Modern Slayer versus 2014 E29

Posted by: grambo

Posted by: Ddean

Yes I see this bike as more of a park bike than the last. Id be interested in knowing which is the better overall bike on a round trip like ItM/LOTS. Im sure the newer bike descends a bit better (look at it) but I suspect that its climbing performance is much lower. The new bike seems up a fair bit on weight too.

All all of that makes sense because I see the last Slayer and the Altitude as competing a fair bit, separated mostly by travel, and even the Instinct in the mix too. Makes sense to me to differentiate the Slayer moreso from those two than in the past gen.

Better choice in bike for me would have been an 18 Instinct BC over the Slayer I bought, but I still wanted a Slayer because, well, its a bad ass bike that will still work for me. I suspect that if I was choosing between 2020 bikes that Slayer wouldnt be in the mix given how important pedaling is to me (50%!)

I'd think ITM/LOTS would kinda suck on a new Slayer versus old Slayer, Instinct etc. Climb would be a chore and the descent is mellow enough you wouldn't really benefit from the new Slayer's travel and geo. Last time I rode it I ran into (aka was passed on the climb) by the Rocky EWS team + Miranda - Jesse (injury) and they were on their EWS Instincts. Crazy how fit those athletes are too.

I guess we will see the weapon of choice for them next year. They may swap back and forth depending on the course. And with the more modern GEO , that does help with the overall handling. I tried a 2019 Spartan 29er , it impressed the hell out of me. My current bike is a 150/120mm 29er and the Spartan was nicer to climb with truthfully.

Posted by: DemonMike

I guess we will see the weapon of choice for them next year. They may swap back and forth depending on the course. And with the more modern GEO , that does help with the overall handling. I tried a 2019 Spartan 29er , it impressed the hell out of me. My current bike is a 150/120mm 29er and the Spartan was nicer to climb with truthfully.

They'll be on the NEW Instinct...which won't be out until next summer.

Posted by: DemonMike

I guess we will see the weapon of choice for them next year. They may swap back and forth depending on the course. And with the more modern GEO , that does help with the overall handling. I tried a 2019 Spartan 29er , it impressed the hell out of me. My current bike is a 150/120mm 29er and the Spartan was nicer to climb with truthfully.

You probably messed up the STA, bb drop and more by overworking that much

Posted by: Endur-Bro

Posted by: DemonMike

I guess we will see the weapon of choice for them next year. They may swap back and forth depending on the course. And with the more modern GEO , that does help with the overall handling. I tried a 2019 Spartan 29er , it impressed the hell out of me. My current bike is a 150/120mm 29er and the Spartan was nicer to climb with truthfully.

You probably messed up the STA, bb drop and more by overworking that much

It has a 1.5deg angleset and is set in the low position , pretty close to stock. It,s a 2017 Django.

Was the STA fairly slack to begin with? 

Most bikes feel pretty unridable compared to my G16 tbh.

Posted by: Endur-Bro

Was the STA fairly slack to begin with?

Most bikes feel pretty unridable compared to my G16 tbh.

Stock HTA is 68, sits around 66.5 or so , STA is around 74 and a bit , stock is 75.5 or so. The 2020 Django is a more forward geo design. Chatted a bit with the mechanic at the demo day. Super fun bike , just runs out of travel on some trails. It has been fun destroying my PR,s set with a bigger travel smaller wheeled bike.

My Slayer is working out well enough I got one for my son!

Lucky kid. Ended up with a 2019 full XT with full factory including a coil, carbon bits and Stans Flow. She’s a beaut!!

Beauty, and lucky kid... you get the second one from a Rocky pro or something? Don't remember stealth black being offered?

My sons is a stock 2019. They offered all black this year (but with an air shock). Mine is also a stock colour from 2018 (matte dark grey) but it was a pros movie bike so it’s got orange lettering to make Rocky visible.

Posted by: Ddean

My Slayer is working out well enough I got one for my son!

Lucky kid. Ended up with a 2019 full XT with full factory including a coil, carbon bits and Stans Flow. She’s a beaut!!

Can you adopt me?

I hear you Synchro but I’m looking at it like this:

He’s a good kid - gets in no trouble 

He loves to ride

Most (95%) of the time he is riding its him and I. He is almost 15. 

I cherish this time with him. I fear it’s short lived as most kids his age want nothing to do with hanging out with their dads. He and I spend so much time just hanging out riding - a good activity for him that hopefully will teach him life skills- and he’s an awesome rider and not below the need for an awesome bike. 

It comes down to maximizing his experience of riding with me for as long as I can. If he thinks riding with dad is wicked forever then that will be an incredible win. Whatever it takes to keep him fired up that’s what I’ll do because I will look back (in probably not that long) and say these were the best of days.

Posted by: Ddean

I hear you Synchro but I’m looking at it like this:

He’s a good kid - gets in no trouble 

He loves to ride

Most (95%) of the time he is riding its him and I. He is almost 15. 

I cherish this time with him. I fear it’s short lived as most kids his age want nothing to do with hanging out with their dads. He and I spend so much time just hanging out riding - a good activity for him that hopefully will teach him life skills- and he’s an awesome rider and not below the need for an awesome bike. 

It comes down to maximizing his experience of riding with me for as long as I can. If he thinks riding with dad is wicked forever then that will be an incredible win. Whatever it takes to keep him fired up that’s what I’ll do because I will look back (in probably not that long) and say these were the best of days.

Posted by: Ddean

I hear you Synchro but I’m looking at it like this:

He’s a good kid - gets in no trouble 

He loves to ride

Most (95%) of the time he is riding its him and I. He is almost 15. 

I cherish this time with him. I fear it’s short lived as most kids his age want nothing to do with hanging out with their dads. He and I spend so much time just hanging out riding - a good activity for him that hopefully will teach him life skills- and he’s an awesome rider and not below the need for an awesome bike. 

It comes down to maximizing his experience of riding with me for as long as I can. If he thinks riding with dad is wicked forever then that will be an incredible win. Whatever it takes to keep him fired up that’s what I’ll do because I will look back (in probably not that long) and say these were the best of days.

It is nice to read something like this! I’d say there are not many opportunities where money is spent as fitting/well as here.

Enjoy your father/son time to the max! I had a father once who also prioritized on riding with me and supported me with nice bikes (and I was a good kid, too) and while I am now sad that he died too early, I have had so many great times with him riding and that still makes me happy often!

You are doing great as a dad!

Posted by: Ddean

I hear you Synchro... 

oh for sure, I think it's awesome that you two have something you can connect over

Posted by: Ddean

I hear you Synchro but I’m looking at it like this:

He’s a good kid - gets in no trouble 

He loves to ride

Most (95%) of the time he is riding its him and I. He is almost 15. 

I cherish this time with him. I fear it’s short lived as most kids his age want nothing to do with hanging out with their dads. He and I spend so much time just hanging out riding - a good activity for him that hopefully will teach him life skills- and he’s an awesome rider and not below the need for an awesome bike. 

It comes down to maximizing his experience of riding with me for as long as I can. If he thinks riding with dad is wicked forever then that will be an incredible win. Whatever it takes to keep him fired up that’s what I’ll do because I will look back (in probably not that long) and say these were the best of days.

#dadgoals dude, said it before but hoping this is in my future (along with skiing and ski touring eventually). Quality time outdoors is priceless.