"I found it impossible to take riding seriously aboard this hardtail, and that’s a good thing"
- bikemag.com
The OG trail tool
Rootdown [VI]
The new Rootdown is a continuation of a story that has been evolving ever since we first started making hardtail frames over 20 years ago. We love the simplicity and purity of hardtails and revel in how capable and versatile they can be. The Series VI represents everything we’ve learned and evolved into this model to date! The Rootdown can be a bike for almost any type of ride and if you are looking for a 29er hardtail that delivers confidence and versatility in some of the most demanding terrain, the Rootdown is ready to deliver.
The Series VI carries forward the tried and tested geometry the Rootdown is known for with all sizing spec. remaining consistent to the previous version. New for 2024 are updates to tubing, materials, finishes, machined junction and interfaces.
160mm
29"
Steel
3 Year Warranty
"The new Rootdown continues a story that has been evolving since Chromag started making hardtail frames over twenty years ago"
- The Radavist
Builds & Specs
• Fork // Rock Shox Lyrik Ultimate 160mm Boost 110x15mm
• Stem // Chromag HiFi BSX 40mm
• Bar// Chromag OSX 25mm Rise, 800mm
• Headset // Cane Creek Forty ZS
• Crank // SRAM GX 170mm
• Brakes // SRAM Code RSC
• Rotors // SRAM HS2 180mm
• Shifter // SRAM GX Eagle
• Cassette // SRAM GX Eagle 10-52t
• Derailleur // SRAM GX Eagle
• Rims // Chromag 29" Phase30
• Hubs // Chromag R4
• Tires // Maxxis Minion DHF/DHR
• Seatpost // RockShox Reverb
(125mm - S) (150mm - M) (175mm - M/L) (200mm - L, XL)
• Saddle // Chromag Trailmaster DT
• Grips // Chromag Format
• Chain // SRAM GX Eagle
Build options are subject to availability and liable to change without notice.
• Wheel Size // 29" or 27+
• Recommended Fork Travel // 160mm (±10mm)
• Material // 4130 Chromoly Steel
• Frame Weight (M/L) // 7.13lbs
• Hub Spacing // Boost 148mm (Axle Included)
• Headset // 44-56 Semi Integrated
• Seat Clamp Size // 35mm
• Seat Post Size // 31.6mm
• BB // BSA 73mm Threaded
• Hanger // UDH (Included)
• Brake Mount // 180mm Post
• Frame Origin // Taiwan
The Rootdown Series VI
4130
The Rootdown is made from quality 4130 chromoly steel tubing. Chromoly is an abbreviation for chromium-molybdenum indicating the materials that the steel is alloyed with.
The added chromium helps increase the steels hardenability and also provide some corrosion resistance.
The molybdenum helps to increase the toughness of the steel.
It has a high tensile strength but is also malleable which is what gives our frames their notorious ride quality and feel. Chromoly is often used when more strength is required than that of mild carbon steel.
It falls under the AISI (American Iron & Steel Institute) 41XX designations which is where the “41” comes from. The “30” indicates it contains approximately 0.30% carbon by weight.
Chromoly is much stronger than traditional 1020 steel and it has a higher strength to weight ratio and high tensile strength, which means we can use less material and achieve a product that can withstand the abuse that riders love to throw at it.
Electrophoretic Deposition
ED (Electrophoretic Deposition) coating is the process of applying a thin layer of coating to all surfaces of a part, both inside and out.
Our ED coating is applied by fully submerging the frame in a liquid, to which, an electric field is applied (a bit like anodising). Not only does this completely envelop the frame inside and out, but it provides an incredibly even layer of protection.
This gives our frames great corrosion protection as the inside of all tubes are also coated.
The ED coat also acts as a great primer for the paint to adhere to.
The 6th series of the rootdown has post brake mounts, threaded bb, and our new E.D. undercoating
key features
The one stop shop aggro hardtail.
geometry
The Rootdown is the latest evolution of our take on an aggressive do it all hardtail. Comfortable enough for all day adventures and capable enough for any mission. Many have tried to impersonate the long standing Rootdown.
