Eurobike 16 – Rocky Mountain
Rocky Mountain had their new, completely redesigned full-carbon Slayer on display. Intended for enduro and all-mountain riding, the bike has 165mm of rear suspension travel, and ships with 170mm forks. The bikes come with 650B x 2.5″ tyres as standard, but we’re told the frame is also compatible with 26+ (up to 3.0″) wheels and tyres… Thankfully this seems to just be incidental rather than a dedicated design feature.
The Slayer is available with four different build kits (called 730, 750, 770, & 790), all based on the same full-carbon frame. Prices range from US$4199 for the 730, up to US$6999 for the 790. All models are available in two colourways.
Though there are still a few tweaks to be made before production models are available, Rocky Mountain told us that the 790 weighs around 29lb incuding pedals. That’s a lot of bike for your grams then!
The Slayer is available in four sizes, small to extra-large, and the geometry can be adjusted using their Ride4 system. This allows you to switch from the lowest setting at -15mm BB height and 64.75deg head angle, to 0mm BB height and 65.85deg head angle, as well as two positions somewhere in between. All frame sizes have a bottle cage mount too.
The internal cable routing has been designed to be as user (mechanic) friendly as possible, featuring internal guide tubes for the cables and an access port in the down tube for all your faffing needs. The cable routing is fully Di2 compatible too, apparently.
The back end of the Slayer is particularly tidy – Rocky Mountain have obviously spent a good deal of time to make it as neat as possible. Pivots in the seat stays and chain stays are single-sided, allowing them to sit completely flush. The chain stays have been carefully molded to reduce heel rub as well as accommodating boost spacing and those 26+ tyres. Suspension bearings are Max-type where they’re needed, for increased durability, and there’s not a bushing on the frame besides those in the shock and fork.
The seat tube is decently short across the range, which should pair up nicely with today’s longer dropper posts.
A fair Maiden
Also on display at Rocky Mountain were their Reaper kids aluminium full-sus bikes. The Reaper is available with 24″ or 26″ wheels, which are interchangeable since the frame is the same on both modes. It has 130mm of rear suspension travel, and 120mm up front. They feature the Ride4 geometry adjustment system too, and are only available in one size. Pricing is US$1799 for the slightly lower specced 24″ bike, and US$2299 for the 26″.