Rock Machine bicycles: variety of models and selection criteria
Nowadays, a bicycle is not only a means of transportation, but also a sports equipment. Therefore, every year more and more people acquire this type of transport and enjoy travel, because it combines two useful functions: to travel short and medium distances and keep fit. The article will focus on the popular bike manufacturer Rock Machine.
Brand info
This manufacturer counts its history from the beginning of the 90s of the last century, when the bicycle movement covered most of Europe. It was then that vehicles such as scooters, rollerblades and bicycles became popular. The Rock Machine brand is considered Czech, although for many years the head office has been located in the USA.... It is there that the design and technology for modern bikes is developed. The producing countries are the Czech Republic and Taiwan.
The quality of this manufacturer is reinforced by the fact that Rock Machine has its own MTB team that competes in European sports events and wins medals.
Assortment of the company
All Rock Machine products are represented by several types of bicycles.
Mountain double-suspended
This is one of the main directions of the company.
- Volcano AM10 - a bike designed for city and rough terrain. High cross-country ability allows you to drive through large pits and bumps, and the shock absorption system will be able to save the owner from jolts and inconveniences during arrival. The rims are double, the frame is made of 7005 aluminum alloy.Shifters, front derailleur, rear derailleur, cranks, bottom bracket, cassette are all from Shimano. WellGo pedals that will last for a long time, and you will not need to change them after the first months of use, as is the case with bicycles from other manufacturers. Disc brake from Tektro. Number of speeds 30.
- Vortex 70 - a semi-professional unit that is ready for a large number of arrivals. Most of the chain drive components are from Shimano, the Ritchey steering system, the Magura MT4 disc front brake, the rims, spokes and hubs from Fulcrum.
Almost all elements are made of aluminum, so the total weight of this bike is low, which is important for transportation.
- Blizzard 70 Is a professional two-suspension bike that, due to its versatile characteristics, can be called one of the best bicycles from this manufacturer. Aluminum alloy frame, Rock Shox fork and rear shock, all Shimano SLX and Shimano HG series chain components. There are 30 speeds on the front handle, giving the owner complete control over the pace of the ride. Truvativ Stylo handlebar and stem, 26-inch wheels and their components from Fulcrum, Schwalbe tires, WTB saddle.
- Tsunami F90 - bike based on 6061 aluminum alloy. Rock Shox shocks, the entire chain drive is made up of Shimano components. Total 30 speeds, double disc rims, Sapim stainless steel spokes, Schwalbe tires, 160mm Shimano hydraulic hand brakes, FSA Orbit headset. Ritchey steering system and seatpost, ONE Lockering grips available.
Mountain hardtails
This category is represented by several models.
- Catastrophe - one of the simplest and most common hardtails from Rock Machine. The carbon frame, Rock Shox fork, Shimano chain system and Kore steering system make the Catastrophe both lightweight and quite durable. Front and rear hydraulic disc brakes Shimano New LX 580. Maxxis Tires, Sha Dar 14G Spokes, Ritchey Disc Rims. Truvativ cranks and bottom bracket, WTB Laser saddle, 26-inch wheel diameter. This model has several previous versions that are dated 2003 and 2007.
Modern support for the hardtail suggests that this bike has been liked by buyers for a long time, but it only needed to be updated to meet the modern requirements of bicycles.
- Manhattan 50 - representative of the most famous series from Rock Machine. The low price and high-quality assembly make this unit one of the best in terms of price-quality ratio. For a fairly modest price, you get a bike with a 6061 aluminum frame, a custom-made seatpost, a Saccon V-brake, 26-inch Impact Outpac tires, and a Shimano chain system. KMC Z50 chain, Thun Jive JIS bottom bracket, 21 speed front handle. Includes ONE MTB grips.
