Thread: Have bikes changed a lot since 2006?

I'm on the search for a 6" travel bike, and I'm wondering what's the oldest I should go (assuming good condition).

I'm checking out a 2006 Rocky Mountain Slayer that seems to be in nice condition, but I'm wondering if the design is on the old side at this point. What has changed in the past few years, and how far back do you go before designs are obsolete?

How long do you want to have this bike?

I'm thinking a couple years. I'm getting back into mountain biking after an 8 year hiatus. I rented a 2011 RM Slayer on the weekend and was absolutely blown away by how far things have come since my '01 Big Hit. It made my old bike feel like a crappy sofa bed spring mattress. The Slayer was so much more comfortable and the suspension was leagues better. I want my new bike to feel more like the Slayer I rented and less like my old Big Hit.

You can still find some good bikes from 2006. If you can find a good deal on an iron horse 6point, I would go that way. The thing is thru-axle rear, 44mm headtube and dw link. My friend threw a 8.5 x2.5 shock in his, lowering the bottom bracket to 13.5 and giving it a 67 head angle.....says it absolutely pins.

I have a 2008 remedy, and I think it is still one of the best all mountain bikes available. The new trek slash? It's really, really similar to the first generation remedy. I've been riding mine hard for years now and it's holding up great.

the 2006 spec. enduro (back when the enduro/sx trail were the same frame) is a burly rig that can take some abuse. Still a great bike, and with some geometry tweaks can be brought right in line with the new stuff.

A friend has my old Heckler from 2006, and that is still a killer short travel all mountain bike today.

so yeah, lots of good stuff from 2006ish, but I wouldn't go much older. I would also stick to popular bikes so there is good aftermarket support. Simple bikes with single pivots, like the heckler, make new bearings easy and breath life into the frame again.

Oh. forgot about the prophet MX. It is a springy, flexy bike, but if you are into that, it is snappy and fun. Very current geometry on it, and a super easy to service single pivot, along with a rear thru-axle.

Originally Posted by D(C)

I'm on the search for a 6" travel bike, and I'm wondering what's the oldest I should go (assuming good condition).

I'm checking out a 2006 Rocky Mountain Slayer that seems to be in nice condition, but I'm wondering if the design is on the old side at this point. What has changed in the past few years, and how far back do you go before designs are obsolete?

2006 slayer will be all-in-all legit.

the big ticket items to really inspect and make sure are not hammered, and are fully functioning are:

brakes
fork
rear shock
wheelset
tires
cassette/chain

all that stuff is readily replaceable and will still be current, so you can use new or used stuff to upgrade or whatever.

however, if all that stuff needs to be replaced within a year, you might as well buy a new bike.

^^^^This, but also keep in mind that '06 Slayer won't climb like the new one. It's a capable descender though if you don't mind taking your time to the top.

You should be able to find an 06-08 Reign for under $1k. I took my buddy's 06 for a ride the other day and was really surprised how good it felt. It would definitely be a better climber than a Slayer.

Second the Reign. Incredible value in Giant bikes, and easy to find cheap parts.

Some of the new bikes look pretty nice and seem to be considerably cheaper than what you would have paid in 2006 for a comparable bike ... I would look long and hard to see if you are really saving much money over a 7 yr old bike ?

Last yr my tenant bought a specialized for 2200$ that I would have expected to list for 3200$ in 2006

They had zero popularity in Canada but isnt the iron horse brand tits up, what if you need bushings or something ?

Conundrum was selling a 2010 (new) Spec. Pitch Comp for what was in your price range. I'm not sure if he's still got it - but defintely worth a look.

is the slayer a 30, 50, 70 or 90?

Originally Posted by marshalolson

is the slayer a 30, 50, 70 or 90?

It's the 90 but it was bought brand new in '08 as frame only and built up with '08 parts (by a shop, so he says). Build is X9, '08 Marzocchi 55 fork (not sure on the exact model), Fox RP23 shock, Mavic Crossmax wheels. He's asking a hair under a grand.

Here's the pic, taken from the CL ad:

Originally Posted by D(C)

...I rented a 2011 RM Slayer on the weekend and was absolutely blown away by how far things have come since my '01 Big Hit. ...

My frame of reference for what a mountain bike should feel like was a '92 or 3 Miyata. It's taken me a while to realize just how much the sport has changed. After spending a month fantasizing about a full on carbon Epic or Tallboy, I decided to go with a mid-range build Santa Cruz Superlight, because it seemed like the best value. This full suspension beast is about 6 lbs. (!) lighter then my steel hardtail.

Hopefully the forests don't burn down before she gets here, I'm getting impatient!

My buddy ended up buying that Pitch awhile ago. What about that Reign that was on here for $1,300? If you could up your budget a little, that thing is tittyballs for the price.

Originally Posted by Conundrum

My buddy ended up buying that Pitch awhile ago. What about that Reign that was on here for $1,300? If you could up your budget a little, that thing is tittyballs for the price.

JeffreyJim's Reign is sweet but it's a large, and I'm more a of a medium kind of guy based on being 5'8".

That Slayer is a cool bike, but the frame is much more oriented towards downhill bombing than all around riding / significant climbing. It's also kind of weird to have Crossmax's on a bike like that.

Unless you're in a big rush to have a bike really soon, I'd keep looking. There are plenty of bikes out there will fit your criteria / budget that are better all-arounders (assuming you're looking for a do-everything sort of bike).

Originally Posted by D(C)

It's the 90 but it was bought brand new in '08 as frame only and built up with '08 parts (by a shop, so he says). Build is X9, '08 Marzocchi 55 fork (not sure on the exact model), Fox RP23 shock, Mavic Crossmax wheels. He's asking a hair under a grand.

FWIW, I thought that suspension design pedaled like shit (but at least it's heavy). You'll notice that the current slayers don't have that design.

did Lee's medium endorphin get sold?

looks like the fork is an 08 55 tst2... which would likely be problematic to be honest. that production year was a nightmare for marzocchi, specifically on that exact model.

the rear shock looks to be a 2006, and i can tell you rear shock technology has evolved a ton since 2006. i am sure the rear shock is fine and all, but since you asked, suspension has seen the largest improvements over the past few years of any bike component.

finally, those wheels are likely crossmax xl's more like 2006 or older. plenty fine wheels for trail riding, assuming they are true and well maintained... just probably not from 2008. maybe purchased in 2008 with the rest of the build.





not sure your budget, but leelau's endorphin is a really really really sick bike. just FWIW.

Thanks all for your honest and helpful advice. I decided against the Slayer.

Instead, I spent a little bit more and am the proud new owner of a 2011 Giant Reign 2!

Congratulations! You will not be disappointed.

Sick!
0987

as a fairly new owner of an '09 Reign, I say... good choice!

seriously nice pick up man!

I took my Reign for its inaugural ride this evening and I am STOKED! (I was away this past weekend so sadly I had to patiently wait to take her for a spin). The climbing performance is absolutely incredible for a bike that descends that well. For North Shore stuff, I definitely don't need more bike. Compared to the Slayer I had rented, the uphill performance is much, much better with very similar prowess on the way down. I'm really, really happy with my purchase so far.

Also, after an 8 year hiatus from mountain biking, I'm back pretty much right where I left off! Feels good.