ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S Review
- Price: £2,599
- Frame: Carbon
- Tires: 29″ Carbon
- Gear: 1 × 12 Electronic
What we like about it: A high-quality, sustainable, and cost-effective full-suspension bike that’s suitable for everyone.
What we don’t like about it: The bike doesn’t come with a dropper post.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S frame received numerous accolades in the eason, including two top-10 finishes in the XCO World Cup, the French Marathon Championship, and the Transvesubienne Championship. As such, it’s a reliable choice with excellent off-road riding capabilities when equipped with the right components.
In the following sections, we’ll analyze the riding experience, key features, components, specifications, and other versions of the ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S. In the latter part of this article, we’ll also make comparisons with several other bikes. If you’re interested in more bike reviews, feel free to follow us.
Riding Experience
The ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S boasts a lightweight carbon fiber frame, coupled with reliable components that allow it to excel in both climbing and descending on various terrains.
For this review, I took the ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S to The Paiute ATV Trail in Utah. I pre-booked nearby hotels on IHG for a comfortable stay. The trail mainly consisted of rugged paths with some minor drops, making it ideal for this full-suspension trail bike.
Climbing
The climbing capability of the ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S is impressive. The carbon fiber frame reduces the bike’s weight, making climbing rides more manageable.
With excellent geometry angles and robust suspension, I felt minimal pedal feedback during climbs, maximizing my pedaling efficiency and increasing speed.
Furthermore, the SRAM GX Eagle AXS drivetrain offers precise and quick gear changes. When tackling steeper climbs, simply using larger rear freewheel gears lightened the pedal effort, saving me energy for the uphill journey.
Overall, I believe the performance of the ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S excels in uphill climbing compared to many other full-suspension trail bikes in the same category.
Descending
Descending on steep and challenging trails with the ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S is a breeze. It’s equipped with an excellent RockShox Reba RL front fork and the RockShox Sid rear shock, both with 120mm of travel. Combined with the 29-inch wheels, this setup provides remarkable traction, stability, and absorbs all the road vibrations. It allowed me to roll over small bumps and drops with ease, maintaining a faster downhill speed.
On winding trails, the Hutchinson Kraken Racing Lab 29 x 2.30 large-knob tires offer exceptional grip, even on loose surfaces. With a 720mm handlebar, I had smooth control over the bike, enabling agile navigation through corners while maintaining a high speed.
Finally, the Sram Level T hydraulic disc brakes proved reliable, with a 180mm front and 160mm rear rotor size, delivering rapid, responsive braking that quickly brought the fast-moving bike to a halt. These brakes can be trusted in adverse conditions.
Specifications
The ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S is available in four frame sizes (S-XL) to cater to a wide range of rider heights from 4’11” to 6’5″, making it suitable for almost everyone’s choice.
Featuring the SRAM GX Eagle AXS electronic drivetrain components, it offers crisp and responsive shifting, with efficient transmission and easy day-to-day adjustments.
The Sram Level T hydraulic disc brakes provide robust braking power, ensuring reliable braking performance even in adverse conditions.
Lastly, the all-carbon fiber frame weighs 1980 grams and is compatible with internally routed dropper posts. The through-axle wheel mounting system adds stability, enhancing its ability to handle intense rides.
Video
What do we like about it?
- The Sram Level T hydraulic disc brakes, paired with 180mm front and 160mm rear rotors, deliver reliable performance even in challenging conditions.
- Well-designed geometry, coupled with an excellent suspension setup, makes climbing rides more comfortable.
- The Rockshox front and rear shocks absorb all the ride’s bumps, offering enhanced comfort.
- The SRAM GX Eagle AXS drivetrain features efficient transmission capabilities, precise and crisp shifting, with easy day-to-day adjustments in the electronic version.
- The through-axle wheel mounting system adds stability to the bike, improving its performance in intense riding scenarios.
- Outstanding bike performance, powerful components, and a price point that’s more accessible to the masses.
What don’t we like about it?
- The bike lacks a dropper post.
FAQ
- Is this bike suitable for beginners?
It features a lightweight and sturdy frame, along with reliable components, at a reasonable price, making it a suitable choice for riders of all levels.
- What is the difference between ROCKRIDER and Btwin?
Btwin, the Decathlon’s in-house brand, offers two different series of children’s bikes. The Rockrider series is designed to resemble mountain bikes in appearance and functionality, particularly in the higher-end models.
- How do I choose the right size?
