2020 Rocky Mountain Slayer

Grab my cam here! bit.ly/insta360_X4
Use noblvancan24 for 10% off the best wheels!: bit.ly/VanCan-NOBLwheels
My bike: bit.ly/Knolly-Chilcotin
Join our Discord community and get videos early on Patreon! bit.ly/SupportVANCAN
INSTAGRAM: bit.ly/Vancan-Instagram
FACEBOOK: bit.ly/FaceBook-VanCan

[@benasquith26]

As much as you deserve a frame sponsor, I really don’t want you to get one, it would end all of these amazing videos/review. Sorry 😅

[@cooperwinter852]

“The bike I should of bought” Van can 2020

[@michael1617]

Imagine you’re at a park and a guy rides by you on a bike talking to himself

[@gaberomero1740]

I was thinking the exact same thing 😂

[@deater_ski]

I would think "Damn thats guys havin fun"

[@SmileyBoy84]

Anyone realized how often he talks about the sight? 😜

[@meyerholden2570]

Well it's for a good reason there awesome bikes

[@thelongestnameinthecomment9677]

@@meyerholden2570 i don't have the sight but i have an aurum, norco's are great!!

[@meganNefarious]

You should definitely put a coil on your Enduro!

[@PCmonke]

Me: does not have a mountain bike and probably can't afford it anyways. Also me: watches all the MTB and BMX videos I come across to.

[@builtbydylan8315]

Get an old name brand hardtail, I ride a 20 year old bike

[@deadskunks93]

​@@builtbydylan8315 have you taken it off any sweet jumps?

[@Steelhead76]

No kidding man!! Who can afford a bike that retails for over $10,000!!

[@AlexAutoYYC]

@@Steelhead76 anyone who really wants it and do something for it

[@p8ntballer322]

Damn you really shredded on that bike, maybe the most comfortable riding I've seen from your videos, made that bike look like so much fun!

[@allthingsfast2375]

I'm still as in love with my 2020 Slayer 29 as the first time I demo'd it. So comfortable, I'm so confident riding it, and I find I don't touch the brakes nearly as much as I used to.... Glad you had a similar experience, the bike rips!

[@mitchelljarvis2944]

Went coil on my 2020 bike, don’t think I’ll ever go back to air. The feels is so good, and they don’t bob around anymore on climbs

[@BushmanCanuck]

Did you keep air up front?

[@toooldfortwowheels2048]

I'm running a Helm coil on my new bike. Actually getting on very, very well with it.

[@jonasremsperger3524]

That's a sick bike. Wish I could ride it!🤘

[@hankjorgensen9682]

You should make a video comparing all the bikes you’ve demoed these last few weeks with a pros and con list of each of them and then pick the bike you think handled the north shore and your riding style the best

[@kcsmith9998]

I would want to see this happen

[@Hendricksb123]

Great review and I really enjoy watching your videos! I think your input on new bikes is legit and honest. You seriously put the bikes through challenging and varied terrain. Awesome!!

[@th_js]

Always happy to see a new VanCan vid 👍🏻

[@dylansmyth8820]

These videos have been so enjoyable man. Keep it up!

[@NickyNicest]

It’s funny where I live people always say you don’t need all that travel Bc there’s not a lot of down and you’ll be riding flat or up a lot. But on the north shore you need that travel except you’re climbing even more, plus steeper terrain. So I think people should ride whatever bike they want and not worry about people saying that’s too much travel.

[@TheDHJunkie]

Hell I bring my DH bike to the north shore mountains. Sometimes I get a few weird looks pushing my bike up, but hey, I love riding it.

[@olivert.7192]

This bike looks sooooooooo much better IRL. I picked up my Trek Remedy 8 from a bike shop last week, and saw the Slayer in red/black standing there. Wow it was beautiful

[@NorthernSkiAndCycle]

I think something fun you could possibly do would be to do timed laps on the bikes you have been reviewing. Each bike you get, do 3 runs of the same trail and compare times with other bikes you've reviewed/tried.