- Team 90 - a semi-professional and attractive bike that meets all technological requirements. The construction is made of carbon fiber, which is very lightweight, strong and durable. For a bicycle, this is a big plus, but a minus for the buyer, because this material of manufacture significantly increases the price of the product. Rock Shox 100mm fork, 20 gearshift speeds, cranks, Shimano bottom bracket and cassette, Ritchey steering system, FSA Ball Bearing headset, 180mm Magura MT6 hydraulic front brake, Fulcrum hub, spokes and rims.
Schwalbe Rocket Ron Evolution tires.
Urban
Here Rock Machine provides the buyer with only one line of bicycles called the Crossride. They differ in model number and have several female counterparts.
- Crossride 75 - a standard bike for a quiet ride. This bike is great for highway or city riding. For the comfort of the owner, there is a comfortable handlebar, ONE Cross Comfort saddle and Herrmans 89 grips. One Freewheel type hub, Sapim spokes, Weinmann X Star 19 Sport rims. Front Saccon Alloy V-brake, FSA steering column, 21 speeds will make your ride the way you want it to be. Zoom 120 AMS forks, frame made from 6061 T6 aluminum alloy, which is the toughest option of all aluminum bicycle alloys. Impac Crosspac 700x38C tires, Suntour NEX208 cranks.
- Crossride 300 - a bike similar in its characteristics to the 75th. The difference lies in the grips, front fork and stem. This bike is just as good for urban conditions and free riding for fun.
Womens
All models of this type are similar in characteristics to conventional bikes with only a few differences in terms of structure. For example, the top tube is down. This is done to make it easier to get on the bike, given the anatomy and structure of the female body. Models have similar names to others, such as Crossride or 5th Avenue.
Teenagers and children
The company has not forgotten about the younger generation. Bicycles are presented by both teenage and children's models.
- Storm 24 Is a teenage bike for boys from 9 to 12 years old. This model has a comfortable Velo VL-5063CA saddle and an HL Alloy handlebar. The design of the bike makes the ride as comfortable as possible, and the likelihood of injury from a fall is low. Weinmann X 19 Sport rims, CH281TC headset, Ritchey OE seatpost, Thun Jive JIS bottom bracket, SR Suntour cranks, Sapim galvanized spokes, hub and some Shimano chain system parts.
- Surge 24 - another bike for teenagers from 9 to 12 years old. Its entire structure is designed to make riding as comfortable as possible. This is achieved with the HL steering system and Velo VL-5063CA saddle with Zoom Alloy seatpost. The frame is made of 6061 T6 alloy, which makes the whole structure strong and resistant to corrosion.
The pace of the ride allows you to control 21 speeds.
- Surge 20 Is a great bike for kids. 20-inch wheels, strong and balanced GW DK-6 38T cranks, Impac Crosspac tires make this unit passable in rough terrain. HL steering system, Saccon / Tektro front handbrake, steel front fork. 6061 aluminum frame, KMC Z50 chain, 6 speeds, Zoom Alloy seatpost.
- Dino 16 Is a small bicycle for children that every child will love. The large Velo VL-5073 saddle and Rised steering system make steering and riding feel comfortable and enjoyable. Wheels are 16 inches, there are Widek transparent grips, a Promax BL-63G front brake, Marvi SP-481SB pedals. Impac Streetpac tires provide good traction.
The aluminum frame makes the bike quite light for a child to move around.
Drawing a conclusion, we can say that Rock Machine products are high quality and the world standard in bicycle manufacturing... Reliability and long service life are the main advantages. Of the shortcomings, only the high price can be called, but it is caused by the high quality of the bikes.
How to choose?
When choosing bicycles from this manufacturer, pay attention to the price, because some models can cost over 100 thousand rubles. Since most of the expensive Rock Machine bikes have professional status, decide how you will use your future unit. A large functional variety allows the buyer to choose a bike to his liking. Of course, you should pay attention to the material of the frame, because it plays an important role in the construction of the bike.
The unboxing of the Rock Machine Manhattan 90-27 bike is shown below.