What to buy: KTM Ultra Fire vs SilverBack Stride 10

[hpacheco]

Hi, first time poster.

 

I'm trying to figure out which bike to buy.. I'll be riding it on a weekly basis so I can get fitter.

 

I'll be using the bike in both road and offroad so the obvious choice is a MTB.. By visiting some nearly shops I was able to pick two bikes that caught my eye:

 

- KTM Ultra Fire link

- SilverBack Stride 10 link

 

I've been told that hydraulic discs and speedlock are must haves.. A friend also advised me to get a 9 speed bike, which would rule out the Stride 10.

 

My problem is.. I can get the KTM for about 685€ and the Stride only costs 480.. would those 200 extra euros be better spent in something else? Also, from what I know, KTM has better customer service and better resale value..

So I'm a bit lost here, I've tried googling for reviews on both bikes but had no luck.

 

Any help will be appreciated!

 

Cheers

[TheV]

Wrong country.

[hpacheco]

Wrong country.

 

this was the best referenced forum I could find about bikes and yes I do realize that this is a south african forum but I just assumed 1) bikes work the same in the southern hemisphere 2) this being the internet I could try my luck asking for help

 

thanks

[Thug]

Wrong country.

 

So you don't frequent overseas fora such as MTBR, Pinkbike ?

 

 

To the OP, welcome to The Hub, we generally are more friendly than "TheV"

 

As far as I'm concerned there is no reason whatsoever why you can't go for a 10 speed bike.

 

In terms of a comparison between the 2 bikes, both sets of components are pretty much on a par with each other, so in my opinion, I'd rather go with the Silverback. Put the saving towards a helmet, pump, etc etc.

 

By the way, an acronym for KTM is Keep The Money as they are generally very expensive to maintain (more applicable to their motorbike range).

[EZRider]

 

 

this was the best referenced forum I could find about bikes and yes I do realize that this is a south african forum but I just assumed 1) bikes work the same in the southern hemisphere 2) this being the internet I could try my luck asking for help

 

thanks

 

The wheels turn anti clockwise here.

I agree on the hydraulic discs, deal breaker not to have them.

Silverback used to be a south African brand, good value bikes.

[kosmonooit]

Don't worry about the V ... you are welcome to post here.

 

9 Speed is being phased out in favour of 10, but that seems to be more in the 2x10 format, there is also the 3x10 option which include the granny gear many of us are fond of.

 

Its more about the groupset used ie Shimano LX/XT/XTR or SRAM X9 etc , but it all can be upgraded later.

 

Hydraulic disks yes, def.

 

KTM bit of fancy brand, as is Spez so others might be more value for money.

 

Get the best you can for your budget, shop around so you are not getting ripped off. Have a look at Evans Cycles on line for comparative prices...

Edited June 21, 2012 by kosmonooit

[arendoog]

The 200 extra euros are for the name KTM .If you can affort it buy the silverback storm .Silverback are popular good value bikes

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

yo hpacheco, welcome to The Hub...

 

If it were me, I'd go fotr the KTM if I could afford it. The fork, groupset, crank and brakes are far better than the Stride 10's, and IMHO are worth the extra EUR 200.

 

Starting with the fork:

 

Silverback is a bog standard Suntour XCR (elastomer spring / coil) that has ZERO adjustability apart from the lockout.

KTM has a better fork in the RS, even if it is just one of their entry level coil options. You'll feel the difference in the forks over the long term, not only in weight but in performance.

 

Crankset:

 

KTM has a better crank & chainset combo, by far. The Silverback's crank is the bottom bottom Shimano one, and from the look of it the chainrings are actually pressed and brazed together, which means that if one of them bend / break then you have to replace the whole chainset. KTM's one will be quite a bit stiffer, as well as longer lasting

 

Derailleur & brakes

 

One level up. Even though the Deore on the Silverback is great, and will last a long time, the 9 speed SLX on the KTM is far sturdier and more precise in its shifting capabilities. In addition, the 9 speed transmission on the KTM will lend itself to Upgradeability far easier than the Silverback's 8 speed combo. Reason? Fewer and fewer 8 speed choices being offered, so chances are that if something goes wrong with the Silverback's gears, you'll have to replace the whole shifter / derailleur / cassette / crank combo at once, due to the non-availability of "new tech" 8 speed goodies. In addition, the shifting of the 8 speed will be far less precise than the 9 speed - not because of the gear count, but rather from the differences in tolerance - that is on the KTM. THe KTM's better shifters make this even more apparent over the long term.

 

The brakes - they are just better on the KTM.

 

So - because the Silverback is 8 speed (upgradeability & accuracy issues) has an elastomer fork (heavy and crap!) as well as a really bad crank, I'd go for the KTM if you can afford that.

 

Also rather check out Evans or Chain Reaction Cycles for other deals. You may find a better deal for your cash...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

The 200 extra euros are for the name KTM .If you can affort it buy the silverback storm .Silverback are popular good value bikes

 

not true in this case. KTM is quite a bit better specced than the Silverback

 

EDIT - the KTM's competitor at this spec level would be more like the Silverback Alpine 2. Which has slightly better rims, but a more comparative parts spec to the KTM that you've shown here.

Edited June 21, 2012 by cptmayhem

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

So you don't frequent overseas fora such as MTBR, Pinkbike ?

 

 

To the OP, welcome to The Hub, we generally are more friendly than "TheV"

 

As far as I'm concerned there is no reason whatsoever why you can't go for a 10 speed bike.

 

In terms of a comparison between the 2 bikes, both sets of components are pretty much on a par with each other, so in my opinion, I'd rather go with the Silverback. Put the saving towards a helmet, pump, etc etc.

 

By the way, an acronym for KTM is Keep The Money as they are generally very expensive to maintain (more applicable to their motorbike range).

 

This SB is an 8 speed bike... And has parts that are a level (2 at times) lower than the KTM's...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Okay, just checked for you... Chain Reaction Cycles has no comparative bikes in the same price range as the Silverback or KTM. They all have a lower parts spec than the ones you have selected.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Wrong country.

 

What, no pies today?

[scotty]

I agree with cptmayem, of the 2 you listed the KTM is better option.

 

As for backup and customer service, i have found Silverback in SA are very good, don't know what KTM are like.

[TheV]

What, no pies today?

 

LOL@ cptmayhem

 

When I said wrong country I meant, FOR ME.

 

I am just trolling thehub every day, waiting for a foreign national whom I can take advantage of.

 

I am planning to start an elaborate long distance love affair, and then get married to the said individual to get access to their country and money.

 

Porkugal is not for me. I was waiting for a Swiss or Swe-dish....

Edited June 21, 2012 by TheV

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

LOL@ cptmayhem

 

When I said wrong country I meant, FOR ME.

 

I am just trolling thehub every day, waiting for a foreign national whom I can take advantage of.

 

I am planning to start an elaborate long distance love affair, and then get married to the said individual to get access to their country and money.

 

So that WAS you that sent that e-mail about your brother's sister in law's dog's breeders previous uncle twice removed's millions that you couldn't get out the country because the ice caps were expanding and the polar bear population had turned homosexula and would die out in exactly 2.3 nanoseconds due to lack of sexual satisfaction!

[TheV]

@ The op, agreed 100% with cptmayhem, although he is now nothing more than a certified babysitter/day daddy these days, the man still knows a bit about bikes.