Merida Ninety Six 800 or Silverback Sido 1

[davidlangebaan]

So I'm still kicking tyres and having put the price of a full susser to my wife without too much of an explosion, I'm upgrading my ambitions.

 

These 2 bikes have virtually identical specs except for the following:

 

Merida: SLX brakes, 32T Chainring with 10-50 cassette, Merida Expert CC rims, Continental X king tyres

Silverback: Deore brakes, 34T Chainring with 10-50 cassette, Sunringle TR rims, Maxxis Crossmarks

 

Geometries slightly different:

Merida 70 STA, 74.5 HTA, 615 TT

Silverback 71 STA, 74 HTA, 625 TT

But I don't know enough to tell what difference that will make.

 

My last bike was a 2012 Anthem, which was great.

 

My LBS sells both. I can get the Silverback for R1000 less than the Merida, but both are awesome deals, below R30k. The LBS guy prefers the Silverback but unfortunately I can't get to ride them and stock is very limited so I have to make a quick decision.

 

I'll use it for XC/Marathon riding. Nothing too technical.

 

Help me please

[Me rida my bicycle]

I would go for the Merida it looks better little slacker and it doesn't have the Step-Cast fox but the normal performance. Step cast has more flex than standard. But pretty much the same take them for a spin and you will know which feels better to you.

O and those x king Continental's can be run Tubeless running a set on my wife's Pina for some time now with no problem.

[QBMTB]

Answer lies in the frame and what you want go do. From the models you listed,Merida is a XC/Marathon frame with an ‘aggressive’ seating position, Silverback is more of a trail bike (‘relaxed/upright) but can do both. Key specs are the same 12 speed SRAM GX. SLX brakes arguably better but components can always be upgraded later on. LBS will probably convert to tubeless for free - they making plenty upfront! If you chasing the front of the pack go Merida if not Silverback offers a bit of both. I went Sido 1 a while back - so far so good.

[ABrooks]

Go with which ever one you like best and makes you the most excited to go and ride. I personally feel that both will perform the same to you if you were to test ride them. the brakes are identical in terms of performance and the chainring can be swopped out if you feel you need the 32.

 

I personally ride a dual-sus Silverback so I would be biased in my recommendation.