BARGAIN or not???!

[Heavyweight]

What is the best value for money?

Option1: New Silverback Mecury 1 with XTR groupset for R25000

Option 2: 2008 GT Marathon 1 Frame with new SLX groupset (and parts from Marathon Carbon Expert 2009) for R14000

 

What is your opinion, what is the best ride and value for money?

 

 

 

[Little-Ben]

Option1: New Silverback Mecury 1 with XTR groupset for R25000, can't remeber this one but if it is the carbon then its a great bike especially with xtr groupo, finding a carbon bike at that price with xtr is not an easy task, will look it up, also silverback is a great brand and reliable, and it has a solid ride feel to it

 

Option 2: 2008 GT Marathon 1 Frame with new SLX groupset (and parts from Marathon Carbon Expert 2009) for R14000, for that price its not to bad but you wont have the xtr but a nice frame, i rode the carbon marathon at sabie ex last year and absolutely loved it,

 

if i could though i would take the silverback if i was going to race hard or the gt if i was just going to ride for fun,

 

[Heavyweight]

Thanks - unfortunately the frame is Super Light Aluminium/Fox Float RP23

Still think is the better buy?

 

 

[JPW#]

Silverback vs GT? phew....  Tata vs Toyota

[Jules]

Wheels on each bike? I must say, the Silverback sounds like incredibly good value, given the crazy prices other bikes go for. Is it full XTR?

 

 

 

 

[Heavyweight]

Silverback

Sizes	S, M, L, XL,
Frame	G2 Force Super Light Alloy
Fork	Rock Shock Reba Team
Shock	Fox Float RP-23
Wheels
Wheels	Shimano XTR WH-M975 Centre Lock
	Tubeless Disc Wheelset
Tires	WTB Weirwolf 26"x2.1 Tubeless
Drive chain
Shifters	Shimano XTR - Rapidfire Plus
Front Derailleur	Shimano XT
Rear Derailleur	Shimano XTR - Shadow Tech
Crank set	Shimano XTR
Bottom Bracket	Shimano XTR
Cassette	Shimano CS 11-32T
Chain	Shimano HG-73
Pedals	Shimano PD-M540
Components
Saddle	Silverback Extreme
Seat post	FSA FR-270 Alloy
Handlebar	FSA XC190 Riser Alloy
Stem	FSA 150XT Alloy
Headset	VP Components
Brake set	Shimano Hydraulic M775
Weight	12.2 kg

GT :

• Seat Clamp:
  GT Alum QR
• Headset:
  FSA Integrated, sealed angular contact bearing
• Saddle:
  FIZIK Gobi XM with Manganese Rails
• Seat Post:
  Ritchey 31.6mm 3 D forged
• Handlebar:
  Ritchey Pro Lo Rizer butted 2014 alum, 31.8 mm clamp, 680 mm width 15mm rise, 6/9 deg sweep
• Grips:
  GT Alloy Lock Down
• Stem:
  Ritchey Pro cold forged stem, with 6 degree rise, and 4 bolt face plate
• Brake Levers:
  Shimano SLX Hydraulic
• Rear Brake:
  Shimano SLX Hydraulic
• Front Brake:
  Shimano SLX Hydraulic
• Nipples:
  Mavic
• Spokes:
  Mavic
• Front Hub:
  Mavic Crossride for Centerlock Disc
• Rear Hub:
  Mavic Crossride for Centerlock Disc
• Tires:
  Kenda Karma, 26x 2.0 120 TPI with Kevlar bead and DTC compound
• Chain:
  HG-73 Nine Speed
• Rims:
  Mavic Crossride for Centerlock Disc
• Rear Cogs:
  Shimano SLX Nine speed index cassette 11-32
• Bottom Bracket:
  Shimano SLX out board sealed bearings
• Pedals:
  Crank Bros Candy C
• Front Derailleur:
  Shimano SLX
• Shifters:
  Shimano SLX Trigger separate
• Rear Derailleur:
  Shimano SLX
• Fork:
  Rock Shox RECON 335 Air, 120 mm travel, with aluminum steerer rebound adjust and motion control.
• Frame:
  GT

  I drive 4 moncoque carbon fiber front triangle and rear traingle with 4

  inches of travel. Integrated headset and main pivot bearings. Internal

  cable routing.

• Crankset / Chainwheel:
  Shimano SLX, with Hollowtech 2 piece arm and bb,
• Rear Shock:
  Fox Float R Shock with rebound adjust

 

 

[Edge_Design]

Why not use the R11k to get full XT, some nice wheels, and a Reba on the GT? (Assuming you sell/save on the existing components)shaun2312009-03-27 10:00:08

[gongmech]

hear hear Shaun,

Better to choose the bike on  a frame not on components. U can upgrade your components but getting a new frame is gonna cost. Always frame first.

Just saying that cos i love GT bikes

[Goodbadugly]

XTR wheels on the Silverback? XTR groupset with Reba team fork? Sounds like a helluva good deal.

[javadude]

On paper that Silverback looks like a bargain, but who knows how it rides since its so new on the market. 

[Solstice]

I'd say try out both. That is the only way you'll know what works for you. GT has a good rep, Silverback is new but may be just what your looking for...

[Jules]

XTR wheels on the Silverback? XTR groupset with Reba team fork? Sounds like a helluva good deal.

 

 

 

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks that. I'd go for the Silverback at that price.

[Scoe]

Go for the GT and upgrade!

 

Yeah, XTR is awesome, but the silverback frame is a heavy one, the GT one ia as good as the top of the range Marathon (unless its the alu version!). Then go silverback

[Goodbadugly]

Look at it this way. Reba fork:R5000, XTR groupset:R12000, Wheels:R8000. So you are are getting the frame + RP23, the stem, handle bar, seatpost, saddle, grips, tires and trimmings FOR FREE.

[PPWTF]

 

Look at it this way. Reba fork:R5000' date=' XTR groupset:R12000, Wheels:R8000. So you are are getting the frame + RP23, the stem, handle bar, seatpost, saddle, grips, tires and trimmings FOR FREE.[/quote']

 

First time in recorded history a manufacturer has given away a frame with a build kit.... Very interesting market strategy!

 

But seriously, when you look at it that way, that's a lot of kit for the money

 

[Charvel]

 

I have recently bought a Silverback Sierra, and I'm seriously impressed with it! It uses the same type of frame as the Mercury 1, but the Sierra is a hardtail. I got on mine XT / SLX groupo with Rock Shox Tora Race Solo Air fork. As mentioned by the other guys, Silverback is great value for money! The Silverbacks might not be the lightest frames in the market, but they are very tough, reliable frames!

 

My vote towards the Mercury. 

 

 

 

Charvel2009-04-12 12:15:54