You are looking at a 1996 Rocky Mountain Altitude, one of the finest Rockys you can buy that isn't a fully custom Tantalus / Thunderbolt. This was the last year for the 'base' Altitude, and in my mind, one of the best because of the 15th Anniversary decals and custom part spec.
The Altitude was made from Tange Prestige Ultimate Superlight, and - possibly - the front triangle welded up in Japan, the rear done here in Canada.
Is this true? I genuinely don't know. I've been down so many rabbit holes on this, and seen so many stories, I just don't know.
I've included pics of a '92 Altitude I used to have and you can see the seat tube / top tube junction is brazed while the rest of the bike is tig welded, and this is (supposed) to be evidence of work done here in Canada.
What's important to me is the effort that Rocky put in to this bike's appearance. Dark metallic green paint fading at the rear of the bike to a champagne that matches the Rock Shox Judy fork. RaceFace Turbine cranks and BB, RealSeal headset, and a Rocky-branded seatpost clamp all in gold. This bike was the only way to get these RF parts in gold.
Is this true? I genuinely don't know. I've been down so many rabbit holes on this, and seen so many stories, I just don't know.
I've included pics of a '92 Altitude I used to have and you can see the seat tube / top tube junction is brazed while the rest of the bike is tig welded, and this is (supposed) to be evidence of work done here in Canada.
What's important to me is the effort that Rocky put in to this bike's appearance. Dark metallic green paint fading at the rear of the bike to a champagne that matches the Rock Shox Judy fork. RaceFace Turbine cranks and BB, RealSeal headset, and a Rocky-branded seatpost clamp all in gold. This bike was the only way to get these RF parts in gold.
Thankfully those rare bits are still here, though from the factory the '96 came with GripShift and Magura hydraulic brakes. Mine came with XT V-brakes and Shimano shifters. After some internal back-and-forth I decided to switch to a very clean set of XT cantilevers, because I also had XT 8-speed shifter pods and XT levers for cantilever brakes.
The Brodie Brake Booster seemed like a good idea when I noticed that you could see the seat stays flex outwards when you applied the rear brakes. With fresh brake pads - and the ceramic coating on the SUN rims - these might be the strongest brakes I've got on any bike I own right now. They genuinely feel as strong as the XTR discs on my '05 Blizzard. But I imagine the pads won't last long.
The Brodie Brake Booster seemed like a good idea when I noticed that you could see the seat stays flex outwards when you applied the rear brakes. With fresh brake pads - and the ceramic coating on the SUN rims - these might be the strongest brakes I've got on any bike I own right now. They genuinely feel as strong as the XTR discs on my '05 Blizzard. But I imagine the pads won't last long.
I swapped out the riser bar for my beloved Titec Flat-Tracker bar - wide and tons of backsweep. I'd buy four of these if they still made them. Plus it looks better. I really don't like a zero rise stem with a riser bar - it looks goofy.
Last item to discuss is that Brooks Swallow saddle. I like it, but not on this bike. I'll probably swap it over to my Metro. A Brooks Cambium would look good I think, or maybe the Flite I have - though it's pretty ugly to be honest.
This bike is as comfy as any bike I have - that Titec bar is just perfect, and while the stem would be considered insanely long by any modern bike rider, it's actually medium long by 90's standards.
I don't ride a lot of aggressive singletrack any more, mostly rolling open gravel trails, and it rides beautifully. I got the Innova tires for cheap on AliExpress, so I don't know if they'll last but they're terrific so far.
I've had two Altitudes in the past, and got rid of both for reasons I can't remember or understand, so this one... it won't be for sale for a long long time.
Last item to discuss is that Brooks Swallow saddle. I like it, but not on this bike. I'll probably swap it over to my Metro. A Brooks Cambium would look good I think, or maybe the Flite I have - though it's pretty ugly to be honest.
This bike is as comfy as any bike I have - that Titec bar is just perfect, and while the stem would be considered insanely long by any modern bike rider, it's actually medium long by 90's standards.
I don't ride a lot of aggressive singletrack any more, mostly rolling open gravel trails, and it rides beautifully. I got the Innova tires for cheap on AliExpress, so I don't know if they'll last but they're terrific so far.
I've had two Altitudes in the past, and got rid of both for reasons I can't remember or understand, so this one... it won't be for sale for a long long time.
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