MTN Rider Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 Hello, I have decided to get back into mountain biking again after many years and need a new bike, the old one is ready to be retired permanently (26" Trek 7000). The two options that I really like are the Silverback Sola 1 and the Merida Big Nine XT Edition. But I am open to looking at different options if there are any in this price range? Silverback is not full XT (Hubs & Brake Set are Deore, with the rest being XT) but fitted with the Rock Shox Reba RL. Merida is full XT but comes with the Rock Shox 30G TK29. For trail riding (no drop offs, jumps etc) what is more important, a good shock or full XT? Many thanks
Grease_Monkey Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 Go for the better fork. Very expensive part to upgrade while groupset is not. Besides, Deore parts are very good.
madbradd Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 Silverback cos of the fork. But the Sola 1 has Crest wheels if I remember which ate great if you're light. If you're over 90kgs then ask them to swap them for the Arch wheelset when you buy it.
MTN Rider Posted January 8, 2017 Author Posted January 8, 2017 Silverback cos of the fork. But the Sola 1 has Crest wheels if I remember which ate great if you're light. If you're over 90kgs then ask them to swap them for the Arch wheelset when you buy it.I am 61kgs, hopefully both bikes can cope!!! The Silverback has Stan's Rapid 25 29" 32H with Maxis Crossmark 29" 2.1 and the Merida has Merida Big Nine Pro D with Maxis Ikon 29 x 2.2
JXV Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 Hello, I have decided to get back into mountain biking again after many years and need a new bike, the old one is ready to be retired permanently (26" Trek 7000). The two options that I really like are the Silverback Sola 1 and the Merida Big Nine XT Edition. But I am open to looking at different options if there are any in this price range? Silverback is not full XT (Hubs & Brake Set are Deore, with the rest being XT) but fitted with the Rock Shox Reba RL. Merida is full XT but comes with the Rock Shox 30G TK29. For trail riding (no drop offs, jumps etc) what is more important, a good shock or full XT? Many thanks Last time I looked at a Merida Big Nine XT edition the brakes were not XT, not even Deore which at least has the same hydraulics and power. Check carefully. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
MTN Rider Posted January 8, 2017 Author Posted January 8, 2017 Last time I looked at a Merida Big Nine XT edition the brakes were not XT, not even Deore which at least has the same hydraulics and power. Check carefully. Sent from my SM-G935F using TapatalkOk thanks for noting, I am leaning heavily towards the Silverback now though.
Knersboy Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 Those Deore brakes are excellent, next to Shimano 520 pedals the best bang for buck bike part I have ever owned. I now have XT brakes, hard to tell the difference. Reba fork definitely better and there you would notice the difference.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 I am 61kgs, hopefully both bikes can cope!!! The Silverback has Stan's Rapid 25 29" 32H with Maxis Crossmark 29" 2.1 and the Merida has Merida Big Nine Pro D with Maxis Ikon 29 x 2.2 both less than okay sets of wheels, IMO, though the SB I would rate as being "better" in the wheelset and fork department. That would be my first upgrade. Sadly, you don't get good wheels with bikes unless you're spending a fair amount. Generally speaking of course
DrRichard Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 I have a sola 1 - upgraded from dual sus 26r - absolutely love it - just get them to do tubeless upgrade - remember rocks don't distinguish xt from slx will break them both! Can upgrade the bits and pieces later
Kalahari Vegmot Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 Good fork is important. Go for the Silverback
MTN Rider Posted January 9, 2017 Author Posted January 9, 2017 I have a sola 1 - upgraded from dual sus 26r - absolutely love it - just get them to do tubeless upgrade - remember rocks don't distinguish xt from slx will break them both! Can upgrade the bits and pieces laterGreat to hear you love the bike - I'm sold and Sola 1 it is! I'll try the original tyres and upgrade to tubeless if I have issues.
rvdm1 Posted January 9, 2017 Posted January 9, 2017 Great to hear you love the bike - I'm sold and Sola 1 it is! I'll try the original tyres and upgrade to tubeless if I have issues.If you have the budget for it, upgrade to tubeless straight away, well worth it.
MTN Rider Posted January 9, 2017 Author Posted January 9, 2017 If you have the budget for it upgrade to tubeless straight away, well worth it.Ok thanks, I'll definitely look into it then
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