Rocky Mountain Growler

83/100
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Facts

Gender
Release Year
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
34 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Rocky Mountain Growler. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

13 reasons to buy

  • The Rocky Mountain Growler is available in three builds. Each build has the same frame, but a different amount of travel in the fork, ranging from 130mm to 150mm.
  • With a steep seat tube angle, testers found that the bike put them in a position to climb efficiently.
  • The price point on this bike is budget-friendly. Experts agree that it is an affordable and high-quality hardtail.
  • The Growler’s long wheelbase gives riders stability at speed.
  • The bike is specced with 2.6” WTB Trail Boss and Vigilante tires. Experts found these tires were fast-rolling and provided riders with traction on trails.
  • One expert found the WTB Volt saddle to be comfortable.
  • The bike's aluminum frame is responsive to input from the rider. It never felt twitchy.
  • The bike comes with a Rocky Mountain Toonie dropper post, allowing riders to get low on descents.
  • Rocky Mountain produces the Growler in four sizes. The bike is designed to best fit riders 5’2” to 6’4”.
  • Testers agree that actively riding the bike helped them best maintain lines.
  • Wide 800mm handlebars and a long wheelbase give riders a planted feel on the bike.
  • The threaded bottom bracket on the Growler is quiet and easy to maintain.
  • Internally routed cables give the bike an orderly appearance.

3 reasons not to buy

  • Several experts stated that the brakes were underspecced on the bike and suggest upgrading them.
  • If riders do not balance their weight correctly, the front end can easily wander when climbing steep terrain.
  • Testers agree that, with its long wheelbase, the bike can be difficult to maneuver in tight and technical terrain.

Bottom line

Rocky Mountain’s Growler is an aggressive hardtail mountain bike. It has a steep seat tube angle, making it an efficient climber. Wide bars and a long wheelbase offer riders stability descending at speeds. The bike comes with a Rocky Mountain Toonie dropper post. Internally routed cables and a threaded bottom bracket are minor features experts greatly appreciate on the Growler. Although the bike’s brakes are underspecced, according to experts, it is an extremely affordable entry-level mountain bike.

Expert Reviews

83/100 based on 1 rated expert review
83

Rocky Mountain Growler 50 Review

The Rocky Mountain Growler 50 is a ripping hardtail with enduro-bike DNA. This bicycle lives for blistering speeds and aggressive riding, and we’ve awarded it our Top Pick as Best Aggressive Hardtail.

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Captain Mountain Bike

2020 Rocky Mountain Growler 40 (w/ Cameron)

This thing has really improved my riding.

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2020 Rocky Mountain Growler Review

I like the way that it’s set up in that it’s kind of more stylized towards being an enduro bike with a little bit of a dirt jumper feel.

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MitchOnTwoWheels

2021 Rocky Mountain Growler 40 – Initial Impressions

Overall, we have a hardcore hardtail that’s more than capable of anything that you know, anyone watching this video is going to be able to throw at it.

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hardtail party

Rocky Mountain Growler 40 Review: An Aggressive Enduro Hardtail Bike That Doesn’t Break The Bank

I’m blown away at the performance at this price.

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HARDTAIL CANADA

Review: 2020 Rocky Mountain Growler Hardtail

The Rocky Mountain Growler is an aggressive hardtail with modern geometry: slack head tube, long wheelbase, and short chainstays.

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BIKE Magazine

Tested: Rocky Mountain Growler 50

But the Growler is a mountain bike for less than $2,000 with geometry and components that will not discourage even the pickiest and most aggressive of riders. I’m not just saying that because it’s fashionable to praise inexpensive bikes. On multiple occasions, I rode the Growler instead of my full-suspension bike that cost at least twice as much.

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2020 Rocky Mountain Growler 20

The new Growler is a significant leap forward from 2019 and I found the new 20 to be much more capable than the 2019 Growler 40 I tested last year which I put down entirely to the refreshed frame geometry. The thru-axle Boost rear end shows nice attention to detail on a ____ USD bike and I really appreciate that Rocky is sharing the same frame through all levels.

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User Ratings

0/100 based on 0 ratings
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Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#82 Best Mountain
Bottom 30%
#49 Best Trail
Bottom 30%
#5 Best Rocky Mountain Bike
Bottom 30%
#488 Best of All Bikes
Bottom 40%

Bike Comparison

Rocky Mountain Growler in comparison to averages

Forum Discussions

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