Silverback Segma 29er or Giant XTC 29er ?

[Eldron]

Had a quick look on the notubes.com website, I think you can convert it. Perhaps this is the best option then?

 

My advice would be to check pricing first - I must say - the more I think about the upgrading option the more I nean towards the Giant.

 

Straight out the box is a no brainer but if yoou're going to start droppping cash then the Giant forms a much better base than the SB.

 

Also - ask Cajees Boksburg - they had a 2011 Giant going for R13,800 last time I checked. They went well beyond the norms of service for me - even sold me a 2010 frame with 2011 everything else because I prefered the colours of the 2010 model. They also did the XT/XTR upgrades and sourced an American Classic QR to 15mm conversion kit for me. All at a reasonable cost.

 

I never thought I'd day something nice about Cajees!!!!!

[BlinkFan]

I got the XTC in October last year, and I love the bike. The only real issue I have is the stock brakes... they aren't the best (Alivio if I am not mistaken). I would take that into consideration, since you might want to upgrade them straight away. I'm still stuck with them, but looking at upgrading to SLX or XT. The stock brakes work fine, but I do find that they start to fade a little on long descents.

 

Other than that I don't think I would notice the difference between SLX/XT(Giant) and XT(SB). Love the Fox fork. It was a bit stiff in the beginning, but it's nice and smooth now.

 

Also, the Maxxis Aspens that come standard with the Giant puncture VERY easy. I got some new tires, and did a tubeless conversion. The stock Giant wheelset had no problems with the conversion, and inflated first time with a footpump.

 

But still... full XT groupset looks attractive, and would make my decision difficult if I had to choose now.

[Wyatt Earp]

I have built all my 29'ers with Reba's, I prefer them to Fox and we will argue about which is the better of the two all day long.

I havt the Segma at the shop, awesome , but simply awesome value for money.

[janorg]

Eyo, this is a tough choice...

 

Any advice/comments on this:

 

"While we're on the topic...I've heard that smaller riders won't reap the benefits of the bigger wheels, is that true?

Im just about 1,69m and ride a small 26inch hardtail?"

 

 

This is probably more important than choosing between bikes.

 

I know about the "it depends on the terrain" stuff, and I rate P.E's terrain is better suited for 29ers.

 

But when is a "short rider" too short for a 29er??

[thezula]

Go for the Giant XTC 29er 1. It's a schweet bike - awesome frame - schweet ride.

 

2011 has much needed refinements, SLX crank and Shimano brakes (2010 had Avids).

 

Silverback vs Giant. No brainer. It's like saying Mazda vs BMW.

[Gataga]

Have you seen the spec the Silverback comes out with? I'm a BIG Giant fan, but this is definitely a win for the Silverback. I'm thinking of getting one myself.

[Bat-ass]

cant comment on the SB, but i have the Giant and absolutely love the ride.... 2011 giant comes with better spec then 2010. Its got the lighter rims that are on the Anthem (but not DT swiss rear hub)and SLX / XT..... I'v got the 2010, and have put full XT, KCNC cockpit, and the Anthem wheels.

I read alot of interweb reveiws and the consensis seems to be that the Giant geometry is spot on!!! But i cant comment on that as its the only 29er i'v riden.

[TCRCARBON]

A friend has just " interviewed" both these bikes and has gone with the Giant. He reckons the Silverback frame did not look the business. The Fox front end with thru axle and tapered steerer seems to make the bike more rigid.

 

There seems to be a shift towards thru axles and the tapered steerers. Is the Silverback not still using last year's technology and in a year or so will start becoming obsolete - i.e. difficult to sell second hand one day.

 

I have ordered the 29er with full SRAM X7 double ring setup and Elixer brakes for R15k. My mate upgraded his 29er to full XT before buying. Speak to the LBS and see what customisation they can do before taking the bike - may get spec closer to the Silverback.

