 |
Review of the 2009 Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC 30Words and photos by Lee Lau unless otherwise noted. |
OVERVIEW
Rocky asked me to test their Slayer SXC (Super Cross-Country) full-suspension all-mountain bike. I own a Rocky Mountain Element and had previously tested their new Altitude frame so am familiar with Rocky’s build quality and their well-deserved reputation for detailed well-thought out excellence. I specifically asked for a lower-end model as I’d been riding high-end pimped out bikes for the last few years and feared I was getting a bit jaded. There’s really not much fault you can find in a $ 6,000 bike after all (well Buffy, the carbon parts don’t quite match …..). Accordingly Rocky set me up with their lowest end bike of the line - a SXC 30 in size 18″.
Rocky has a fair amount of bike design experience and the Slayer SXC is not new so I didn’t expect to be surprised. Although it has evolved somewhat, the SXC has existed in this current design incarnation since 2006. It’s basically a single pivot design employing Rocky’s LC2R (Low Centre Counter Rotating) suspension technology. Technology bafflegab aside this technology is meant to result in a very plush ride with it’s strength being highly tuneable suspension. The Slayer SXC is intended to fill the all-mountain gap for riders who are biased towards downhill. As befitting the lowest-end component spec bike, no components stood out for their sheer look-at-me factor; instead the bike was a workmanlike solid build that did its job without fuss.
Migrating South - Darcy Heads to Cali for the Winter
It’s February. Normally at this time each year I am skiing or sitting in a cold, damp university classroom - but not this February. This February (thus far) has been full of sun, skateparks, bikes, and beaches. Why you ask? Because I’m in California!!!
I decided to escape the dreary Vancouver Island winter this year and come down to the land of lap dogs, bleach blondes, and vanity (yep, I’m in LA) to see if I could spend more time on my bike than I could at home (which is bound to happen because it’s too cold to ride at home).
So far it’s been working out great. I drove down with my friend Toni and we took a few days to see the sights and some friends along the way in Portland, San Francisco, and Morro Bay. Although I’ve done that drive a few times, I always forget how long it really takes. I’m dreading the trip home for that reason alone!
Anyways, I’m here now and I’ve been insanely busy since I first rolled in. I first went to visit my sponsors who are based out of Cali - Oakley and Etnies - and then began my mission. Ride till I drop!
| The first weekend I was here my friend and I went to Woodward West. I’ve never been there before but I think ‘mind-blowing’ would be the right word to describe it! It was snowing like crazy up there, but thankfully we could ride indoors. I switched between my 26″ and 20″ bikes and had a lot of fun on the ramps and in the foam pit. I learned a ton and acquired a few bruises to prove it!
In LA, I have some friends with sweet hookups to skateparks in the area that are supposed to be skate-only, but somehow we are allowed to ride there! Because of that, I’ve been riding my BMX twice a day. So fun! My mountain bike friends all have “real” jobs so I’m going to have to wait until the weekend to ride trails…I can’t wait! I miss dirt. Well, I have to get my day sorted. Let’s see. . .where to ride? What Mexican food stand to eat at afterwards? So many decisions!
Sending sunshine from California! -Darcy
Read more about Darcy’s travels at: NORCO.com !! |
|
About Norco Products Ltd. Whether you’re sportin’ spandex and cleats, or torn jeans and a bandana, if riding a bike is the highlight of your day, the one bright moment in your week, or that old faithful friend patiently hanging in your garage - then you understand what Norco is all about. We make great bikes, because we want to ride great bikes, it’s as simple as that.
Check out NORCO.com to view our entire line of 2008 bicycles. |
source: Trisha Petrella, Norco Performance Bikes
Search:
Recent Posts
- Syntace Vector 31.8 Carbon Handlebar Review
- Second annual NRC and Mountain Bike Promoters Summits conclude - RSS feeds
- Danny MacAskill supports “BBC Children in Need”
- X-Fusion is proud to announce the signing of Tyler McCaul
- Scott USA Founding Member of WRBC
- Autograph Session for SF Bike Expo Jump Contest Friday Night at Marin SF Factory Store
- The Hive Monthly: Nov. ‘09
- Sam Dueck Joins The Norco Factory Team
- BC BIKE RACE UNVEILS 2010 ROUTE
- Meet AT’s Showdown Riders and Help Raise Funds for the SF Bike Park
Most Commented
- LED Bike Lights Shootout3
101 Comments
- 2010 Mtbr Bike Lights Shootout
56 Comments
- Norco 2009 Product Launch July 16-18
55 Comments
- Godspeed Sheldon Brown: 1944-2008
53 Comments
- Jim Taylor of Jet Lites is killed in a skiing accident
46 Comments
Feature Articles
- Top Ten YouTube Mountain Bike Videos
- Top Five Mountain Bike iPhone Apps
- Review of the 2009 Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC 30
- Cannondale Scalpel Team Pro Review
- Product Showcase: Bikes, Parts, Gear - January 2009
Most Popular
- LED Bike Lights Shootout3
105789 Views
- Destination Durango - Mountain Biking Photos by Sterling Lorence and Geoff Waugh
88477 Views
- Trek Remedy 9 Review with Video
82532 Views
- 2008 Interbike Dirt Demo by KRob - First Ride Impressions
81963 Views
- Rocky Mountain Altitude 50 (2009) - Review
67141 Views
- Norco 2009 Product Launch July 16-18
65325 Views
- New Cannondale RZ 120 and RZ 140
56496 Views
- Cannondale Scalpel Team Pro Review
56041 Views
- Gary Fisher Roscoe 1, 2 and 3 Preview - Specifications
55580 Views
- Top Five Mountain Bike iPhone Apps
55330 Views
Categories:
- 29er Shootout
- Bike Press Camp
- Feature Articles
- Helmet ShootOut
- How To
- Leadville 100
- Lights Shootout
- Press and News
- Pro Reviews
- Product Launch
- Product Showcase
- Race Coverage
- Ride Reports
- San Diego Custom Bicycle Show
Archives:
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- June 2007
