Press Release

The All-New 2020 Rocky Mountain Slayer Unveiled 15

Bigger bikes are back with a vengeance, and the crew at Rocky Mountain is excited to throw their latest creation into the ring. The Slayer looks more ready than ever to tame wild descents and get you back to the top for round two. Carson Storch is even rocking it with a dual crown! Get all the details in the press release, below. - Turman

bturman
8/12/2019 4:20pm
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The ultimate weapon, the Slayer is meant for riding fast and sending it deep. Designed to be able to pedal to the top of any descent, this bike allows you to shred corners, hit gaps, and ride harder than you ever thought possible. Whether you're smashing through the roughest trails imaginable or scrubbing lips in the park, the Slayer is built for those who charge. 

We’ve made it longer and slacker, with better small-bump sensitivity and a more progressive end-stroke. For those who like to fine tune their ride before they shred, we kept the RIDE-4 adjustment system to allow for further geometry and ride feel customization. Rocky Mountain led the original freeride movement, and the Slayer continues the legacy of shredding.

27.5-inch with 180mm travel front and rear
29-inch with 170mm travel front and rear

History of the Slayer

At Rocky Mountain, progressive riding is in our blood. We helped lead the original freeride movement, and the completely redesigned Slayer continues that legacy.

The Slayer was first introduced to our lineup in 2001 and over the years earned itself a spot as one of our most-renowned platforms. Fast forward to today, and the all-new Slayer represents the next step for Rocky Mountain and aggressive, big mountain riding. The credibility we’ve built from our freeride history and legendary athletes has helped to solidify our place in the market.

As downhill bikes trend towards becoming dedicated race weapons, bikes like the Slayer are attracting riders looking for that aggressive, big mountain bike that can smash bike park laps all day long, and still be pedaled to, from, up, and down their local trails. 

Geometry

Longer reach values. Steeper seat tube angle. Longer chainstays. Slacker headtube angle. Short offset fork. Aggressive and fast.

27.5-inch Geometry

29-inch Geometry

New Suspension

We’ve tuned the anti-squat to improve small bump compliance and reduced pedal kick, all while providing increased mid-stroke sensitivity and end-stroke progression. The result is a sensitive yet supportive feeling platform that’s dialed in for bottom out resistance with both coil and air suspension.

Size Specific Tune ensures that riders of all sizes get the appropriate rear shock tune. Our design team creates custom shock tunes based on field testing feedback, and adjust the tune of each shock for specific frame sizes.

Durability First

Freeride isn’t dead! We designed the Slayer to be resilient enough for non-stop aggressive riding in bike parks, off features, and down other big mountain mayhem. We’ve reinforced the front triangle, including a new front triangle bridge, main pivot sleeves, and high strength layup. You'll find dual bearings at the chainstay and seatstay for increased stiffness and durability. Both our 29” and 27.5” versions are paired with a super-stiff FORM alloy rear triangle.

Built with the home mechanic in mind, the Slayer uses long lasting pivots with shielded bearings (including the lower shock mount), single tool hardware, and guided cable routing for easy, routine maintenance.

We’ve also redesigned our chainstay yokes and protectors to silence the ride, so you can focus on the task at hand.

Additional Technical Details

  • The RIDE-4 adjustment system allows riders to quickly fine-tune their geometry with a pair of Allen keys.
  • Internal cable routing. Carbon fiber front triangles use tube in tube cable management for easily routing the shift housing, seatpost housing, and brake hose through the front triangle.
  • Alloy front triangles feature large headtube ports and internal foam tubes to keep shift housing and rear brake hose quiet and easy to manage.
  • Significantly stiffer thanks to seat stay bridge and FORM 7005 alloy rear triangle.
  • Revised chainstay, shuttle guard, and downtube protectors all included.
  • All sizes fit a water bottle in the front triangle, even with a reservoir shock.
  • Integrated “Spirit Guide” chainguide with 2-bolt ISCG05 mount
  • Press-fit 92 bottom bracket
  • Max tire clearance 27.5x2.6" or 29x2.6"
  • Max chainring size 36t (27.5) or 34t (29)

Model Overview

Slayer Carbon 90

  • FOX Factory suspension with SLS spring
  • Shimano XTR 4-Piston brakes with 203mm Ice-Tec rotors
  • Maxxis Double-Down tire casings with 3C MaxxGrip compound up front
  • Race Face Carbon Next R crankset and handlebar
  • Weight: 29” complete - 15.4 kg (33.8 lbs), size medium
  • Weight: 27.5” complete - 15.2 kg (33.5 lbs), size medium

Slayer Carbon 70

  • Top of the line RockShox Ultimate suspension package
  • Shimano XT 4-Piston brakes with 203mm rotors
  • Maxxis Double-Down tire casings with 3C MaxxGrip compound up front
  • OneUp Components dropper post with adjustable travel range

Slayer Carbon 50

  • 29" only
  • RockShox Lyrik Select fork with Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate shock
  • Shimano SLX 4-Piston brakes with 203mm rotors
  • Maxxis Double-Down tire casings with 3C MaxxGrip compound up front
  • OneUp Components dropper post with adjustable travel range

