Pop goes the Slayer's pivot bolt!!
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What are you going to do? Is it fixable? Have you contacted RM yet? Keep us posted!
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579 Posts
A replacement kit was ordered friday...
and should be coming soon. My LBS is giving me the option of doing it myself, but I couldn't get the rest of the bolt out of the hole, so it might be best to let them do it, as they have always done good work in the past. I'm just worried that the 3-D link arm might be bent (!!$$$!!), as you can see from the picture it is no longer lined up with the other side, which is held in place by the remains of the jammed up bolt. I am concerned that once stuff starts going wrong, it's only a matter of time that everything begins to loosen up, not hold shape and generally fail. I'm looking at it from 2 perspectives, and I'm sure there are valid others as well; 1. I've pushed the linkage/suspension system beyond it's design limits and 2. It can be fixed and maybe I can get another 1 1/2 years out of it, but I'm not totally sure about it. Either way, I think indications are I need to "tone it down" on the Slayer, but I'm just not sure I can. I'm big, I'm aggressive, I'm not exactly graceful, and I ride as hard as I can whenever I can. Sometimes I do go easy, but I'm hyper and pretty much addicted to adrenaline, I honestly can't help myself. I enjoy my share of peaceful zen spinning too, but c'mon, we gots to rip whilest we can, right? I'll keep you posted, and in the meantime, I've been out on the ol' Cannondale Super V a few times, and you know what? It ain't as bad as I remember it. Plus, it still works. Thank God for the back-up!!<sL4yEr>RuLz said:
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I guess I've evolved
When looking for a new bike last winter, I honestly never even considered the Switch, it just seemed way out of my league style-wise. But over time the Slayer brought my confidence along slowly, and now I may have gone beyond what it meant to do. I ride with a guy on a Switch, so I've hopped on it a couple times, and the difference in the feel of the two bikes was huge, to me. The Switch was definitely big and very solid, a little too bulky for my taste. I guess I just want it all - Snappy not-too-heavy trailbike with ability to take bigger hits. There are a few guys that keep shaking their head and tell me the same thing over and over with a cocky smirk - "Stop messing around and just get a Heckler." I don't want to jump on the bandwagon like so many others, but I have to say, it does make me wonder....I sort of wish there was something between the Slayer and the Switch - Oh wait, wasn't that called the Pipeline? What ever happened to that model?Phat_Head said:
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the switch is definitely a heavier frame, but with the propedal shocks they climb great. the '04's really don't feel much slower than my slayer did. it helped that i started with a frame and built it to a 35lb bike. i had both bikes for awhile but just ended up riding the switch all the time so i made the move to sell the slayer.
from what i understand, the pipeline was a bike that kept having problems with breaking.
from what i understand, the pipeline was a bike that kept having problems with breaking.
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579 Posts
Good parts in, bad parts out
The fix kit came in, and I'm having LBS do the work. Thought about doing it myself, but I've been really sick for the last few days, and just want my bike back. Hopefully it'll be done in the next 24 hours. I'm looking forward to it, but even typing this much has just exhausted me. I haven't been sick in a couple years, and damn I forgot how much it can wipe me out. More updates later.
The fix kit came in, and I'm having LBS do the work. Thought about doing it myself, but I've been really sick for the last few days, and just want my bike back. Hopefully it'll be done in the next 24 hours. I'm looking forward to it, but even typing this much has just exhausted me. I haven't been sick in a couple years, and damn I forgot how much it can wipe me out. More updates later.
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Dang! That took awhile..
Yeah, being sick will throw your mojo off. I got sick about a month ago at the height of my performance level. Good new is I lost 10 LBS.
Yeah, being sick will throw your mojo off. I got sick about a month ago at the height of my performance level. Good new is I lost 10 LBS.
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579 Posts
Not worst case scenario, but close
"Hey, ya, this is Ian down at the shop. Listen, um, I've got some bad news about your bike."
