Hey guys! Let's get down and dirty with the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50. This bike is a beast, a true all-mountain machine designed to devour climbs and descend with reckless abandon. We're gonna break down everything from its geometry and components to how it handles on the trails. If you're looking for a bike that can do it all, from epic backcountry adventures to ripping up your local flow trails, then stick around. This review is for you!

Unveiling the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50: What's the Hype?

So, why all the buzz around the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50? Well, it's not just hype, folks. Rocky Mountain has a stellar reputation for building bikes that are both capable and fun. The Altitude A50, in particular, hits a sweet spot, balancing climbing prowess with downhill performance. It's the kind of bike that makes you want to explore, push your limits, and generally have a blast on two wheels. The Altitude A50 isn't just a mountain bike; it's an experience waiting to happen. It's the kind of bike that you can take anywhere and feel confident, whether you're tackling technical climbs, bombing down steep descents, or cruising along flowing singletrack. The frame design, suspension setup, and component choices all work together to create a cohesive package that’s greater than the sum of its parts. This bike is all about versatility. You can take it on long backcountry missions, race it in enduro events, or simply enjoy a fun ride with your buddies on the weekend. The Altitude A50 is ready for whatever adventure you throw its way. It's about inspiring confidence and encouraging riders to push their limits and explore new trails. The Altitude A50 gives you the tools to become a better rider. It encourages you to seek out challenging terrain, improve your skills, and experience the pure joy of mountain biking. This bike is a statement. A statement that says you're ready to tackle anything the trail throws at you. You are choosing a machine that is built for speed, performance, and pure mountain biking fun. This is not just a bike; it is your gateway to mountain biking adventures.

Frame and Geometry: The Foundation of Performance

Let's talk about the heart and soul of the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50: the frame. Rocky Mountain is known for its Ride-9 adjustment system, which allows you to fine-tune the bike's geometry and suspension characteristics. This is a game-changer because you can adapt the bike to suit your riding style, the terrain, and the specific conditions. The Altitude A50 features a lightweight and stiff alloy frame designed to handle aggressive riding. The geometry is modern, with a long reach, slack head tube angle, and steep seat tube angle. This combination provides excellent stability at high speeds, confident handling on technical descents, and efficient climbing performance. The long reach gives you more room to move around on the bike, which is especially helpful when navigating tricky terrain. The slack head tube angle makes the bike feel more stable and composed when going downhill. The steep seat tube angle puts you in a more efficient pedaling position, which helps you climb those long, grueling hills. The frame is designed with internal cable routing, which gives it a clean and sleek look. The internal routing also protects the cables from the elements, which can extend their lifespan. The frame also has plenty of clearance for wide tires, so you can choose the tires that best suit your riding style and the trail conditions. This allows you to run wider tires for increased grip and comfort or narrower tires for improved rolling efficiency. The Ride-9 adjustment system allows you to tweak the geometry and suspension to suit your needs, making the Altitude A50 incredibly versatile.

Suspension System: Smooth Sailing on Rough Trails

The suspension on the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 is where the magic really happens. The bike features a smooth and efficient suspension system that gobbles up bumps and provides excellent traction. The front suspension is handled by a RockShox Pike Select RC fork with 160mm of travel. This fork is known for its excellent performance and reliability. It provides ample travel for absorbing impacts and keeping the front wheel planted on the trail. The rear suspension uses a RockShox Deluxe Select+ RT shock, also with 160mm of travel. The shock is designed to provide a balance of pedaling efficiency and bump absorption. The combination of the Pike fork and the Deluxe shock creates a balanced suspension system that is capable of handling a wide range of terrain. Whether you're riding over rocks, roots, or drops, the suspension will soak up the bumps and keep you in control. The suspension system on the Altitude A50 is designed to provide a smooth and controlled ride. It allows you to maintain speed and momentum on rough trails, while also providing excellent traction. The suspension system is a key factor in the Altitude A50's performance and versatility. It makes the bike a joy to ride on a variety of trails and conditions. The suspension is not just about soaking up bumps; it's also about providing traction, control, and efficiency. The well-tuned suspension system will allow you to ride faster, smoother, and with more confidence. The Altitude A50's suspension is a testament to Rocky Mountain's commitment to building high-performance mountain bikes. The suspension setup is a crucial factor in the Altitude A50's ability to handle both climbing and descending with equal aplomb.

