All Mountain - What everyone is looking for, and few actually find

All Mountain is a term utilized by bike companies to describe the one stop shop - quiver killing - do it all mountain bike...... How many bike companies have actually achieved this coveted masterpiece of two wheeled splendor?? To put it bluntly... VERY FEW. Bikes in the All Mountain category are 6 inch travel platforms designed to handle cross country when desired, but are typically geared towards more aggressive riding like drops, rock gardens, and all the technical riding you can stomach. What the All Mountain genre typically lacks is the ability to stay in the saddle during a difficult or long sustained climb without realizing a bad case of "Elvis Leg" very quickly as All Mountain bikes are typically heavier than a 5 inch travel trail bike. Is it possible to have your cake and eat it too?? The answer is yes... you can even have a warm cup of your favorite coffee with your cake; you're welcome says Rocky Mountain with a smirk on their face.

If this is the type of bike you seek, do yourself a favor and ride the under-publicized, under-appreciated, and under-recognized Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC. After riding many different bikes, owning many different bikes, I had an opportunity to ride the Slayer SXC in Palmer Park for several hours after one of our demo days. I ordered one 3 days later, yes, it was that good. The SXC stands for SUPER-cross country, which is how Rocky Mountain defines All Mountain. This is very appropriate as the Slayer SXC handles drops, technical climbs and descents, and your favorite cross country loops like Falcon Trail with equal poise, leaving you with that big smile, the desired outcome of every ride!

Patrick and I recently went on a ride into Cheyenne Canyon which took us up Buckhorn then down Captain Jacks and through the Chutes. I believe it was twice on this excursion that I heard Patrick yell, "Is there anything that this bike doesn't do well!?!?!" That is obviously a rhetorical question, the answer is simply no. I am continually amazed at the Slayer's strengths in every area. It climbs amazingly well, I continue to climb things that I have struggled with in the past. It descends like a downhill bike with the always desired, bottomless feeling super-plush rear wheel travel. It is very nimble and turns very quickly thanks to it's shorter wheel base and balanced geometry. The bike's can do will do attitude is truly confidence inspiring for any rider, and forces you to ride at a higher level.

Alright, time to lay out the specs on my particular build. Keep in mind, this is not the way that the bike comes from Rocky Mountain, I changed the specs based upon personal preference:
Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC 70 Frameset w/ DHX Air 4.0 Rear Shock
Fox Talas 36 RC2
Shimano XT - Crankset, Hydro Brakes, Shifters, Front Derailleur, Shadow Rear Derailleur, & Casette
DT Swiss Hubs, Wheels & Skewer
Chris King Headset
Thompson Stem and Seatpost
Aerius Carbon Bar
(I will soon be replacing the brakes with the new Magura Louise Carbons, please look for that review in August)

I have been asked many times, why did you go with a Shimano XT build on an All Mountain bike?? To me the answer is a no brainer, but let me explain. XT is light, durable, and probably most important it is very reliable. I am a true fan of the XT drivetrain as it shifts with incredible ease, and without that incredibly annoying ka-chunk sound that you get from a Yugo (or other bike drivetrains) Again, all of this is personal preference and not the build that typically comes on any of the Slayers from Rocky Mountain. The Slayer SXC frame performance and quality makes everything else an afterthought anyway, just buy one and smile all the way to and from your favorite ride!

We do have a Slayer SXC in our demo fleet so please come down and take it out to the park, the parking lot will do this bike no justice. If you want any other details, call the shop and ask for Isaac. Thanks for reading!

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