Submitted by
Mike Austin
a Cross Country Rider
from Aliso Viejo Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2005
Strengths: solid frame, great specs stock...lock out on the front shock is great and easy to use. XT brakes have been great. I had to call rocky mountain directly due to the bike shop's lack of product knowledge. Rocky mountain was great on the phone, listened to and answered all of my questions.
Weaknesses: had to upgrade the spring in the front shock (fox). I am 235 and needed a bit more support. Stock saddle needs to go. Bike comes in at 30lbs (20.5 inch frame).
Bottom Line:
I just rode this bike in a 24 hour race (Hurkey Creek). What a dream. I gave out before the bike did. Unbelievable down hill...Eats up the rutts, whoops and rocks like they are not there. Just point it down hill and let it go. This is my first bike with disc brakes. The XT discs are awesome. Climbs great, especially for a five inch travel bike. Get an '05 at clearance price while you can, not many left. Rocky Mountain Slayer 70 rocks. This bike should be in the all-mountain category though, not xc. If you are a big guy and like to ride up and down the hills, this bike is for you...
Strengths: What's the deal with this catagory, Rocky Mountain "EDGE SLAYER"??? These are two totally different bikes. I emailed this site months ago pointing this out and they still have it set up like this. They messed it up when they changed the catagories over this year. And also, why is the Slayer (5") in a XC catagory when other 5" trail bikes (5 Spot, etc), are in Freeride catagory??? This site is getting worse, no wonder less reviews are being submitted by readers. Dissapointing at best.
Bottom Line:
These catagories need to be corrected. The Slayer is an awesome bike.
Submitted by
Kurt
a Cross Country Rider
from Dana Point
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2005
Strengths: Frame!! this bike is spec'd great
Weaknesses: Tires, but thats it.
Bottom Line:
This is the finest bike I have owned. It climbs and descends like a dream. This bike really does feel (from my experience) like a cross between my Joker and Enduro. Where the Joker was too much bike and the Enduro not enough bike, this is the perfect middle ground. This bike was built for epics, and for some abuse. Absolutely no flex in the frame, and sealed bearing, How could you go wrong? I would recommend this bike to anyone. If you want a bike that can do it all, and you just want to ride this is your bike.
Bike Setup: Stock, except for Tires, and seat, and tiem pedals.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from bloomsbury, NJ
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2004
Strengths: Climbs Better than any other bike that I've owned or tried. The shop I bought it from was very helpful. They steered me in the right direction and the guy john actually lent me his personal bike! 03 slayer. The bike handles like a dream and the frame quality is the best bar none. Hand made with custom easton tubes. Not there own generic tubeset with a new name every year "c-dale". Has taken alot of punishment I have owned C-dale and trek and cracked both at the welds the c-dale cracked in the middle of the seat tube and the shop told me it was a flaw in that frame "jekyll" but c-dale would not warranty! No wonder why everyone calls them crack n fail. you cannot go wrong with this bike it really feels like it climbs better than my hardtail. Buy one!
Weaknesses: Tires- hutchinson blows
Bottom Line:
Ride everything you can and DON'T beleive shop's so called Lifetime tune ups. A local shop by me gave me lifetime tune ups and everytime I went in The shop charged me for something. A new chain after they put one on 3 day's before. Bottom line is Pay attention to the bikes ride and don't get confused with what the stores service plan is. I was so wrapped up in the hype of all the glam bikes but chose the Rocky on pure performance and build Quality.
Similar Products Used: "selling" specialized enduro replace pivots 2 times a season "broke" c-dale & Trek Fuel Rode giant and Kona the kona was nice but it did not pedal as well as the rocky.
Bike Setup: SRAM X9 shifters, SRAM XO rderailleur, XT fder, stock
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Submitted by
A.C.
a Weekend Warrior
from fair lawn,nj usa
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2004
Strengths: built quality, super plush suspension, true all mountain bike, great component mix for the price, and the customer service at rocky mountain rocks! thanks kevin!
