Help choose R40k Dual Sus MTB

[Wimmas]

Only been on hardtails and never even ridden a dual sus mtb. I reside in Gauteng and ride most trails in and around Gauteng (Hennops, Cradle, Cradle Moon, Northern Farms) as well as club rides with the club I recently joined.

 

Been cycling on and off my the last 18 years, but recently have become more into it than ever before and starting to really enjoy longer rides (3 hours+). Would like to some day do longer events and even the Sani2c.

 

Budget is R40k and it would be great if I can come in under, don't really want to go over unless it is really worth it. Always been a Shimano and Rockshox fanboy as it is all I know. SRAM brakes and group sets will be new to me.

 

For what it is worth, I weigh 73kg, 1.70m tall with an inseam of 79cm.

 

Want to buy new, or a demo / hardly used 2020 model. Not looking for old second hand bikes...

 

Currently looking at four options:

 

• 2020 Silverback Stratos AL1 https://silverbacklab.com/bike-model/mountainbikes/stratos-al-1/
• 2020 Silverback Stratos AL2 https://silverbacklab.com/bike-model/mountainbikes/stratos-al-2/
• 2020 Giant Anthem 2 https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/anthem-29-2
• 2020 Giant Trance 2 https://www.giant-bicycles.com/za/trance-29-2

 

Below a spec sheet:

 

 

What I like about the Silverbacks are both are well spec'd, have dropper posts, Stans rims, looks good on the eye and all components seem great. The Giants tend to be lighter especially the Anthem, and are also well spec'd and beautiful. The Anthem does not have a dropper as it XC. The Silverbacks are both sort of hybrid bikes sitting in-between XC and Trail.

 

The questions I need help with deciding:

 

1. I have heard Fox suspension is more expensive to service. Is it true? What about parts?
2. The Silverback Stratos AL2 is considerably cheaper. The only differences really are NX vs GX, Rockshox vs Fox, and I believe the Fox fork has 34mm stanchions while the Reba has 32mm. Is it worth paying extra for the AL 1? Will there be a noticeable difference between 32mm and 34mm stanchions on these bikes?
3. Will the 100mm travel on the Anthem 2 be enough for my type of riding?
4. The shocks on the Giants are vertically mounted, while on the Silverbacks' more horizontal with an angle. Does this matter or make a difference?
5. Is 14kg heavy for a dual sus, coming from a 13kg hardtail with 2.2 tyres front and rear?

Looked at other bikes like Trek (entry level is R45K and specs do not come near the above four), Norco (Seems like they tend to be heavier and more suited towards trail riding), Merida also has a few good trail bikes which are not too badly priced. The Titans might be good value for money but what puts me off is the X-Fusion shocks and SRAM brakes which I do not know, 

Edited November 9, 2020 by Wimmas

[DJuice]

Take a look ar Titan Racing Cypher Elite 2020 model.

Should be below R40k.

 

Titan Racing Cypher 2021 range expanded, still undecided best value for money buy.

 

Personally wil go 2020 Elite if you can get stock.

[ChrisF]

Speak to your Giant dealer .... IF the distributor has any 2019/2020 stock, you may get a very good deal.

 

 

Check their sizing chart ... you may be either M or L ....

Edited November 9, 2020 by ChrisF

[Showtime]

I'm reasonably sure there are no more 2020 Elite models. I was sold one and it was a scraping together of parts in the end for them to give me a bike.

 

Take a look ar Titan Racing Cypher Elite 2020 model.

Should be below R40k.

 

Titan Racing Cypher 2021 range expanded, still undecided best value for money buy.

 

Personally wil go 2020 Elite if you can get stock.

[DR ◣◢]

At 1.70m you will be a good fit on a medium.

 

Avoid SRAM NX. GX is really good.

 

Titan had the Cypher RS Elite Alloy at R37700 which is great value with a SID up front and an XT drivetrain. Use the change from the R40000 and fit a dropper post.

 

You will have a blast on everything Gauteng has to offer with 100 to 120mm travel.

[MajG]

I say go 120mm travel atleast, rather more to play with than be limited.

 

Seen alot more durability and chances of fixing fox shocks than with rockshox on a few threads on the hub.

Not sure if service n parts prices between fox and RS are massive.

I ride the norco, is a hefty bike for sure at 15kgs.

And i agree with DR, GX is very decent.

[MajG]

Go test those bikes and then decide

[Darko]

This guy had a similar question. Ended up narrowing it down to the Stumpjumper & the Norco Fluid.

 

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/186782-norco-fluid-fs3-2020-or-spez-stumpjumper-st-2019/

 

AFAIK he ended up calling Mello Vello and they did a deal for him under R40k for the Norco. He seemed ultra happy with his purchase.

 

I see this one is just under and has all the components you want

 

https://hotspotcycles.co.za/product/norco-fluid-fs1/

[Wimmas]

Take a look ar Titan Racing Cypher Elite 2020 model.

