Submitted by
lukejav
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Collins, CO Date Reviewed: June 16, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Dadds Gultch
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At:
Craigslist
Strengths:
Solid Frame, climbs well, fox vanilla is a great fork. It's lockout is solid, but it offers great plush suspension.
Weaknesses:
I have the 2005, so it creaks a little while riding. But after 4 years I guess the bearings are finally ready to be serviced (which may actually be a strength). Wish it a rear shock that locked out.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bottom Line:
Overall, its a strong bike that has helped me become a better rider. This is my first true mountain bike and it definitely advanced my skills. Now in 2009, I'm surprised to see that Rocky Mountain is still using the same geometry on the element. It seems a little out-dated. But overall a worth the money and dependable. I would purchase another RM bike in the future.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Avsfan
a Weekend Warrior
from Escalon, CA Date Reviewed: April 7, 2008
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
Ebay
Strengths:
Solid bike all around. Climbs great, handles and tracks very well. Absorbs all the bumps like crazy!
Weaknesses:
None so far. Best bike I have ever owned.
Similar Products Used:
Marin Rock Springs, Kona Dawg Deluxe
Bike Setup:
XT all around except shifters are LX. Previous owner changed to Avid 160mm disc brakes from stock. Sunlite rims
Bottom Line:
This is the first full suspension I have owned. Friends have had Rocky Mountain for years and have always been happy so it was time for me to give it a try.
This is a fabulous bike all around for the type of riding I do which is mostly cross country. Single track this bike really shines soaking up rough, rocky riding with no problems. There is no way I would have gone through some of the stuff I do at the speed I do prior to this. Rocky Mountain has done another great job. It is hard to be disappointed with their products. The bike also climbs very well. At times I wish the rear sup. had a lockout but I'm not sure it would make that much of a difference. Will definitely buy another in 2010 when I can justify spending the money again.
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Submitted by
Brett Jacobson
a Cross Country Rider
from Ketchum, Idaho, USA Date Reviewed: May 21, 2006
Favorite Trail:
yeah right
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1508.00
Purchased At:
Sturtevants Mtn. Outfitters
Strengths:
I have the 2006 Model! Way better value than...say..the Slayer 70! Great brakes, quality frame, tough as a badger!
Weaknesses:
Those 9.0 triggers would look/be cool, I took the seat off and now it's my dog's new toy. Hey it's my ass!
Similar Products Used:
2002 Intense Tracer, 05' Stumpjumper Expert
Bike Setup:
Stock, with a new Specialized seat with holes for my taint/balls, my own suspension settings, will be looking for a new carbon bar soon (they look cool alright!)
Bottom Line:
More than I hoped for, better than expected in every catagory...Comming off a quality 4x4" I expected a bobbing piece of dog poo with a seat and bars on it, and what I got was a 6x6" with incredible climbing/descending/cornering skills along with a more toughness than my Tracer. When you sit on it and look at it you can't help to notice how bullet-proof this thing really is. I'm sold on XC epic rides and epic riding deep in the mountains. I have no desire to race (pay to ride? travel? That's what the 2006 YZ450F is for!) so the 3-5lbs difference just makes me meaner and leaner, and happier,faster, and a little tougher too. All of which brings serious credentials when shopping for a Female at Grumpy's.....might be worth buying it in-itself. Ride one for yourself
Submitted by
jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from a town Date Reviewed: December 23, 2005
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
this bike sucked ....Everything broke ...Cheap parts were used and the so called hand built wheels fell apart after a month of rides. Please do not buy this bike or any other Rocky Mtn. Products. The company did not support me at all on this and that saids it all.
Similar Products Used:
santa cruz
Bike Setup:
standard
Bottom Line:
Try any other brand but a Rocky Mtn bike.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ken
a Cross Country Rider
from el cerrito,ca, usa Date Reviewed: November 10, 2005
Favorite Trail:
too many to count
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$2200.00
Purchased At:
mikes bikes
Strengths:
very solid, good on single track, great climbing and descending. choosing lines has become optional - this machine justs soaks it up. sometimes i feel like i'm riding an assault weapon rather than a bicycle. i am faster on this bike than all of the lighter bikes i've owned.
Weaknesses:
The vanilla forks bob a little too much when out of the saddle.
Similar Products Used:
weyless xp pro
Bike Setup:
stock
Bottom Line:
i was afraid the weight would hold me back but i was dead wrong, this bike is amazing. i did a tri on this bike and i passed half the field after a bad start. the harder you abuse this bike the better it performs.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Weekend Warrior
from Murrieta Ca Date Reviewed: July 9, 2005
Favorite Trail:
San Juan Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1700.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
do-it-all trail bike. Great spec & quality built bike. Fit is perfect...I'm 6'2" on a 19"
Weaknesses:
Stock tires were an odd spec.
