Rocky Mountain, the iconic Canadian brand that designs and builds high-performance mountain bikes, is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2016.
Founded in Vancouver in 1981, Rocky Mountain was born out of the efforts of modifying basic mountain bikes available at the time to be able to ride the technically difficult slopes of the west coast of Canada. It was named after the mountain range that crosses most of North America.
Rocky Mountain has a strong South African connection, particularly with regard to the Absa Cape Epic, where it has been ridden to a number of stage wins and overall category victories since the first event in 2004. It has also occupied a top-10 ‘most popular brands’ spot at the Cape Epic since 2008.
The 35th anniversary of the brand is being celebrated in all countries that sell Rocky Mountain bikes, including South Africa, where local distributor, Hullabaloo, is offering a special discounted rate off it’s two most popular models, the Element 950RSL and the Element 970RSL.
“These are our best-selling models because they’re 29-inch full suspension short-travel bikes, which are ideal for marathons and stage races,” said Hylton English, Rocky Mountain brand manager, South Africa.
In addition to the discounts on the two models, buyers that take advantage of this offer, also get a Rocky Mountain ‘This Way Out’ riding jersey worth R1000, entry to the 2017 RockyFest at Afriski, Lesotho, worth R1800 and a TREAD Skills Speed Clinic voucher worth R600.
“While racing success has been a big part of the Rocky Mountain DNA since the early days, the brand is heavily focussed on the riding experience from a non-competitive perspective too,” explained English.
“We have found that the best way to tell someone about a Rocky Mountain bike is to let them ride one. The bike does all the talking and in most cases, the test ride leads to a Rocky Mountain purchase. We facilitate as many opportunities as we can for the riding of our Rocky Mountain test fleet, including shuttle days, shop rides and our weekend-away RockyFest events,” added English.
Rocky Mountain uses a small, but reliable network of retail stores in South Africa. The stores all have a reputation for offering excellent service and are all managed and staffed by passionate, knowledgeable mountain bikers.
“With a brand like Rocky Mountain, we want only those that understand and appreciate the technology of the brand as well as respect the brand’s heritage to sell it. When you buy a Rocky Mountain you are joining a community of authentic mountain bikers. We ensure this message is carried through every contact point with our brand, especially our retailers,” added English.
“Rocky Mountain’s aluminium hardtail, the Trailhead 940, sells for R13 999, giving South Africans access to the brand from a low price point. But we’re really excited to be sharing the Rocky Mountain’s 35th anniversary celebration with the special offer on the Element 950 and 970 models. You’ll struggle to find a better deal on a full-carbon, full-suspension 29er in the country,” added English.
To test ride a Rocky Mountain, contact any one of the official retailers below:
Western Cape:
- This Way Out Cape Town: 16 Buiten Street | buiten@thiswayout.co.za | 021 422 3482
- This Way Out Meerendal: Meerendal Wine Estate | meerendal@thiswayout.co.za | 087 997 1437
- This Way Out Contermanskloof: Contermanskloof MTB Trail |
contermanskloof@thiswayout.co.
za | 083 872 1777 - Bespoked Bike Shop Knysna: 28 Waterfront Drive Knysna | 044 382 0086
Gauteng:
- The Bicycle Service Company Johannesburg: Langhams Lifestyle Estate, Fourways | 084 513 2040
- Tool-Up Cycles Centurion: Midstream Ridge Sport Centre | frikkie@tool-upcycles.co.za | 012 942 1158 / 076 564 5961
- Epic Sports Centurion: Jeanlen Centre, Lenchen Ave, Centurion, Pretoria | 012 643 0504
For more information on Rocky Mountain Bikes South Africa, email hylton@hullabaloo.co.za. For a look at the range of Rocky Mountain bikes, visit www.hulabaloo.co.za
Source: Inside Line