Should be below R40k.

 

Titan Racing Cypher 2021 range expanded, still undecided best value for money buy.

 

Personally wil go 2020 Elite if you can get stock.

 

It is a very nice bike, just not sure about the SRAM brakes and X-Fusion shock.

 

Speak to your Giant dealer .... IF the distributor has any 2019 stock, you may get a very good deal.

 

 

Check their sizing chart ... you may be either M or L ....

 

On most brands I am a Medium, on some a Small, on the brink of Medium. Thinking of stopping at the Giant dealer in JHB tomorrow. Will have a look.

 

At 1.70m you will be a good fit on a medium.

 

Avoid SRAM NX. GX is really good.

 

Titan had the Cypher RS Elite Alloy at R37700 which is great value with a SID up front and an XT drivetrain. Use the change from the R40000 and fit a dropper post.

 

You will have a blast on everything Gauteng has to offer with 100 to 120mm travel.

 

Just wondering about the X-Fusion shock and SRAM Brakes on it, otherwise very well spec'd. Wonder what they weigh.

 

Go test those bikes and then decide

 

Will hopefully be able to test ride a few this weekend. Sure that will give some sort of idea for feel.

[DJuice]

The sram level brakes receives mixed reviews and the general recommendation will be to go xt.

 

On one of my bikes I do have the Avid Elixir 5, I call the daddy of level, also known as turkey wobble.

 

Have served me very well, can only recall one day with brake fade, but my training partner on R1’s also had.

 

My preferred brakes are slx, but the brakes will be dependable on groupset, like matchy matchy.

 

Enjoy the process, best of luck with decision and enjoy your new bike.

 

Ps. The bike that makes you want to go ride, thats the bike.

[MajG]

The x fusion shocks, cant comment on but in my opinion id stick to fox or rs, longterm not sure about x fusion reliability, endurance and maintaining.

 

Ride them, see what bike u cant take your eye off and wait for black friday specials

Might get a great deal

[TheoG]

It is a very nice bike, just not sure about the SRAM brakes and X-Fusion shock.

 

 

On most brands I am a Medium, on some a Small, on the brink of Medium. Thinking of stopping at the Giant dealer in JHB tomorrow. Will have a look.

 

 

Just wondering about the X-Fusion shock and SRAM Brakes on it, otherwise very well spec'd. Wonder what they weigh.

 

 

Will hopefully be able to test ride a few this weekend. Sure that will give some sort of idea for feel.

 

Are you fixed & firm on buying a "new" bike?  If not you can buy so much better for R40k.

[thebob]

Nothing wrong with X-Fusion. Their stuff is good and reliable. Just cause it is a brand you may not have experience with, doesn't mean it is no good. As for the SRAM Level brakes, if they are good enough for Nino Schurter and the rest of the Scott-SRAM Team and many other World Cup racers then they are probably good enough for the average weekend warrior.

Edited November 10, 2020 by the_bob

[Wimmas]

Are you fixed & firm on buying a "new" bike? If not you can buy so much better for R40k.

Everyone always says so but I do not always see it that way. Been looking at the classifieds and various groups. Now and then there is a good deal on a modern second hand bike, but many are also outdated with 2x or 1x11 groupsets. Also taking a risk by not knowing service history.

 

Will go have a look at bikemarket before I buy and continue to watch the classifieds to rule out second hand or possibly fo the route.

 

I think the Silverback Stratos AL1 is highly spec'd for the price, which is why I am leaning towards it.

[Wimmas]

Nothing wrong with X-Fusion. Their stuff is good and reliable. Just cause it is a brand you may not have experience with, doesn't mean it is no good. As for the SRAM Level brakes, if they are good enough for Nino Schurter and the rest of the Scott-SRAM Team and many other World Cup racers then they are probably good enough for the average weekend warrior.

Thanks for clearing it up. Don't think there is anything wrong with it, just been wondering about it as stated I have no experience or knowledge of it. When dropping R40k on a bike I would like to know that what I am buying is decent and for the long run. The lack of reviews the X-Fusion suspension does also not provide a lot of comfort.

 

However, I see many new bikes coming out with it, and big brands using it so I assume it should be good. Also worth mentioning that brands are also cutting costs wherever they can and still provide a decent bike, that is why new models come with e.g X-Fusion instead of Rockshox which previous models would have come out with. Like the 2021 Giant Anthem 2 has a few downgraded components compared to the 2020 model.

[Jewbacca]

At 1.70m short, I would actually suggest a small.

 

Especially if you go with the Giant. I would then recommend a Small Trance2.

 

Getting an XC bike is limiting. Getting a trail bike gives you 5% 'less' efficiency but 500000% more comfort, shreddability, confidence and radness.

 

I'm 1.74 and ride a small bike. I reckon more than half the people you see are riding bikes too big for them wearing shoes too big for them and bibs too small for them.