"If you're serious about getting into trail riding, the GROWLER is a great choice right now."

Even though it's an end-of-model-year sale for a 2022 model, the design itself is still very much current. It's not often you can get a bike that perfectly hits all the "must-have" points for a trail hardtail – slack geometry, 29x2.6 wide tires, and a dropper post as standard equipment – at this price.

It offers the stability characteristic of ROCKY MOUNTAIN, which makes descents less intimidating, and the agility unique to a hardtail.

It's a model we genuinely recommend, whether it's your "first bike" or a "partner for serious play."

About the Model, Price, and Size

■ GROWLER 20 (2022 Model)

[Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price] ¥163,900 (tax included)
[End-of-Model-Year Sale Price] ¥106,535 (tax included)
[Colors] RED / BLACK
[Sizes (Approximate Rider Height)] S (157.5-170cm), M (167.5-177.5cm), L (175-188cm)

■ GROWLER 40 (2022 Model)

[Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price] ¥233,200 (tax included)
[End-of-Model-Year Sale Price] ¥151,580 (tax included)
[Colors] PINK / GREEN, BLACK / WHITE
[Sizes (Approximate Rider Height)] S (157.5-170cm), M (167.5-177.5cm), L (175-188cm)

The ROCKY MOUNTAIN Background

ROCKY MOUNTAIN, which began in 1981 in the basement of a bike shop in Vancouver, Canada, has always prioritized "can it really ride fast, safely, and enjoyably in the mountains" over sales volume. It has consistently used its wet and technical backyard trails as testing grounds.

This is why there's a consistent philosophy behind their frame design; it's not just about trendy geometry, but about how stable it is on actual mountain slopes and how well it propels you forward.

The GROWLER is a model that follows this lineage.

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The GROWLER Hardtail

The GROWLER series provides a very straightforward answer to the common concern of wanting to start trail riding but finding full-suspension bikes too expensive or intimidating, while also not wanting to have a scary experience on descents.

With a slack head angle of about 64-65° and an extended reach, the front wheel is positioned well forward. This design prevents your body from being thrown forward on steep slopes or large drops, resulting in a sense of security that makes it "less scary" rather than just "faster."

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• Furthermore, the high-volume 29x2.6 tires absorb rough terrain, providing ample stability despite being a hardtail without rear suspension. This makes it a perfect fit for riders who want to cycle to the mountains and then spend the day playing on the trails.

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GROWLER 20 | For Getting Started

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• Looking at the sale price of ¥106,535 (tax included), it falls into the entry-level MTB price range, but when you look at the specs, you might even wonder, "this frame for this price?".
  

It features a Rocky Mountain 6061 aluminum frame with modern specifications such as Boost 148mm, a tapered head tube, and dropper post compatibility.

The fork is an SR SUNTOUR XCM34 with 130mm of travel. Its coil-sprung design provides smooth, predictable action, offering a reassuring feel that's easy to handle even for those new to trail riding.

The drivetrain is either MicroShift Advent X 1x10 speed (11-48T) or Shimano Deore 10 speed, combining the ease of a single front chainring with a wide gear range. This setup ensures that you won't feel a lack of gears on routes with frequent climbs.

And the standard-equipped dropper post.

It's really rare to find this feature included at this price point, and it makes a huge difference in confidence on steep descents and technical sections. So, I think it's fair to say that as a first bike, it's quite complete.

The appeal also lies in its upgrade potential: start riding as it is, and when you feel like you need more, upgrade the wheels or tires.

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GROWLER 40 | For the Next Level

If you want to tackle trails more aggressively and consider jumps and higher speeds, the GROWLER 40 is more complete from the start.

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• The Suntour Raidon 34 LOR Air Boost 140mm air suspension fork allows for setting adjustments based on rider weight and preference, enabling more precise control.

The Shimano Deore 1x12 speed (10-51T) offers a very wide gear range, providing plenty of leverage for steep climbs while still allowing for strong pedaling on flats and descents, consistently giving you room to maneuver over varying trail terrain.

The brakes are Shimano MT4100 hydraulic discs, and the wheels are WTB ST i30 TCS 2.0 (tubeless ready), making for a practical and trail-ready setup.

It's equipped to hit the trails seriously from day one.

All for ¥151,580 (tax included).

While this price is only possible due to it being an end-of-model-year sale, the design itself is not only perfectly viable today, but also achieves a highly refined balance for a trail hardtail.

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Summary | The Value of End-of-Model-Year

The frame design, which incorporates modern slack geometry, 29x2.6 wide tires, Boost standards, and a dropper post as standard equipment, remains relevant and is, in fact, quite rare to find at this price point.

If you're looking for a hardtail MTB, opportunities to experience Rocky Mountain's philosophy at this price don't come around very often.

Limited stock available.

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