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Rocky Mountain
2001 Slayer
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Submitted by
Adam
a
from Anchorage, AK USA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | Well, I just testified but a major event happened. The bushings wore out in the main pivot, after four years and possibly 4k miles. Poo. My rear shock is toast, but I'm still riding it until I save enough to send it to Push.
Overall, four years and one bushing set. Not too shabby.
A buddy has been through four Giant AC frames in the same ammount of time. Those Giant warranty reps know him by name. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
VERT
a Cross Country Rider
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Strong frame, cool paint job (I got the one with the holographic paint), frame is lightweight | | Weaknesses: | Bushings in pivots on frame | | Similar Products Used: | 00 and 01 Specialized Stumpjumper | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Manitiou Black 100/120mm forks, 04 Fox Float R pro pedal, XT rear Derailer, Raceface prodigy 80mm stem, Deore Front Derailer, Deore cluster, HG72 Chain, LX shifter pods, Shimano Deore hydrolic disc brakes and levers with Avid 6" rotors, Alex DM18 and DM24 rims, Profile design ultra FR Bar, Truvantiv Firex Crankset, Raceface SRX Bottom Bracket, Shimano M545 Pedals, FSA Pig headset, Titec seatpost, WTB Rocket V seat. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this as a frame and built it up, I replaced the Fox Vanilla R shock with a 04 Propedal Float R as the rebound was stuffed and I got a bit too much bob riding up hills. With the Fox Float I have now I get no bob. I have riden this bike XC and in XC races I also freeride with the bike and have done a bit of downhill. This is an awsome frame to ride trails and down hills etc on and its easy to get up the hills on too, becuase you have to get up the hills to ride down them :) My RM Slayer is a very comfortable bike to ride and handles very well, I'm in love with it. When I ride it its like riding my dream bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a
from Anchorage, AK
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | the fire line below Log Chutes in Durango | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Purchased At: | Glacier Cycles Whitefish, MT | | Strengths: | Bomber. I've never rplaced anything I didn't break. Paint job- lots of kids go, "wow, cool bike". | | Weaknesses: | Some cable routing, original tires, original handlebars. Magura brakes-never again. | | Similar Products Used: | Giant AC, my old Bontrager ss. | | Bike Setup: | well, lately I put on a bash guard and 28" bars to compliment the hayes (w/ 8" up front) and a wtb stealth saddle, also wtb wierwolf 2.5 and motoraptor 2.4 in back | | Bottom Line: | I keep looking at all these new sick-ass bikes that come out every year and I think maybe I should get one of them. But then I go for a ride and I remember this is the best bike ever for me. I like the gnar, but I don't rally stair gaps and the big ladder-drops. When I am dropping (or climbing) a burly rock garden and I am thrity miles in with another twenty to go until I get to the cold the beer, I am thankful it rolls so sweetly. I have ridden all over the west, and AK has some burly trails, the slayer gets the job done. I realize I don't need to spend thousands of dollars all over again, cause I did it right the first time. SLAYER! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Weekend Warrior
from Orange County
Date Reviewed: September 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | mtbr | | Strengths: | Super Strong frame and original RAD tubing, not like the new Slayer's. True Freeride bike. Coil Spring | | Weaknesses: | None... | | Similar Products Used: | Intense, Bullit | | Bike Setup: | Hayes disc, RF cranks, XT all around, Chris king Headset | | Bottom Line: | I picked up the frame only on mtbr and what a great frame. I was looking at getting an 03 slayer but what did they do to the new slayers? They are no longer freeride bikes with the trimmed down Rad tubing and air shock. They made it more XC. Anyway, I'm able to do urban and freeriding with this bike with no problems. IT can take the hits and it's not heavy at all. My bike built up is 31lbs. That in my opinion is very acceptable weight for a freeride bike. I'm thinking of changing out the shock for a romic. Bottom line is the old slayer's rule. If you can find one, get it over the new slayers anytime. This bike is made for abuse! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Weekend Warrior