"Uh oh. What's up man?"
"Well I've got the Slayer up here on the stand, and the seat stays just don't line up with the new pivot assembly."
"Ooooh, that doesn't sound good."
"No, it's really not good. The link plates are bent out of shape too. The ones we have down here are for 2003 and 2004, and they won't fit on your bike. I tried to bend yours back, but it that really isn't the way to go. Aluminum doesn't really work that way."
"(Gulp) Yeah....."
"It looks like this will all need to be replaced. The bolt snapped when you did a drop right?"
"Well, not really, I had just done one, actually a three drop section, and as I went to pedal away we all heard the bolt snap."
"You probably bent the **** out of it and when you pushed on the pedals it failed as the bike flexed. Sounds like it had been stressed before and was ready to go. When it snapped, did you stop immediately?"
"Kind of..."
"Yeah, if you pedaled the bike at all with that pivot bolt snapped your weight probably tweaked everything out of shape as it flexed in places it wasn't meant to. How much do you weigh?
"............215......"
Yeah, that's pretty much the deal, so what do you want to do? I called Rocky Mountain and I can order all the parts, they're in stock."
"I don't mean to sound like a miser, but how much are we talking here?"
"Hey man, I hear you. This is an expensive thing we do. (Clickety clickety, tap tap tap) Looks like with everything, we can get it done for about 220, maybe 230."
"Hmmmm...How long? I've been off the bike for two weeks now."
"They said they could have it out 3 to four day shipping, but since the stuff comes from BC, it sometimes takes a little longer. So what do you say, do I call him back?"
"......Yup. I've got to get it rideable again......"
"Yeah, it sucks I know. He's actually hooking us up with the stuff, so it could have been a little worse. He said he'd give us the plates for 20 bucks. That's pretty good."
"........yeah........"
"OK, so I'll call him back and get this rolling."
"Alright. Thanks man."
"No problem. Talk to you later."
"Take it easy. Oh, Ian, you still there?"
"Yup."
"Do you know anyone with a used Heckler for sale?"
"No, but I can look around. If you'er going to do drops, you really ought to think about that route, because you could be right back down here in a few months if you keep riding like you have been."
"Yeah. OK, let me know."
"OK. Later"
"Later"
"Hey, ya, this is Ian down at the shop. Listen, um, I've got some bad news about your bike."
"Uh oh. What's up man?"
"Well I've got the Slayer up here on the stand, and the seat stays just don't line up with the new pivot assembly."
"Ooooh, that doesn't sound good."
"No, it's really not good. The link plates are bent out of shape too. The ones we have down here are for 2003 and 2004, and they won't fit on your bike. I tried to bend yours back, but it that really isn't the way to go. Aluminum doesn't really work that way."
"(Gulp) Yeah....."
"It looks like this will all need to be replaced. The bolt snapped when you did a drop right?"
"Well, not really, I had just done one, actually a three drop section, and as I went to pedal away we all heard the bolt snap."
"You probably bent the **** out of it and when you pushed on the pedals it failed as the bike flexed. Sounds like it had been stressed before and was ready to go. When it snapped, did you stop immediately?"
"Kind of..."
"Yeah, if you pedaled the bike at all with that pivot bolt snapped your weight probably tweaked everything out of shape as it flexed in places it wasn't meant to. How much do you weigh?
"............215......"
Yeah, that's pretty much the deal, so what do you want to do? I called Rocky Mountain and I can order all the parts, they're in stock."
"I don't mean to sound like a miser, but how much are we talking here?"
"Hey man, I hear you. This is an expensive thing we do. (Clickety clickety, tap tap tap) Looks like with everything, we can get it done for about 220, maybe 230."
"Hmmmm...How long? I've been off the bike for two weeks now."
"They said they could have it out 3 to four day shipping, but since the stuff comes from BC, it sometimes takes a little longer. So what do you say, do I call him back?"