Slayer Carbon Frameset

  • Weight: 29" frame and shock - 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs), size medium with axle
  • Weight: 27.5" frame and shock - 4.0 kg (8.8 lbs), size medium with axle

Slayer Alloy 50

  • RockShox Lyrik Select fork with Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate shock
  • Shimano SLX 4-Piston brakes with 203mm rotors
  • Maxxis Double-Down tire casings with 3C MaxxGrip compound up front
  • Race Face Aeffect dropper post
  • Weight: 29" complete - 16.8 kg (37.1 lbs), size medium
  • Weight: 27.5" complete - 16.4 kg (36.1 lbs), size medium

Slayer Alloy 30

  • RockShox Yari fork with Super Deluxe Coil shock
  • Shimano 4-Piston brakes with 203mm rotors
  • Maxxis Double-Down tire casings with 3C MaxxGrip compound up front
  • Rocky Mountain Toonie Drop dropper seatpost

In Action

 

"The Slayer gives me that planted, confident feeling that makes me want to push it as hard as I can. It still has all of the nimble, playful characteristics that I’ve grown accustom to with my Instinct BC Edition, but in a package that makes me want to send it big." – Rémi Gauvin

Pricing and Availability

The Slayer is now available in carbon, and alloy will be available in November. Please head to your local Rocky Mountain dealer to see the bikes. Regional availability may vary.

  • Carbon 90: $10,499 CAD / $7,999 USD
  • Carbon 70: $7,699 CAD / $5,999 USD
  • Carbon 50 (29 only): $5,999 CAD / $4,999 USD
  • Alloy 50: $4,999 CAD / $3,999 USD
  • Alloy 30: $4,199 CAD / $3,299 USD

Visit www.bikes.com/slayer for more details.

Photos by Margus Riga and Rocky Mountain

Related:
Carson Storch
Remi Gauvin
Thomas Vanderham
Rocky Mountain
15 comments

View replies to: The All-New 2020 Rocky Mountain Slayer Unveiled

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yetimike2019
5 years ago
If you look at the frame weight with the coil shocks, it’s not that bad weight wise. Throw on the DD tires that other manufacturers are too scared to spec on their bikes in order to hide their weight a bit and it looks pretty decent. All that being said my Demo 29 Dh rig is running 38 lbs...
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Erotomania90
5 years ago
That may change with the new slayer though. I wouldn't call it a freeride bike, it looks to be as capable as any other enduro rig.
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TheDeadSailor
5 years ago
I bet if it’s built with an air shock and lighter tires it would easily contend with those bikes. However, rocky specs the bike how a lot of people would personally build it, with heavier duty tires and a coil shock.
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onenerdykid*
5 years ago
@Erotomania90 - Well, Rocky doesn't have it under their "Enduro" category- it's in big mountain and they explicitly refer to it as a freeride bike.

@Christopher - I think the weight is there to prioritize it's durability over uphill pedal-ability. If you look what they are putting the bike through in their image gallery, it's definitely intended to be in a burlier category than the Nomad or Ransom or Torque.
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trygvesande
5 years ago
trygvesande

It's way more freeride than the Ransom for sure. Skip the Double Down tires and coil shock, it's not significantly different weight than the other bikes.. Want a lighter enduro bike? Just buy their Instinct BC Edition
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JayDawger
5 years ago
you remember that Jared Graves Stumpy weighed in at 37 lbs? Inserts, DH tires and coil suspension add up quickly. There is no reason why the Enduro riders of Rocky shouldn't be riding this.
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ggccvv
5 years ago
Double Down tires add more or less 400g per tire, the coil will add another 400g. The Nomad XX1 weights 13.8kg with the airshock and exo tires, Slayer weights 15kg with double down and coil.

So basically, both frames weight pretty much the same.
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ryan_daugherty
5 years ago
Seriously. My bike was claimed under 30lbs out of the box which it was just under but after destroying the tires and replacing a couple other things its now sits at 32lbs and I have to say it rides far better.
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jeff.brines
5 years ago
Christopher has a point, that is a heavy bike!

Still, those commenting below that a lot of EWS bikes are in the upper thirties with a race ready tire/suspension setup is something I'd agree with.

My Sentinel (alloy) with air suspension, ready to race with about 1.5lbs of tools on the bike is 37.5lbs. If I go to DH tires, more.

I'm not some freak and routinely do big days on the bike. I'm not winning any KOMs on the uphills at that weight but it works, and its proven durable.

This frame is probably 1 or 1.5lbs heavier than something like the Scott, but its also likely more durable. I'd say this would be a kick butt enduro rig, especially for privateers, and guys who aren't as precise as the top rung athletes (eg, all of us on Vital!)

EDIT: Its also funny to see every other bike get the "we want double down tires!" comment or "we want coil shocks!" Finally a company does it and now everyone goes "wait, we want lighter bikes!"
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