Advice needed: First DS Bike - Trek Fuel EX 5 vs. Silverback Stratos Al5 vs. Scott Spark 970

[Super Sywurm]

Hard to tell from the pic ... can any of you riff raff take a better pic please?

 

You won't notice it from a distance.  For me, personally, I hate the plastic cover on my bike.

[Hairy]

You won't notice it from a distance.  For me, personally, I hate the plastic cover on my bike.

Are the cables still saddled to the frame, or does it require the cover to keep them in place?

 

Wondering what it would look like with the cover removed.

[Super Sywurm]

Are the cables still saddled to the frame, or does it require the cover to keep them in place?

 

Wondering what it would look like with the cover removed.

You need the cover to keep the cables against the frame.

[Me rida my bicycle]

What about the 2020 Spark 970, looks much better than previous years colour and has 1x12. They are under R30k and sure there will be some discount available between the dealers.

[Me rida my bicycle]

I like the carbon Silverback but the alu 1 with that R5 plastic cover spoils the hole bike for me.

[Me rida my bicycle]

Here's a look at the 2020 model looks much better in my opinion.

[Hairy]

Here's a look at the 2020 model looks much better in my opinion.

LOL ... following your post I am now looking at the Scott Genius range and hoping the pricing is not too crazy!

 

Joke is that the last time I bought a brand new full bike was in 2005 .... and it was a Scott ... so let's see.

[JulienR]

I like the carbon Silverback but the alu 1 with that R5 plastic cover spoils the hole bike for me.

I agree - it looks very tacky - like an afterthought...

[JulienR]

Here's a look at the 2020 model looks much better in my opinion.

Agreed on the looks - i also see that the 960 has better specs (twinloc, dropper seatpost)

[Super Sywurm]

I agree - it looks very tacky - like an afterthought...

If I knew how bad the plastic cover looked, I probably would not have ordered my AL5, but the rest of the bike is awesome.

[johanpre44]

Like the fact that the Silverback takes two bottles (one thing I miss when riding my DS without the hydration pack).

 

For me one of the things that most "off-the-shelf" bikes suffer from is cheaper wheels. Prefer a bit of a wide rim (23-25mm) with sealed bearing hubs (nothing wrong with Shimano cup and cone kind, just need to maintain them properly).

 

Dropper also makes a massive difference.

[Me rida my bicycle]

LOL ... following your post I am now looking at the Scott Genius range and hoping the pricing is not too crazy!

 

Joke is that the last time I bought a brand new full bike was in 2005 .... and it was a Scott ... so let's see.

just don't go with the plus 1, I tested it the other day and plus size on a longer travel bike or a dual for that matter is over kill. It nearly killed me on the climb but have to say on the down it was epic fun.

[Baracuda]

Perhaps have a look at the Giant Anthem as well.

I read a few XC bike reviews that rate it as one of the most comfortable in terms of small bump sensitivity etc. If you are not into downhills, perhaps look at the most comfortable XC bike, rather than a longer suspension trail bike that is heavier and has dik shocks you are unlikely to use.

[Super Sywurm]

Hard to tell from the pic ... can any of you riff raff take a better pic please?

 

Note the two screws keeping the plastic cover fixed to the bike, same as the bottle cage screws.  The screws that came with the bike did not do a great job.

[Hairy]

Note the two screws keeping the plastic cover fixed to the bike, same as the bottle cage screws.  The screws that came with the bike did not do a great job.

IMG_20190826_174748.jpg

does not look all that bad from the pic!

[Super Sywurm]

does not look all that bad from the pic!

One positive thing about the cover, it protects your frame.