Talk Wrench

Don't get me started fellas. As one person of many that has the challenging task of speccing bikes, I can tell you it is no easy feat. Spec is driven by demand, but demand is tempered by price. Brakes are expensive, yes, and we as a brand always try to spec as well as possible within the pricing constraints. The real challenge in the market is the perceived idea that bike parts don't get more expensive as time goes by and therefore there should be stasis on bike pricing. Nothing could be further from the truth. Last year Shimano had a global price increase for OEM producers, factories increased their labour charges ( the Chinese are pretty well-paid) and shipping costs all increased. This does not even take into consideration the depreciating currency value for SA market. What used to be a R8000 bike is now about R11-12k just a few years down the line. The reason for decreasing spec so blatantly on brakes and other places, is because the consumer generally expects to see a certain spec level on fork, cranks, shifters and rear derailleur for a given price, year model irrespective. Coupled with demand for other features (tubeless rims and tyres) on low to mid value bikes but expectation of the same retail price and something has to be compromised. The easiest place is brakes, cassette and chain. For us as Saffers, the position of our currency makes it really difficult to ride what we really want. Yet, in the global market, yes, there are unscrupulous manoeuvres to reduce bill of material cost for the sole purpose of profit increase. Our brand has always- and will always drive prices down through cautious speccing, negotiation and reasonable margins. We are not trying to retire off the first bike we sell. AND, we have still been winning design awards while providing the best tech possible for the category while not smashing the consumer's piggy bank.

Hi all Hubbers, I am busy on a project to assemble information regarding SA bike manufacturers. By manufacturer, I am meaning a brand of bike or bike builder where frames are made in SA (Like Mercer) and or where the bikes are assembled in SA entirely from scratch. Hint, it is in the best interest of all cyclists in SA to give me whatever information that you have that may be useful. It relates to protecting our beloved industry from additional import duties which are already levied against complete bike imports and which SARS I am sure would love to levy for any other opportunity given the chance. Your assistance in this regard (and as quickly as possible) is highly appreciated. Kind regards Talk Wrench

I know of somebody that bought it for precisely that kind of reason. He is pretty much over the moon with his choice. What size do you need?

You notice what bike the Brit was racing?

Goodness knows that the Silverback folks have been breaking themselves and certainly deserve the win as much as any other brand. That company works darn hard to provide equipment to the consumer that is at least equal to or better than their competitors and at a better price to the consumer too. Silverback is now not only the consumer champion, but now they own a UCI Podium top step too. Those ladies on their team have put on nothing but a good show since during the Cape Epic.

Hi Slickjay, what size are you looking for?

No ripoff, see the reply to Oldtmr

Hi Oldtmr, There is more to the matter than meets the eye. The bike at Cycle Lab has a higher parts spec overall but at the expense of the lack of dropper post. The SA spec of the Square has SRAM X1 instead of the dropper equipped SRAM GX bike that you are seeing online. I hope that this clears the matter for you. Regards Talk Wrench

Hi Oldtmr, There is more to the matter than meets the eye. The bike at Cycle Lab has a higher parts spec overall but at the expense of the lack of dropper post. The SA spec of the Square has SRAM X1 instead of the dropper equipped SRAM GX bike that you are seeing online. I hope that this clears the matter for you. Regards Talk Wrench

Like the video and the kid can ride, with style. This is the second video from SA that I have watched that has "speed" sound effects added. It detracts from the video, if you are going to add something, put in a good soundtrack, but leave electronic "wooshes" out.

Hey Crosschain, Did you get your Sido 1 yet? What's your opinion?

These bikes have a suggested retail of about R33k. Average weight for a medium is 12,12kg, give or take for manufacturing variances.

You can be sure Rhodent, that Silverback is a brand that loves their consumers and really enjoys communicating with them.

Because OMX is sponsored by SRAM and opted for the lightest available option at that time. BTW, XX brakes work great if you know how to bleed them. The team had to have a number of Guide brakes replaced by SRAM at last year's Epic.

There will be. For now SB are doing complete machines. Find a mate that needs a components upgrade and split the complete bike between the two of you.