Archived General DB Blogs
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Bike Spotlight - Canadian "All Mountain" Choices
Posted: Feb 21 2008
Marketing-speak can be hard to cut through sometimes, especially when the market and products are evolving quickly. In mountain biking, “All Mountain” is a term like that.
- 10 years ago, it wasn’t a category.
- 3 or 4 years ago we started to hear it, but it probably referred to a 4-5” travel full suspension bike that was light enough for weekend warrior racing but burly enough for some technical trails.
- Now, it has come to mean a bike that can theoretically cover the bases from epic cross country rides to light freeride. (oops sounds like more marketing-speak…)
Sounds like a magic recipe: Light enough to ride up and ride far.
Tough enough to drop the saddle and take on North Shore stunts.
For 2008 Rocky Mountain and Norco have each gotten closer to perfecting that recipe – and best of all, keeping prices low enough that more of us can afford to taste it. Check out their latest starter offerings in this class of 6” travel, all around bike:
2008 Rocky Mountain Slayer SXC 30
A new addition to the SXC line this year – same great geometry and suspension design without the carbon stays.
SRP $2895
Approximate Weight 33lb
Marzocchi 55R w/ 20mm axle
Fox RP2 rear shock
SRAM X5/X9 drivetrain
Avid Juicy 3 brakes
2008 Norco Fluid LT3
The Fluid LT (Long Travel) is a new model for Norco and the LT3 is the entry level version.
SRP $2450
Approximate Weight 34lb
Marzocchi 55R w/ 20mm axle
Fox DHX3 rear shock
SRAM X5 drivetrain
Avid Juicy 3 brakes
As you can see from the specs, these bikes look pretty similar on paper. The geometry is also similar but the differences will be noticeable – Norco is a little longer in top tube and wheel base, lower in standover and slacker in the head angle. The Rocky has a more agile setup and a cockpit familiar to Rocky fans, plus weighs in a bit lighter.
Both look like solid all-rounders for well under $3000!
Read more Archived General DB Blogs »We’ll have Different Bikes staff riding Fluid LT and Slayer SXC bikes this year as well as other cool bikes from the category like the new Knolly Endorphin. Watch for a comparison test soon!
