Thoughts on Silverback Stratos Pro GX Carbon

[DieMelkman]

Hi all

So I am in the market for a new bike, and saw that CWC has the 2022 Silverback Stratos Pro GX Carbon Dual Sus for R60k. Components looks good (Carbon frame, SRAM GX drivetrain, with SX crank(easily upgraded), Fox Rhythm 34 fork, Sun Ringle Duroc 30 (alu) wheels), and the price is also not bad (It is at the top end of my budget though...).

Does anybody have any thoughts on the bike? I have test ridden the Alu version when they first came out, and was very impressed with the ride. I will use the bike mostly to do local (Botties and Tygerberg) trails but also to do some stage races or longer endurance-type riding.

The other option I am looking at is the Trek Top Fuel 7

Thanks

Edited June 7, 2022 by DieMelkman
Added option 2

[bullet77]

That Trek is a great bike, no brainer to me between those 2.

[thebob]

The Silverback has the edge on weight and the fork. The Trek has the more progressive frame geometry and possibly the better groupset. Based on the riding you’ve said you’d like to do I’d go for the Silverback

[babse]

Silverback based on your riding type.

Dead set on new bike? Without checking what's in market place for your appropriate size, that's a pretty decent 2nd hand bike budget. Better fork, wheels and groupset. 

[Me rida my bicycle]

I do like the look of the Silverback frame and given how expensive suspension is to upgrade it would definitely be the one I would choose. 

[BaGearA]

I hate to be this guy ne but those silverbacks are the ugliest mountainbikes in recent memory 

 

 

I knwo the thing is supposed to get dirty and sratched up but I'd still like looking at my bike even though its not a work of art , but jussss that silverback frame design was moer3d with the ugly stick hard. 

 

 

On componentry its no argument the sliverback wins by A landslide .....but them looks

[Super Sywurm]

I had alu Stratos and really loved the bike.   The only reason I don't have it anymore is hardtails is better.

[AkwA]

Honest opinion, I would go with the Fuel, which really is an amazing bike. 
Only thing it really lacks in comparison to the silverback is the fork.
You can sell the 35 for around 5k, and pick up a nice fox for 10k, which adds you up to 60k and you get the best of both worlds.

[DieMelkman]

Thanks for all the feedback julle. Appreciate it! I will try and get a test ride for both and then make my decision. Will also keep my eye on the classifieds.

[Shaheedalex]

I am sure I saw a VERY well spec brand new top fuel 2021 for sale at gearchange for R80K...

[Headshot]

A friend of ours has the lower end Alu frame version which I had to tweak for her. Its quite heavy but has decent spec. It does have some slightly weird frame features - the one being that massive main pivot which I like, but the cable routing for the dropper sucks (because of that huge pivot) and the system for covering/securing the cables on the downtube is not very refined. It also arrived from the shop built by a moron - grips and bars loose etc. Check it thoroughly when/if you get it. 

Looking at that Trek, I'd say get that. The fork is not in the same league as the Silverback s 34 but for the rest I think its a better, more refined bike that will do marathons and light trail duty. That hatch in the downtube will be very useful. And it looks way better.

Edited June 10, 2022 by Headshot

[Eugene]

BgearA is right. The Silverback is just plain ugly.