it felt pretty nice. The shock was pumped very stiff (Andreas hestler's test rig). It felt very snappy on short power climbs. I didn't notice a lot of rear end flex, but I didn't stuff the bike into any fast corners.
I think one of the reasons it isn't the TO bike is that it is probably heavier than the Elements. It uses a lighter version of the RAD tubesets. Also more link plates and bearings make for a heavier bike. The Element TO frames are pushing less than 5 lbs with shock. Leslie Thomlinson and Gretchen Reeves used them to win the the Transalp this summer.
I think that Rocky is marketing them not as XC race bikes but more XC excursion bikes. That is longer travel, all-day, epic ride bikes.
Dave |
| I test rode one this summer | radair
Oct 8, 2002 9:10 AM | | and was blown away by how smooth it was. I have an Instinct (with Slayer linkage plates) and thought it was quite smooth. The X-bike was amazing in all aspects of riding. |
| I test rode one this summer | SprungShoulders
Oct 9, 2002 2:28 PM | | Hey radair, did you order up your Slayer plates through an LBS, or directly from Rocky? I'd like to slap a pair on my Spice frame, and was wondering if it would be better to deal direct, or go the LBS way. Thanx! |
| re: Rocky Mtn. ETSX vs 3D Link: better, or just different | WarrGuru
Oct 8, 2002 5:49 AM | | The linkages are the same, it's the acronyms that changed. Rocky Mopuntain needed an acronym to compete with VPP and NRS. ;-) j/k |
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