"......Yup. I've got to get it rideable again......"
"Yeah, it sucks I know. He's actually hooking us up with the stuff, so it could have been a little worse. He said he'd give us the plates for 20 bucks. That's pretty good."
"........yeah........"
"OK, so I'll call him back and get this rolling."
"Alright. Thanks man."
"No problem. Talk to you later."
"Take it easy. Oh, Ian, you still there?"
"Yup."
"Do you know anyone with a used Heckler for sale?"
"No, but I can look around. If you'er going to do drops, you really ought to think about that route, because you could be right back down here in a few months if you keep riding like you have been."
"Yeah. OK, let me know."
"OK. Later"
"Later"
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579 Posts
Situation has reached unacceptable level
I have now missed all of August and the first week and a half of September, and guess what? No love from Rocky Mountain. I've been told that my LBS is waiting for the new seatstay, and there's really nothing they can do. They've called and gotten nowhere with RM. So all you Slayer riders out there, I hope you have better luck with them than I have. If the bike does not get fixed in the next week, I'll have missed half the summer because my pivot bolt snapped. I know things take time, but for 2400 bucks, I think a customer deserves more timely service than this. (Am I wrong?) I've even turned a couple people onto RM, but I'm not really sure I can do that anymore without a warning first. I've left messages at RM customer service to check on the whole process, but never actually made it to a human being, and have not had one call returned. It's too bad, because for the year and a half I rode the Slayer I loved the bike. Thank God I have a back-up bike, but enough is enough. I got the Slayer because the old Cannondale was in sad shape and I didn't like riding that jalopy around. And I'm paying for all of the parts and stuff, so there's no warrenty stuff going on at all. This has become a rant, sorry. Can anyone help me out? Other than telling me to stop whining, because its over now.
I have now missed all of August and the first week and a half of September, and guess what? No love from Rocky Mountain. I've been told that my LBS is waiting for the new seatstay, and there's really nothing they can do. They've called and gotten nowhere with RM. So all you Slayer riders out there, I hope you have better luck with them than I have. If the bike does not get fixed in the next week, I'll have missed half the summer because my pivot bolt snapped. I know things take time, but for 2400 bucks, I think a customer deserves more timely service than this. (Am I wrong?) I've even turned a couple people onto RM, but I'm not really sure I can do that anymore without a warning first. I've left messages at RM customer service to check on the whole process, but never actually made it to a human being, and have not had one call returned. It's too bad, because for the year and a half I rode the Slayer I loved the bike. Thank God I have a back-up bike, but enough is enough. I got the Slayer because the old Cannondale was in sad shape and I didn't like riding that jalopy around. And I'm paying for all of the parts and stuff, so there's no warrenty stuff going on at all. This has become a rant, sorry. Can anyone help me out? Other than telling me to stop whining, because its over now.
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This is what I would do...
Keep complaining! Spread the word on their lack of customer service. Send them an email with a link to this forum along with every complaint you can think of.
If Rocky even slightly cares about their business, they'll do whatever it takes to keep a polished reputation.
Sorry to hear about your situation. Truly sucks... Would it help if I talked about my 30 mile Labor Day epic on my Slayer?
Keep complaining! Spread the word on their lack of customer service. Send them an email with a link to this forum along with every complaint you can think of.
If Rocky even slightly cares about their business, they'll do whatever it takes to keep a polished reputation.
Sorry to hear about your situation. Truly sucks... Would it help if I talked about my 30 mile Labor Day epic on my Slayer?
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579 Posts
Oh god ya! That would help out a bunch!
Sorry to hear about your situation. Truly sucks... Would it help if I talked about my 30 mile Labor Day epic on my Slayer?[/QUOTE]
LOL! Yeah, and when you are done, I'll fill you in on the truly inspiring ride quality of my '98 Super V and the amazing plushness of the Fatty Headshock. 80 mm never felt so smooth.
