Earlier this summer, I got to join Rocky Mountain for the 2020 Slayer launch in North Vancouver. At the launch we got a taste of what the Slayer can do on highly technical descents, but didn’t do much climbing with the new bikes. With 29” wheels and 170mm of front and rear travel, it’s no surprise the Slayer manhandled the North Shore’s gnarly downhills.
So with the ‘downhill performance’ box checked, I spent my longer-term test seeing how well the Slayer performs as an enduro bike. Since most consumers are probably going to pedal their bikes around, I’ve been looping my local trails on the Slayer Carbon 90 29” since early October.
Despite its beefy frame, slack head tube and generous travel, the Slayer climbs impressively well. Rocky Mountain’s Smoothlink suspension hasn’t lost much efficiency with all that squish, and thanks in part to its sensitive coil shock, the bike offers great rear wheel traction. Also, while the Slayer is a tough looking beast, the carbon-framed models weigh in within reason for an enduro bike.
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