love mine,i’ve got the rp23 shock though,capable at everything even tough climbs the new frames are a lot better than the the first”new” design(06 i think),they don’t sit so far in the travel and climb much better as a result,super stiff and stable at speed in fact mine really comes alive when ever i point it downhill,
i reckon my build is approx 30lb,perhaps a little less,bulit for light weight and speed,
full list is
2008 rm slayer sxc
fox 36 float,
crossmax sx, nobby nic on front,fat albert rear (tubeless),
thompson post / stem
wtb ti saddle,
easton cnt dh bars,
formula oro bianco,203 /180,,
xo /race face transmission,
i had the old improved slayer before this and a commencal supreme before that,
the new slayer is the best of the crop for genuine do it all capability,it’s strong light enough and looks the dogs,plus it’s a good deal at merlin like you said,go on get your card out!!