The top model 790 MSL of the Rocky Mountain Slayer comes with a 2561 gram full carbon frame (without shock) and provides the rider with a generous 168 or 165 millimetres of travel. Rocky Mountain also makes no compromises when it comes to equipment. Shimano Saint brakes, Fox Float X2 shock and robust aluminium cranks are part of the standard equipment. Equipped in this way, the bike from Vancouver already tends towards freeride, which is fully confirmed by the riding experience. Despite its size L, the Slayer is by no means intended to be a stretched-out race enduro bike that has been fully trimmed for fast times. The signature of Thomas Vanderham, team rider and freerider from the very beginning, who was heavily involved in the development, is much more noticeable. Due to the high front and the rather short position, you sit quite compactly on the Slayer, which gives the bike playful handling. The short chainstays support the manoeuvrable character and ensure that the Rocky is easy to pull onto the rear wheel for the manual. If the descent gets rougher, the potent rear triangle smooths out even the roughest of bumps with ease. However, we would have liked a platform lever for the Fox Float X2 shock, which can only be adjusted with tools, to quickly tighten the rear suspension when pedalling uphill. Thanks to the steep seat angle, the Slayer climbs quite confidently despite the relaxed riding position. Instead of the Ride 9 geometry adjustment, Rocky Mountain now relies on the slimmed-down Ride 4 system (detail), which allows you to fine-tune the kinematics.
Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager: The new Rocky Mountain Slayer is somewhere between enduro and freeride. Contrary to the trend towards ever smoother race geometries, it has a good deal of playfulness and is aimed at riders who prioritise downhill fun over the fastest downhill time. Compared to the price, the equipment is average.
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 5/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
