2011 Rocky Mountain Slayer - World Exclusive!

 Must say i much prefer the older ones. this looks like every other bike now

 Does anyone get the feeling that Rocky is trying to be specialized? The old Slayers were the perfect design between XC and FR making them amazing trail bikes. I thought before that they were built more aggressive closer to the FR side of things. Now they seem to be leaning towards the XC side. I guess what ever grabs the market eh. I'm just glad I got mine before the downgrade.

 I'm sure it's a great bike, but the first thing I thought was "Fuel lookalike" and yes Trances too. It's a shame as the old design I thought was very unique looking and you could instantly tell it was a Rocky Mountain.

 I own the 2008 Slayer SXC and I've got to say that I think the new design is not nearly as aggressive looking. It looks like a heavier version of the Rocky Mountain Altitude, more on the side of XC all mountain rather than the FR side of all mountain. It has some nice improvements over the old slayer, like the ISCG tabs and a slacker head angle, but I still wish they had stayed with the old design, like the single pivot linkage but just added these smaller improvements.

 Don't judge a book by it's cover. Sure, the tubing on this bikes may look like a lot of stuff on the market but the important part of the bike, how it rides, is impacted immensely by suspension design. That in mind, this bike features a very different design then that of Giant, Trek, or whoever else it may be compared to.

 smoothlink is the same suspension concept as the old ESTX bikes. it's a 4 bar... and the frame ... tubes have wicked angles and cuts and edges on them... it's a nice bike, to top it off it has the straight up geo, which means you sag in to a great climbing geo... so you are never over sagging, sure setting up the bike to fit you perfectly takes longer but the ride is that much better.... it's agreat idea, and a bit more technology in to the suspension than LC2R... that being said, im a LC2R whore, i love the simple supple super active suspension!

i could ride one of these

and it's burly, dont let the lack of weight deture... this bike is dope!

 He was using Pro-E, and all aspects of the frame were optimized to reduce weight but still be real burly. If you blur your vision, it does look like several other bikes out there, but you NEED to see it in person to truly appreciate the attention to detail this bike has as a result of an immense amount of design & testing.

If you look closely at the Giant Reign/Trance, they have a unified rear triangle with a VP-like lower link to the BB, which is all conveniently hidden by chainrings from the driveside... this is a VERY different design than the new Slayer... And the suspension is designed to be very supple, it's not just geared towards a weight-conscious XC rider.

 I'm not sure how you equate these:

p.mthai.com/picpost/2009-03-27/409219_0.jpg

www.avalanchedownhillracing.com/specfsra.jpg

To being this:

is.pinkbike.com/p4pb4879298/p4pb4879298.jpg

 I wish they would have stuck to their original linkage design... Now its just like every other bike out there almost, suspension design wise... Still a cool bike though!

 Am I the only who thought this was a Giant Reign at first glance before reading anything?

 I don't usually comment on how a bike looks like another bike but, as I own a circa 2000 RM Slayer that I absolutely loved, when it was time to buy a new bike in 2008 I actually shyed away from the gen2 slayer because i just hated the look, suspension design and most importantly the weight. So I actually ended up buying a TranceX... ironic now eh?
If this frame design had been around in 08 this would have almost certainly been my new ride!
oh well maybe next time.

 Good by to LC2R eh? too bad i guess...dont know how this rides...
Got some beef with the build though, seems like they decided to pimp it and make the spec nice vs. best bang for your buck.
I mean Formula The One brakes? I LOVE 'em but not really an OEM product in my mind....especially on an AM bike...shouldve gone with Formula R1's or something...

 Not happy with this redesign. The old slayer sxc up to 2010 was awesome... but maybe change is good? plus this is the slayer 70? maybe they are still doing a 'SXC' line up with the old look? sure hope so

 I think the redesign looks way better. Better geo, looks like a through axel in the rear, tapered head tube, cg mounts, more travel and it looks like you will be able fit a coil shock on all sizes, not just the larger ones. This bike is way more agressive than the older ones. If the standard slayer looks is this awesome, I want to see what the SS Slayer will look like. Although it does look very similar, the frame on this just looks way less offensive then the new Giants (to me).