[thezula]

the Giant is highly regarded - especially ITO the geometry as stated above.

 

2011 is not the same bike as 2010 - they fine tuned the geometry and got it spot on - SLX crank - Shimano brakes, new rims etc.

 

Many of the smaller companies still make 29ers that are just big 26ers, therefore they handle like dogs.

 

Look at it this way : we know from reviews and marketing from Giant that they put in the necessary R&D for the XTC 29er. They're a big company and went all out on this one.

 

Silverback - do you think they did their homework on this one? They might have, but being a smaller company taking on a new technology (29er) my bet is they copied what they had available to them (last year's technology).

 

So chances are you really are buying a copied 2010 bike.

 

Giant 2011 - best 29er HT in the biz, proven design and excellent reviews.

 

The extra components on Silverback don't make the bike - it starts with the frame.

 

I'll see if I can scan in the review in mtbr - they did a test of all the latest 29ers - Giant XTC came out tops.

 

It's a schweet bike.

 

Like I said. Silverback or Giant. No brainer. Giant, period.

 

Oh, and did I mention - I have the 2011 XTC 29er 1 - couldn't be happier.

Edited March 24, 2011 by thezula

[KnobbyMech]

While we're on the topic...I've heard that smaller riders won't reap the benefits of the bigger wheels, is that true?

Im just about 1,69m and ride a small hardtail.

 

 

Ask Burry Stander. He is around that length and weighs around 62kg. Won the XC SA title on a 29er (dual suzz also nogal).

[thezula]

I don't understand the myth that 29ers are for tall riders only.

 

See lots of international girls riding 29ers around 1.6m.

 

29er you have bigger wheels yes, but the distance between seatpost and pedals stay the same - so how exactly does that lead to some sort of height requirement?

 

I'm 5'11 btw and ride a Large 29er.

Edited March 24, 2011 by thezula

[Tumbleweed]

While we're on the topic...I've heard that smaller riders won't reap the benefits of the bigger wheels, is that true?

Im just about 1,69m and ride a small hardtail.

 

I'm about 8-odd cm taller than you, and I have a medium Talon (with a shorter stem than stock), and have no hassles riding it.

[Older]

Giants are like piles, every second ****hole has one. Take the Silverback. Great bike.

[ngala24]

Giants are like piles, every second ****hole has one. Take the Silverback. Great bike.

 

Take the Chumba and you will be even more exclusive

[TheSlowCyclist]

Hi

 

I seriously need some advice from all you experienced 29er riders out there.

 

26er vs 29er debate aside, I would like to know what you guys think would be the better choice between the SB Segma 29er and the Giant XTC 29er.

They both selling for about R15k.

 

The Silverback has much better specs than the Giant, but the Giant has the FOX thru axle fork.

 

I took a GT zaskar with a Reba fork (same as SB)out on a trail and really struggled with it (it was one size too big though, would that make a difference?), then I got onto a Giant and it was way more responsive (but that was only in a parking lot, not a trail.)

 

As far as I understand the thru axle makes a massive difference in terms of handling and responsiveness.

 

So I guess my question is: Do you go for the Giant and settle for lower spec but better ride quality, or compromise on the ride to get better spec on the SB?

 

Does the lighter wheels and XT groupset compensate for the Reba fork on the SB? And does a thru axle fork really make such a big difference?

 

IMO... thru axle does not make such a big difference. You will have to REALLY work the bike hard to notice the difference between a quick release and thru axle, and even then I doubt you will feel the difference. I would go for the better specced bike.

[TheSlowCyclist]

 

Giant 2011 - best 29er HT in the biz, proven design and excellent reviews.

 

 

It's a good bike, but that's a bike claim, IMO it does not even come close to being as good as the Cannondale flash 29er.

 

I would suggest take both bikes are ride them, geometry that works for one rider might not work for another. For example I know a couple of people with GT Peace single speed 29ers that love them, I hate them feels like a truck to me...