REVIEW: 2006 Rocky Mountain Slayer 50

[cam@nsmb.com]

We do know it's 2007.

This test became a long term test. Mike's not complaining at all.

Let us know what you think.

The words and photos are here. (http://www.nsmb.com/gear/slayer_01_07.php)

[ChunkyMonkey]

Thanks for the update, I've been waiting for the long term test results. Hard to find these bikes now - too bad they went a different way for 2007.

[cam@nsmb.com]

The frame is the same for the Slayer 30 and 50.

[ChunkyMonkey]

I've heard that elsewhere too, but the website doesn't support that. The 30 is gone, and the 50, 70, & 90 are now the SXC with more of an XC design.

[Dude]

How is the SXC different? Did they go back to a steeper head tube?

[Unregistered2001]

RMB = quality... but $5K for a 6" well spec'd light duty trail bike? Nope.

[cam@nsmb.com]

I've heard that elsewhere too, but the website doesn't support that. The 30 is gone, and the 50, 70, & 90 are now the SXC with more of an XC design.

I think you might be looking at another Web site ;)

There is a Slayer 30 and 50 as well as a Slayer SXC in 50, 70, 90 and women's trim for 2007.

[sprinter]

I've heard that elsewhere too, but the website doesn't support that. The 30 is gone, and the 50, 70, & 90 are now the SXC with more of an XC design.

Yes it does, the Slayer 50

http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/zoom/z-07-slayer-50.jpg

They now have the Slayer SXC series and the Slayer series.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Got it. Didn't see that extra category, thanks all.

That's a bizzare way to list your bikes:

"One Bike, Any Trail"

"All Terrain, One Bike"

???

[Mic]

it looks nice and the review is a good read, i still have problems with the label of these bikes (note: have never ridden one..) - so these are basically xc bikes that take the abuse of the body out (most older folks will remember the drawbacks of 90s xc bikes on nasty trails)...hmm.

[ebxtreme]

i still have problems with the label of these bikes (note: have never ridden one..) - so these are basically xc bikes that take the abuse of the body out (most older folks will remember the drawbacks of 90s xc bikes on nasty trails)...hmm.

I don't know about that. I'm riding a similar bike (Giant Reign) with an '07 36 on the front and I'd say tha bike is leaps and bounds ahead of the old bikes that people used to try to make work for the nasty stuff.

Beyond the quality of the suspension, the angles are nowhere near as steep as the older bikes we all rode. I've taken my "AM" bike now on a couple of FR days and it's done just fine. I'm not saying it'd handle Cypress or the bike park as well as my big bike, but it'd definitely be doable and it can handle most stuff pretty darn well including some reasonable sized hucks.

Cheers,
EBX

[Dude]

RM also plays to a more European crowd, and this bike is ideal for the single track trails in the Alps.

[Knnn]

That second photo made me go all misty eyed, RIP me old luvely (but it will return.....)

[RossputiN]

Anyone know if RMB sells Slayer50 frames only? I see they have a flashy SXC in the 'Special Edition' category, but...

[Mic]

RM also plays to a more European crowd, and this bike is ideal for the single track trails in the Alps.

nooow i get the point. thanx. :D to ebx as well, just have my big bike and never thought about buying an all-mountain/enduro-thingy bike.

[Dude]

Gotta tell you though, having the Slayer the past two years has enhanced my overall riding enjoyment. I'm old school...back in the day we rode the XC bikes everywhere, no armour, anytime. Now, trails have evolved, thus the evolution of the big bike.

And, as such, my riding evolved to that of shuttle / lift whore.

Buying the Slayer brought back a whole level of forgotten enjoyment. I throw the bike in the truck, grab my shoes, open face lid, and gnarly camelback, and head to SFU, Buntzen, Seymour, Fromme- whatever- and just ride. I ride a lot of steep old school stuff. Lots of uphill. Lots of singletrack. No groups to keep up or wait for, no stunts to stop an session. No armor. Just ride my ass off for a couple of hours, and feel great about it.

[Joe Dick]

I don't know, that seems like more af a cross between a review of a whole class of bikes and whole sale marketing for Rocky. the write up falls shy of a decent review of the slayer it self.

A friend of mine has a Slayer 70 or 90? and hates it. he's come to calling it "that CCM POS" while mumbling under his breath. he's a peddle masher and that bike bobs more then Paris Hilton. the low BB means he's constenly smacking chain rings and peddles. if you've got a roady smooth peddle stroke and are looking for beefy XC bike, maybe.

just my 2C

pic of the bike in action

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v64/adbostock/aug-oct%2006/mrlim1.jpg

[cam@nsmb.com]

Nice shot. Where is that Joe? Looks beautiful. Cali?

[Joe Dick]

thanks Cam. thats Dali, Yunnan, China. some where in the middle of a three hour DH run in an area we call the Gap.

his other bike is a Dekerf Implant that he has single speeded, which suits his riding style more.

[PT-Colin]

... he's a peddle masher and that bike bobs more then Paris Hilton. the low BB means he's constenly smacking chain rings and peddles. if you've got a roady smooth peddle stroke and are looking for beefy XC bike, maybe.



Maybe he should work on getting his shock dialed.

Great pic by the way! Looks like a wicked fast descent. 3 hrs eh?

[Unregisteredx]

Yeah I demo'd one for a day and were amazed at how well a non-vpp bike pedals w/modern shock valving.

[Joe Dick]

he has pissed around with his shock a lot. I'm not speeking for his know how on the subject, but he has tried to dial it in.

as for the decent, it's not all as smooth as that pic. it's horse trails, fields and small villages. the riding a mix of chundery switch backs, steeps, supper flowy stuff a little bit of hike a bike and route finding. I've riden out there several times and I've never had to take the exact same line twice. it's a big area.

[TylerC]

I've had my 06' Slayer 70 for half a season about 45 different rides. it has been unreal I truck shuttle, chair lift ride, and pedal 6-8hr epic rides or just a quick burn in the evening after work it always fit's the bill. It has made biking really fun again and I don't miss my 45lb freeride bike one bit. I can ride with who ever, when ever,where ever. I was never the fastest up or down before and I'm still not but I think I'm having the most fun of anyone. My bike is never to heavy or to flimsy. I'd buy another one.

[rm fan]

nice to get updated on the latest (almost) slayer.

my daily ride is a 2002 edge which was the cheaper brother to the slayer back in the day. sweet bike, no complaints. like the look of the latest slayer range, but i'd sack off the pussy air fork and put a proper oil/spring job in its place. i'm still running the original oem bomber z1 on the edge and i've never had any issues with it. i'd also plump for an oil/coil shock like my old vanilla r. simple, reliable and effective and you never have to pump the sucker up.

on the day my edge finally gives up the ghost, i'd buy another rocky, no question.

got to agree about rocky's parts spec tho....i ran thru a load of the original components real quick, but hey that frame is second to none and lower mainland designed and built is irreplaceable so i'll forgive 'em for a slightly cheapo part spec.....

[fivespades]

I'm Joe's friend with the Slayer70. I've played around with the shocks quite a bit, got them dialed in. Actually the bike is in pieces right now, I'm back to riding my Implant, which I love. I'm that close to slapping the cash down for a Knolly to replace the Slayer. I'm not bashing RM, just that no bike company can make everybody happy.

[lumpylumpy]

i ride the rm slayer30, and it still has that special feeling, just like my '97 thinair (which i still use), that only rocky mountains have to their ride. i agree you may not be the fastest up or down, but you are having the most fun. the slayer is the do it all bike. hands down.

beautiful frame construction as well. the pride shows.