PurePower Posted February 8, 2012 Posted February 8, 2012 I need help deciding between these 2 bikes??? Any advice or opinions on them would be appreciated. If there are any other contending bikes in a similar range/budget, please mention them. Thanks.
Dubber88 Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 Tough one. Spark is definitely the better and lighter frame, but components are not that good compared to the Mercury. Shimano components on a Silverback money wise is hard to beat. You're not giving any information regarding what year and what specs these two bikes are. Is the one new and the other second hand...? At what prices are you getting the bikes for? More info, more answers
Tankman Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 Spark is definitely the better and lighter frame, but components are not that good compared to the Mercury. What is the weight difference between the two frames?
Dubber88 Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 What is the weight difference between the two frames? I have no idea. It would be fair to assume the Scott is lighter. I know the mercury bikes are definitely on the heavier side from testing both out.
Tankman Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 Maybe some purdy pictures will help... A lot of specks are the same but the Mercury has better shifters, brakes, rear shock, pedals, and the Tubeless wheelset is a bonus.
Beattbox Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 I'd go for the Silverback. Rode the Wines2Whales on one last year and loved it. Also good value for money on the components that's hard to beat.
Dubber88 Posted February 9, 2012 Posted February 9, 2012 Looking at those pictures, the choice is so much harder. I think both are really beautiful bikes. Saw the Scott earlier in the year and fell in love with it. Mercury really got some nice looks, opposed to how it looked three years ago. One thing is for sure, you won't need to upgrade anything on that Mercury, and those wheels will probably outlast you. Like a Land Cruiser 78 Series. You won't break it, it will break you. ( Not referring to the harsh ride ). When you buy the Scott be prepared to upgrade after a while to the things that the Mercury already have fitted. Ie. all the components the Mercury has that the Scott doesn't will make a very big difference to your riding experience. If the price is exactly the same, I would definitely go for the Silverback, because you're just getting so much more for your money.
PurePower Posted February 10, 2012 Author Posted February 10, 2012 Thanks guys... I am only looking at the 2012 models. Prices & Weight: Scott Spark 40 - R17550 - 12.?? kgs Mercury 1 - R17910 - 12kgs What i like about the Scott is that it has a tapered headtube and that twinloc system. I am not sure if the Mecury has a remote lockout for both front and rear suspension? Also not sure if the headtube is tapered. Another difference is the Mecury's fork has a 100mm travel compared to the Scotts 120mm. Does this make a huge diff? On the other hand, the Mecury overall imo has higher spec'd wheels, full XT groupset...
Dubber88 Posted February 10, 2012 Posted February 10, 2012 Twinlock system is only on the Spark series. In my opinion it's definitely not a must have. Depending on the rear suspension, to lock out front and back on the suspension itself isn't a problem. The brakes are the 2012 SLX models. Still very good. The big cliche remains : " Go and test drive both bikes and see which one fits you best , and works the best for you" Keeping in mind sizes and stem lengths on both models. A full XT groupset with SLX brakes will keep you happy and trouble free for a very long time. Also look as a starting point at the size charts for both models for different rider height recommendations.
PurePower Posted February 11, 2012 Author Posted February 11, 2012 Westdene has a Scott Spark 40 2012 model on the floor. I asked for it to be weighed and it was 12.98kg. Now to find a Mecury 1 and get a more accurate weighing. Is there a diff in weight between different sizes of the same model of bicycle?
Just Keep Pedaling Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 "Is there a diff in weight between different sizes of the same model of bicycle?" Yes. But weight does not matter that much. Each kg on a time trial loses something like 2 seconds over a 8k climb or something like that. Shaving a kg off these bikes will add 20k to the price. What does matter is the quality of components. Especially wheels and fork. The drivetrain is a consumable. So I would get the one with the tubeless wheelsset as that is a non-negotiable upgrade.
PurePower Posted February 11, 2012 Author Posted February 11, 2012 I have to agree. I am gonna go with the Silverback Mercury 1. I am currently using a Silverback Reno with Mavic Crossride tubeless wheels for over 3 years now and it hasn't let me down 1 day... time for a dual suspension bike... Thanks to all for your input. Much appreciated!
Razzel Posted February 11, 2012 Posted February 11, 2012 SCOTT Spark and spark again!!! Rode epic on the mercury- Not a big fan of the geom or linkage system. But houses for coarses.. go test ride them both!
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