[@MangoGRC]

bought a 2009 Slayer a couple of weeks ago, and i'm loving it!

[@deathmetaldownhiller7874]

I had been riding a 2014 Session ever since I got into mountain bikes, and then got the opportunity to test ride a Slayer park edition. Amazing what 6 years of development and big tires can do to a guys lap times

[@brushmonkeys]

Another banger. Great information, and great personality. Edit: Coils on enduros are great, I have a coil on my Megatower, and love it.

[@TheHidben]

The new is Slayer is a beast! super fast

[@philwaite5470]

Yess!!! I picked up a new Slayer in 27.5 180/180 this week. So stoked on it. 10/10 Would Slay again.

[@thecount1001]

i bought a 29er C70 and put on a WAO wheelset with i9 Hydra's. no demo, no parking lot test ride. best decision i ever made, i can't believe how good it is. i've found no downsides. it climbs better than i ever expected and has a wide sweet spot, it's fine as a trail bike, not optimal, but just fine. XT 12 spd is gold. i sold 2 bikes for this one, it's my one bike quiver. and it was the right decision. i don't want to ride anything else. (foot note. i put a Sprindex on it and it is the bomb. makes the bike so much more versatile.)

[@twowheeler1000]

Really cool hearing the rebound do it's thing

[@dylan6189]

OMG that flow line was so nice ;)

[@MrDanzano]

Just coming up for a month owning my ally 180 slayer. I've been riding for five months total. I took this bike down a double black line the other day and made it out without injury truly confidence inspiring ride. Couldn't recommend them more, hope yours is still going strong would love to get as quick as you in a couple years ☺️

[@henryhugod]

That bike is looking fresh My wallet is looking empty

[@josiahgolding7826]

Thinking about that The debt is ready.

[@henryhugod]

@@josiahgolding7826 haha

[@dreadsanddirt5966]

I've purchased three 29ers and sold every one of them inside of two weeks. I just wasn't a fan. Test rode the Slayer a few months ago and was SHOCKED at how awesome it rode and it's got me really considering looking for a new, modern 29er for my next bike.

[@bombsquadsendersunion2280]

Good review dude, AND super sick riding!

[@tjadams7110]

You send so hard dude I love it

[@thepedalsadvocate7389]

I freaking love the Rockies. My dream bike is the Instinct BC Edition Alloy 70. NICE bike. Jesus man..... You are GOOD at those skinnies.

[@BowzKnows]

same, i wanted to buy one but all sold out. apparently they were recalled last week too, though.

[@cwalt74]

yeah was looking at rocky mountain bikes, but pinkbike broke one and now a recall makes me a bit apprehensive...

[@Rasakson]

I bought the C70 Instinct 2020 in end of april and I absolutely love that bike, good at climbing and on the descends I never feel overbiked with my 140mm of travel front and rear. the quality of rocky mountain bikes is phenomenal

[@mpomer]

I test drove that exact same bike pre-season, and though it was solid, I ended up going with a Stumpy (lower spec than the RM). I just felt more at home on the Stumpy, but I love the RMs too.

[@RonnRider]

I’m just coming off an Instinct BC C70 and it was frigen amazing. So diverse! I’ve just finished building a 2021 Slayer C50 (I work for Rock Australia). Can’t wait to send it🤟🏾

[@lachie6574]

Hey man, great vid. Another suggestion could be a commencal meta am 29, pretty good bike with what I'd say north shore esc geo

[@benasquith26]

Except the new one that has just came out (today) is a lot longer. I’ve never been to the north shore or America so I don’t know if that would mean it’s better or worse, just saying this because he said in the knolly vid that it was made for the north shore and that’s a shorter bike

[@nickrogers6441]

I just got the 2020 Meta AM Signature 29. It’s a great bike for the north shore/Squamish etc. It was a tough call to buy it May 30th or wait for the new model with the Fox 38. I bought the 2020 and checked out the new ones on line today. I’m happy with my decision.

[@chrisarce6612]

Great vid - Highly recommend putting a coil on the enduro! Ohlins has been great, changed the bike. Great vids!

