Theunissa Posted January 7, 2017 Posted January 7, 2017 I was in a similar situation a year ago and bought a Sola 1 second hand. If one is patient a good few deals come through. I managed to find a more or less new one for 11k. It came with ZTR crest wheels, which are rubbish, so I sold those and bought a pair of XT wheels.I had a Giant XTC before and the Sola 1 is not as rigid, but more comfortable. It is a really great bikei agree. I got my sola 4 for half price and it was 3 months old amd did 40km only. He wjo seeks shall find Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Theunissa Posted January 7, 2017 Posted January 7, 2017 Google the parts on the bike. Its time consuming but its worth it. I learned alot about cycling that way Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Theunissa Posted January 7, 2017 Posted January 7, 2017 Hi hubbersBrand new to the sport, and looking to buy my first bike. I have been told to look at hardtail 29ers and I am considering the Silverback Sola 2 and the Merida Big Nine 500. I don't know enough to compare groupsets and other specs. Which would you choose between these two and why? I am also open to other options in the R15K price range.there is. A 2016 big nine 500 for 10000 in classifieds. Its in cape. Did only300km Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Knersboy Posted January 7, 2017 Posted January 7, 2017 I would go Silverback, my first mtb was a sola 2 and I do not regret it. As previous hubbers have said, better shock and read mech, but nobody has mentioned the brakes. Sola 2 has 615s, excellent brakes, important for a beginner.
monadnock Posted January 7, 2017 Author Posted January 7, 2017 Thanks, TheunisSA. I am in Gauteng, and I don't know how I can be sure that I can trust someone I can't meet up with.
Kalahari Vegmot Posted January 7, 2017 Posted January 7, 2017 Thanks, TheunisSA. I am in Gauteng, and I don't know how I can be sure that I can trust someone I can't meet up with.Rouxtjie rule...
Grease_Monkey Posted January 7, 2017 Posted January 7, 2017 Thanks, TheunisSA. I am in Gauteng, and I don't know how I can be sure that I can trust someone I can't meet up with.Check out the number of posts the advertiser has made (usually a scammer does not stick around and contribute to forums), as well as the seller's trading record - usually a good indication. Personally I would not buy a bike I can't see first though. I have found that my definition of immaculate condition is not always the same as other people's definition. Not seeing the bike first is just asking for trouble.
monadnock Posted January 9, 2017 Author Posted January 9, 2017 Just as I had decided on going for the Sola 2, I can now get a 2017 Merida Big Seven XT with less than 200kms on the clock for about the same price as a brand new Sola 2. The 2017 Merida XT specs: Frame - BIG.SEVEN TFSFork - Rock Shox 30 Silver Air with remote lockoutWheels - Merida Big 7 Pro D with Maxxis Ikon 27.5 2.2 foldFront derailleur - Shimano XT HD doubleRear derailleur - Shimano XT GS Shadow+ 11speedShifters - Shimano XT-i / Shimano XT-i-11Brakes - Shimano M506 180/160Crankset - Shimano: XT 36-26Cassette - Shimano M7000-11 11-42Seatpost - MERIDA Expert SB15 27.2Saddle - MERIDA SportStem - MERIDA ExpertHandlebars - MERIDA Expert 720Pedals - Shimano XT Just to recap, the Sola 2 specs: Frame: 29” Butted 6061 Aluminium, Tapered 1-1/8” – 1.5” headtube, 135mm QR DropoutsFork: Rock Shox Recon Gold TK29, 100mm Travel, Tapered Alloy Steerer, Remote OneLoc Sprint, QR15 Dropout, Diffusion BlackFront Derailleur: Shimano Deore FD-M615, Double, BlackRear Derailleur: Shimano XT Shadow Plus RD-M786, Long Cage, 10Speed, BlackCassette: Shimano CS-HG50, 10 Speed, 11-36T, SilverHandlebars: Sector Plane, W: 700mm; Back Sweep: 9° x ∮31.8mm; 6061 Butted OversizedHandlebar Stem: Sector Reach, 3D Forged 6061 Alloy, S/M: 80mm; L: 90mm; XL: 100mm, 7° x ∮31.8mm, BlackTyres: Maxxis Crossmark, 29” x 2.1, Foldable 60TPISaddle: Sector, Cr-Mo Rails, Light Foam PaddingSeat Post: Sector Level, Alloy, ∮31.6mm, S/M: 350mm; L/XL: 400mm, Black Which would you recommend? I wanted to go for a 29er, will the 27.5 be all that different? I even read that for shorter riders (I am 1.72), a 27.5 can be a more comfortable ride to a 29er?
