Tech

Review: Silverback Salice

· By BikeHubCoreAdmin · 3 comments

The Silverback Salice is a do-it-all women-specific road bike from Silverback. It features a lightweight compact geometry aluminium frame, a full carbon fork for a fast, comfortable ride, and a reliable groupset at a palatable price.

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Specification

The Salice is fitted with Shimano’s 105 2×11 groupset so you can expect crisp, reliable shifting and good braking. The 34/50T crankset provides a wide range of gearing to cover all but the steepest gradients comfortably. The frame is Silverback engineered made from triple butted 6061 aluminium and, assembled without pedals, the bike has a claimed weight of 8.95kg.

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The wheels sport alloy Alex Race 28 rims on Shimano 105 hubs wrapped in 25C wide tyres and provide reliable (if not super lightweight) performance. If you are looking at one upgrade to the bike the wheels might be it. Handlebars, stem, and seatpost are all alloy, from Silverback’s own Sector range.

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In the looks department, Silverback have hit the nail on the head with the Salice. The Midnight Blue and Ruby Red colour scheme manages to look feminine without being insipid and great attention to detail is shown in the matching decals on the rims and saddle.

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What makes it woman’s specific?

The geometry is not specifically tailored with women in mind. Comparing the Salice with the men’s equivalent the Siablo Race on the Silverback website – there is no difference in geometry between the men’s and women’s sizes- with the exception of a 3mm increase in fork offset on the Siablo in the larger sizes. Similarly the only difference in terms of components is a 20mm increase in handlebar width across all men’s sizes and the small Salice features a 165mm crank, while the same size Siablo is fitted with 170mm. Even the saddles do not differ between the bikes. So at the end of the day, it really comes down to your colour preference.

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The sizing seems to run small- the range runs from a large right down to an XXS. At 168cm, I fit on the medium- and feel as if I could move a size up- which raises the question about sizing for riders taller than me. In this sense both the Siablo and the Salice accommodate the petite but may not be ideal for tall riders.

The ride

The Salice is a fast, fun, lively ride. It is a no-nonsense, jump on and get the job done machine- equally at home at a race or on relaxed coffee rides. The carbon fork absorbs potentially fatiguing vibrations before they become an issue, and the Shimano 105 groupset means shifting and braking are a no-brainer. The standard issue Sector Performance saddle is comfortable – it is the first time I have not had to change the saddle on a bike.

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In the end

Retailing at R16,770, the Silverback Salice offers good performance for a reasonable price- especially for the level of components offered. In short, if you are looking for a quality road bike at a digestible price, the Salice may be just what you need.

Specifications

  • FrameSilverback Engineered Custom Triple Butted 6061 Aluminium with Smooth Weld Technology, Tapered 1-1/8”-1.5” Headtube, Integrated Headset, 130mm QR Dropouts, Replaceable Alloy Hanger
  • ForkSilverback Advanced Dynamics Carbon, Tapered Carbon Steerer w/Tuned offset
  • RimsAlex Race 28, Alloy Double Wall, Machined sidewalls, 32H, Black
  • HubsShimano 105 FH-5800, Adjustable cup and cone angular contact bearings black
  • TyresVittoria Rubino Pro, 700x25c, Kevlar Bead, 150TPI, Black
  • HandlebarsSector Arc Alloy, Short Drop Bar System, W: XXS: 360mm; XS/S: 380mm; M/L: 400mm, ∮31.8mm, Black
  • StemSector Triple, Alloy, XXS/XS/S: 80mm; M/L: 90mm, 7° x ∮31.8mm, Black Anodized
  • SeatpostSector Level Alloy, ∮27.2mm, XXS: 300mm; XS: 350mm, Black bolt
  • SaddleSector Performance, Cr-Mo Rails, Black
  • Brake SetShimano 105 BR-5800 Dual Pivot, Black, with 105 Brake STI Levers
  • ShiftersShimano 105 ST-5800, 2×11, Black
  • Front DerailleurShimano 105 FD-5800, Double, Braze-on FD Clamp, Black
  • Rear DerailleurShimano 105 RD-5800, 11 Speed, Black
  • CassetteShimano 105 CS-5800, 11-Speed, 11-28T
  • CranksetShimano 105 FC-5800, 50/34T, L: XXS/XS: 165mm, S: 170mm, M/L: 172.5mm
  • Bottom BracketShimano SM-BB5500, External Hollowtech II
  • ColourMidnight Blue / Ruby Red / Artic White
  • Claimed Weight8.95 kg
  • Retail PriceR16,770.00

Comments

johannrissik

Jul 19, 2016, 3:16 PM

OK, so pink stickers still make bikes "women-specific" ? In 2016? Seriously?

 

Come on Silverback, you can do better than that.

Marius

Jul 20, 2016, 6:11 AM

Something tells me Johan's got a pink bike ;)

johannrissik

Jul 20, 2016, 6:39 AM

Something tells me Johan's got a pink bike ;)

Used to. Pink Hansom track bike, now doing the courier rounds in London.

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