Spotted: Rocky Mountain's New Slayer Breaks Cover - Crankworx Whistler 2019
Rocky Mountain is set to debut their all-new Slayer platform next week, and a very black, very unlabeled version of the redesigned enduro bike was already rolling around a very wet Whistler Bike Park today. The facts and details won't land in my inbox for a few more days, but that shouldn't stop us from making some semi-educated guesses.
First off, wasn't the previous Slayer released only a couple of Crankworxs ago? That was actually in 2016 (although it was a 2017 model-year bike) and its reception was a bit lukewarm overall, with more than a few of us coming back from those early rides noting impressive efficiency and playfulness, but also more harshness than expected being passed up through the bike, especially given its 165mm of travel.
The previous Slayer when it was introduced at Crankworx 2016 (left). Rocky's Jesse Melamed aboard the Instinct earlier this year in New Zealand.
Some testers panned the bike and its high anti-squat numbers that were responsible for the less than smooth feel, but for those who wanted an enduro-ish bike with plenty of life to the pedals, it was a pretty good choice. I reviewed the previous Slayer back in 2017 and noted that while it wasn't exactly the most forgiving bike out there, its performance did give it a distinct advantage in some settings while also setting it apart from most other enduro-focused bikes.
Unfortunately for Rocky Mountain, it looks like their EWS race team were in the first camp rather than the latter: They nearly always reached for some variation of the 150mm-travel Altitude or 140mm Instinct instead of the Slayer, possibly because of that whole suspension harshness thing but hey, I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth.
The 2017 Slayer (left) had a vertical shock. The new Slayer (right) sees its shock moved to the toptube.
Given all that, I'd bet a $20 Tim Horton's gift card that the new Slayer is more active and forgiving than its predecessor. It appears to have adjustable geometry and suspension, too, with either a Ride-9 or Ride-4 setup at the rearward shock mount; the previous Slayer used the simpler Ride-4 system. The shock is horizontal now, just like on the Altitude and most of Rocky's other bikes, and the seat angle appears to be quite steep as well. Also, those sure look like 29" wheels, don't they?
The previous Slayer had a head angle between 64.75 and 65.85-degrees, and the large sported a short-in-2019 reach of 444mm in the slack setting. Expect the new bike to be more relaxed and longer, and also expect all the official details and photos to show up next week.
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Horror Red
Hockey mask white
Satan black
I’ll wait to see what this one looks like with paint before I pass final judgement.
Slayer 29 - 170/170mm.
Carbon now, aluminum in November.
Hopefully no baby blue anywhere to be found.
I actually prefer the look of the vertical shock but we'll see how this new 2020 model performs.
Stumpy vs Altitude might make more sense.
the Darkside is a park/freeride bike it would be better tested against things like the Furious, or similar, while it is a bike and can be pointed up hill it isn’t one that’s going to make that an easy job.
My 2018 Slayer is an amazing climber and descends like you'd expect it to. It is however harsh at the top of the stroke and your settings, including tire pressure, need to be dialed or else it will rattle you in the rough. I suspect that that harshness has been dialed out - which will likely make it a lesser trail bike than prior gen.
But that also makes sense - there was too much overlap between Slayer/Altitude and even Instinct. I think that Rocky is moving Slayer toward Park bike and away from Enduro...we will find out soon!
Rocky Mountain: Hold my beer....
Can't wait to hear more.
They ride BC Instincts, which are 155/160 not the 140 version.
My Rocky Rep was telling me that they did improve things on the bike in key areas and that the Rocky team listened to riders concerns and riders ideas too.
I cannot wait until it lands in our hands in a couple weeks, hopefully sooner.
Otherwise they are just redundant, bit longer travel options
Travel: 180mm 27.5 170mm-180mm 29r
Air and Coil compatible
STA: 76-77
Dual Crown compatible/covered by warranty
Hahaha.... Ahahahahaha... you must be new.
The enduro team actually all ride Instinct BC Edition.
But yeah, your point is valid - same as the Santa Cruz guys are/were all riding the hightower/hightower LT and not the Nomad.
5010, Bronson, Hightower, Megatower, Nomad and the Megamad..whoops, jumped ahead to the Spring catalog.
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Earlier in the year RM decided to change their sizing guide to make longer and slacker fits accross the board this is unstead of re-designing the geo to be more modern. Now with the new color schemes released they have added new specs which include off set forks...seems to me that RM is struggling to stay on “trend”?
This new slayer looks burly and that rear shock looks a little tight all tucked up in the top tube. Is this just me or is RM struggling a little?
Exactly - cant size up with RM.
There are 220mm droppers now mind
Agree - straight steep seat tubes are my prefernce too. Intense are another brand who get this works for tall / long inseam riders.
I dont like the kinks or a slack actual seat tube with the BB tucked underneath like santa cruz.
Come on !!