All kidding aside, I will give the ol' hoss props for climbing. Its most likely just a geometry/ riding position thing as compared to the Slayer which is a little laid back as you well know <sR>, but that Cannondale scoots right up stuff. I'm even thinking of overhauling it a little in the future, maybe replace the Headshock with a short-ish decent fork, look for a deal on last year's 80 or 100 mm somewhere. Its also needing other stuff, but I'm not going to deal with it quite yet.
I am bummed because there is a MTB fest tomorrow not far away that I've been looking forward to, but I won't have the Slayer to bring, just the old ratty Cdale.
As far as complaining, I'd like to think it would make a difference, but I'm getting the feeling that the response will be something along the lines of; "Whoa, Whoa, Whoa East coast agro-dude. Man, you guys are wound up sooooo tight! Relaxxx. Get the bubbler, throw in Kranked 5 and chill. Just hang loose, be patient and your part will get there. Handbuilt quality takes time, eh. After all, if you were a serious rider, you'd live up here with us in BC." Well, maybe that's a little too hyperbolized, but that's my feeling, sort of.
Sorry to hear about your situation. Truly sucks... Would it help if I talked about my 30 mile Labor Day epic on my Slayer?[/QUOTE]
LOL! Yeah, and when you are done, I'll fill you in on the truly inspiring ride quality of my '98 Super V and the amazing plushness of the Fatty Headshock. 80 mm never felt so smooth.
All kidding aside, I will give the ol' hoss props for climbing. Its most likely just a geometry/ riding position thing as compared to the Slayer which is a little laid back as you well know <sR>, but that Cannondale scoots right up stuff. I'm even thinking of overhauling it a little in the future, maybe replace the Headshock with a short-ish decent fork, look for a deal on last year's 80 or 100 mm somewhere. Its also needing other stuff, but I'm not going to deal with it quite yet.
I am bummed because there is a MTB fest tomorrow not far away that I've been looking forward to, but I won't have the Slayer to bring, just the old ratty Cdale.
As far as complaining, I'd like to think it would make a difference, but I'm getting the feeling that the response will be something along the lines of; "Whoa, Whoa, Whoa East coast agro-dude. Man, you guys are wound up sooooo tight! Relaxxx. Get the bubbler, throw in Kranked 5 and chill. Just hang loose, be patient and your part will get there. Handbuilt quality takes time, eh. After all, if you were a serious rider, you'd live up here with us in BC." Well, maybe that's a little too hyperbolized, but that's my feeling, sort of.
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Devil's Gulch/Mission Ridge Trail...
Here's a link w/ pics someone posted last week in the Passion Forum:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=45810
It was about a 6 hour ride, 3400+ ft. climb, ultra-sick downhill with porcelain smooth trails. It's the longest ride I've ever done and goes in the record book under "ALL TIME BEST RIDE EVER!"
I was so worn out that I called in "sick" Tuesday morning
By the way, you've got more patience than I do. It's nice you have a backup, but still, no response from RM whatsoever? Unacceptable.
Central Washington Cascades.02Slayer said:
Here's a link w/ pics someone posted last week in the Passion Forum:
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=45810
It was about a 6 hour ride, 3400+ ft. climb, ultra-sick downhill with porcelain smooth trails. It's the longest ride I've ever done and goes in the record book under "ALL TIME BEST RIDE EVER!"
I was so worn out that I called in "sick" Tuesday morning
By the way, you've got more patience than I do. It's nice you have a backup, but still, no response from RM whatsoever? Unacceptable.
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579 Posts
Back in fine form
Three rides into the comeback of the Slayer and I broke 3 spokes on a high speed rock garden bid gone bad. Those newer Slayers, like the 04s, are beefed up a bit more than the 02. The confidence it inspired led me down the path to destruction. And I wouldn't have changed a thing. Thanks for the encouragement. Tomorrow's another ride.jawry said:
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