from North Hampton, MA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any urban | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS in North Hampton | | Strengths: | Super strong frame, nice paintjob, looks awesome - I get alot of stares | | Weaknesses: | None that I can think of except that the rear cable routing isn't the greatest. | | Similar Products Used: | FSR, Intense Tracer | | Bike Setup: | All stock except I swapped them out for XT disc brakes and ct2 carbon easton riser bars | | Bottom Line: | The dealer gave me killer deal for $1500 with upgrades to XT disc brakes. This frame looks killer and I can do urban xc and some light DH with this bike. Whenever I go urban assault, I get a lot stares from the locals because not too many people have slayers like the FSR's, sugars and similar models. The bike rides so nice and the suspension is awesome. It feels so plush and endless in travel. The RAD tubing is awesome. The entire bike is heavy but so what? I am not entering into an XC race. I've done 6 footers numerous times and the bike soaks it up with no problems. I do plan on getting a 2nd wheelset later on that is more durable such as sun doublewides but for now I'm extermely happy this frame. Just a note: This is a 2001 model. The dealer had 2003's in stock but I hate the feeling an air shock, plus they made it lighter for these xc weight weenies. Why did they make the new slayers more xc oriented? Don't know why but I'm happy I got the 2001 model which in my opinion is way better then the 2002's and 03's. Very happy - 5 all around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Randy
a Weekend Warrior
from Grand Forks, ND USA
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Maah Daah Hey | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay (used frameset) | | Strengths: | Strong, beefy, proven design, travel, geometry, cool paint | | Weaknesses: | Weight, no dealers nearby, rear derailleur routing, loose main pivot bolts (also tough to get at), ugly paint | | Similar Products Used: | GT XCR3000, Kona Stinky, Kona Bear | | Bike Setup: | Stratos Helix shock, Marzocchi Z3.5 (4"), XT discs, XT/XTR drivetrain, King HS, 2 wheelsets (Mavic/XT disc/Fire XC Pro for XC, Sun Mammoth/XT disc/Kujos for heavy & urban) | | Bottom Line: | I bought this frame on an impulse from Ebay and am very happy. The price was great, the seller was great, and I was sick of waiting for the warranty I-drive which I was afraid of breaking anyway. The Slayer has all I was looking for - beefiness (I weigh 190 and am learning to love urban and jumps), quality company, and a proven suspension design with 5" travel. Plus the paint is a love/hate thing. Sometimes it looks cool, sometimes it looks like a trout.
I was able to swap over all my old parts, plus I had some new some XT cranks & rear derailleur. After building it up with my "freeride" wheelset, the first thing I noticed was how perfectly it fit me. I was used to a largish frame with my GT, but the Slayer fits like a glove. Perfectly balanced front & back, the air/coil Stratos shock matches the coil Marzocchi very well. I began having problems with rear shifting immediately, and noticed that when the suspension compressed, the cable housing would catch on the seat collar, and when the suspension would extend, the cabel housing would then try to pull out of the stops. I tried a couple of fixes, and ended up having to replace the housing three times before getting a fix (the secret is to route the rear housing on the middle set of stops, then tuck it UNDER the front housing right in front of the seat collar.
I had to contact RM for the recall stay assembly. This was a pretty quick deal, but I noticed that the replacement seems a lot more spindly at the chainstay bridge.
The beefiness is just as I expected, as is the weight. I put together a lighter wheelset for XC use and save the DH wheels for urban and freeride type stuff, since I can really tell the 34 pounds is a climbing-killer. Confidence is utmost, and I feel assured that this bike will handle everything I can throw at it. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grubby
a
from Canada
Date Reviewed: September 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Everything minus the clara brake levers. 2001 bike rocks for free riding compared to lighter, newer models. | | Weaknesses: | clara brake levers. I had brake fluid constantly leaking. LBS bleed the lines and it started leaking again. I do dirt jumps so the levers where not tough enougth I guess. | | Similar Products Used: | 99' norco buzz | | Bike Setup: | Factory, minus new louise levers that magura replaced free of charge. I changed the seat for my old one. I had 2002 derialeur put on also.(plastic chain guide broke on 2001). | | Bottom Line: | I love this bike. 30pounds isn't to heavy. Climbs awsome with no bob. Component list is very impressive.
Sitting on the bike always brings a smile to my face. So plush and can go anywheres.
