Here are some pictures of a good friends new bike. As a joke I told him to make sure he checked his lower link pivots and sure enough he had the exact same problem with his as I had with mine. I would urge anyone who has a 2005 frame to check the bearings in the lower link to be sure they are pressed in straight and not crushed as both ours were. The serial numbers on our bikes indicate that there were at least 1000 frames made between ours so there are potentially alot of messed up frames out there.

Hi Johny,

Did you try to drop a mail to Rocky mountain about that (repeated) issue ? You can also tell them that mine (2004) had also this problem !

Cheers,
Francois


Here are some pictures of a good friends new bike. As a joke I told him to make sure he checked his lower link pivots and sure enough he had the exact same problem with his as I had with mine. I would urge anyone who has a 2005 frame to check the bearings in the lower link to be sure they are pressed in straight and not crushed as both ours were. The serial numbers on our bikes indicate that there were at least 1000 frames made between ours so there are potentially alot of messed up frames out there.

Sory I didn't know about yours when I sent the letter but I did include the serial numbers so they could look into this. I would urge you to write a letter of your own and mention this thread. I would hate to see a full run of high end bikes make it to market in this condition.

Here are some pictures of a good friends new bike. As a joke I told him to make sure he checked his lower link pivots and sure enough he had the exact same problem with his as I had with mine. I would urge anyone who has a 2005 frame to check the bearings in the lower link to be sure they are pressed in straight and not crushed as both ours were. The serial numbers on our bikes indicate that there were at least 1000 frames made between ours so there are potentially alot of messed up frames out there.
Here's my 2004 frame which was a replacement to my broken 2002.5. Is this the lower link pivot bearing? How can you tell if it is "crushed"? Mine looks ok but I'm not an expert. Is it really obvious to see? Do you have any pictures of the "crushed" bearing?

It is easy to check revove the uper shock bolt (the quick release one) and push the shock forward to get it out of the way. Now cycle the suspension through its full range of motion if it dosn't move smothly or has any jerky sensation you have a problem that needs fruther investigation in the way of full disasembly of the lincage and checking each bearing. Once you have checked it post back and let me know how it went I hope yours is ok.

Thanks John

It is easy to check revove the uper shock bolt (the quick release one) and push the shock forward to get it out of the way. Now cycle the suspension through its full range of motion if it dosn't move smothly or has any jerky sensation you have a problem that needs fruther investigation in the way of full disasembly of the lincage and checking each bearing. Once you have checked it post back and let me know how it went I hope yours is ok.

Thanks John
Do I have to let the air out of my shock to move it out of the way? I'm definitely interested in checking this out.

You dont have to let the air out just swing the shock forward to get the upper part out of the way. Be carefull to not let the linkage hit the frame when cycling it through its range of motion it might scratch the frame if you go to far.

You dont have to let the air out just swing the shock forward to get the upper part out of the way. Be carefull to not let the linkage hit the frame when cycling it through its range of motion it might scratch the frame if you go to far.
Thanks Johhny! I'll check it out and report back with my observations.

The linkage is very smooth throughout the entire range of motion so thankfully no problems with mine. Definitely worth checking which BTW is super-easy and thanks for the advice on how to do it. I'm sure you'll love your ride!

Thats great because changing them is a pain in the ..... By the way your bike looks great the way you have it set up.

Thats great because changing them is a pain in the ..... By the way your bike looks great the way you have it set up.
I love the bike but I'm worried I'll break this frame just like the other. I wish I had got a 2005 with the new gusset instead but back in July when I broke my frame thats what I got in return (only ten days turnaround too which was pretty cool). I still have 3.4 years left on my original warranty, though!

Johnny thought I'd bring this one back, I'm getting one of the first 05 ETSX 30 into Australia and new to this forum and wanted to know it that trans blue??? because if it is the RM website does not do it justice it looks great I'm getting exited now and can't wait I am changing to Sram X9 drivetrain and should be smooth.
Thanks for the heads up I'll check it out.

being it is my bike in the picture. Yes, it is trans blue. Also the frame is painted with a fade job starting with darker blue at the front fading to lighter blue in the middle and back to darker blue at the back.

I can send you some pictures if you want to obsess over it as much as I do.

There are a couple of other little issues that need to be fixed on all '05 ETSX-30 bikes. PM me and I will go through it with you

I have my ETSX 70 set up with XO X9 components and it shifts like a dream. The ETSX is one of the if not the best performing trail bikes out there and the blue is a sweet color. I hope you get it soon and get it out on the trail. be sure to take gearhead up on offer for advice on the little fixes it needs.

It is fantastic picked it up on thursday and have been riding it ever since, and the rear bearings are fine smooth as, I did have to get the wheels trued slightly but that was the only problem. The X9 rear derailer is smooth too it was the first time I used them and I will not be going back to shimano just a shame the front derailer will not fit due to the high clamp but it's great.

I sent a message to gearhead hopefully he will get back to me soon, but thanks guys for the info you have posted it made my decision easy in buying the ETSX and what you have posted have been spot on.

Hey RockyETSX,

I haven't got any messages from you. Something must have went south with that one? My mail box was at its limit for a day or so. Maybe you tried during that time? Send me another and I will respond immediately.