Theunissa Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 Just as I had decided on going for the Sola 2, I can now get a 2017 Merida Big Seven XT with less than 200kms on the clock for about the same price as a brand new Sola 2. The 2017 Merida XT specs: Frame - BIG.SEVEN TFSFork - Rock Shox 30 Silver Air with remote lockoutWheels - Merida Big 7 Pro D with Maxxis Ikon 27.5 2.2 foldFront derailleur - Shimano XT HD doubleRear derailleur - Shimano XT GS Shadow+ 11speedShifters - Shimano XT-i / Shimano XT-i-11Brakes - Shimano M506 180/160Crankset - Shimano: XT 36-26Cassette - Shimano M7000-11 11-42Seatpost - MERIDA Expert SB15 27.2Saddle - MERIDA SportStem - MERIDA ExpertHandlebars - MERIDA Expert 720Pedals - Shimano XT Just to recap, the Sola 2 specs: Frame: 29” Butted 6061 Aluminium, Tapered 1-1/8” – 1.5” headtube, 135mm QR DropoutsFork: Rock Shox Recon Gold TK29, 100mm Travel, Tapered Alloy Steerer, Remote OneLoc Sprint, QR15 Dropout, Diffusion Black Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore FD-M615, Double, Black Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT Shadow Plus RD-M786, Long Cage, 10Speed, Black Cassette: Shimano CS-HG50, 10 Speed, 11-36T, Silver Handlebars: Sector Plane, W: 700mm; Back Sweep: 9° x ∮31.8mm; 6061 Butted Oversized Handlebar Stem: Sector Reach, 3D Forged 6061 Alloy, S/M: 80mm; L: 90mm; XL: 100mm, 7° x ∮31.8mm, Black Tyres: Maxxis Crossmark, 29” x 2.1, Foldable 60TPI Saddle: Sector, Cr-Mo Rails, Light Foam Padding Seat Post: Sector Level, Alloy, ∮31.6mm, S/M: 350mm; L/XL: 400mm, Black Which would you recommend? I wanted to go for a 29er, will the 27.5 be all that different? I even read that for shorter riders (I am 1.72), a 27.5 can be a more comfortable ride to a 29er?. Im 1.63. Medium bike and i ride fine. My feet just toicj ground when i stop. But who cares about that when your feet need to be on pedal. Silverback still has better shock. Deraliuer alot cheaper than a shock Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Grease_Monkey Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 I'd still go for the Silverback, like Theunissa said, a rear mech is cheaper than a fork!
JXV Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 That 'XT' version of the Big7 has an SLX cassette and the M506 brakes are lower spec than Deore brakes which have similar hydraulics and pads to XT. The M506 uses a smaller B01S brake pad. So they wont give XT//SLX/Deore stopping power. These brakes may be ok but I feel the bike is misrepresented by the name. And then the Sola2 still has a superior fork. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
monadnock Posted January 10, 2017 Author Posted January 10, 2017 Thanks for all the advice guys. I have learnt alot already from your insights. I went to see the Merida last night, and hadn't checked back here. Spoke to brother in law and a friend, and they were both keen on the Merida. The friend has the Big Nine, and he loves it. So I pulled the trigger on the Big Seven. My impatience got the better of me, I should know better by now. I will give the Merida a spin for a couple of weeks. Went to Hot Spot Cycles yesterday to check if they have stock of the Sola 2. They didn't, but they called me back and said on EFT\Cash payments the price would be under R13 000. A little miffed that I went for the Merida now after seeing all your comments this morning, but what's done is done. Still excited to get on the bike and get my mtb journey started! Will post some pics when I get the Merida later this week.
Eugene Brown Posted January 10, 2017 Posted January 10, 2017 As an upgrade from my Silverback Dakota 26", I bought the 2015 Merida Big7 XT edition, and to be honest, I don't think many people at this level of cycling/equipment will be able to interpret the differences in suspension performance between the RockShock Recon Gold / Recon Silver series of forks.Go out and have fun, and rest assured you have a good bike for the next few years.Upgrades are inevitable, but not because of the poorness of the current components, but rather your ass itching I did kill the front rim after having to ride home with a flat front tyre, but a set of Hope/KOM rims were on the Hub, so problem was solved.PS as you progress, a full suspension will most likely be on the horizon, so start planning for that one now
Mikethetyke3 Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 Hi Had my friends bike stolen from my home - need to replace a Marida big nine 500 grey/ black urgently!!2016 or so model.R 6 000 R 8 000 budget.Whatsapp me on 071 811 2907if you can help me out, thanks!!
Vermooten Posted May 16, 2019 Posted May 16, 2019 I had the same choice of bikes earlier this year.I settled for the Merida big nine lite NX version. I am extremely satisfied with my choice and would buy it again. Comes out with a Manitou markhor shock, Deore MT500 brakes and hubs, Sram NX 1x12 eagle groupset, boost hub spacing. 15k from Solomons cycles in Pretoria. Whoops, didnt realise this is an old thread. Please ignore my reply
TyronLab Posted May 17, 2019 Posted May 17, 2019 As a Sola 4 rider (albeit a 2016 one) there are a few things I can give you pointers on. The frame is super stiff, with very little give in the rear for comfort. Match this with the fact that you can't fit a tyre wider than 2.2 at the back and it makes for a hard ride. For reference, I have a 2.2 wide Chaongyang Hornet at the back, which is a low rolling resistance tyre with small side knobs, and it rubs on one of the chainstays. I've ridden a family member's Big Nine, and its definitely more comfortable than my bike. Not saying don't get it, just giving my 2c.
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