Set up is dialed. Rocky Mountain got it right the first time for Freeriding and dirtjumping. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from middletown ct
Date Reviewed: April 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | awesome handling great paint scheme, i couldnt break it if i tried | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | bikes | | Bike Setup: | its the bosses bike shiver sc hayes hydro rhyno lites xt crankset xtr other stuff | | Bottom Line: | great bike, you get the feeling that you never will run out of travel. our rocky mountain tech rep says they designed the slayers rear end to be plush and have the suspension stiffen up as it gets near the end of its travel great bike stood up to a six footer i want one so badly | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike S
a Downhiller
from Knoxville,TN..USA
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ? | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | internet | | Strengths: | Rocky Mountain ! awesome | | Weaknesses: | not ! | | Similar Products Used: | Giant atx-1 DH...Marin B-17 ..... | | Bike Setup: | New 18" 2001 Black {killer paint} SLAYER.....Mammoth wheels/XT disk hubs---Azonic 1.5" riser 27" wide---Kona stem---Tioga DH seat---Oury grips...2002 Manitiou BLACK 120mm....etc | | Bottom Line: | Just got this rad bike built up...First ,i weigh 180# 6'2" & the stock 600# spring is REAL soft..gotta get a 800# for sure ! SLAYER is nice n tight ..handles like a Azonic Slalom bike I love it !....This is the raddest bike i have had so far !!It feels perfect as hell! oh & it pedals like a hardtail too..really good..sitting or standing,it just goes-I will re-post in a few months after Really riding it on the rad trails.....I'm stoked !Real Nice paint... Rocky Mountain funk! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Weekend Warrior
from Sammamish, WA, USA
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Chutes and Ladders | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | bike store : ) | | Strengths: | The frame is absolutely awesome. The rear suspension linkages are sweet and provide supple travel. | | Weaknesses: | hmmm.... stock brakes suck with a passion. slap some hayes or hopes on there and your set. | | Similar Products Used: | Heckler, Bullit, RM8, Bighit | | Bike Setup: | Stock with the exception of hayes hydros, 8 in front, 6 in rear, z-1 qr-20 (same travel, way better fork), and sram 9.0 triggers. | | Bottom Line: | This is an all around really nice bike and a good investment. Get a lockout on the rear, and this bike will be set for the fast freerider and the burly xc biker. There arent any problems with the bike so far, and it looks cool ;)... This is a knarly bike. Get one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | Mikes Bikes | | Strengths: | The bike feels very solid to me and gives me confidence that I didn't have before, even though it gets me in trouble sometimes. | | Weaknesses: | The only weakness that I could possibly see is the bushings in the rear pivots, but it hasn't been a concern yet. The only other problems I have encountered are with componets spec'd to the bike. Prodigy seat post bent easily. Magura Clara brakes take some time to get used to setting up for no drag. Ryhno Lyte front rim bent, but I hit a tree so what do you do? | | Similar Products Used: | '98 Homegrown lxt | | Bike Setup: | Stock except for Thompson seat post and Conti Verticle Pro tires. | | Bottom Line: | I really like this bike. I know that there are no mountains in Iowa but ride this bike x/c all the time. Sure the 23 lb x/c guys drop me on all the climbs but when the trail heads down or over some sketchy terrain it's my turn to say "ON YOUR LEFT". I don't race so the weight is no concern. I am disappointed that the bike shop where I purchased it told me that the pivots and hubs were cartridge bearings and this turned out not to be the case. I probably should have done more research but like I said they have not been a problem. In my opinion if you are a heavier rider looking for a good solid bike for all around riding and for some upgrading later this bike is worth checking out. Also you'll have a sharp looking bike to offset all the Fuel, Sugar(ugly) and FSRs that seem to be on trails, at least around here. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Travis
a Weekend Warrior
from Ct
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Strong frame. Suprisingly great climber. A nice mix of stock products (got rid of almost everything, i like my bikes custom). Great on the drops, great on the technical sections. Oh yeah, comes with a THE fender! | | Weaknesses: | Bushings in the linkages. Why did RM switch drive trains mid year? The bike decends fast but feels sloppy and shaky. | | Bike Setup: | Ok here's the list...Supernova, fox vanilla RC, Xtr ft der/rear/shift/crank (splined), Hayes, Hugi(rear) Ringle (front/thru-axel), Motoraptor 2.4's, Race face- Xy posy, low rider, Sys-stem, thermo SP headset. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is sweet. Great on the drops, pretty damn good climber for a freeride FS. Not the fastest descender but more than makes up for that when it comes to the slower technical trails. This bike can also go deep into the turns (got to love the slalom in the parking garages on urban rides). This is definitely one of my favorite suspension designs (I'm getting sick of the FSR copies). I wish i could take off 1/2 ratings for those crappy bushings RM put in the links! I'll give it 5 though | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vern Kirkpatrick
