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An old name is brought back from the history books for Rocky Mountain Bikes first foray into the world of Gravel Cycling
Ever wondered why Santa Cruz Bikes had to do a sudden about turn a few years back when they launched their 650b trail bike, the Solo? That’ll be the good folks at Rocky Mountain flexing their trademarking muscle and protecting a product name that last saw action on a nondescript cyclocross bike a few years ago. The Californian trail hucker quickly went numerical and paved it’s own reputation as 5010.
Rocky Mountain Solo 50 & Solo 70
The new Rocky Mountain Solo shuns the current trend for lightweight carbon and keeps it simple with 6061 aluminium. And, unless you’re actually planning on racing or chasing some ultra-lightweight fantasy build, we think alloy and steel are the only two materials you need consider for an adventure bike. The Solo features a unique chainstay yoke design on the driveside to allow plentiful clearance for 700 x 45c or 650b x 2.2″ tyres.
In line with current trends, Rocky Mountain have designed the frame as a 1x drivetain only. 2x’ers may groan, but that huge rear clearance was just never going to work with a front derailleur. Other details include internal gear and brake routing to keep everything looking tidy and local bike shops in business…
Range topping Solo 70 model with SRAM Force1 groupset.
The carbon fork is designed for flat mount brakes and uses a 15 x 100mm thru axle. At the rear is a 12 x 142mm thru axle and more flat mount disc brakes. The frames also feature three bottle cage mounts (two in the main triangle and one under), rear rack mounts, mud guard mounts, and three pack mounts on the fork legs.
Is that a pogo stick?
All pretty standard so far no? Well, how about provisioning for a full length dropper post (30.9mm) so you can get that saddle out of the way when shredding the gnar? Neither model available from launch actually comes equipped with a dropper, but the design team have at least made a token nod to functionality and a nod to Rocky Mountain’s MTB credentials.
Lesser spec Solo 50 with SRAM Apex1 and far cooler paint job. Gravel doesn’t have to be dull.
Spec options are limited to just two. The Solo 50 and Solo 70. The main difference between the two is SRAM Apex1 on the cheaper 50 while the posher Solo 70 gets the more blingy SRAM Force1 groupset.
Three-Pack cage bosses on each fork leg
Rear rack compatible frame
Tyre clearance for 700c x 40c or 650b x 2.2in tyres
15x100mm front, 12 x 142mm rear thru axle
Unique yoke design to accommodate wide tyre clearance
1X gearing only
Internal cable and brake routing
Tapered head tube
Chainstay length optimised at 425mm
Dropper post compatible
Sizes: XS-XL
Pricing and availability
We only have US pricing avaialable at present, but will update this article as soon as UK prices become available from UK distributor Greenover Sports. The Solo 50 will go for $1,899, and the 70 sells for $2,549.
Last modified: 8th March 2018
