It’s not every day you see a brand rooted deeply in the “ski bum” culture of Colorado and Whistler make a jump into the crowded enduro mountain bike market. But RMU (Rocky Mountain Underground) is doing just that, and it honestly makes a lot of sense. Skiing and mountain biking have many parallels.
After years of building a community around premium skis and mountain culture hubs, they’ve officially stopped just teasing all of us and announced the NIGHTTRAIN. To do this, and do it the right way, RMU has gone straight to one of the most well -known suspension designers in the industry, Dave Weagle.
Details
MSRP
ShimanoDeore – $4,999 USD
ShimanoXTDi2 – $6,999 USD
SRAMDHGX – $6,399 USD
Frameset – $2,499 USD
- Material: Full Alloy (6066-T6)
- Travel: 170mm / 170mm
- Sizing: S1 through S4
- Configurations: Available as a frameset or complete builds featuring FOX Suspension and Shimano drivetrains, or a DH variant with a Boxxer and GX DH drivetrain and Maven Brakes.
- Warranty: Backed by a lifetime frame warranty
@graeme.meiklejohn
Sure, the bike looks a lot like the Pivot Phoenix, but this isn’t DW6, it’s something else. There are some differences that all work to make the NIGHTTRAIN climb and descend better than it should. At first glance, the Nighttrain looks like it might be joining the high-pivot craze, but RMU is quick to point out that this is something different. The bike utilizes a mid-pivot adaptation of Weagle’s 6-bar Orion suspension. What truly makes it stand out is the patented dual-idler drivetrain layout.
While we’ve seen dual chains on World Cup DH bikes before, seeing them on a production enduro bike is new. The goal here is twofold:
- Drivetrain Efficiency: Minimizing the power loss often associated with complex idler systems.
- Reduced Pedal Feedback: Ensuring the 170mm of travel doesn’t interfere with your legs when the terrain gets chunky.
@graeme.meiklejohn
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According to Weagle, this isn’t the supple, “couch-like” Orion of the past (as was seen on the Esker cycles full-suspension bikes). This version is reconfigured to mimic the support and control of a World Cup DH race bike while still providing good anti-squat for big days of climbing – or so they say.
Long Travel Body, Short-Travel Mind
The Nighttrain is a big bike by any definition, with 170mm of travel front and rear, paired with a 65mm-stroke shock. However, RMU’s Product Manager, Luke “Ocho” Allen, claims the goal was to avoid the “sluggish” stereotype associated with long-travel machines.
@frossland
The brand’s “ski DNA” is heavy here, emphasizing a playful, poppy ride feel rather than a “plow-everything” monster. The geometry follows modern enduro trends: a slack head angle for stability and a steep seat tube for those long transfers back to the top.
“I’ve owned both high-pivot bikes and traditional drivetrain bikes over the years, and both have theirdrawbacks. Even so, when Dave presented us with the mid-pivot dual-idler layout I was skeptical, butknowing the drawbacks with both of these other designs I was also intrigued. When we first started testingthe dual idler I quickly noticed the efficiency of the drivetrain, and how well it pedaled not only on flatground but climbing.
After the first lap on the NIGHTTRAIN with the dual idler, my worries quickly faded into the background and I just rode. I started to notice how well it helps keep you feeling in control andcentered on the bike through corners. It rails berms like a short travel bike, but makes you feel like youhave control to just plow over anything in sight too. I also love how poppy and predictable this bike is onjumps. It truly turns the trail into a playground which is a characteristic that our skis have, and one that Iwanted to carry over into our bikes.”
— Luke “Ocho” Allen, Product Manager/Co-Founder of RMU
Build Kits, Geo, and Availability
RMU is staying true to its rugged roots with a 6066-T6 aluminum frame. The initial “Midnight Onyx” production run is limited, emphasizing the brand’s small-batch philosophy.
@frossland
RMU
RMU
Pre-orders are open now, with the first bikes expected to ship in July 2026.
The Takeaway
It’s a massive undertaking for a boutique ski brand to enter the bike world, especially with a platform as technically ambitious as a dual-idler 6-bar. By partnering with Weagle, which continues to work with heavy hitters like Pivot, Ibis, and Evil, RMU is making a statement that it is serious about entering the MTB scene properly.
While we haven’t spent any time on this yet, we will have a full review coming soon, and I’m sure it will be an interesting machine to pedal around.