Time to upgrade from my beloved Makrodale...

[tinmug]

What would you suggest given the budget?

 

Dunno off hand, but some of the bikes you listed have so-so components. Explore Silverback, Momsen and likely Merida in the same price category and you can do better then NX or Deore ... the components really make the bike (IMHO). 

[Super Sywurm]

What would you suggest given the budget?

Silverback Stratos or Giant Anthem.

[Super Sywurm]

A while ago when I was shopping for a new bike, I saw some great deals on Meridas at Bike Addict, just a bit over my budget, or the wrong size.  Think there was a carbon Merida for 35k.

[Hairy]

Silverback Stratos or Giant Anthem.

Also had my eye on the stratos ... at the price range the OP is looking I would wait for the Stratos AL 2 to land in SA ... or if you can swing a good deal and get them to come down on the RRP of R39K for the Stratos AL 1 with a really nice spec then that would be a great buy.....only consideration is your weight ... the Strators comes with Crest rims and not sure if these still cary a max. weight limit.

 

But the Geo looks good on the Stratos.

[Super Sywurm]

Also had my eye on the stratos ... at the price range the OP is looking I would wait for the Stratos AL 2 to land in SA ... or if you can swing a good deal and get them to come down on the RRP of R39K for the Stratos AL 1 with a really nice spec then that would be a great buy.....only consideration is your weight ... the Strators comes with Crest rims and not sure if these still cary a max. weight limit.

 

But the Geo looks good on the Stratos.

. The AL 2 must be in SA? They are on Bike Addict's website:https://bike-addict.co.za/products/silverback-stratos-al-2-2020

 

Or am I missing something?

[ABrooks]

Stratos is great and all, but is it really a do it all bike for a guy who only want one bike? The stratos is xc-focussed. Something like a Merida 120 or any other 120-130mm bike would be a great all rounder...

[NeverNotRolling]

It was mentioned that the Merida 120 seems to have a limited tyre clearance of 2.3". Is this the case for all 120's?

[ABrooks]

https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-5-29/p/23473/

 

They are on sale at the moment.

 

A bit more expensive but the upgraded one from the first link.

https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-mountain-bikes/fuel-ex/fuel-ex-7-29/p/23590/

[thebob]

Thanks! I see a few of the Scott's have a X-Fusion rear shock... I'm guessing I should rather aspire for a Fox or RockShox am I correct?

 

 

Nothing at all wrong with X-Fusion. They make good components

 

 

Thanks for this heads up, been eyeing the Merida's online, too bad that's a caveat. Perhaps I can look at a Merida more superior than the One Twenty.

The one twenty is a great all round bike. A one forty is the next one up the range, but that is quite a lot of travel if you aren’t going to take advantage of it

[Onegear]

It was mentioned that the Merida 120 seems to have a limited tyre clearance of 2.3". Is this the case for all 120's?

All the merida one twenty frames in the lineup are the same Geometry. The only difference would be the components the higher up in the range you go. So unfortunately yes they will all have the same clearance. However maybe pop into a shop and have a look at one. The stock forekaster and Rim combo that comes on the merida might be all you are after. I just immediately noticed the difference in width as soon as I laid eyes on the bike. I watched a review on it too and as expected the guy went mad for the bike, his only fault was the tyre clearance. I have been looking at a GT sensor too which might interest you possibly.

[mtbride]

Yup it's tight with a 2.35 tyre on the back of the Merida 120, I have the 800, but I'm not sure if I will ever need more than a 2.35 in the back, in the front I will be able to go up to a 2.6 or more with the Boost fork there's lots of clearance.

 

For 30k odd I paid in May, you will not be able to beat the spec list, GX Eagle with a Revelation fork

 

Oh and the bottle fitment is also tight ... you need a side entry cage and a not so big bottle, but I ride with a pack so not an issue for me.

[Hairy]

. The AL 2 must be in SA? They are on Bike Addict's website:https://bike-addict.co.za/products/silverback-stratos-al-2-2020

 

Or am I missing something?

last time I checked they were meant to land end of this month only ... was a shipping delay.

 

The RRP is on Silverback's site, so Bikeaddict may be taking pre-orders?

 

But BA are a really good bunch of people to communicate with, so they would be able to give more resolute info ... I personally ended up pulling the trigger on a Demo Jeffsy 29'er that I got for a decent price.

[Super Sywurm]

last time I checked they were meant to land end of this month only ... was a shipping delay.

 

The RRP is on Silverback's site, so Bikeaddict may be taking pre-orders?

 

But BA are a really good bunch of people to communicate with, so they would be able to give more resolute info ... I personally ended up pulling the trigger on a Demo Jeffsy 29'er that I got for a decent price.

I got my AL5 from Bike Addict, placed the order before they landed in SA.  Waited +- 2 weeks for delivery.

[Spafsack]

I just bought a stratos al5 for my wife as well. Small frame. R22 000 all in. She is already 2 kays faster on same route compared to her old giant 27.5 hard tail. Very good looking bike this silverback, its different, i like different.

[NeverNotRolling]

Yup it's tight with a 2.35 tyre on the back of the Merida 120, I have the 800, but I'm not sure if I will ever need more than a 2.35 in the back, in the front I will be able to go up to a 2.6 or more with the Boost fork there's lots of clearance.

 

For 30k odd I paid in May, you will not be able to beat the spec list, GX Eagle with a Revelation fork

 

Oh and the bottle fitment is also tight ... you need a side entry cage and a not so big bottle, but I ride with a pack so not an issue for me.

 

That's good to know, I'm currently riding with a bigger tyre up front. I've seen a few guys with a bottle holder behind the saddle, that might be a nice alternative. Where did you buy your Merida? Or, who else stocks them aside from Bike Addict? I'm not finding much stock online.

[NeverNotRolling]

I got my AL5 from Bike Addict, placed the order before they landed in SA.  Waited +- 2 weeks for delivery.

 

Seems like Bike Addict is the place to check out, I'll have to take a drive out there.