a Weekend Warrior
from Lombard Il.U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | the illegal one | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | The frame!The geometre is perfect! | | Weaknesses: | Prodigy cranks.But not for long!Magura Clara's! But not for long!That cool looking Rocky Mtn. saddle sucks! Broke and bend alot of rear dropouts. | | Similar Products Used: | The only other full suspension I've riden is a Raven. I've broke 4 of those. That's why I got a Slayer. | | Bike Setup: | I broke a brake lever(plastic)and Magura sent me a new set of 2002 Louises. NICE!I'm putting on a Super T pro with 6" of travel.New Race Face Northshore cranks and an Azonic Love seat for my butt. 700lb spring in rear. Chain guard with only small and middle gear up front. | | Bottom Line: | This bike holds up to everything I put in front of it! Drops, jumps and hardcore urban. My friends all have more travel but the Slayer kicks ass. I race dual slalom and easy downhill with it no problem. It doesn't climb as good as some of my friends bikes with more travel (Ellsworth Dares, Santa Crus Bullets) but no regrets at all! To me, it's like having a hucking hardtail with 5" travel in the rear. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Beau
a
from Koloa, Hawaii
Date Reviewed: November 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1560.00 | | Purchased At: | Dirt Zone | | Strengths: | Good price, light Easton frame, stro
Product Review
ng wheels, Rocky Mountain customer sevice is great. The bike is versatile and really fun to ride. | | Weaknesses: | You'll end up replacing a few parts, but nothing unexpected at this price point I would think. The Prodigy seatpost bends fairly easily. The cranks and bottom bracket are also pretty soft, and mine are both a little wobbly, The 600# spring will bottom out alot, and you'll end up breaking alot of shock mount bolts until you replace it. The rear derailleur is also fairly fragile. My RM platform petals bent a little, but other people have told me they worked well for them. Race Face outer chain ring seemed to bend too easily. The Clara brakes need a lot TLC to work properly. '01 model comes with a weird swept back RM bar. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky Dee-Lux | | Bike Setup: | 800# spring, 60mm Azonic stem, SDG Grand Prix saddle, Easton post, Wellgo Mag platforms, MRP bashguard, chromoly shock bolts (grade 8). | | Bottom Line: | This is the kind of bike everyone would be riding if they knew how much more fun it would make their mountain biking. The Slayer is a great bike and I would recommend it to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Little Chainring - Big Trouble | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1670.00 | | Strengths: | Plush! Well spec'd for the price. Bombproof Easton frame.
Great rider position & darn good climbing capability. Replaceable dropout. | | Weaknesses: | Gripshifters? Come on! 26 mm Prodigy seatpost on a freeride bike? Bad idea! Hmmm...stock tires are a little squirrelly in the mud. Dropout is made of playdough. | | Bike Setup: | Swapped the Clara's, gripshifts/SRAM, 600# spring for XT hydraulics, XT/LX r.der./shifters and 900# spring respectively. | | Bottom Line: | If you are a heavy rider and want a great freeride bike or plush x-country, look no further. I'm 200lb and tough on gear... this bike takes it all! Switch to the 900# spring if you are heavier than 200lb - the stock 600# spring is for 12 year olds. Tracks incredibly well for a plush ride and really solid on the dh technical stuff. I saw a picture of a 2002 Slayer in the October "Mountain Biking" mag - it had a Fox RC air/oil shock. Duh! I'd swap that puppy out asap for a coil-over. Buy this bike but, make the mods up-front or the cost-differential will put a dent in your piggy bank. I'd give this bike 5 flamers if the dropout wasn't made from playdough - I keep a spare ($10 part) in my pack if I don't feel like using my handlebar as a cheater to bend it back. Better than the rear d. I guess. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jared
a Weekend Warrior
from waitsfield, Vt
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Cyclone | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1300.00 | | Purchased At: | LL Beans | | Strengths: | long travel, holds and tracks well in corners, nice brakes. | | Weaknesses: | this thing is crap, the chainstay broke the third day i rode it which is not what i expected from a freeride bike made in bc, the fork bottoms hard, gripshift are crap. | | Similar Products Used: | Santa cruz heckler, a bunch of hard tails | | Bike Setup: | stock edge | | Bottom Line: | this bike is good for show and light freeriding, but who wants a 30lb bike that you can't jump or drop without braking. I know i don't. If you are looking for a real freeride bike look elsewhere. Its an okay value but overall i would not buy another. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kenyon ellis
a Weekend Warrior
from salt lake city, Utah
