Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50, a bike that blends trail capability with efficient pedaling. If you're considering a versatile mountain bike that can handle a variety of terrains, this one might just be for you. Let's break down what makes this bike tick, from its design and components to its overall performance on the trails.

Overview of the Rocky Mountain Instinct C50

The Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 is designed as a do-it-all trail bike, aimed at riders who want a balance of climbing efficiency and descending prowess. It's built around a frame that emphasizes both stiffness and lightweight, making it responsive and fun to ride. This bike isn't just about getting from point A to point B; it's about enjoying every bit of the journey. The frame geometry is tailored to provide a comfortable and confident riding position, whether you're tackling steep climbs or bombing down technical descents. Rocky Mountain has paid close attention to the details, ensuring that the Instinct C50 feels planted and predictable, inspiring confidence even when the trails get challenging. The suspension system is designed to be active and supportive, soaking up bumps and maintaining traction without feeling overly soft or wallowy. This balance is crucial for a trail bike that needs to perform well in a variety of conditions. Furthermore, the Instinct C50 features modern amenities like internal cable routing, which not only gives the bike a clean look but also protects the cables from the elements. Overall, the Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 is a well-rounded package that offers a blend of performance, comfort, and durability, making it a great choice for riders who want a versatile and capable trail bike.

Key Features and Components

When it comes to the nitty-gritty, the Instinct C50 boasts a solid selection of components. Let's start with the suspension. Upfront, you're typically looking at a RockShox Revelation RC fork, delivering around 140mm of travel. This fork is known for its smooth performance and adjustability, allowing you to fine-tune it to your riding style and trail conditions. The rear suspension usually features a RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock, providing a similar amount of travel. This combination ensures that the bike remains balanced and composed, even when things get rough. Moving on to the drivetrain, the Instinct C50 typically comes equipped with a SRAM NX Eagle groupset. This provides a wide range of gears, making it easier to tackle steep climbs and maintain speed on flatter sections. The shifting is crisp and reliable, ensuring that you can always find the right gear when you need it. The brakes are often SRAM Guide T, which offer plenty of stopping power and good modulation, giving you confidence on steep descents. The wheels are usually a durable alloy set, designed to withstand the rigors of trail riding. They're typically tubeless-ready, allowing you to run lower tire pressures for improved traction and comfort. The tires themselves are often a versatile trail tire, such as Maxxis Minion DHF or DHR II, providing a good balance of grip and rolling resistance. Overall, the components on the Instinct C50 are well-chosen, offering a good blend of performance, reliability, and value. They're designed to work together seamlessly, providing a smooth and enjoyable riding experience.

Frame and Geometry

The heart of any bike is its frame, and the Instinct C50 doesn't disappoint. The frame is typically constructed from Rocky Mountain's SMOOTHWALL carbon, which is known for its lightweight and stiffness. This combination ensures that the bike is both responsive and efficient, allowing you to climb with ease and descend with confidence. The frame geometry is designed to strike a balance between stability and agility. The head tube angle is typically around 66 degrees, which provides good stability at high speeds, while the relatively short chainstays make the bike feel nimble and playful. The reach is also generous, giving you plenty of room to move around on the bike and maintain control in challenging terrain. One of the standout features of the Instinct C50 is Rocky Mountain's Ride-9 adjustment system. This allows you to fine-tune the geometry and suspension characteristics of the bike to suit your riding style and trail conditions. You can adjust the head tube angle, seat tube angle, and suspension rate, allowing you to dial in the perfect setup for any ride. The frame also features internal cable routing, which not only gives the bike a clean look but also protects the cables from the elements. Other nice touches include a threaded bottom bracket, which is more durable and easier to maintain than press-fit alternatives, and boost spacing, which provides stiffer wheels and more tire clearance. Overall, the frame of the Instinct C50 is well-designed and executed, offering a blend of performance, durability, and adjustability.

