First time buyer

[NickG86]

Hi Hubbers

 

I'm looking to buy my first mountain bike and need a bit of advice / your opinions if you ride any of these. I've narrowed it down to three options, they're all hardtail 29" models -

 

Merida Big Nine 500 - http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bikes/hardtails/29-hardtails/2016/big-nine-500-4487.html

 

Trek X-Caliber 9  - http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/x-caliber/x-caliber-9/p/2045600-2017

 

Silverback Sola 2 - http://www.silverbacklab.com/bike/mountain/sola-2/#technical-specs

 

I've been told that the wheels and front fork are big differentiating factors, what are your thoughts between these options?

 

Thanks

[Iwan Kemp]

Hi, and welcome to Bike Hub. With most drivetrains from the big two manufacturers being as good as they are, wheels and fork play a big part in the overall enjoyment and experience of it. 

 

Of the ones listed the Silverback looks to be the best specced with a Recon Gold fork and an XT rear derailleur which sits only 2nd from the top. Their back up is really good (with a Cape Town head office) and if you look after it it will last you for many many happy miles.

 

Happy hunting and welcome to the dark side! 

[cpelser]

My advice:

 

Buy a good secondhand bike. If you turn out not to like it too much you can get all/most of your money back.

If you turn out to love it you will likely want to upgrade a bit and then you can again sell for close to what you paid.

 

Started riding two years ago, have had 13 bikes between me and the wife. 

[ABrooks]

The Silverback is a solid bike to buy.

I don't know what you'll be paying for the Sola, but take a look at this Merida Big Nine XT edition on the Bike Addict website.

 

https://bike-addict.co.za/collections/mtb/products/merida-big-nine-xt-edition-2016-blk-silver

 

Good luck with your purchase

[scotty]

My choice would be Silverback who also have a very good warranty on  their bikes. 

[Oldtmr]

Hi,

 

You can also have a look at the Titan elite 2017 or the titan comp 2017 they now come with stans rims and rockshok and shimano xt

[slickjay007]

I've ridden all 3 of your choices and i decided on the Merida for my style of riding. It is the only bike with 3 - 10 setup which would help for a beginner to get used to gearing. Also the specs of the Merida are not bad for what you pay for.

 

PS: if you really want a bargain click on the link below:

 

www.bikehub.co.za/forum/classifieds/210578-giant-stance-as-good-anew-less-than-200km-done/

​

(If you stay in CT)

[porqui]

My advice:

 

Buy a good secondhand b.........  --

 

Started riding two years ago, have had 13 bikes between me and the wife. 

 

And you are giving advice ??   

[Fox3]

Trek....quick overview and it looks like the rear derailleurs are the same, Silverback has a better fork...I just personally am not a Silverback fan. It is what it is.

[Bloukrans]

Of the three, I'll back the Merida

[cpelser]

And you are giving advice ??   

 

Ofcourse.

We started out buying second hand 26ers for R2000 a bike.  (Bikes 1,2)

Sold it for the same after a month when we decided we're going to do this.

 

Then continued on to buying each of us a secondhand Silverback Sola (1 for me, Sola4 for her). (Bikes 3+4)

 

Then started riding trails and she fell a couple of times. I lost it and sold her Sola4 around what I paid for it and got her a 650B Silverback Slider 1. (Bike 5)

 

At the same time got myself a Giant carbon bike (Bike 6) from my brother in law for a great price, so sold the Sola1 to my boss for what I had paid. The sola1 also came with ZTR crest rims which aren't really rated for my 107kg frame.

 

Entered wife into the 2015 Argus and she said she'll only ever do it if she's on a road bike as she thought she couldn't. Bought her a second hand Trek roadbike for R4200.

she did the Burger with it as well as other womens' races.

 

She did really well and when Cyclefuntic in Durbanville sold all their Specialised stuff we bought her a proper new roadbike. (Bike 7)

I bought myself a crappy R3000 roadbike as well. (Bike 8) A month later I was given a carbon roadbike for work I did for a client. Had to sell it as it was the wrong size (Bike 9)

 

Last year on the velolife auction I bought a carbon 29er hardtail frame and components here on the Hub and built my wife a lightweight MTB. When we went out she could choose between her 130mm travel Slider (14kg) or the Bergamont (11kg) and mostly chose the hardtail carbon. She then started riding really well. So I sold the Slider and Bergamont and bought her a Rocky Mountain Element RSL999. (Bike 10)

 

Myself - Well I thought about a dual sus as well. Bought a Trance (Bike 11) from a good friend which I rode for three months and then decided I want to sell my carbon hardtail as well as the trance and buy a carbon dual sus 29er. Bought a Turner Czar (Bike 12)

 

So its 12 and not 13.

BUT!! 

 

Importantly when I started out cycling I never thought anyone could pay R20k+ for a bike.

It took me time to develop skills as well as testing different setups etc to figure out what I want and like. 

 

I like somewhere between a XC and Trail bike.

I like 29er wheels.

I prefer through axles front and rear to give me added comfort due to my size.

My wife is a talented cyclist and I'd like her to have a good bike (Though pregnant now so may sell her bikes for now)

 

If I went and bought new what I thought my riding style was going to be I would have still had my first bike.

 

Buying second hand allowed me to not lose too much as my riding evolved. Now that I feel I know what I like and dislike I'll buy new.

[bikebloke]

Iwan makes a good point

im not crazy for silverbacks but..

 

best fork (the fork is everything on a HT) and better drivetrain bits so..

 

sola depending on price wins