Weaknesses: i guess rocky mountain got a really good deal on these hutchinson mosquito 2.3 tires. not good here in ringwood.
Bottom Line:
this bike is the best all around full suspension i've tried for the price. i had a klein adept race before, great for cross country because it's light, but not good for the trails here which is very rocky and lots of long downhills where the slayer 70 excels. kenda nevegals were the best upgrade for this bike. great for climbs, corners like you're on rails and no problem for any terrain. i have to thank jeff at sayville bike works for finding me this awesome bike. kevin at rocky mountain said this was the last slayer 70 available this year. santa cruz is a great bike but not for 3 months wait, summer is over by then. i tried my friends ellsworth id, it's good but too pricey. so you guys out there looking for a great true all mountain bike, check out this slayer 70, built quality is second to none. it's hand built in canada. paint job is excellent. keep up the good work rocky mountain!
Similar Products Used: santa cruz heckler, klein adept race, ellsworth id
Bike Setup: factory setup except time atac xs, wtb rocket team saddle, easton ec70 monkeylite bar and kenda nevegal 2.35 tires
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Submitted by
Nige
a Cross Country Rider
from Winter Park, Co
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2004
Strengths: Plush suspension, beautiful frame!
Weaknesses: Tires!!!
Bottom Line:
Having ridden the Slayer all summer 2+ times a week I cannot find a weakness in this bike, from 5 hour x-country epic rides to light downhill/free ride stuff this bike does it all. The stock tires were replaced straight away for the Fire 2.4 which have been awesome in all conditions. The XT dual system has worked perfectly and the discs have better stopping than my previous Hayes setup. The suspension is super plush and combined with the great braking power the bike begs to be ridden fast. My 19 inch weighs in at 30.5 pounds but climbs as well as my 26 pound hardtail, almost no bob from the Fox shock. The frame is a piece of art, the welding is perfect and paint has held up to some serious bingles (the rider is sometimes not as good as the bike). Although not the cheapest bike, I would recommend the Slayer for anyone looking for a solid all mountain rig that will do it all.
Bike Setup: Stock except changed tyres for Panaracer Fire Freeride 2.4, pedals to 646's and seat(personal choice)
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Erik
a Weekend Warrior
from Portland,ME
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2004
Strengths: Fork, overall ride, stiffness of the frame, stock components.
Weaknesses: The tires don't cut it in thicker/soupy mud. Stock rims seemed out of place with other parts.
Bottom Line:
I couldn't get a 70 this late in the season so my LBS tore down a 30 they had and built it up to 70 specs. The fork and xt parts are actually `05 parts but not a whole lot different from the `04 stuff. I love the feel of this bike. It feels more like my old sworks with the atom bomb fork than my fuel. The ride is stiffer. I'm a heavy guy (240) and the fuel gave me no confidence riding and especially descending. I broke the frame twice in the last year. This bike makes riding fun again because I'm not worrying about the SID breaking and the rear triangle falling apart. The tires so far have not been good and will be replaced shortly. They probably work great on dry ground but the sloppy mud we have now kills these things. Climbing requires being up and over the handlebars a little more than the fuel but this bike has surprised me at how well it climbs. Great bike. I tried the cake and liked it but didn't think it felt like a 5" travel bike where the Slayer did.
Similar Products Used: Fuel 98, Cake, sugar, sworks hardtail
Bike Setup: Switched the 223's for 717's, chris king, hayes Mag instead of integrated XT shifters/brakes, xt cassette
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Submitted by
Brad
a Weekend Warrior
from Lexington, KY
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004
Strengths: Bike fit perfectly for me straight from the factory (6'1, 185). Super plush, whether you're getting some air or just doing XC riding, but still gives lots of feedback from the trail. Frame is piece of art. Component group from factory is sweet, no need for upgrades unless you just have to have the lightest stuff- but folks buying this bike don't have to have the lightest stuff, so it's just fine. Fox Vanilla front fork is just sooooo smooth, I can't imagine anything much better. Ditto for the Fox Float rear. This bike just doubles your confidence when riding- I can't explain it any better. It makes you a better rider.
