Looks, weight, suspension performance, geo, stiffness, slick cable routing, the list goes on

I suppose I can only think of one. It would be nice to have a 12x142 rear axle option.

This is a review of the frame only (2013). I LOVE this bike! I picked up the 50 MSL frame, and have it custom built. I slapped some Haven carbon wheels, XO trail brakes, a Sram 1x10 drivetrain with the Turbine crank and a Revelation RCT3 130-150 in matte black.
This bike blows away all other 5" travel bikes I've ridden. It's very light and nimble, but it holds it together well in the chunk too. I don't hesitate to push this bike hard, and it pulls off 3' drops like nothing. I usually leave the fork in the 130mm setting, but for long DH sections I might bump it up to 150, just cuz. I also have a SB66c, and I love having both bikes to choose from based on trail and my mood. They look fairly similar, but are really completely different, and even on the same trail they will make for very different rides. What I like about this bike is that it's super light (23#!), nimble, and just plain fun to flick around. The Yeti, on the other hand, is a bit more stable and somewhat less flickable, but it steamrolls stuff on the trail that makes the MSL just come to life.

solid and competent. drivetrain, shocks, frame, brakes

clearcoat

for 19 years i rode a bridgestone mb0. i bought it my junior year in HS. Handbuilt steel frame, solid suntour components. what more could i need? well, an upgrade to shimano trigger shifters and v brakes in 1997. that held me over until last month.

in that month that i have been riding the element msl 70, i have fallen in love with riding all over again. i have also had to learn how to ride all over again..

this bike, now that i am starting to figure it out, is amazing. i bought it used for us$1800 and it is more bike than i ever thought i would own.

the drivetrain is super smooth and solid, the brakes strong as funk. while i have nothing to compare it to, the suspension is incredible. climbing took a bit getting used to, but now i can easily get up switchbacks and steps that i would never even have considered trying with my old bridgestone. dialed in and headed downhill, it allows the most insane lines and forgives some of the mightiest fail.
that being said, this bike has 120mm, so it's no insane freeride machine, but it does take reasonable drops and rocks with ease. for xc or just plain hauling ass through the woods for fun, this bike is where it's at.

while i was a bit hesitant to go to carbon, this frame is burly. when i was cleaning out the headset, the head and top tubes felt surprisingly thick and smooth. after installing some clear protective film, i feel unworried.
well, at least for the safety of my bike. the increase in speed this bike engenders makes me think full face a bit more frequently lately...

my only complaint is the pathetic clearcoat that is just peeling off. no es bueno. at some point i'll have to take it apart and paint it. but really, the bike rides so amazingly well, i couldn't give less intercourses.

Similar Products Used:

bridgestone mb0, giant trance x2

Hard wearing , well designed, plush suspension , timeless looks

Nowt

Got one second hand off pinkbike, its 2004 model with upgrades , I sell bikes so have tested quite a few different types of all ages , i like rm especially the older models and thought it would be a good cheap winter stomper , it feels so nimble and responsive , mines got a short stem with wide bars and lovely revelation dual air forks which makes it ultra controllable when going down hill , I don't think I'll ever sell it , if you ever get chance to get one I highly recommend doing so , peace

Similar Products Used:

Focus super bud, specialized xc fsr,

very nimble thru twisty sections, climbs very well, front and rear suspension works well together,

have had an occassional pedal strike

Bike handles extremely well, swapped out stock Ikon tires for Trail Kings, much better traction, very light which helps it climb well especially when seated, Formula brakes make some noise but I'm coming from Avids which always made noise, Fox suspension works well front and rear, XT drivetrain is as good as it gets, don't need XTR, went from a Specialized FSR, very happy,

Similar Products Used:

Specialized FSR

great geometry, good descender, stiff frame

pricey, rear susp. eat energy (can fell the rear end shortenen when compressing), poor square bumb absortion.

nice bike on almost flat land or for going down the hill, but not a good climber.
I'm not in love with this rear susp system (Spec alike)
need to lock rear shock when climbing steep trails, it also bob alot

Similar Products Used:

Giant Anthem, Ibis Mojo sl, GF sugar

Comfortable trail bike also suitable for single track. Not a bomber. Also Its sturdy enough for a clydesdale size rider like myself

The tires that came standard were too slick for the high dust content of nor-cal trails during the summer. Also the tubes were too thin and both went flat after two weeks. New tubes have had no problems.

I upgraded from an 04 Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo. So there really is no comparison except that obviously the RM is heavier. But not so heavy that its holding me back hill climbing (thats my own issue). The handle bars have a slight downward slope which I was leery of in the beginning, but I've found the position to be more comfortable in the long term. Its an expensive bike and a fun bike. I understand there are better bang for the buck out there. I have no regrets. You can spend $1k more and go carbon, but for my more relaxed style its not worth it.

Weight, Looks, Rear lock out, Ability to handle it when the trail get a little rough

Price, Stock spec is okay.

I love this bike, very happy with its trail manners, like's to be ridden hard. Have a hard time using all the rear travel

Similar Products Used:

This is my first full suspension bike

Accelerates really well for an alloy bike, lightweight, nimble handling, climbs and descends far better than its spec sheet suggests it should.

a tad expensive for the components.

Ive only ridden this bike for 7 hours so far but it is amazing! Its the 2012 model Element 50. The suspension has a stiff action, which helps it pedal well, and it still soaks enough hits to stay in control, but its not plush like my brothers fuel ex. As an allrounder i think this bike is hard to beat. The trails around here are everything from steep loose rocky eroded firetrails to flowing singletrack and it feels fantastic on everything ive ridden so far. I did notice a few more pedal strikes than on my old giant hardtail, i guess the bottom bracket is lower. Maybe thats why it rails corners so well. I think I'm going to enjoy this thing for years!

Ridiculously light, strong frame, smooth shifting, great stopping power, looks amazing, quality components just a wonderful bike.

Zero

I really love this bike. Bought it off a buddy because he is upgrading, but wow. This bike is quick, light and stays suprisingly well planted on the trails. Extremely happy with this purchase. I also found that climbing is significantly easier with this bike. I had always struggled with this previously. Bike is very predictable and easy to manouver on trails. Out riding in Canmore right now and the element is preforming like a champ. Would definititely recommend this bike for cross country enthusiasts.

Ease of suspension lock out/open rear suspension, quality of suspension system, super light carbon frame

None so far.

This is my first XC bike, so it's hard a little hard to compare to others but so far I love it. I only have a few rides under my belt so far, but I am having a blast on it so far. This thing is super light and smooth on the uphill and holds strong on steep technical trails on the downhills. Coming from a 6" bike that I am used to pushing many sections uphill, I am pedaling sections with confidence that I have never made it up and decending trails nearly as fast and confident as with my 6" bike.

Similar Products Used:

Norco Six, Norco Fluid LT