Rocky Mountain Slayer

CJ Magiera said:

So, now I'm faced with the task of finding an 18" slayer. They're mostly
sold out up here. Closest I've found is one in Boston, about a 150 mile
drive one way. So, here come the questions! I'm looking for any experiences
with the '04 slayer. I don't want an '03, which are in abundance because of
the weak rear triangle. I don't want to wait for an '05 (only a month away)
because they changed the fork and ditched the Hayes brakes for Shimano.

I've been riding an 04 slayer 70 since spring and totally dig it. The
70 has different parts so I can't really help you out there. Ride wise
it's great, it's no racing XC machine but it fakes it really well,
clearly not a hucking sled but I ride hard and it has handled my abuse
without a complaint. The only issue I have is with the pivots loosening
a little but a little loktite could take care of that.

Quoted message said:

I've already googled the slayer, the obligatory "I'm buying a new bike, what
should I get?" threads, and so on. My question revolves around real life
use, will I be disappointed driving all day for a bike that I may not come
home with?

Is it worth it for a daytrip...for a good deal yes, for regular retail
maybe. There are so many good bikes out there in the same catagory, the
slayer is oh so versitile but a lot of other bikes are too. For me the
final decision came down to wanting something a little different (there
are virtually no RM's around here) and i got a smokin good deal on it.
I love my slayer and plan to ride it for years to come.

Quoted message said:

Along that line of thought, the store that's got the 18" is still
asking full price. If anyone out there knows of their LBS that's a RM dealer
with a leftover 18" Slayer 50 they'd like to move, I'd consider paying to
ship if the price is right.

Can't help you there.

"kantspel" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I've been riding an 04 slayer 70 since spring and totally dig it. The
70 has different parts so I can't really help you out there. Ride wise
it's great, it's no racing XC machine but it fakes it really well,
clearly not a hucking sled but I ride hard and it has handled my abuse
without a complaint. The only issue I have is with the pivots loosening
a little but a little loktite could take care of that.

I really liked the matte black of the 70, didn't like the shifting and
brakes... I'm vain...

Quoted message said:

Is it worth it for a daytrip...for a good deal yes, for regular retail
maybe. There are so many good bikes out there in the same catagory, the
slayer is oh so versitile but a lot of other bikes are too. For me the
final decision came down to wanting something a little different (there
are virtually no RM's around here) and i got a smokin good deal on it.
I love my slayer and plan to ride it for years to come.

So I found one about an hour away, dealer was motivated, buyer was
motivated, so we struck a deal and I'll grab it Saturday.

I'll post a report on the outcome!

J

CJ Magiera said:

So I found one about an hour away, dealer was motivated, buyer was
motivated, so we struck a deal and I'll grab it Saturday.

I'll post a report on the outcome!

awesome....how much were you able to talk 'em down (or get them to throw
in free stuff) :-D

bri

--

* enjoying the karma *
remove LKJSDFJSD from address to email

"bri719" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

CJ Magiera said:

So I found one about an hour away, dealer was motivated, buyer was
motivated, so we struck a deal and I'll grab it Saturday.

I'll post a report on the outcome!

awesome....how much were you able to talk 'em down (or get them to throw
in free stuff) :-D

bri

Since it was one of the last 4 on the east coast it wasn't as sweet a deal
as it could've been. For example, I had a Switch SL lined up for $2000, down
from $2900. The ended up with $400 off the Slayer. The guy was ready to
throw in two years of maintenance for free, but since I do all my own and
the shop is an hour away I passed on it. I did notice a sweet Salsa road
bike, scandium frame with carbon stays, black 105 group. Sharp ride. I
talked $600 off that one while I stood there. I wuolda bought it but my wife
was with me and we were stopping at the outlets on the way home. That woulda
come back to bite me... But I got his card...

Anyway, to the ride yesterday. Rode with a friend who just bought a new
Jekyl. It was a good comparison ride. Ride started with a 3-4 mile climb.
Started on shale, switched to hardpack with loose rocks and roots. Then to a
uphill powerline run, then more woods. The Slayer climbed OK. I tried
locking out the front & rear, but found everything worked better open and
staying seated. The beauty was the rolling flats and the downhill rips. I
shoulda bought this thing years ago. But, as a comparison, it's got the same
rear shock as the Jekyl. Same travel up front as the lefty, but the Jekyl
felt more "Chopper-ish". More laid back than cross country.

The absolute best part was the final downhill rip. About halfway down
there's a built up waterbar, built from some boulders, that crosses the
trail. I've done the drop, about 3', on everything from my hardtail, single
speed, all the way back to my BMX days. The whole run would rattle the
fillings out of your head, then the drop would jar your spine. This time was
different, it was like water running down the hill...

Anyway, it was superb. Money well spent. Now, the next hurdle is to help my
wife to understand that I need the Salsa. Six bikes? That'll be a stretch.
Anyone wanna buy a LeMond?

J
Now with one of each...