[@brutallyaverage8293]

Yo, been watching you on and off and your skills seem to have gone through the roof.

[@andresserrano1490]

Yes !! I’ve been waiting for this one !

[@eric9432]

Them Norcos are definitely on my shirt list for my next bike. I would like to see your opinion of the Niner RIP9 RDO of you can get your hands on one. Also a review of the Michelin Wild Enduro tires. Keep up the good work on these videos.

[@thetechnician2093]

I wish I could ride those trails. I don’t have a whole lot where I’m from.

[@HughMcGuire]

My gf and I moved over here just before the whole Corona virus thing kicked off. We couldn't get jobs in our fields with the whole pandemic thing. We're moving back in 4 weeks and I still haven't been able to get on the trails :'(

[@AlexAutoYYC]

Come over to Canada!

[@denismacfarlane255]

Kinetic cycles: which bike would you like to try today? VanCan: Sure.

[@highrever140ss]

Interested in seeing you take the new Transition sentinal on those trails!!

[@endurogod5230]

My good freind Jonathan has this exact bike build. He loves it and it handles the north shore like a beast.

[@thedude8267]

I bought this bike last month and I've yet to find something challenging enough for it. Great bike and great review.

[@RunBikeMike]

Another great ride and review

[@tomhell2932]

Great vid! Would love if you could also get a hold of the new 27.5 Slayer, since most reviews only mention it on a side note or just talk about the 29er version.

[@josereneducharme142]

You are riding so many different bikes that you are becoming the Supertramp of the North Shore.

[@James-dn1hu]

This bike looks amazing been looking at an a30

[@isaacduke9743]

Yay finally it’s here

[@moonlessproject]

Holy crap. Looks like he’s riding the surface of Endor or something. Nice!

[@williammarshall4277]

Love the videos....you are a hell of a skilled rider. Two questions....you carry some serious speed but I don’t remember seeing you wreck. Do you wreck much? And how much do you work on your fitness? When I do long descents that require a lot of peddling to keep the speed up I feel like my lungs are coming through my noise. It blows my mind that you are able to talk and ride that fast.

[@zxtenn]

I have a 2019 Instinct BC carbon 90 with carbon wheels, bars and lighter seat, 30 pounds even with Stamp 11 pedals, that must be 35 or so? EXPENSIVE bike there. I just ride blue trails so the BC is really more than i need but it does give me confidence going downhill on rough [to me] stuff and gives me a chance to improve my tech. skills. That is a ride and conquer anything bike, great skills on those long skinnies

[@msoueid]

great review as always. I haven't seen a review on anything Yeti related and im in the market for a SB130 or SB140. I demoed the 140 this past week and loved the light flickable nature of the bike. Would love to hear your thoughts on either one

[@corka4975]

Sick video dude It was awesome and where do you ride 🤟

[@sammycarrigan6091]

came for the bike, stayed for the SHWOOSH transitions

[@ToshJucker]

Wait a minute, why does this title Not have “the bike I should Have bought? 🤔” In it?! lol love your videos man keep them coming 🤙🏻

[@noodlzthesouthernpolarbear7293]

Might have something to do with the pinkbike test

[@lifebehindbars8504]

Sick bike. I'd like to demo that next park ride instead of full DH rig.

[@TheLoneBoar]

Whoa. Full send

[@nichgod5784]

Dam, nice bike!

[@shitpostplays3873]

OOh yeaaah. The slayer

[@zxtenn]

NICE, like the frame color, you have some great skills! I have a 2019 Instinct BC carbon 90, upgrades are 2019 Mavic XA carbon wheels [they are only cat. 3 wheels not 4 but i only ride trails anyway not a double black rider and the price was amazing] RF carbon bars, 100 grams lighter seat and Stamp 11 pedals, 30 pounds even with the pedals and 2021 10-52 XO coming so that should drop 300 grams from the GX but i hate to almost give away the GX drivetrain as chain is only at 25% so i will ride for a while. Been thinking of the 2021 Specialized Epic for a lighter bike as i dont use the 160/155 all the time. I was going to buy a 2020 Element carbon 90 from a shop in Canada but they sold it

[@epicshangrila]

Sick 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jeffnrebs]

Should definitely try a coil on the enduro i just put the push eleven six on mine. It’s amazing how supple it is while still not losing any poppy feel. I’m 200lbs and race dh on it it’s pretty awesome so far.