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | bobsled | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | This bike is great overall. The bomber z-3 shocks, magura clara disc brakes, fox vanilla r rear shock. Nice race face crankset. | | Weaknesses: | NONE PERFECT! | | Similar Products Used: | none compare | | Bike Setup: | all stock except, shimano lx shifters, race face grips, and Sun ringle zu-zu pedals | | Bottom Line: | this is a great bike i recommend it to the fullest. THis bike is ten times better then trek and gary fisher. Rocky mountain RULES!!!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from Aptos
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2200.00 | | Strengths: | I think that this bike has a really strong feeling to it. It has easton tubing and that is really good. I also like the Z3's. I think that they work really great and feel really plush. I also like the tires because they have great grip. The disk brakes also work really good. The rims are also nice because they are strong and don't way too much. | | Weaknesses: | I haven't found any yet and don't think that I will this is a sick bike. | | Similar Products Used: | RM6,Edge,Big hit. | | Bike Setup: | Stock | | Bottom Line: | This is a sick bike that is really worth getting. I think that this is a really great bike if you like freeriding, down hilling, and stuff like that. I don't think that if you cross country all of the time this bike is not for you. This bike is really nice off jumps and lands good, but for drops it bottoms a little hard if you run a soft rear shock like me, but it can still take it fine. This bike is great. It takes whatever you dish out, and rides like a dream on trails I love this bike and I am sure that you will love it too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Air-Rik Cantera
a Downhiller
from Langley, B.C, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettles Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1000.00 | | Purchased At: | Simons Bike Shop | | Strengths: | This bike is really good for climbing uphill and desecending downhill it can over come BIG bumps and atleast 8 feet drops. Sweet azz shocks and tires... shifting is strong. | | Weaknesses: | This bike doesnt come with clip-ons or baskets... I love baskets for big air. | | Similar Products Used: | Rm6, pipeline, and Soul | | Bike Setup: | Marzocchi Front Shocks z3, with Air Vinalla 4.75 back shocks, and a shimano 9.0 gear change setup | | Bottom Line: | If this is gonna be your 2nd Rocky Mountain Bike I suggest you grab it. If this is your first bike i suggest you go into the Core series and get a Soul there pretty hardcore for a hardtail bike.
I got this bike from Simons Bike Shop Downtown Vancouver I got it for a killer deal because I no the owner and i traded my Soul to him for $700 and he gave me a $300 discount for purchasing it. I watched it be built. 5 out of 5 bike store i suggest you drop by if you live in the lower mainland region! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Birdman
a Weekend Warrior
from Beverly,MA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1600.00 | | Strengths: | Beefy tubeset. Wheels have taken a thrashing are are still true. 5 inches up front and 4.75 in back are very nice. Seems like a bike that is made to be ridden by those mtbr's above 160lbs. I'm thrashing it and it is taking it. Already my level as improved - especially over the the technical stuff at speed. I can hit at an angle now or in a turn with confidence that the bike will track through.
Magura's get crap reviews but so far I like them. Much better than the vee's I had. No other experience with hydros though. A slight bit of drag in both wheels. Nothing really to get annoyed about. | | Weaknesses: | Cable routing for disc breaks flops all over. The cable for the rear derailler kept pulling out of it's stops behind the seat on technical sections. Both solved with a tie and some tape. No big deal. Seat is a little light on padding. Prodigy posts is crap. Why a 26.8mm posts on a freeride/xc bike is beyond me. I had an Element with a 27.2? Seems backwards to me. The cones on the rear wheel loosened up after a few rides. Stock Fox Vanilla R is a lame 700#'s (nice for 150# riders on smooth double track). All in all very minor stuff given the bikes capabilities. | | Similar Products Used: | Jekyll, Element, Raven, M800 | | Bike Setup: | Stock (per website) w/ 900# spring and I put on a Black Spire Ring God in place of the outter ring. A little more clearance certainly is nice. | | Bottom Line: | Awesome all around trail ride. A don't even notice the weight. Have been able to keep up with 150# weight weenies on their 24# machines with no problem. One guy even commented that he had to get rid of his seat bag to save weight (held some tools and a spare tube). I had to laugh. Dude....this ain't no NORBA race. Those guys would probably kill me if we rode straight and smooth...but it isn't where I ride so this bike is ideal. I can lean into turns with more confidence and cruise over the ruts. Sweet. Also I'm 6'5" 230#'s and I'm riding a 19" frame without complaint. I also have no problems with the stock Z3 springs. They are stiff enough for me. Haven't bottomed them out yet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from MA
