Choice between: Scott vs Silverback

[Fisher WP]

There is a bit of a proviso to start this post, I am a best a recreational rider, do some road riding, some mountain riding, albeit just jeep track for the time being. Recently had my old bike stolen and have been looking around at replacements.

 

Up until this morning I knew very little about these two above brands. I was able to have a look at two different Scott bikes

 

29 Team: http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/221701009/bike-spark-29-team-xl/

29 Elite: http://www.scott-sports.com/global/en/products/221700009/bike-spark-29-elite-xl/

 

There is a price difference between the two, not sure really for my purposes which would better, bikes seem to be very well built.

 

Then the Silverback

http://www.silverbacklab.com/2011_website_SILVERBACK/mercury1.htm

 

I am really quite undecided between these threee, the Scott Spark 29 Elite would be a bit of stretch to buy but it can be done if there is anything seriously better about it than the Team model.

 

The last time I shopped for bikes was around 10 years ago and much has changed so any advice/opinion would be welcome.

[Cav']

Take the 29 elite - but swop the rear shock for a fox.

[Smiles]

Take the 29 elite - but swop the rear shock for a fox.

 

not too sure if that is practical considering that the price will be a stretch for the OP

[deviate]

for what you are doing i think (personally) you could easily get a away with the 29 team and that might be overkill for jeep track and the twinloc would be perfect for your road riding stints...

 

check out for the 2013 range which should have landed at your LBS and if you are looking at a 2012 i would negotiate a waay better price as it is now ''old stock''

[Fisher WP]

Take the 29 elite - but swop the rear shock for a fox.

 

Is there any specific issue with the rear shock on the Elite? I am noticing that the Silverback has XT vs the SLX on the Scott Team, I guess I am going to have to try and find a Silverback I can actually look at to decide between the two.

[Trelawney]

Buying a bike reminds me of buying my first digital camera. I studied the specs of loads of brands and models and then, having made my choice, never looked at all the specs of other models again, kind of make your bed and lie in it, it seems to matter most when you are about to buy and are undecided. So after some thought, I bought a Silverback Mercury 2 and have really enjoyed it. It's a 26 inch wheel machine. At one point I had a problem with the frame and Silverback checked it out and eventually replaced it for me, with a Mercury 1 frame. So I think I now ride a Mercury 1.5 or something ! I bounced for just over a hundred Kim's along dirt roads between NorthWest and Limpopo Provinces yesterday and we survived some seriously rutted roads together.

 

Thing I eventually came to realise is that, unlike a camera where the whole machine stays as is for life, a bike is a frame plus parts, and over time, all those parts get replaced anyway. It's the frame that's with you for the life of the bike, and I'm happy with the current Mercury 1 frame.

 

T.

[Tankman]

 

Thing I eventually came to realise is that, a bike is a frame plus parts, and over time, all those parts get replaced anyway. It's the frame that's with you for the life of the bike

 

 

How often have you replaced the crank, shifter, brakes, front or rear derailures?

 

The only consumable parts that you will be replacing is the chain, cassette, chainrings, brake pads and tires.

 

If you have the option and resources to get a better bike with better components, do it from the get go.

Upgrading components individually always works out more expensive than getting it as a package on the bike.

[Fisher WP]

Am leaning towards the Team as I may be able to get a good deal on a new one vs possibly buying an Elite second hand, spec for spec to a newbie like me there doesnt seem to be a massive amount of difference, certain my opinion not enough to mitigate the Elite being R4k more!

 

Possible idea being to put some cash aside for upgrades, the DT Swiss seems to be an issue so, maybe swop that out at some stage with a Fox, mind you for the recreational jeep track riding I do the DT will probably be ok.

[Dogfish]

look at the 2013 Spark 950, R19 000. a far cry better that the 2012 team which it replaces.