Silverback Vida 3- Good spec for the money?

dazz_ni45

Hi all,

I've been a roadie for the past 3-4 years but with a few new trails opened close to me and friends taking up mountain biking I would like to get a mtb to join them instead of a new winter road bike. Budget is around £500-600 tops and I know little to nothing about mtb's.

My lbs has started stocking silverback road and mtb's and really rates them for vfm and I can pick the Silverback Vida 3 up for around £550. I can't find any UK reviews on this particular bike so I wondered if anyone had any opinions on it or whether the spec was good for the money or whether there was much better value elsewhere. I'd like to give my lbs the business if possible.

Frame / 6061 Custom Butted Alloy
Fork / Rock Shox XC30 100mm Remote PopLoc
Rims / Alex XD Comp Double Wall Alloy
Hubs / Shimano RM66 Center Lock
Tyres / Kenda Small Block Eight 29" x 2.1
Shifters / Shimano M390 Acera 9spd Rapidfire
Front derailleur / Shimano M390 Acera 9 Speed
Rear derailleur / Shimano SLX Shadow Tech 9 Speed
Crankset / Shimano M391 Octalink 22/32/44T
Bottom bracket / Shimano ES25 Octalink
Cassette / Shimano HG30-9 Speed, 11-34T
Brake set / Shimano M446 Hydraulic Disc F: 180 R: 160 mm

http://www.silverbacklab.com/upload/201 ... da3_13.htm


Thanks

dazz_ni45

Would anyone be able to help. The other bike I was considering was the Voodoo Bizango and I'm aware of its good reviews etc, but I really don't know which spec is better.

Another option is the Vitus Zircon 29 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... -prod81005 but it seems to be too cheap?

I have also been looking at the Canyon AL5.9 which works out at around £740 delivered but again I don't know if the spec is worth the additional money or how the Silverback compares.

I don't want to buy a bike and then have to start replacing forks etc as they aren't up the task. I won't be doing anything too extreme, but I still want the bike to be able to cope

I would appreciate any advice, especially on the silverback specification.

supersonic

Both are fair value, decent forks but the vitus' disc brakes are not hydraulic and the gearset is rather basic.

I'd try the one in the shop, if it fits, I'd buy it.

dazz_ni45

Thanks for the reply. Assuming the fit is ok, would it be a better buy than the voodoo bizango?

supersonic

The voodoo is better specced.

BigAl

supersonic wrote:

I'd try the one in the shop, if it fits, I'd buy it.

I'd agree. Decent fork, 9spd and hydraulic discs. Looks pretty good for £550. See if your LBS will throw in some pedals gratis!