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt. Snow | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Great looking beefy frame. Great suspension | | Weaknesses: | May bob when jamming on the pedals going uphill but that doesn't bother me. But what do you expect? This is a freeride bike and not a 23lb racer. | | Similar Products Used: | fsr, jamis | | Bike Setup: | All XT with some race face parts and avid mechanical discs on Sun Rhino lite rims. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bike period. If you don't care about a little extra weight going up then you should consider this bike. In my opinion, it's multi purpose because I can hang with my xc friends and beat them when I bomb down the hills. BUY THIS BIKE IF YOU'RE INTERESTED AND NEED AN OPINION FROM THIS BOARD!!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenyon Ellis
a Weekend Warrior
from salt lake city, Utah
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | bobsled | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1400.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | This is a great bike every thing is great pretty much. I love the bomber z. 3 's and the vanilla r rear shock is plush. the nice easton R.A.D. frame is great durable and light. This is a pretty light bike for all 5 inches of travel front and back. | | Weaknesses: | I don't like the grip shift. that is really all that i didn't like. | | Similar Products Used: | NONE! | | Bike Setup: | stock except for shimano lx shifters, sunringle zu zu pedals, and race face grips. | | Bottom Line: | Rocky mountain is the best brand out THERE! Don't buy any other bike. I have checked out all there bikes and they are great. Don't go with a name brand Trek that are overpriced for what you get. Grab a rocky mountain and you will be set for anything. This bike is the best. I RECOMEND IT BIG TIME!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Downhiller
from Holliston, MA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1700.00 | | Purchased At: | L.L.Bean | | Strengths: | The plush Travel. The Strengh of the frame. | | Weaknesses: | The price (what do you expect from L.L.Bean, But I do get the lifetime warrenty!!). The shifters they SUCK!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Rocky Pipeline and Rocky DH Race | | Bike Setup: | Stock except Deore XT Shark Fin and Kore chain reactor. | | Bottom Line: | I have the Edge and its the same frame as the Slayer and it holds up great. I have done a 8 foot drop to flat and nothing happened to it. I need to get a heavier weight spring for it though. I also want to switch the tires to 2.4 or 2.5.
I LOVE THIS BIKE!!! ITS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry
a Downhiller
from Kamloops
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Milstream | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$2000.00 | | Purchased At: | bike cellar | | Strengths: | very good climber for this style of bike
descends realy good
nice feeling suspension
price | | Weaknesses: | the review under mine
the guy thinks it's going to act like a full on durable dh bike ( it's not ) | | Similar Products Used: | bunch of hardtails, nothing freeride though | | Bike Setup: | stock except I put a marzocchi junior t on it. | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike because I was freeriding and urban assulting on my 23lb hardtail and was constantly breaking it and I couldn't keep up with my buddies either. So I bought this bike and it handles the super tight technical trails that we ride here in kamloops. Along with being a wicked descneder it is a very cool bike to huck with. I've hucked 8 footers on this bike, both ends bottom out and they make a huge crack sound but it's lived through it. It's seen countless 4,5 and 6 footers and nothing has went wrong. It is also a cool bike for taking up a chairlift. It's 32lbs make it reasonably easy to flick around compared to a 40lb DH bike. This bike has made me a believer in rocky mtn full suspension. I'm considering buying a rocky element t.o. sc for my next years xc bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Toby
a Weekend Warrior
from MA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | vietnam | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1800.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | hmmm... | | Weaknesses: | Gripshift suck. I bent the rear triangle on my first ride, wasn't doing anything I hadn't done on my old bike of 3 years. Totally un-impressed considering the hype, I only wish I could get my money back. | | Similar Products Used: | bullit, san andreas | | Bike Setup: | stock | | Bottom Line: | All show, no go. The bike that looks like it can hang, but can't. It's a glorified XC bike, but who would want a 32 pound XC bike? Spend a little more $ and get a real bike that won't break on the 1st ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Semple
a Downhiller
from B.C
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything steep and knarly | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$2050.00 | | Strengths: | Every Question that you ask of this bike it will answer!! | | Weaknesses: | The cable routing at the seat tube but with a turn of the Q.R clamp its fixed | | Similar Products Used: | Kona | | Bike Setup: | Stock with Panaracer fire DH | | Bottom Line: | Like i said before every question will be answered!
i gave a overall rating of 4 cause it can only do drops of 5 or 6 feet max, but really it is designed to be a freeride/crosscountry ride!
No regrets on this purchase!
