XC riders living in France can now walk into their nearest Decathlon store and pick up the all-new Rockrider XC 900 S for just €1899!
B’Twin, Decathlon’s own bicycle brand, has released a new full-suspension bike that if launched in the UK would surely become one of the hottest bikes of the year. The Decathlon Rockrider XC 900 costs just €1899 in France, the only location it is currently available, which converts to around £1690, yet it boasts features not associated with sub-£2000 bikes.
The major selling point of the Decathlon Rockrider XC 900 S is the carbon fibre main frame matched to an alloy 6061 rear triangle providing 120mm of travel. This isn’t your standard Chinese bought catalogue frame though, and like most ‘high-end’ Decathlon models the XC900 was designed at the ‘B’Twin Village’ in, Lille, France.
A 1x specific design and overbuilt BB area should ensure the carbon main frame is stiff and efficient, though, with a Manitou Radium Expert metric shock attached to the rear (with grip shift lockout) and 120mm RockShox Reba fork up front, the Rockrider XC 900 S should remain fast and nimble for XC thrashing even in the rough stuff.
SRAM’s GX Eagle drivetrain gives the Rockrider XC 900 S its 1×12 drivetrain, mated to a Truvativ chainset with 34t chainring. SRAM also provides the stopping power with a set of 160mm discs front and rear and Level T calipers.
4 frame sizes will be offered ranging from S-XL and each size rolls on 29in, tubeless ready Mavic Crossmax wheels with Boost hub spacing and XC specific Hutchinson Skeleton 29 x 2.1in tyres. However, if you did fancy a little more cushioning or traction the ‘S’ in the model name stands for “Switch Concept” and the lightweight frame will accept 27.5+ wheels and tyres.
As already stated above, the Rockrider XC 900 S carbon XC bike is only available in France at this time, so if you fancy one you would have to pick one up while on your jollies. If you like the idea of a low-cost, carbon bike and aren’t bothered with rear suspension though, Decathlon UK does sell the XC 900 hardtail with similar spec but 27.5in wheels for £1499.99.
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I think I might need a holiday in France….
@ampthill I’m not much of an XC rider, but at that price, I might go on a jolly too!
Blimey, that looks perfect for 90% of my riding and I could mince the other 10%
#checksferryprices
Frame seems light (2.2kg, not sure if with or without shock) and spec seems good, has internal dropper routing, decent wheels & cassette so no real cost cutting etc. Long stems and narrowish bars but easily changed…
Only issue I can see is tyre clearance, looks a little tight but difficult to see for sure in the one pic that shows BB area, and it’s specced with 2.1 tyres… any chance of STW finding out what the max tyre size is?
2.2kg without shock.
Total weights quoted (with inner tubes) are:
11.9 kg in size S without the pedals.
12 kg in size M without the pedals.
12.1 kg in size L without the pedals.
12.2 kg in size XL without the pedals.
Interesting…
“Only issue I can see is tyre clearance”
The fact that this bike is also 27.5+ compatible suggests otherwise, I think?
I’ve seen a number of photos of it (here: https://www.vojomag.com/test-nouveaute-rockrider-xc900s-un-full-carbone-en-120mm-a-moins-de-2000e/) and as far as I can tell clearance looks pretty good.
Interesting…. I know a senior manager who works for Decathalon and works in Lille.
Interesting facts about decathalon:
1. Its a partnership company like John Lewis in that the employees own the company
2. It doesnt spend anything on marketing purely to keep the cost to consumer down, which means (3) isnt shouted about.
3. They are intensively proud of managing the whole supply chain for their products down to the minute detail. So for example, their clothes arent simply bought from a Thai or Turkey sweat shop based on a design. They find the manufacturers of the raw materials, choose each partner in the chain and actively manage the quality and manufacturing process as well as the suppliers for ALL their brands.
So I reckon the frame will be of significant quality and they have bolted on some pretty good spec parts for the money… well done decathalon.
I like Decathlon.
I’ve got these on all my bikes: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/flash-front-mudguard-black-id_8327776.html – front and back wheels – and they’re every bit as good as “brand” equivalents that cost a tenner more.
I’ve had quiet a lot of fishing tackle from Decathlon too, and it’s no less satisfying.
I ride an XC900 carbon hardtail 27.5 – it is non boost and has huge mud clearance. However I did look at their XC900 boost carbon hardtail and the clearance was minimal. This “S” switch model looks like they have sorted that issue. Decathlon are fab for cycle clothing, anything in the 900 range is bob on. Gloves, waterproofs, shoes, bibs, tops. Very WYSIWIG.
Good point Keith about the B+, you’d hope that means bags of clearance. I guess the 2.1 is what is expected for a marathon machine then… the vojo review sounds exactly right – not groundbreaking but a good ride and very good value for money. They mentioned the shock not quite being up to RS or Fox standards, that seemed their only real minus point. Would be interesting to get one on test for STW – I’ll volunteer if you like!
It’s on the UK website for online delivery here:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/900-s-xc-mountain-bike-29-id_8545706.html
Or you could get a yesteryear Cannondale or Giant from Paul’s Cycles with similarly dated geometry for similar money.
“Or you could get a yesteryear Cannondale or Giant from Paul’s Cycles with similarly dated geometry for similar money”
Really?
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/bikes/mountain-bikes/29-inch/full-suspension-mtb/carbon/male/adult
Oh – and my nearest Decathlon is about 20 miles away from me: Dereham is 250 miles away.
” similarly dated geometry”
There’s nothing “dated” about – it’s spot-on for an XC bike.
Then again, I was never a fashion victim…
When even brands like Trek have moved on from the short reach/long stem approach you know it’s dead.
It’s spot on for a XC bike yes – from 2016.
You know they’ll deliver – right?
This is the kind of revolution mountain biking needs, make bikes more affordable and more accessible!.. okay so it’s halfway there.
Bought mine today after months of to and fro.
Arrives in 10 days and I’ll post up some pics when it does.
Excellent ingloorious. Post up a new thread -I will be very interested.
Give us good shots of BB area, mud clearance and ride report.
Be interested in what you think of the bike to Ingloorious. very tempted to hit the buy it button.
Very happy so far, couple of test rides and then a nice easy 30 miler.
Started a thread here:
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/decathlon-rockrider-xc900s/
@Wally, have updated the thread I started with a link to some pics to show tyre clearance.