Similar Products Used:
Kona Bear, Kona Stinky
Bike Setup:
stock except for tires, seat, & grips
Bottom Line:
I love this bike. No knock on my old Kona, because It was just too small for me, but this bike is awesome. I feel like a better rider now...climbing, cruising, descending, is all easier now & much more fun. The Slayer is perfect for trail riding. It's not going to win any XC or DH events, but can't be beat for having fun & riding trails. I shopped around for a while & the value on this bike is excellent. $1700 can't get you too much with most brands, but the Rocky comes well equipped. I'll report back when I spend some more time on the bike.
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Submitted by
D Santilli
a Cross Country Rider
from Arvada, CO Date Reviewed: June 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$2400.00
Purchased At:
The Sports Garage
Strengths:
The suspension travel is great. Of course I am coming from hardtail so this is a VERY nice upgrade. The mix of components is nice for the money and the frame looks great and rides great. I expected a little more bob in the backend but it is solid, even on the road so no complaints there. The disc brakes work great in all conditions. It climbs very well for an "all-mountain' bike as everything seems to be so specialized these days.
Weaknesses:
A little of the heavy side. Not to sure about the seat...
At the end of a ride I am loving this bike. It climbs well enough for it's weight and suspension travel, I think the Fox RP3 shock on the back helps a little there. Once you hit the downhill it just eats everything up. Amazing going from a hardtail to the Slayer 50, I can do so much more now. Buy this bike if you are looking at others in the price range. It has a great paint job, good components unless you are a total weight/tech weenie and will bail you out of situations you would have never tried on your old bike. I am satisfied that I bought this bike over the Stumpjumper which is a good bike in it's own right. Go ride one if you can you will love it!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Whitefish, MT Date Reviewed: March 26, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Thunder Mountain
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
Glacier Cyclery and Fitness
Strengths:
Durable frame, powder coated paint. Good front and rear shock. Good derailleurs/shifters. This bike is a great climbing bike. The suspension really works for you, not against you. The Slayer was my first full suspension bike. My friends all say it is the perfect bike for me and I believe it.
Weaknesses:
To have a great uphill bike, one must have a not-so-great downhill bike. The head tube angle on the slayer is a litle steep. I imeadiately built another set of wheels for this bike. The stock hubs are a little on the the cheap side and no eyelets on the rims. I've had alot of issues with the Hayes HFX-9 brakes. I've bled both of them many times and warrantied one lever and caliper. CAme really close to throwing some Shimano's on the bike. I had to replace bushings on the rear shock as bushing play became annoying.
Similar Products Used:
I've test ridden alot of bikes;however never owned anything like this bike.
Bottom Line:
Overall the Slayer 50 has been an awesome bike. I plan on having it for a long time. When you buy a low to mid line Rocky, you are buying it for the frame. Period. You just can't beat the detail and craftsmanship of the handbuilt, powdercoated frame. And it sure beats riding some Taiwan or China crap!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia Date Reviewed: February 11, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Brookvale Bike Factory
Strengths:
Frame design and construction. Very sensible parts mix. Rides like a cross country bike, takes punishment like a "freeride" bike.
Weaknesses:
Still have not found anything I would call a weakness. The original tires were a little feeble, but that's probably a personal choice thing.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Jekyll, Elsworth Id & moment.
Bike Setup:
Stock - but with stan's no tubes added - Stan, you rock!
Bottom Line:
I love this bike like no other I have ever owned. The most wonderful thing about this bike is you never realise what a great job it's doing until you stop for your mates to catch up. It never seems to baulk, always feels "right" and instills more confidence than any other bike I've ridden.
When I bought this bike I thought some of the parts might be a little feeble, but everything works wonderfuly well. Nothing *needs* to be changed, but as things break or wear out I'll upgrade them. The Fox suspension is brilliant. Simple, functional and reliable - exactly the way it should be.
The only recurring issue I've had is repeated chain snaps and more wear than I'd expect on the Race Face chainrings. I've replaced the chain more times than I would have expected to, but that's probably rider style and weight. D'oh!
Great value for money... Great bike... Who should buy it? Anyone who wants a flat-out solid and well built bike with enough cred to mix it in the best of techno-weenie pre/post ride show and tell, but still sensible.
Why wouldn't you buy it? My best mate and I went bike shopping together - he bought an Ellsworth moment (twice the price). His reasoning was that the Ellsworth is just too sexy and too techno-cool to pass up - and besides, he had the $. The Ellsworth is fabulous, but like riding your favourite armchair only faster. It your really need exotic artistry like the Ellsworth, the Slayer probably is not for you. He has subsequently bought a Rocky Mountain for riding - the Ellsworth is left for posing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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