$2050.00 is in canadian dollars | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ben
a
from north carolina
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | graham hills, NY | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$1750.00 | | Purchased At: | pro bikes Asheville nc | | Strengths: | mine is actually the lower priced edge. same frame different components.now that it has broken in it is awesome.A very fun bike and strong. i ride mainly urban assault and free ride.climbs well and descends great. the paint is super tough and the geomatry makes it good for everything but serious downhill runs. | | Weaknesses: | cable routing ( fixed with a few key zip tie placements)
maxxis mobster tires. MAxxis makes good tires but these were pathetic. asside form standard parts that normally get replaced everything is good.i have seen one frame broken off of a slayer at the dropout but mine has seen everything from 8 foot drops to super fast jumps with no problems at all. | | Similar Products Used: | rocky element race, gary fisher x-caliber | | Bike Setup: | pretty much stock asside from changes in fork oil, bar, stem,tires ( now running 2.35 maxxis mofo DH front and rear)
| | Bottom Line: | great bike for everything. five mile climbs, free ride, dual slalom, jumping, hucking and pub crawling down town.single track, easy downhill and commuting. if you cant afford the slayer buy the edge and build the crap out of it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Wagner
a Cross Country Rider
from York, PA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Redman | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$1200.00 | | Purchased At: | e-bay | | Strengths: | very plush
suspension is active but lets you pedal
built to take anything, aggressive!!
hydro disks
good components | | Weaknesses: | heavy (but 5" front and back isn't light)
non adjustable Clara's
some have grip others have trigger shifters, i got grip :-(
the paint is so nice you don't want to wreck it!
shocks a little soft for big hits
| | Similar Products Used: | nothing compared to this | | Bike Setup: | pretty much standard | | Bottom Line: | I'm a XC/Freerider/Urban Assult type of guy...
This bike is a great toy to play with. I got it way cheaper than MSRP because it was a demo bike for 5 rides...who cares! The frame is built to take anything you give it. The fork (Z.1 or Z.3) is great...not much of a difference in either. The springs are a little soft for me (170lbs) on big hits. The rear is also a little too soft. It's a 600# spring, I want a 700-750# I think. The disk brakes are great, but my Clara model doesn't have adjustable pads...kinda sucks. The Rocky Mountain components like the hubs, stem and bar aren't too bad. The FSA DH Pig headset feels solid. I don't like that I got the grip shifters instead of the trigger, but I'm getting used to them. The RF Prodigy crank isn't a NS one but it feels stiff and works well. The bike isn't gonna climb hills like your 22 lb XC bike...but it's not supposed to. The best thing is that you can go up just about any hill, just not as fast or as easy as before...we could all use a little more leg muscle right?! Urban riding, downhills, flats, logs, all that $hit is really fun on this bike. Don't spend $2100 on it, get a good deal. It's as close as you get to a DH bike that goes uphill and won't eat your wallet!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big Willy
a Weekend Warrior
from Fernie BC Canada
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Playground | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2600.00 | | Purchased At: | That place that you can buy bikes at | | Strengths: | Beefy frame
Sweet paintjob
really really smooth ride
plush
no need to change anything from stock.this bike has awesome stuff on it as it comes
Lots of raceface stuff
good balance of travel ( 5 and 5 )
brakes have very good power
easy to catwalk | | Weaknesses: | had a bit of problems with the rear brake cable,but it was an easy fix with a zip tie.
i found it was to soft so I had to get a heavier spring on the back and heavier oil put in the front to make it stiffer. but now its awesome.
| | Similar Products Used: | rm6 | | Bike Setup: | Complete stock. but what would you want to change on this Free ride bike? | | Bottom Line: | I dont think you want to buy this if your a hardcore XC guy because i think this bike is leaning more toward the downhill side of things. I really like this bike,I have only used it mainly for downhill so far and i have no problem keeping up to my friends that have super 8's and Rm 7's. This bikes componentry is very good.Tough rims(rino lites) beefy frame,fat tires,XT and sram 9.0 and 4 raceface things.
I have had no problems with the brakes like other people have so if you do get the bike give the brakes a chance because i have had no problems with them.I did a 5.5 Foot drop and my bike worked so so well on it and i think i will be doing a drop twice the size of that by the end of the summer.
