Rocky Mountain updates its Solo gravel bikes and its racier than you would expect

Rocky Mountain Solo gravel bike
(Image credit: Rocky Mountain)

Rocky Mountain are well known for their gravity-orientated mountain bikes which are designed and developed on the North Shore of Canada. They don't just have some of the world's best mountain biking on their doorstep, there is also loads of gravel riding too which is covered by their lesser known Solo gravel bike range. For 2023, Rocky Mountain has given the Solo an overhaul, featuring new geometry, features, and new carbon frame making it Rocky Mountain's best gravel bike.

Many mountain bike brands have been getting into the gravel scene as they see the opportunity to apply their off-roading knowledge to an increasingly popular discipline. The end results are usually gravel bikes that push the technical capabilities of drop-bar off-roading rather than searching for speed. 

Rocky Mountain appears to have leaned towards the speed aspect of gravel riding with its updated Solo. Firstly it's made from what Rocky Mountain are calling Smoothwall carbon in order to save weight as well as help with compliance. This is further aided by the unusual tube shaping at the bottom of the seat tube which is claimed to specifically add increase vertical compliance. Rocky Mountain will still offer the Solo in alloy builds as well.

Rocky Mountain Solo gravel bike

The Solo has unusual tube shaping at the bottom of the seat tube (Image credit: Rocky Mountain)

Geometry sees a small update and the Solo now features a longer reach and lower bottom bracket, there are also some size-specific tweaks too. Seat stays are now dropped, as are both chainstays to offer increased tire clearance.

Tire clearance is generous with options to run 29-inch x 2.0 (700 x 50mm) or 27.5-inch x 2.2 (650b x 56mm). If you want to run fenders, tire clearance maxes out at 700x40mm. Whether you are gravel adventuring, bikepacking, or commuting the 12 mounting points on the frame, and 8 on the fork should cover all the accessory mounting needs.

Rocky Mountain Solo gravel bike

Tire clearance is generous on the Solo up to 56mm if you run 650b wheels (Image credit: Rocky Mountain)

Surprisingly Rocky Mountain has gone against the gravel bike trend and specced a front derailleur mount, although all of the stock bikes only come in a 1X drivetrain option. This increases the bike's versatility and prove to be popular amongst endurance riders. There's also internal routing and dropper routing too.

There are will be three carbon models available, starting at $3,799 USD, and two alloy models which start at $1,699 USD. We will update when we have more pricing available. 

For more details head over to www.rockymountain.com.

Graham Cottingham
Senior reviews writer, Bike Perfect

Graham Cottingham joined the BikePerfect team as our senior tech writer in 2020. With over 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro, and gravel racing. Not afraid of a challenge, Graham has embraced bikepacking over the last few years and likes nothing more than strapping some bags to his bike and covering big miles to explore Scotland's wildernesses. When he isn’t shredding the gnar in the Tweed Valley, sleeping in bushes, or tinkering with bikes, he is writing tech reviews for BikePerfect.

Rides: Cotic SolarisMax, Stooge MK4, 24 Bicycles Le Toy 3, Surly Steamroller

Height: 177cm

Weight: 71kg