Component Breakdown: What Makes the A50 Tick?

Alright, let's dive into the nitty-gritty and see what components make the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 such a formidable machine. We'll break down the key parts and see how they contribute to the overall performance of this amazing bike.

Drivetrain: Powering Up the Hills

The drivetrain on the Altitude A50 is built for both efficiency and durability. It comes equipped with a Shimano SLX/XT 12-speed groupset. Shimano is renowned for its smooth shifting and reliable performance, and the SLX/XT combination offers a great balance of value and performance. You'll get crisp, precise shifting across the wide-range 12-speed cassette, which provides plenty of gears for tackling steep climbs and maintaining speed on flats. The SLX/XT drivetrain ensures you can efficiently transfer your power to the wheels, making climbing a breeze. The wide range of gears is perfect for all-mountain riding, allowing you to conquer steep ascents and maintain speed on the descents. The drivetrain is a critical component for both climbing and descending, ensuring efficient power transfer and smooth gear changes. The Shimano SLX/XT components are known for their durability, ensuring that your drivetrain will last through countless rides. This drivetrain setup is reliable and efficient. It's ready to handle whatever trails you throw its way. The 12-speed system provides a massive range, so you'll have no trouble finding the right gear for any situation. The Shimano components are known for their durability and smooth performance, so you can count on them to perform ride after ride.

Brakes: Stopping Power You Can Trust

When you're bombing down a mountain, you need brakes you can rely on. The 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 is equipped with Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes. Shimano brakes are known for their consistent performance, powerful stopping power, and easy modulation. You'll have complete control over your speed, allowing you to confidently tackle steep descents and technical sections. The SLX brakes offer a great balance of performance and value, providing excellent stopping power in all conditions. The brakes are a crucial safety component, and the Shimano SLX brakes provide the stopping power and modulation you need to stay in control. These brakes give you the confidence to push your limits. These are brakes you can rely on, no matter the conditions. Shimano brakes are legendary for their performance, and these are no exception. They offer excellent modulation, allowing you to control your speed precisely, making sure you will stop quickly and safely. The brakes are a critical piece of the puzzle, and the SLX brakes on the Altitude A50 are more than up to the task.

Wheels and Tires: Grip and Roll

The wheels and tires are your connection to the trail. The 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 comes with a solid wheelset and tires designed to provide grip, durability, and rolling efficiency. The wheels are built with reliable hubs and rims, designed to withstand the rigors of all-mountain riding. The tires are a crucial part of the equation, as they provide the grip you need to stay in control on a variety of surfaces. Rocky Mountain typically specs the Altitude A50 with quality tires. The tires are tubeless-ready, which allows you to run lower pressures for increased grip and comfort. Lower tire pressure provides better traction, especially on loose or technical terrain. The wheels are sturdy and reliable, designed to handle the abuse of aggressive riding. The tire choice is important for your riding experience. Quality tires will provide the grip and control you need, while also offering good rolling efficiency. The wheels and tires work together to provide a balanced ride. They contribute to the Altitude A50's versatility and ability to tackle a wide range of trails. It is crucial to have a reliable wheelset that can handle the abuse of aggressive riding. The tires are where the rubber meets the road, providing the grip and control you need to enjoy the ride. The wheels and tires are an important part of the Altitude A50's performance, and Rocky Mountain makes sure that the components are up to the task.