Here, we’ve provided a size chart for your reference. However, it’s not necessary to strictly adhere to this standard. To find the best-fitting size, the most reliable method is to try riding the bike.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 4’11” – 5’5″ | S |
| 5’5″ – 5’8″ | M |
| 5’8″ – 6’1″ | L |
| 6’1″ – 6’5″ | XL |
Specs
| Weight | Weight, in basic GX version and Mavic Crossmax tyres S: 25.8lbs (11.7 kg) M: 26lbs (11.8 kg) L: 26.2lbs (11.9 kg) XL: 26.5lbs (12 kg) Weight without pedals but with inner tubes |
| Frame | Full carbon. 1980 grams in size. 120 mm travel. 31.6 mm seat post. Compatible with internally routed dropper post. Thru axle. Boost format. PressFit 92 Sram UDH derailleur hanger. |
| Drivetrain | Sram GX AXS rear derailleur and Sram GX AXS shifter. Truvativ Stylo 6K aluminum crankset (170 mm in S and M, and 175 mm in L and XL) 32T chainring (compatible with 30, 32, 34 and 36T). Truvativ Stylo 6K aluminum crankset (170 mm in S and M and 175 mm in L and XL) 32T chainring (compatible with 30, 32, 34 and 36T) SRAM PG1275 10-52 cassette (520%) Sram PF 92 bottom bracket. |
| Suspension | RockShox Reba RL 120 mm Fork. 32 mm stanchion tubes. Thru axle. Boost format. RockShox Twist Lock 2-position remote lockout. RockShox SidLuxe Select + 190 x 45mm shock. Specific model suited to the kinematics of the bike. |
| Brakes | Sram Level T. Sram Centerline 180 mm front and 160 mm rear rotors. 6-bolt rotors. |
| Tires | Front: Hutchinson Kraken Racing Lab 29 x 2.30. Tubeless Ready. Race Ripost XC compound. 127 TPI carcass. Weight: 700 g. / Rear: Hutchinson Kraken Racing Lab Hardskin 29 x 2.30. Hardskin protection. Tubeless Ready. Race Ripost XC compound. 127 TPI carcass. Weight: 800 g. / Rear: Hutchinson Kraken Racing Lab 29 x 2.30. Tubeless Ready. |
| Origin | Imported |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Travel | Frame Material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Specialized Status 140 | Click View | 140mm rear, 140mm front | Aluminum | SRAM Code R | 1 × 12 |
| Cannondale Habit Waves | Click View | 130mm rear, 140mm front | Aluminum | SRAM G2 R | 1 × 12 |
| Ibis Ripley AF Deore | Click View | 120mm rear, 130mm fron | Aluminum | Shimano Deore M6100 | 1 × 12 |
| YT Industries Izzo CORE 2 29 | Click View | 130mm rear, 130mm fron | Carbon | SRAM G2 R | 1 × 12 |
ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S vs. Specialized Status 140
Comparing these two bikes, the former’s all-carbon fiber frame makes it lighter in weight, resulting in easier and faster climbing rides.
In terms of suspension components, the latter has the advantage of a Fox 36 suspension fork with a longer travel, providing better support. This offers an advantage when tackling large drop-offs and more intense downhill rides.
Both bikes use SRAM components in their drivetrains. However, the former is equipped with the higher-grade Sram GX AXS components, delivering superior performance. Additionally, the electronic shifting in the former makes adjustments more straightforward and convenient.
In summary, between these two full-suspension mountain bikes, the former excels in climbing rides, while the latter is better suited for tackling challenging downhill terrains.
Learn More: Is Specialized Status 160 A Good Choice? – [Specialized Status 160 Review]
ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S vs. Cannondale Habit Waves
In terms of the frame, the former’s carbon fiber construction is lighter than the latter’s aluminum alloy frame. Coupled with its geometry and suspension design, the former offers a more effortless and faster climbing experience.
Regarding the drivetrain components, the former is equipped with SRAM GX AXS components, which are of a higher grade compared to the SRAM SX Eagle components found on the latter. This results in more responsive shifting and higher transmission efficiency. Additionally, the former’s electronic shifting version makes daily adjustments simpler and more convenient.
However, the latter features a dropper post design, allowing for on-the-fly adjustments of the center of gravity between climbing and descending rides, which enhances riding efficiency.
In conclusion, both of these full-suspension mountain bikes are excellent choices. Either one is a solid pick, depending on your specific riding preferences.
Learn More: Is Cannondale Habit Carbon 3 Worth Buying? [Cannondale Habit Carbon 3 Review]
ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S vs. Ibis Ripley AF Deore
Between these two bikes, they have similar suspension travel. However, the latter, equipped with a Fox Performance Float 34 suspension fork, provides better support, making it more reliable for aggressive downhill riding compared to the former.
Moving on to the drivetrain components, the former with SRAM components offers crisper and more precise shifting. The latter with Shimano components provides smoother, more fluid shifting. However, the former’s components are of a higher grade, and the electronic shifting makes adjustments simpler and more convenient.
Lastly, between these two bikes, the ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S has an overall lighter weight, making your ride easier and more comfortable. That’s why I would prefer it.
Learn More: Is Ibis Ripley AF Deore Worth Buying? [Ibis Ripley AF Deore Review]
ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S vs. YT Industries Izzo CORE 2 29
When it comes to the suspension components, the latter, equipped with the Fox front and rear suspension system, offers longer suspension travel compared to the former’s RockShox front and rear suspension. It provides better support and easily handles aggressive downhill riding.
In terms of drivetrain components, both of these bikes use SRAM components. However, the former’s components are of a higher grade, and the electronic version of these components makes adjustments somewhat more convenient.
Regarding the braking components, the latter, with its SRAM hydraulic disc brakes and larger brake discs, delivers a more powerful braking performance, surpassing the former.
Lastly, these two bikes have their strengths: the ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S boasts more powerful components, while the YT Industries Izzo CORE 2 29 has a frame with greater potential. When choosing between them, consider whether you have plans for future upgrades.
Learn More: Is YT Industries Tues CORE 4 29 A Perfect Selection? – [YT Industries Tues CORE 4 29 Review]
Summary
Above is my review of the ROCKRIDER Mountain Bike Race 900S. In our view, it’s a lightweight and reliable full-suspension mountain bike. It’s budget-friendly, making it a great choice for a broader range of riders. That’s why we’ve given it a 4.8 rating.
Of course, if you’re interested in other full-suspension mountain bikes, we review a variety of bikes at different price points, and it’s always an exciting journey. Feel free to check out our other reviews.
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