Custom build
Rocky Mountain ETSX
This bike has been my pride and joy since I bought it in 2008 and it never fails to get admiring glances and comments wherever I go with it. I was after a mile-munching, enduro, XC, AM and trail bike that was light and comfortable enough to ride all day but tough enough to ride down the mountains of North Wales. This was the bike I chose, and the Rocky Mountain ETSX does it all superbly.
I bought it brand new, in standard form, after searching around for something a bit different from the samey, bland, mass-produced offerings out there. Since I bought the ETSX it's been fully customized with carefully chosen, quality upgrades, using only the best components, as you will see from the spec. Every single component on the bike, apart from the rear shock, has been upgraded. The reason I never upgraded the shock was because I felt there were no performance benefits to be gained by doing so.
The complete build has cost over £3,000 with all the receipts to prove it. I am asking £1,200 for a quick sale.
The ride...
The bike handles like a dream and the steering is perfectly balanced. It's quick, nimble and responsive due to its geometry and low weight but also stable and predictable thanks to the highly efficient ETS (Energy Transfer System) suspension. It excels on fast singletrack, climbs like a goat on steroids and copes effortlessly with long, steep rocky descents like Snowdon.
The appeal of the ETSX's versatility lies in the instantly adjustable front and rear suspension travel. Select from 4", 4.5" and 5" of plush rear-end travel via a quick release lever on the suspension wishbone. The 4" setting is ideal for steep technical climbs. It's so efficient it virtually eliminates the need to use the Propedal setting on the shock. Choose 4.5" travel for sketchy singletrack and increased traction on trails, then extend to 5" for high-speed stability on fast descents. Bear in mind that you have similar travel settings up-front on the Talas fork, and you've got the whole mountain covered. The buttery smooth plushness of the rear suspension increases with each setting and the 5" travel setting feels like it has more travel than many 6" trail bikes I've ridden.
The spec...
Frame: 19" Rocky Mountain ETSX '07 - 7005 Easton FS Ultralite tubeset. Handbuilt in BC, Canada. Powder coated in Acid Green with 4"/100mm - 4.5"/115mm - 5"/130mm QR adjustable travel.
Forks: 2009 Fox Talas 32 R custom sprayed in silver. 100-120-140mm travel. 15mm QR thru-axle. Fully serviced & rebuilt May '09.
Shock: Fox Float RP2 with Propedal. Shock is custom valve tuned to frame. TF Tuned heavy duty shock bushing fitted in November '09.
Front Wheel: RIM: Spank Subrosa AL30 jello green. HUB: Hope Pro2 15mm thru-axle QR. SPOKES: DT Swiss Comp.
Rear Wheel: RIM: Spank Subrosa AL30 jello green. HUB: Hope Pro2 / Salsa 135mm QR. Spokes: DT Swiss Comp.
Headset: Chris King No Threadset
Brakes: Formula Oro Bianco with 203/183 Hope Mono 6 Sawdisc floating rotors and matching Hope brackets.
Cranks: RaceFace Atlas AM 44/32/22 175mm.
Pedals: Shimano M545
Bottom Bracket: Hope stainless steel, silver.
Bars: Spank Spike 777 Oversize 31.8mm x 700mm
Stem: Thomson Elite X4 Oversize 90mm
Seatpost: Thomson Elite layback
Seat Collar: Salsa QR
Shifters: Shimano XT dual-release.
Front Mech: Shimano XT
Rear Mech: Shimano XT Shadow
Cassette: Shimano XT 11-32
Tyres: Maxxis Minions 2.3f Single ply XC version, front & rear.
Saddle: Selle-Italia Flite Max
Grips: Sunline lock-on
The good bits...
• Totally one-of-a-kind, £3k custom build. You will not see another like this.
• Lovely overall condition. You will not be disappointed!
• Everything is sound and solid. It has never been used for jumps or had the frame/components stressed or abused in any way.
• Very well looked after bike, regularly serviced by myself.
• No play in frame or forks
• Everything works well and as it should.
• Legendary Rocky Mountain finishing quality and hand powder-coated paintjob. Unless you've owned a Rocky you won't know how tough it is!
• Hope/Spank wheels handbuilt by Kustom Bikes. Incredibly strong and stiff wheelset, have not needed truing since new!
• Formula brakes teamed with large diameter Hope floating rotors provide amazing stopping power in all conditions.
• Fox Talas fork with 100/120/140mm of smooth, plush travel. Converted to15mm thru-axle. Fully serviced in May '09.
• Top-brand, top-quality, built-for-purpose components used throughout. No pointless anodised bling for the sake of it, just well thought out, reliable and durable top-end upgrades.
• All manuals and receipts present.
• I will throw in 2 x brand new pairs of genuine Formula Oro sintered brake pads (RRP £20 each) for the winning bidder.
The not so good bits... bear in mind I'm being extra picky here to avoid any comebacks or disappointment.
• Very slight ding in top tube (see pic), its so small the camera couldn't focus properly on it. Purely cosmetic and in no way affects the frame.
• Usual, slight scratches and chips on both rims. Rear rim has some dings on the edges. Again, purely cosmetic and have not affected the strength of the rim. Wheel runs true and I've used it for months with no problems at all.
• As with any used MTB, usual, slight cable rub on head and top tube. Paint has only dulled and scuffed, not worn through though. Other small, very minor scratches on the frame/components, hardly worth mentioning.
• Scratches on right leg of fork (see pic)
• Some play in pedal bearings, nothing critical.
• Saddle is scuffed and has a small tear.
Reason for sale...
The only reason for this reluctant sale is that I have bought another Rocky Mountain, a Slayer SXC frame, and sadly I have to sell my ETSX to fund the build. I will be really sorry to see it go as it's been an absolute joy to ride. If i could afford to keep her, I would!
Collection
I am based between Caernarfon and Bangor in north Wales. Cash on collection please.
Any questions, please e-mail or call Dylan on 07712-648452
Cheers.