Riding the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50: Trail Impressions

Now, let's get to the fun part: what's it like to actually ride the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50? From the moment you swing a leg over this bike, you'll feel its balanced geometry and responsive handling. The climbing performance is impressive for an all-mountain bike. The steep seat tube angle puts you in an efficient pedaling position, and the suspension platform is surprisingly efficient when you're mashing up the hills. The bike is not a sluggish climber. It will get you to the top with a smile on your face. On the descents, the Altitude A50 truly shines. The long reach and slack head tube angle provide excellent stability at high speeds, while the suspension soaks up bumps and keeps the tires glued to the trail. You'll feel confident tackling challenging terrain and pushing your limits. The bike is incredibly fun to ride on the descents, making you want to go faster and take on more challenging lines. The bike is a confidence-inspiring machine on the downhills. It feels stable, composed, and ready for anything. The suspension works in harmony, providing grip and control. The experience is all about confidence and fun. The Altitude A50 offers a fantastic all-around riding experience, excelling on both climbs and descents. The bike is a versatile and capable machine. It's a great choice for riders who want a bike that can handle a wide variety of trails and riding styles. The experience of riding this bike is pure joy. It will make you fall in love with mountain biking all over again. The Altitude A50 is more than just a bike; it's a gateway to adventure.

Climbing: Conquering the Uphill Battle

Climbing on the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 is surprisingly efficient. The steep seat tube angle helps you get your weight centered over the pedals, which improves pedaling efficiency. The suspension platform is relatively firm when you're pedaling, minimizing bobbing and maximizing power transfer. The bike feels eager to climb. It will reward your effort with a steady ascent. While it's not a dedicated cross-country race bike, the Altitude A50 climbs better than many bikes in its category. The suspension provides enough support to keep the rear wheel planted on the ground. This allows you to maintain traction and power through technical sections. Climbing on this bike is not a chore. It is an opportunity to challenge yourself and enjoy the views. You can conquer challenging climbs with confidence. The Altitude A50 is designed to help you reach the top of the mountain. It will push your limits and make you a better climber. The bike inspires you to seek out challenging climbs and enjoy the satisfaction of reaching the summit.

Descending: Unleash the Beast

When it comes to descending, the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 truly comes alive. The long reach, slack head tube angle, and capable suspension combine to create a bike that is incredibly stable and confidence-inspiring at speed. You'll be able to confidently navigate steep and technical descents. The suspension absorbs bumps and keeps the tires glued to the trail, providing exceptional grip and control. The bike encourages you to push your limits. It allows you to tackle challenging lines and go faster than you thought possible. Descending on the Altitude A50 is a blast. It is where this bike truly shines. It’s designed to handle anything you throw at it. The geometry and suspension work together, providing a smooth, controlled ride. You'll feel confident on the descents, which encourages you to push your limits and have fun. The Altitude A50 is a true downhill weapon. It excels on all types of descents. The bike is a joy to ride on the downhills, and it will make you a better rider. The descent is where the Altitude A50 becomes a true extension of yourself.

Who Is the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 For?

The 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 is a great choice for a wide range of riders. It's ideal for:

• All-Mountain Enthusiasts: Riders who love to tackle both climbs and descents.
• Enduro Riders: Those who want a capable bike for enduro races and challenging trails.
• Adventure Seekers: Riders looking for a versatile bike to explore a variety of terrain.
• Intermediate to Advanced Riders: Riders who want a bike that can grow with their skills.

If you're looking for a versatile, capable, and fun-to-ride all-mountain bike, the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 is definitely worth considering. It's a bike that can handle a wide range of trails and riding styles. It will provide a great riding experience. The Altitude A50 is a great choice for riders of all skill levels. This bike can handle whatever you can throw at it. The Altitude A50 is an excellent choice for anyone who is looking for a fun and capable all-mountain bike.

Conclusion: Is the 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 Worth It?

Absolutely! The 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 is a fantastic all-mountain bike that offers a great balance of performance, versatility, and value. Its modern geometry, capable suspension, and reliable components make it a joy to ride on a variety of trails. It is a true all-around performer. It is a bike you will be proud to own. If you're in the market for a new mountain bike and you're considering the Altitude A50, you won't be disappointed. It's a bike that will help you push your limits, improve your skills, and have a blast on the trails. The Altitude A50 is more than just a bike; it's a gateway to adventure and a tool that can help you become a better rider. It is the perfect choice for anyone looking to explore the world of mountain biking. This bike is a great investment for those looking to experience the thrill of riding in nature. The 2020 Rocky Mountain Altitude A50 is a testament to Rocky Mountain's commitment to building high-quality, high-performance mountain bikes. This bike is a winner. The Altitude A50 is a solid investment. Go out and ride, guys!