Previewed: Riding SLO with WTB and Rocky Mountain

Kip Mikler tests out the new gear Forrest Arakawa

For a photo gallery of images from this trip go HERE

For day two, we loaded up the trailer and embarked on a classic San Luis Obispo shuttle ride off Cuesta Ridge. Anticipating rockier terrain and faster speeds, we mounted some WTB Prowlers, a family of tires intended for trail and freeriding. I used a Prowler XT 2.3 in the rear and slightly larger Prowler MX 2.5 in the front.

The wind was howling and the skies dark as we bounced and lurched up West Cuesta Ridge Road, also known as the TV Tower Road, in a big white passenger van, toward our drop-off spot. After a short warm-up climb on a fire road, we dropped into a fast, rocky, rutted singletrack descent. The Prowlers were just the ticket—they’re made with a softer compound than the Wolverines, and the aggressive knob pattern dug into the loose, wet trail surface.

We rode everything from wet gravel drops to slick mud, and Prowlers held up in everything but the deepest, stickiest goo, which was better suited to a pure mud tire such as WTB’s Stout. Even when the Prowlers clogged, they were quick to shed mud as soon as the going got a little drier and faster. The flying mud chunks were a good reminder to bring a front fender next time I ride San Luis Obispo in the rain.

The Bikes The Rocky Mountain SXC Slayer line was introduced last year as a go-anywhere cross-country bike. The “SXC” label stands for “Super XC,” which made this a perfect choice for our San Luis Obispo adventure. Though the SXC design remains unchanged for 2008, this was my first time riding one. The SXC 70 I rode came equipped with a Fox DHX Air 4.0 shock and a Fox 36 Float R fork.

A couple of rides gave me a solid indication of where the SXC 70 shines brightest. True to its B.C. roots, it seems most at home eating up rugged terrain. The single pivot suspension design offers a solid pedaling platform, while its stiff rear end and low center of gravity keep it on track through the burly stuff.

There were a variety of Slayer SXC models with different build kits being ridden in San Luis Obispo, and one thing seems evident—this is a versatile bike. The model that I rode had a pretty brawny build, making it more suitable for going down than up. With the WTB wheels and Prowler tires, it weighed more than 33 pounds, which eliminates it from the super-climber category. But a few simple changes could easily bring it down to the 30-pound range.

For our purposes, however, this SXC 70 was the perfect tool—smooth pedaling up fireroads and ferocious on sketchy descents. Other than a buggered up front shifter on Day One, the bike held up nobly to a variety of abuses including swollen creek crossings, ledge drops and one terrific gust of wind that nearly blew me off a ridge at speed.

Keep in mind, these were first rides on unfamiliar trails. First impressions are just that. WTB and Rocky Mountain’s new products had the unenviable task of helping me keep up with some insanely fast pros like Weir, Hestler and Simmons. Bottom line, WTB and Rocky Mountain both seem to be sticking to their roots with their latest innovations. After a couple of days riding around with their products and their people, it’s easy to see these are passionate companies run by mountain bikers, for mountain bikers. For long-term beatdowns and reviews on the latest from WTB and Rocky Mountain, keep your eyes peeled to the pages of Bike magazine.

For a photo gallery of images from this trip go HERE

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