Suspension System

The suspension system on the Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 is designed to provide a smooth and controlled ride in a variety of conditions. The bike typically features 140mm of travel front and rear, which is a sweet spot for trail riding. The RockShox Revelation RC fork offers excellent small-bump sensitivity, allowing you to maintain traction and control on rough terrain. It also features adjustable compression and rebound damping, allowing you to fine-tune the feel of the fork to your liking. The RockShox Deluxe Select+ shock provides a similar level of performance in the rear. It's designed to be active and supportive, soaking up bumps and maintaining traction without feeling overly soft or wallowy. The shock also features adjustable rebound damping, allowing you to dial in the perfect feel for your riding style and trail conditions. One of the key features of the Instinct C50's suspension system is Rocky Mountain's Smoothlink suspension design. This is a four-bar linkage system that's designed to provide a consistent and predictable feel throughout the travel. It's also designed to be efficient, minimizing pedal bob and maximizing power transfer. The Ride-9 adjustment system allows you to fine-tune the suspension characteristics of the bike. You can adjust the suspension rate, allowing you to make the bike feel more plush or more supportive, depending on your preferences. Overall, the suspension system on the Instinct C50 is well-tuned and capable, providing a smooth and controlled ride in a variety of conditions. It's designed to be both efficient and effective, allowing you to climb with ease and descend with confidence.

Riding Experience

Alright, let's talk about what it's like to actually ride the 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50. This bike is designed to be a true all-rounder, and it shows in its performance on the trails. Whether you're climbing steep, technical ascents or ripping down fast, flowy descents, the Instinct C50 feels composed and confident. On the climbs, the bike's efficient suspension design and lightweight frame make it a capable climber. The Smoothlink suspension minimizes pedal bob, allowing you to put the power down without wasting energy. The wide range of gears provided by the SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain ensures that you can always find the right gear for the terrain. When you point the bike downhill, the Instinct C50 really comes alive. The 140mm of travel front and rear provides plenty of cushion for absorbing bumps and maintaining traction. The slack head angle and generous reach give you plenty of stability at high speeds, while the short chainstays make the bike feel nimble and playful. The brakes offer plenty of stopping power, allowing you to confidently tackle steep descents. The Instinct C50 is also surprisingly versatile. It's equally at home on smooth, flowy trails and technical, rocky terrain. The Ride-9 adjustment system allows you to fine-tune the bike's geometry and suspension characteristics to suit your riding style and trail conditions. Overall, the riding experience on the Instinct C50 is smooth, controlled, and confidence-inspiring. It's a bike that's designed to be fun and engaging, whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out.

Pros and Cons

Every bike has its strengths and weaknesses, and the 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 is no exception. Let's break down the pros and cons to give you a balanced view.

Pros:

• Versatile Performance: The Instinct C50 is a true all-rounder, capable of handling a wide range of terrains and riding styles.
• Efficient Suspension: The Smoothlink suspension design minimizes pedal bob and maximizes power transfer, making it a capable climber.
• Adjustable Geometry: The Ride-9 adjustment system allows you to fine-tune the bike's geometry and suspension characteristics to suit your preferences.
• Durable Components: The SRAM NX Eagle drivetrain and RockShox suspension components offer a good balance of performance and reliability.
• Confidence-Inspiring Handling: The slack head angle and generous reach provide stability at high speeds, while the short chainstays make the bike feel nimble and playful.

Cons:

• Component Spec: While the components are generally good, some riders may prefer higher-end options for improved performance and durability.
• Price: The Instinct C50 can be relatively expensive compared to some other trail bikes in its class.
• Weight: While the carbon frame is lightweight, the bike can feel a bit heavy compared to some other high-end trail bikes.

Final Verdict

So, what's the final word on the 2019 Rocky Mountain Instinct C50? Overall, it's a highly capable and versatile trail bike that's well-suited to a wide range of riders. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out, the Instinct C50 offers a smooth, controlled, and confidence-inspiring ride. The bike's efficient suspension, adjustable geometry, and durable components make it a great choice for tackling a variety of terrains and riding styles. While it may not be the lightest or the cheapest option on the market, the Instinct C50 offers a compelling blend of performance, comfort, and value. If you're looking for a do-it-all trail bike that can handle anything you throw at it, the Rocky Mountain Instinct C50 is definitely worth considering. It's a bike that's designed to be fun and engaging, whether you're climbing steep ascents or ripping down fast descents. With its well-rounded performance and versatile design, the Instinct C50 is sure to provide you with countless hours of enjoyment on the trails. So get out there and give it a try – you might just find your new favorite trail bike!