 I agree that the first impression I had when I looked at the new Slayer was "another run-of-the-mill bike. Then I looked at the specs and scrolled through the pictures. The frame is burly, they have actually increased the travel in the rear with the new design. With the exception of the carbon cranks and the rear shock ( which were put on to make the numbers look good for the weight weenies) this is an ideal all mountain bike.

 I absolutely love the look of this bike. Yes, many bikes have a very similar look these days because of the way the structures need to be built for maximum strength, good standover, shock fitment, .... but this DOES look like a Rocky to me. The lines are great and it looks solid while still being light. I can't say enought good things about my Alti 29 and I'm definitely putting this on my must have list now!

 pretty sharp bike. hydroforming sure brings out some pretty striking shapes.... and the little mini boomerang guide is sweet, too. it'd be great if more mnfr's put tabs on their bikes.
that said, this straight up geo makes me wonder if it was designed for younger riders... or the old timers that are paying retail for this kind of rig. 75' seat angle? that's comfort bike territory. granted i haven't ridden the thing, but i have no doubt it's going to be hanging off more escalades than vanagons.
is that a maxle rear?
last - the FD looks like the E-type designed for triple, not double. SLX is available as E-type for double last I checked. this photo bike looks a little goofy with that derailleur cage floating up in space there above the bash guard.

 This new Slayer is the result of continuing to develop the Altitude frame they've had for years. Not some carbon copy of someone else's bike design. Pay attention before you all go bashing on a new bike... I'd hit it!!! Looks like a perfect bike IMO!

 Ya, ok, it has a "style" similar like some other bikes, but thats part of the hydroforming which mfg's embrace, and it has moved to a decent all around performance concept of rear suspension. Like the good old steel frame days, most bikes looked about the same, only the geometry varied slightly.
As for the suspension design, there are some key points to consider that make it different than other designs along this 4 bar concept - first notice the axle, lower chainstay pivot and top shock pivot are aprox. in line. That is unique to what I've seen. The lower seat tube pivot is aprox in line with the crank and upper pivot, I imagine that these have unique shock rate effect. ... Second, the pivots are all BURL compared to the Giants people are comparing to. Plus the giant has a uni rear triangle or not? And a cheater pivot linkage at the crank? Seems not like the new slayer.

Anyhow, I will ride this baby sometime this year and see how she goes. And I wont' worry if its' style is like other bikes. I've just collected a 2009 Remedy 9 and have yet to really ride it. BUT the reason I sold my 2006 Slayer 70 was the L2CR brake jack. Night and day difference, I was instantly sold on the Remedy. I propose as well that brake jack is not significant on this new Slayer. I'm in the Alps and can say there are some pretty gnarl rides like back in BC (I'm from the Koots - dont' go bashing on me). As well, some hell all-mtn-downhill rides - who's ever rode the Megavalanche, or Bike Attack or more than 2000m down hammering hard? Its like some heli drops back home, except you dont' stop till the bottom. The parts on this slayer will work bomber except I'd swap the crank for a deus or atlas, and add a susp. post.
Ride on!

 Looks pretty sick with that fork

 looks really good , very nice bike but i will say about the same. looks a lot like a Giant Trance X or Reign. Rocky has a original link for the Flatline , they should have design someting as original for that bike to. there is a suplemental pivot on the chain stay like the Trek , should be pretty damn plush. just not original.

 carbon cranks? are you kidding me? the ONLY component on my current AM bike that doesn't last are the cranks, I'm on my 3rd set, not a component to go light weight on.

 Do you know about Taiwan catalogue? Seems that just every second frame soon will be like that. I don’t want to see that in the end.

 Looks like a great bike. Hopefully they can start making some more of their bikes in Canada again, instead of going to Asian labor. Keep in in CANADA !!!!!! Awesome bike though !!!! Can't wait to ride it !!

