After too many years being too hard to find in the UK, Rocky Mountain are back with a new distributor.
Press Release in full:
Adaptive DCS unveiled as new UK & Ireland partner for Rocky Mountain bikes
Rocky Mountain, the North Vancouver based performance mountain bike brand, has appointed Adaptive DCS as its exclusive distribution partner for UK and Ireland. The partnership is designed to strengthen brand presence, expand the retail network, and deliver enhanced support to dealers and riders nationwide.
Under the new commercial structure, Adaptive DCS will be responsible for UK sales and marketing, in addition to providing logistical support. The move will improve product availability, streamline ordering for retailers, and provide a higher level of service through a dedicated UK-based partner. Adaptive’s modern, agile setup also enables Rocky Mountain to operate closer to its customers than it would under a traditional distribution model.
This development follows Rocky Mountain’s wider European expansion in 2025, including the acquisition of long-standing partner Bikeaction, a German distributor of premium mountain bikes and e-bikes. The acquisition forms part of Rocky Mountain’s strategy to vertically integrate its European operations, bringing teams closer to its Canadian headquarters, strengthening collaboration, accelerating product development, and deepening connections with European riders.
Founded in 1981, Rocky Mountain has built a global reputation within the premium performance mountain bike market. More recently the brand is known for its Powerplay electric mountain bikes, alongside a full range of trail, enduro, downhill, cross-country, and youth models. Rocky Mountain is also deeply embedded in mountain bike culture, supporting elite athletes, global events, and trail-building initiatives. At Red Bull Rampage 2025, the brand celebrated a landmark moment when rookie rider Hayden Zablotny claimed victory aboard a Rocky Mountain bike.
Dale Vanderplank, Director and Co-owner of Adaptive DCS, commented: “We’re excited to collaborate with Rocky Mountain and to represent such an iconic heritage brand. While we bring extensive knowledge from our past experience in the high- performance mountain bike sector, this marks Adaptive DCS’s first partnership within the enduro, trail, cross-country, and freeride disciplines, an opportunity we’re looking forward to fully embracing.”
Randy McInnis, International Sales at Rocky Mountain, added: “This is an exciting new chapter for Rocky Mountain in the UK market. Partnering with Adaptive, and their bespoke distribution model, reflects our future-focused approach to better serving both dealers and consumers. Their structure, local expertise, and commitment to the brand make them a strong long-term partner for Rocky Mountain in the UK.”
Adaptive DCS will build on existing relationships with current stockists while expanding Rocky Mountain’s reach across the UK retail landscape. The brand will also make its UK trade debut at COREbike, where Adaptive DCS will be on hand to meet dealers interested in learning more about the range and future opportunities.
Which Rocky Mountains should we get in to test?
Some models that caught our eye…
Back In The Day, I always lusted after their classic steel hardtails myself…
Element
If they are distributing such a model, get whatever is their most affordable or best value option, probably a hardtail. The kind of bike that might appeal to a newer/younger rider, the type of new demographic you are trying to attract as new users.
Blizzard 🙂
The Instinct (without motor) would be their bike most likely to interest me, so I guess I’d say that.
That alloy Altitude looks like it could be fun .
I’d sell all my (non-e)bikes for an Element, so that 😄
The Reaper 26. 26″ wheels are going to be the next big thing. But Boost this time.
Blizzard 29 er ? 🤞
I have the previous Altitude & love it, best bike I’ve ever had. have to say none of the current lineup interest me, the Altitude is probably too much bike for me & there are some issues with the carbon frames.
Can I have a Ti Bolt please or am I a bit too late? 😭
Tbe growler and an aluminium element.
I’d like to see a group test of the aluminium xc full suspension bikes trim kona, specialized, Rocky Mountain and whoever else makes such a thing
Why wait?
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/mountain-biking/bikes/rocky-mountain
They still seem to fail to appreciate that no one wants to buy a bike that already looks broken before you even buy it.
RM9
Seconded. A group test of modern XC bikes that aren’t for racing would be great.
If only there was a word for that category that didn’t trigger anyone…
The Growler, because well… it’s called a Growler and I’m childish.
An Alu XC bike?
Oh.. they don’t have one. Not many shorter travel, light-ish agile HT or FS bikes in Al around these days. I ride XC but I’m not a weight weenie or a racer.
Cos, er stock.
Element in both Aluminium and Carbon….
I think they’re only doing carbon now – Element
Given the dirth of 27. 5 bikes in M I’m doomed to riding my Zesty to the grave. So none of them as a prospective buyer but the Element out of idle curiosity.
Or none of them. RM is a brand that everyone says they’ve always liked but few people ever buy, and when they do it’s always down to the discount.
The current crop of RMs will be brought into the country by a well intentioned distributor who haven’t got the network or resources to get into any bigger retailers at all, so RM will continue to be doomed. They’ll be bought from the distributor, a few at a time on preorder, or the occasional customer special, by small local shops dotted around the country and then sold off at reduced price when everyone carries on saying that they’d like a RM but won’t buy one.
As a cycling website you’d be better off getting demo bikes that people actually ride.
(The best asset that Rocky Mountain have is their domain name.)
Not heard of that ebike motor before. Could be interesting?