Beginners mountain bike

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ubercal2

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Hi

Iam looking at getting a entry level mountain bike - budget between R4000 and R5000

Iam looking at the following 2 bikes

Silverback stride 10 (R4600) vs the Raleigh Nomad 50 (R4500 on special , was R5500 )

The Nomad has 27spd gears vs the Silverback which as 24spd.

Please advise

Thanks
 
The components are what are important. You did not mention the model for each bike, or whether it is standard spec, but if we assume a 2012 model with standard spec then you find the following:

The front and rear derailleur on the Raleigh are better spec. They are Deore with a Shadow (tucked further into the bike to help prevent hitting rocks etc) rear, or so it appears from the description I did find. The Silverback has an Altus front and Deore back but not the Shadow version, again from what I see online but you can confirm. In saying that, the front derailleur does far less work than the rear so the more important component here would be the rear in my opinion, in which case they both have Deore.

You'd then need to compare the shocks too. I am not particularly familiar with either so will not try to pick. What I can see (again based on the online specs) is the Raleigh has remote lock out whereas the Silverback has manual. Again, based on your needs this will be neither here nor there. Just to explain, lockout locks the suspension of the fork when you are climbing for example to prevent energy being lost in the fork rebounding. You'll probably find you hardly use it in reality.

All else being equal I'd choose the 27 speed over a 24 speed. Also the fact it is on "sale". But then I am also a fan of the quality of Silverback bikes.
 
Last edited:
Hi Clint

The Silverback is a 2013 model , while the Nomad is a 2011 model
 
You typically get two schools of thought around beginners MTBs. On the one side you have those that want to get the best components for the budget and don't mind riding a 26er. On the other side you have folks who have 29er as their first priority, then fit whatever components they can into the budget.

Personally I would go for the latter, I have done a lot of kilos, both on and offroad, on a 29er and I would not recommend anything else.
 
ClintZA said:
The components are what are important. You did not mention the model for each bike, or whether it is standard spec, but if we assume a 2012 model with standard spec then you find the following:

The front and rear derailleur on the Raleigh are better spec. They are Deore with a Shadow (tucked further into the bike to help prevent hitting rocks etc) rear, or so it appears from the description I did find. The Silverback has an Altus front and Deore back but not the Shadow version, again from what I see online but you can confirm. In saying that, the front derailleur does far less work than the rear so the more important component here would be the rear in my opinion, in which case they both have Deore.

You'd then need to compare the shocks too. I am not particularly familiar with either so will not try to pick. What I can see (again based on the online specs) is the Raleigh has remote lock out whereas the Silverback has manual. Again, based on your needs this will be neither here nor there. Just to explain, lockout locks the suspension of the fork when you are climbing for example to prevent energy being lost in the fork rebounding. You'll probably find you hardly use it in reality.

All else being equal I'd choose the 27 speed over a 24 speed. Also the fact it is on "sale". But then I am also a fan of the quality of Silverback bikes.
Click to expand...

If I had to choose a bike again then remote lockout would be a deciding factor. I use the locking and unlocking a lot.
 
TheGuy said:
If I had to choose a bike again then remote lockout would be a deciding factor. I use the locking and unlocking a lot.
Click to expand...
It's not that hard to lockout the front while riding. I have an entry level Suntour XCM and I can easily lockout when I get to tarmac.
 
Go to a shop like linden cycles and chat to them. Look at the bikes and try them.

Yes its up to budget but also to feel
 
TheGuy said:
If I had to choose a bike again then remote lockout would be a deciding factor. I use the locking and unlocking a lot.
Click to expand...

Rouxenator said:
It's not that hard to lockout the front while riding. I have an entry level Suntour XCM and I can easily lockout when I get to tarmac.
Click to expand...

I spend most of my time on the trails so very rarely lockout. When I do hit the roads I usually forget until well into the ride but then, as Roux mentions, it is really easy to just learn down and flip the lever to lockout anyway.
 
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