Frame Size | STypical Rider Height: 155cm - 165cm | MTypical Rider Height: 163cm - 174cm | M/LTypical Rider Height: 172cm - 183cm | LTypical Rider Height: 181cm - 192cm | XLTypical Rider Height: 190cm - 200cm |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
630 | 630 | 639 | 648 | 657 | |
421 | 446 | 463 | 487 | 503 | |
578 | 603 | 622 | 648 | 667 | |
105 | 105 | 105 | 115 | 125 | |
1177 | 1202 | 1223 | 1251 | 1272 | |
50.8 | 50.8 | 50.8 | 50.8 | 50.8 | |
320 | 320 | 320 | 320 | 320 | |
677 | 714 | 738 | 762 | 799 | |
425 | 425 | 425 | 425 | 425 | |
368 | 406 | 431 | 456 | 494 | |
188 | 226 | 251 | 276 | 314 | |
64° | |||||
76° | |||||
29'' |
* Max. post insertion based on Rockshox Reverb
THIS IS AN APPROXIMATE GUIDE, SOME PEOPLE HAVE LONGER LEGS THAN OTHERS!
Sizing
If you're between sizes, it's a good idea to try to ride them both, either by hopping on a demo or stealing from a close friend. If that isn't an option, examine reach, stack and ETT numbers on your current bike and compare. If in any doubt, please get in touch and we'd be happy to chat about it with you.
You could also check out the review section, to see how this bike fits other people.
Catch a rare glimpse of the rootdown out in the wild.
gallery
FAQ's
This is possible but does notably change the geometry. The change results in approximately 1° slacker head and seat tube angles, 20mm shorter reach and BB height 10mm closer to the ground.
A 2.5” Maxxis fits with appropriate room around it.
No, there are no ISCG mounts on the Rootdown [VI].
All our frames can work with +/-10mm of fork travel. To generalise the geometry change is around a 0.5° slacker head tube and seat tube angle for every 10mm added.
All geared hardtails run a standard boost chain line (52mm)
With a 52mm chainline (SRAM boost standard), the Rootdown [VI] can fit up to a 34-tooth chainring.
For context, most of us here are running a 30t, with a 10/52 cassette.
There is a serial number on the back of your fork arch, adding this to Rockshox Trailhead app along with your weight gives a good baseline setting.
Post mount brakes are a much more common standard these days, which means in most cases this negates the use of an adapter.
We were seeing a great deal of variation in diameter from BB manufacturers. This is very hard to account for with a press fit.
Threaded BB's (and threads in general) are much more standardised, which means less variance from one to another. Also, the action of tightening down the cup into the frame more easily accounts for variations in thread quality from different BB manufacturers.
We chase the BB threads on every frame, ensuring good fit with both OE and aftermarket bottom brackets.
It does, however the specific blend of steel we use (CR-MO) has very good corrosion resistant properties.
The Rootdown [VI] also has our ED coating inside and out which further helps protect it from the elements.
Nothing of note on this frame. Please let us know if you have tried to fit a more obscure component and faced issues.
Greasing you seat post prevents this issues, we strongly recommend re-greasing every 6 months at a minimum.
Not much! Here's what you need to do if we shipped your bike to you:
• Inflate tires to desired pressure. (Sealant is already installed)
• Install brake rotors, tightening bolts to 6.2Nm.
• Attach derailleur to frame, tightening to 9Nm making sure that the B-tension tab rests properly against the derailleur hanger stop.
• Grease headset bearings, install fork and handlebar, positioning the headset spacers above or below the stem according to rider fit.
• Align handlebar stem, preload headset and tighten stem pinch bolts to 8Nm.
• Install wheels, tighten axles.
• Install chain with quick link.
• Grease pedal threads and install pedals using pedal washers supplied.
• Adjust brakes, shifters, saddle position and height for personal preference.
• Set up suspension.
• Bed-in brakes. (Roll down a gentle gradient dragging one brake at a time. Avoid locking them up.)
• Go ride!
Note: If you had to Google "Nm", or you don't know which way to install your rotors, you should probably get a qualified mechanic to build your bike!
Here's what's been done:
• Chain length adjusted.
• Gears adjusted.
• Brakes set up and bled.
• Handlebar tightened to 6Nm.
• Grips tight on handlebar.
• Crankset tight, bottom bracket tight/adjusted.
• Saddle and seatpost tight.
• Seatpost greased *make sure to re-grease every 6 months!
• Tire sealant installed.
• Cassette tight.