Weaknesses: Wheelset from factory could be better. Will want to upgrade from the Mavic X223d's pretty soon.
Bottom Line:
If you're not worried about weight or racing and just love to ride any terrain imaginable, it would be hard to find a better bike. The frame is strong enough to withstand some pounding, but yet light enough to ride on any trail out there. I think the overall weight is around 29 pounds- light enough for me. The bike just flows down the trail, it will make you such a smooooth rider. True all-mountain bike. No real complaints (except for wheelset), would recommend buying this bike to just about anyone. Can't think of a reason not to buy it.
Similar Products Used: Test drove Giant VT1, Fisher Cake (neither even held a candle to the Slayer); Klein Palamino
Bike Setup: Factory set-up except for Weirwolf 2.5 front and Ritchey Z-Max 2.35 rear; changed saddle (personal preference)
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Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2004
Strengths: Solid all around bike, extremely burly on downhill yet even the biggest hills can be climbed pretty easily. The standard components are just fine and the majority of riders shouldn't have to sink much money into the bike once you can stomach the initial cost.
Weaknesses: Front fork makes a nasty noise going off jumps. Best described as metal on metal. I've played with the pressure and adjusted it endlessly, but the noise continues. Doesn't affect performance as far as I can tell but the sound shouldn't be there.
Bottom Line:
Great bike, though not sure I would have paid the full $2,400 asking price. It's fast, strong and is an excellent alternative to the more expensive Santa Cruz bikes. My favorite aspect is the way you sit on the bike thanks to a geat frame design. Allows for much more aggressive downhill runs. Has all the bells and whistles you need and from what I've heard from other riders the customer service at Rocky Mountain is great. If you can find it for under 2k and enjoy both downhill and x-country I say buy away...
Strengths: Very ridgid for heavier a rider such as myself 220lbs. Rides nicer than my 5 spot with awesome nimble handling characteristics. Very effective as a X-country - semi freeride machine. Great bike for someone who needs an aggresive cross country machine with freeride capabilities.
Weaknesses: Tires need to be upgraded and the stock springs are not sufficient for someone of my weight (220)
Bottom Line:
Perhaps the best bang for the buck out there. No-compromise bike that can compete with bikes costing $1500 more.
Bike Setup: Full stock, tires soon to be replaced with the front springs
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Submitted by
Scotia
a Cross Country Rider
from Denville, NJ
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2004
Strengths: Great at climbing and excellent on the downhill. I have ridden an 03 and the 04 seems a lot lighter and more nimble. You can ride the bike all day. I swapped out the shifters and rear der. for sram and couldn't be happier. I didn't even try the xt stuff. Local dealer is an expert on mtb and led me in the right direction. He even let me borrow his 03. Finish
Weaknesses: The stock tires are bad news. On my first ride I kept yelling "HINGA I need new tires!"
Bottom Line:
The right choice! Buy one and you too will be riding all day like Keith Moritz.
Similar Products Used: Old Klein Attitude hardtail. I still ride this ultralight hill climbing machine.
Bike Setup: Stock except for tires, sram trigger shifters/der. and heavier fork spring. I weigh 250 lbs
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Submitted by
Joel
a Cross Country Rider
from Laramie, Wy 82072
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2004
Strengths: This bike pedals like a cross country racer (but with 4.75 inches of travel). The Fox rear shock has a lock out, but I never feel like I need to use it (the pro pedal shock with the frame geometry is super effecient). The fox Vanilla RLC up front balances out the bike well. I like the lockout with the blow-off valve.
Weaknesses: None yet. Maybe tubeless wheelset would be nice.
Bottom Line:
This is the nicest bike I've ever ridden. No complaints. Period. Maybe not a cross country racer, but it feels just as effecient and almost as light. Perfect all mountain bike.
