Bike vs. Bike - Rocky Mountain Instinct or Pivot Switchblade 5

Vital member bikes are untouchable and this Bike vs. Bike pits Canada against the USA in a showdown for singletrack-slaying supremacy.

If you don't know by now, Vital MTB members have some seriously dialed mountain bikes and we're fortunate that they show off the beautiful machines in our bike check section. Some riders take their builds to mind-blowing levels and the two bikes below do just that. We're comparing two carbon 29er trail bikes that are made to haul some serious singletrack ass and we want to know which bike you choose.

Our finalist big-wheeled speed demons share similarities like Maxxis Minion tires, Race Face NEXT carbon cranks, FOX suspension, SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrains and even minimal chainguides. They differ, however, in the details.

Volvoshredder's Rocky Mountain Instinct 990

This is a dream build with ENVE wheels, Race Face NEXT carbon goods, Ti bolts all around, a carbon-Ti rear axle, upgraded BC2 pivots and Lyle Link. Every accent is painstakingly considered with the color-matching red, orange and black theme. The kicker is that the bike weighs a svelte 26.17lbs but doesn't compromise handling with proper, aggressive tires.

TheFirebird's Pivot Switchblade

Nothing but pure class with its stealthy matte black presentation highlighted by ornate gold accents is TheFirebird's Pivot Switchblade. The Easton Havoc 35mm cockpit blends well with the gold-levered Hope brakes and the popping XX1 Eagle drivetrain is tied together with a gold anodized Absolute oval 32t sprocket. Add the KINGKONG hubs from Tune, strung up to Ibis rims and the custom treatment is complete.ย 

Check out nearly 10,000 other Vital member bike checks in our bike check section and be sure to add your bike to be considered for Vital Bike of the Day and Bike vs. Bike.

No matter how the voting turns out, both of these bikes are winners! Well done, Volvoshredder and TheFirebird.

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