 Am I the only one who thought it looks like a really fun bike to ride? It looks capable of handling 100% of the stuff I actually ride, and at least 80% of the stuff that I tell myself I'd ride if it was around here.

 Interesting video, good to see how bikes are created through the design process and then onto actual working models. I like the look of this bike too.

 I wonder if they will offer a Hammerschmidt version. After a couple of aggressive rides on a Mission with HS, I am convinced that it will be on my next bike. The weight penalty has been worth it.

 Yeah, Rocky is just givin the people what they want. Its just like the fall of the RM series, bad ass bikes, but people werent buying them.

 looks pretty cool, my first full squish was a RM Pipeline back in early 2000, they have come along way since since that old urt design

 it's a trek, oh no its a rocky mountain, darn, all the bikes are looking so simular i cant tell them apart anymore. oh well I just eat jerk chicken and drink red stripe.

 It was fun watching Wade roll it off a nice big, mossy, steep rock drop on Fromme about a week ago.

 I agree that bike might as well be labeled giant... Having said that what a sick parts list, is that the first bike ever to come stock with Formula the One brakes?

 Who cares what it LOOKS like, its all about how it rides. And to me, a light weight slacked out long travel trail bike sounds amazing. I have nothing against it.

 a mix between the spé enduro Sl and the new Giant reign with the general look of the altitude : simply ugly. Rear suspension seems to be design not for European Alps but for flat Americans single tracks hahahahha

 this bike looks really good.. i wish i could afford to get a mtn bike like this.. super sweet!

 Hmm. havent we seen that type of frame build before ( kona, banshee, dabomb, trek. etc...)?? but nice bike overall. just hope that the frame holds. old rockys where crap. Both my RM9 and my RM6 broke. both bikes 10monthe old. and no warranty?? sucks.. From my point of wiew.. f*ck ROCKY..

 way to be original... not. I guess if it ain't broken, break it. and what are those gold things on the brake hoses?

 It may not be very original but it is freakin AWESOME!

 I am really curious as if Rocky will use this new platform for their slopestyle models?

 ReignX or Trek Remedy? Made in the Giant factory? Most probably, that's why it has the same design. Should save money for Rocky in the development section though.

 Decent bike i would but a diferent rear shock on though, imnot a huge fan of air shocks

 Looks like a Trek Fuel EX with an FSR suspension design. I prefer the older Slayer frame much more.

 There is a big difference in between fixing what does not work and creating a whole new bike.

 Hum ... guy ... please do me a favor and look at Giant Trance X ..... then tell me that bike is totally design by Rocky Mountain!!!

 this is a really nice Kona.

 Looks like FSR, but the "smooth link" is above the rear axle instead of bellow it. lame?

 Niice.

 clean lines, looks dope my 08 slayer kills it, id love to ride this pony

 looks just like the 2010 faith or glory frame style

 what kind of backplate is that on the cranks?

 Well looks they just put a rocky mountain sticker on a gaint reign.

 anyone know what modelling program he was using?

 personally, i thing the geo they had before looked better.

 just awesome! way to go RM!

 I love Canada, but this just looks like a Giant Trance

 I think I've found my next bike......

 I owned the 2009 version and it was superior to anything I've ever ridden.

 Foshizzle Looks $$$$$$
and like many other bikes that work well

 I like that it has seat!

 very cool to see an engineering based video, wished theyd have more

 What's that thing mounted on the ISCG tabs on the inside of the crank?

 Giant style tubing with norco/specialized style linkage with the new exception being the swing arm mounted front deraileur.

How is this not a vps linkage? I dont see how this any different.

 That's a beautiful Trance, I mean Reign I mean Slayer!

 rocky mountain....you used to be cool. thrustlink is where its at!

 I have this bike in my garage right now!

 and what about cool slopestyle version?

 "Easton Haven Bar and Stem"???

 looks the dogs, mmmmmmmmmmmm

 the giant reign had no influence on this bike eh?

 sick bike

 looks like specialized....


^^*)

 looks like a specailized pitch!

 wow! I prefer the last model but is so sick....definatelly my next all mountain bike!!! yeah rocky mountain!