Rocky Mountain Slayer

78/100
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Facts

Gender
Release Year
Wheel Size
Number of Gears
Gearing Type
Weight
34.1, 37.04, 39.3 lb
Suspension
Brake Type
Frame Material

Summary of Reviews

We have read all expert and user reviews on the Rocky Mountain Slayer. In summary, this is what cyclists think.

8 reasons to buy

  • The Slayer is available in seven builds: three alloy and four carbon.
  • The RIDE-4 suspension flip-chip and a chainstay flip-chip offer many suspension and geometry tuning options.
  • Experts agree the 180/180mm Slayer builds climb impressively for the freeride/downhill category.
  • The alloy A30 Park’s 200mm RockShox BoXXer Select RC fork and 180mm RockShox Super Deluxe Coil Select shock are “supple and bottomless.”
  • A tester says that with RIDE-4 at its slackest, the C50 (size medium) on mixed wheels boasts "excellent" traction, "remarkable climbing prowess," and a “plush," "free-flowing" ride when descending.
  • Two 200lb testers call the C50’s Shimano SLX brakes excellent.
  • Testers laud the Maxxis Assegai MaxxGrip front and Minion MaxxTerra rear tires with DoubleDown casings and CushCore inserts found on all builds except the A30 Park.
  • All Slayer frames accept a dual-crown fork.

10 reasons not to buy

  • Multiple testers suffer failure of the WTB wheels (A30, A50, C50).
  • The experiences of several reviewers raise doubts about Rocky Mountain’s “size-specific” suspension tuning.
  • Experts deem the C50 unrideable on its “too soft” stock rear spring.
  • A 190lb tester fits a stiffer spring to the C50, but rebound is too fast, even with the adjuster fully closed.
  • Experts agree the C50’s FOX 38 Performance fork and DHX2 Performance Elite shock are inadequately damped.
  • The A30 Park’s shock offers limited tuneability, and its SRAM G2 brakes “lack bite and modulation.”
  • The Slayer’s top tube and bottom bracket are higher than competitors like the Nukeproof Giga and Santa Cruz Nomad, hindering the bike’s agility in tighter terrain, say reviewers.
  • A tester complains about rattling cables and the storage box lid falling off and getting lost.
  • S and M sizes come only as 29/27.5 mullet. L and XL come only as 29er. Swapping wheel sizes requires a replacement link that isn’t included.
  • At just 175mm for sizes L/XL and 150mm for size M, the C50 Shimano’s dropper post is too short for a downhill bike. Oddly, the other builds have longer droppers.

Bottom line

The Slayer is a freeride bike offering alloy and carbon builds, Rocky Mountain’s lightweight Horst-link rear suspension, and the choice of 29er or mixed-wheel mullet setup. For every tester that praises the suspension, there’s another that rates it as sub-par. While some reviewers commend the build specifications, others highlight puzzling contradictions like poorly damped suspension, inadequate SRAM brakes, and WTB rims that appear prone to failure. Such compromises don’t belong on bikes at this price. There may be reasonable value among some of the Slayer’s builds, but given the concerns raised by experts, it’s hard to say who should buy this bike and why.

Expert Reviews

69/100 based on 3 rated expert reviews
62
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This review has been given a score. Read more here
ENDURO Mountainbike Magazine

New 2023 Rocky Mountain Slayer Carbon 50 First Ride Review – 🤘🤘🤘

On the trail, our test bike was clearly slowed down by its own spec, with the poor suspension performance and flimsy rear wheel robbing us of our last ounce of joy.

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82
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This review has been given a score. Read more here

First Ride: 2024 Rocky Mountain Slayer

Overall, while the price might not present an absolute screaming deal, the build is very solid – there’s nothing that needs to be swapped out immediately…

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60

Freeride Bike With Smart Details [German]

Unfortunately, the wheels couldn’t keep up and ended up failing with lots of loose spokes. We’re excited to see how the Rocky Mountain Slayer performs in a subsequent test…

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Rocky Mountain Slayer Park Edition vs. Whistler Bike Park

An excellent option if you have access to a chair lift or make a few summer bike trips that warrant a downhill bike, the Slayer provides a ton of fun at a reasonable price with minimal immediate upgrades needed.

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Freehub Magazine

Rocky Mountain Slayer Bike Review

The Rocky Mountain Slayer Carbon 50 covers a lot of ground—it’s just as at-home steadily climbing up your local mountain to access rugged descents as it is cruising bike park laps all day.

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Review: Rocky Mountain Slayer C50

The new Slayer stays true to its freeride heritage, with the travel and geometry to take on big hits and burly lines. It’s not a race bike… but for those who prefer a big bike that’s more plush than precise, the Slayer might be the one.

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First Look: 2023 Rocky Mountain Slayer

At the very least, the Slayer Carbon 50 can be viewed as a good starting point for aspiring freeriders, with a frame that seems well worth upgrading in the future.

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Gravity Mountainbike Magazine

First Ride: Rocky Mountain Slayer 2024 – Enduro on Steroids or Freeride Bike? [German]

Since our driving impression was distorted due to the soft spring, we do not want to write anything final about the Slayer here yet.

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BIKE Magazin

The Rocky Mountain Slayer CF C50 Tested [German]

Nevertheless, the Slayer did not feel as plush as a Norco Shore or Specialized Enduro. Big bike replacement? In our opinion, not really, even with a dual crown fork. The rear lacks grip and comfort for that.

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Test: Rocky Mountain Slayer C50 [German]

For those who particularly enjoy downhill rides in the Alps, the Slayer is a revelation. With patience and strength, it can also be pedaled uphill in a reasonable manner.

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User Ratings

100/100 based on 1 ratings
  • 5 star
    100%
  • 4 star
    0%
  • 3 star
    0%
  • 2 star
    0%
  • 1 star
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Rankings

Compared to other bikes
#4 Best Freeride
Bottom 30%
#2 Best Downhill
Bottom 40%
#6 Best Rocky Mountain Bike
Bottom 20%
#608 Best of All Bikes
Bottom 20%

Bike Comparison

Rocky Mountain Slayer in comparison to averages

Forum Discussions

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