Silverback Stride MTBs?

[kmc]

Is anyone familiar with the Silverback Stride range of hardtail MTBs?

I'm in the market for a basic MTB for some recreational riding, hopefully expanding to some trails (nothing full on), around $1K. This was recommended as having good components and is actually available, either with a Deore/Shadow 1x10 or 1x11:

https://www.99bikes.com.au/silverback-2 ... s-sky-blue
https://www.99bikes.com.au/merida21-big ... blue-white

Thoughts?? How does it compare to the Merida Big Nines in the same price bracket?

https://www.99bikes.com.au/merida21-big ... te-black-1 or
https://www.99bikes.com.au/merida21-big ... blue-white

Thanks!

[blizzard]

The spec is almost identical. Merida is a more will known brand, it's the one I would choose.

[trailgumby]

The forks are always a bit wooden at this price point. I concur that the Merida looks to be the better deal, with more Deore series kit on it.

[Andy01]

Be aware that the specs listed for all those bikes are stated as 2021 models, so things may have changed for 2022, because it seems unlikely that they would still have 2021 bikes in stock.

The Merida 100 is a more spec than the Silverback Stride Deluxe, so the Merida 200 probably has slightly better specs and is a better known brand - but it does cost an extra 10%.

Perhaps consider the Giant Talon 1 as it possibly has a slightly better spec or brand rep than the Merida. It sells for $1149, so $70 more than the 99Bikes Gold price.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/talon-1-2022

If you are in Brisbane (and perhaps other cities have similar deals), a free Cycling Brisbane membership gets you access to some offers like a 10% discount off Giant bikes at some Giant stores, which could reduce the price to just over $1000.

https://www.cyclingbrisbane.com.au/part ... t-ashgrove

As always the trick might be finding a bike in stock, which may limit your choices.

[davehirst]

Resale on the merida will also be better, if you ever want to sell to upgrade

[ldrcycles]

I've got a Big Nine 100 and aside from being heavy (which applies to anything at that end of the market) it's been a great bike. I think mine's a 2017. I would go for the 100 over the 200 or Strida for the 2x drivetrain. More usable, cheaper to maintain, and longer lasting.

[uart]

One thing the Stride does seem to have going for it is a more modern geometry. Perhaps it's updated for 2022, but for the big nines listed the HTA is 70 degrees. The Stride specs don't list the HTA, but going from the images it looks a good few degrees slacker.

[Navii]

I'm late to this party but since I like my silverback I thought I would say something.

I have the stride comp. When I purchased it in March 2021 it was under $800, since then 99 bikes raised the price by about $200. I was tossing up between the similar Merida that was $100 more at the time. The Merida feels like a better quality bike. But the silverback has been great aside of one thing. The plastic cassette protector broke and bent the rear derailleur which 99 bikes fixed for $50.

Recently I got a trek Marlin 7 that is roughly twice the cost. While the Marlin has higher end components I still prefer riding the silverback. Mainly because the tires are wider and the brake rotors are bigger. For someone just starting out better grip and stopping power is a measurable welcome difference. People say that Shimano brakes are better than tekro, but the bigger rotor size is better and Shimano can't use a brand name to beat that.

Keep in mind I am doing some light trail riding, not smooth cross country.

My only criticism, and this is a matter of taste, is that the silverback just doesn't look as good as the other bikes.

Resale value, well yah, I haven't tried selling the silverback so I wouldn't know, but it makes sense that a better brand would be more desirable and more searched. I have sold 2 bikes (a Merida and a Trek) and they were easy to sell. I know personally that as I am starting out I am trying different bikes so resale value is important.