The bottom line is this bike is perfect for anykind of rider.except XC racing because those guys are all about the weight thing.The Canada cup and the BC cup are to be held in my home town and i am going to race downhill with my slayer.That is how confident i am with this bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rod Delnea
a Weekend Warrior
from Calgary, Ab, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything steep & technical | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2500.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Great ride, nice frame, light enough to climb, PLUSH on decents. | | Weaknesses: | Front der. contacts on swingarm if mounted to low. Crappy brakes. Sram grip shifts are cheap. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky, Specialized Big Hit, RM 6 | | Bike Setup: | Z3 QR20+ (travel knocked down one inch), xt rear der., Deore shifters, Hayes Disks, Truvativ splined cranks & BB | | Bottom Line: | Once you have figured out the front der. problem, and changed the brakes, the bike simply rocks. I ride everything with it from flat singletrack, to big NS type riding, it has held up withour a problem. It's a little heavy but it will get your legs in shape. I dont think it was designed for the really big hits, therefore it's only seen a couple, but again, no problems. The bike rules! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tbone
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Preston | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2150.00 | | Purchased At: | Fat Tire Farm | | Strengths: | Price, components | | Weaknesses: | Brakes, rims | | Similar Products Used: | Pipeline | | Bike Setup: | Stock, Z1 QR20 fork, halfpipe shifters and RaceFace Bashguard | | Bottom Line: | LOVE THIS BIKE!!! It totally helped my confidence. I can't believe some of the hits I've taken on this bike. It's taken my abuse and then some, I've even placed in the top two twice in downhill races. Not too happy with the Magura brakes, though. The rear brake has already crapped out on me. Overall, fantastic bike, buy it if you like the technical aspect of cross country and love to bomb the downhill sections. Your body will appreciate it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Weekend Warrior
from Etobicoke, ON. Canada
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | anything not flat and smooth | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction | | Strengths: | Plush, Stiff, and killer looks. Very beastial frame. | | Weaknesses: | none really, rear cable routing not the best. | | Similar Products Used: | RM Speed | | Bike Setup: | Slayer frame, custom build | | Bottom Line: | For all potential Slayer/Edge buyers: there seems to be two separate listings for the slayer, the other one has a lot more reviews.
this is an update from my previous review for the slayer in the other listing. The snow has been gone for a few months so i have been able to thrash around in the dirt. After talking to a Rocky Mountain rep. who rides a slayer i have learned the best way to route the cables. Run your front shift cable tightly over the rear brake and shift cables and add a few zip ties to keep everything snug.
This is a GREAT ALL-PURPOSE MOUNTAIN BIKE, that cannot be said enough. The bike handles everything including climbs and really inspires you to try new things. Steep descents are no-brainers on this bike. The frame survived falling off a cliff (don't ask) and landing front first, the front rim did not survive. I have seen light weight frames buckle at the head/down tube from much lighter impacts. As a side note: the edge and slayer share the same frame and shock, but have different levels of components, and the slayer has the cool holographic black powder coat. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JJ
a Weekend Warrior
from North Vancouver BC
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$1500.00 | | Purchased At: | Cove | | Strengths: | Price | | Weaknesses: | Worried about the plastic brake levers. | | Similar Products Used: | Kona Stinky | | Bike Setup: | Stock RM Edge but with XT rear der/rapid fire shifters and Black Spire Cranks/Rings. | | Bottom Line: | I was looking for a bike that I could do just about anything in (XC, freeride etc). I originally looked at the Kona stinky but found it a bit too plush for my liking. The RM Slayer/Edge was just the ticket. It climbs well for what it is, only bobs when you really mash the pedals. It's amazing going down. This bike is so much better than I am it's embarassing.
I haven't noticed any real weaknesses yet but am concerned that I'll break a plastic brake lever when I fall. Besides that it's a solid bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chip
a Weekend Warrior
from Williams Lake BC
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Crankcase, Desous | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$2230.00 | | Purchased At: | Red Shreds Bike and Board Shed in B.C. | | Strengths: | Everything, strong smooth and carves like crazy! | | Weaknesses: | Everyone envy's me | | Similar Products Used: | Shockwave (barely comparable) | | Bike Setup: | Stock, the bike is actually an Edge and the price is in Canadian | | Bottom Line: | This bike rocks!!!!! It does everyting you could ask of it and more. It climbs like a raped ape, goes downhill like mad and does everything in between. The weight is really a non issue for what you get, a strong bike that stands up to everything B.C. can throw at it. I use this bike for XC riding mainly with some downhill thrown in, what you ride up must always come down!! This bike outdoes my friends bikes on the downhill and flat and keeps up on all the hills, what more can you ask for? Oh, and did I mention, I LOVE THIS BIKE!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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