[@harzenduro]

Coil for Enduro is the way to go. If you want a light version of it, go EXT Storia V3. I'm gonna ride it on my Deviate Highlander.

[@mpomer]

You crushed that flowy section - do you know how fast you were traveling through there? Adrenaline was pumping just watching it!

[@owengallagher3992]

I switched from a bike with all Shimano to all sram, and the one thing I miss are the brakes

[@johnbayer791]

Did you just like the hard fast bite with the brakes

[@thomasmarshall7570]

I don't know much about shimano brakes... I'm looking at getting a high end bike in another couple months and I have set on Sram due to the 4 piston modulation and control. What does shimano give instead?

[@luciccrew617]

@@thomasmarshall7570 honestly shimano. night and day over sram. i just bought a new YT Capra 29 Pro Race with sram code rsc 4 piston and a new pivot trail 429 with shimano XT 4 piston brakes. the YT with sram feels like i have to squeeze the levers as hard as i can just to get power out of them. the XTs have all the power right at your finger tips.

[@owengallagher3992]

@@thomasmarshall7570 basically sram brakes have way more modulation, which means you have to squeeze harder for more power, but they're more precise. Shimano brakes give you nearly instant full power, it just feels like you have more control TL:DR, Sram is squishy and Shimano is hard

[@acuhealer62]

@@thomasmarshall7570 My Shimano XT's are dead reliable and are very easy to service. Uses mineral oil instead of DOT fluid so less corrosive. I was coming off SRAM brakes and it took a few rides to get dialed in on the modulation of the XT's but once I did they were amazing.

[@m4.leeeeon]

I knew it. I spotted it like 1-2 month ago on your channel 👌🏻

[@ianw3811]

You gotta try coil on the enduro!!! The enduro has quite a progressive linkage, so coil would work well on it.

[@thecount1001]

once you go coil, you spoil. no more air shock for this guy.

[@kcsmith9998]

Vancan you can use the chip 4 on the end of the shock that can make it even slacker

[@Rickshaw199]

You have to do a review of the 2021 Commencal Meta AM 29 when it comes out!!

[@downhillgroovy5859]

Siiiiick

[@CarlHerbst]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Forbidden Druid if you get the chance.

[@th_js]

Try the Pole Stamina 180!

[@zxtenn]

LOVING my 2019 Instinct BC carbon 90, upgraded to carbon wheels and bars, 100 gram lighter seat, Stamp 11 pedals and 2021 10-52 XO, 29.7 pounds WITH pedals, front fender and bottle cage, i am 65 and ride intermediate trails so honestly more than i need but amazing bike regardless, far superior to my 2018 Spectral in my opinion GREAT balance on those long skinnies, way beyond my skill level

[@LastAphelion]

You still riding that Instinct? Sorry I just love checking if people find something new they enjoy

[@zxtenn]

@@LastAphelion No, i sold it over a year ago, it sold in 2 days and i actually got an EXCELLENT price for it and the guy who bought it takes it to bike parks. I will be 68 in a few months and even though i am in far better shape than the 'average' 68 year old in am still 68. I feel safer getting cardio from a treadmill and some leg strength from squats than riding sometimes dangerous to me trails. RM makes some AWESOME trail bikes

[@joshbaker691]

Lol your next to my house in the intro

[@windowshots]

Senduro. Lol. When was the sun out like that? Don’t mind the cloud riding but...

[@AlexAutoYYC]

Hey VanCan. love your channel! What would you choose today for yourself - Slayer, Megatower, Specialized Enduro or something else!!????

[@VanCan]

You’ll find out soon. Bike shopping videos are coming!

[@retired9539]

great

[@ulfleis9611]

I like how you laugh during the rides and how you chuckle about the feeling 😊👌 I have a question, VanCan. Did you shoot that clip with the GoPro 8 or did you use a gimbal?

[@VanCan]

Hero 7 in a gimbal

[@ulfleis9611]

@@VanCan I guess the karma, or a different one?

[@sethnicholls7861]

Sounds like you need a little heavier spring, or maybe just need to dial in the shock to be more playful in the rear..

[@liammackenzie818]

You should start using the insta 360 as an alternate angle to get those cool perspectives of how steep these trails are.

[@willbros1499]

That bike SOUNDED planted. When you hit something that would normally cause the rear to "skip" and make multiple sounds, it was just a solitary "thud," and then it just got back to business. It's CRAZY that I would tell just by the SOUND how planted the rear of that bike was. Now...part of that may be that the rebound was set really low, and the coil wasn't strong enough for you, but it's crazy how the sound and GoPro footage was enough for me to tell how it was glued to the ground!

[@Wificationish]

Next time your in squamish you should try a Commencal Meta enduro or the new trail version.

[@caspar7370]

You definitely need to make your enduro a mullet and install a coil

[@lubbas666]

Test the new 2021 Commencal Meta AM 👀🦊

[@lordfarquaad2723]

I have a 180f 165coil r 700x2.55 floats over the touch chunky stuff been wanting to go to 170r coil

[@Gabesafish]

I’ve never had the opportunity to ride those kind of trails, so my question may be kind of dumb, but how much brake are you grabbing in between jumps and berms? The grouping seems so tight in your vids. It looks like there’s barely any opportunity for braking when you’re actually on flat ground.

[@kcsmith9998]

I am getting one now well I was anyway you got any hookups? 😉 and witch one do you recommend 27.5 or 29

[@bc.kromis]

Hey I have an idea, if you like some parts on other bikes that you rode, maybe try to save up for upgrades for the enduro to make your dream bike.

[@matthew_dag6201]

My stumpy is 140/130 with a 1280 wheelbase. Watching nic ride all those tight corners on a 170/170 bike is torture to watch. I bought a trail bike thinking it would be playful and nimble lol, but its neither of those and doesnt have enough travel as the wheelbase deserves so it doesnt work that great

[@larrytate1657]

Do heavier riders need to use spacers in the rear shock on air shocks? I’m 230 and my got my first full sus but the rear shock goes down to 40 Percent and it says to keep at 20 to 25, I tried adding more air with shock pump and it still at lil past 40 Percent sag. Thanks

[@sisufitness659]

Did you every they the 27.5 version!? Thoughts?

[@williammarshall4277]

Also....I think that’s my next bike!

[@houseofpizza]

Yeti sb165!

[@TheyForcedMyHandLE]

How do you guys feel about EXO casing tires on an "All Mountain" or "Enduro" bike?

[@trailcollective7013]

what are your thoughts on this bike as a single crown DH rig?

[@willbros1499]

Not sure if it's because that trail is usually a lot more wet when you ride it or what, but it seemed like you were hitting lines better, more in control, faster, and more confident on that bike. Crazy for a first ride. But...if you had an Enduro race in a week, I think you would turn faster times on that bike than any others I've seen you ride...including your own.

[@scoot3221]

do one of the giant reign

[@dobdog1212]

you should ride the v2 transition sentinel

[@CbrenesMTB]

Did the 29 inch wheels feel big on this bike

[@stepheno.2730]

That jank section looks like a ball! Van, between this and the altitude what would you recommend? I’m a bigger dude (250) lbs but pretty playful (jank sections, plops, drops, jumps) but still have to peddle it out.

[@VanCan]

Sounds like maybe you’d like the altitude a bit more.

[@stepheno.2730]

@@VanCan no altitudes were in stock sooo...I ended up going with the 21’ A50 27.5 slayer. I can’t say I am disappointed. This bike is crazy fun 🤩. Love the videos bro.

[@thomashardbattle4287]

What about the Smooth Hill pacafist demo it. It is the opposite of the slayer