SILVERBACK STRELA EXPERT DISC

R16 799

Since Eurobike 2012, through the flagship Scalera, Silverback have been disrupting their road models with trickle-down tech. The Strela Expert Disc is a bold example of this – perhaps not so much in physical appearance, but in pulling off a bike at just over R16K with a full Shimano 105 groupset and hydraulic disc brakes.

All this is strapped onto a butted aluminium frame with slightly racy geometry, formed stays, internal cable routing, a carbon fork, and thru-axles front and rear. While the stays are formed with narrow tubing for compliance, the rest of the frame is ovalised along the top and down tubes, making for a stiff and responsive ride that may sacrifice some comfort. But your sportive sprints will yield better acceleration.

The paint job hasn’t been ignored either: semi-matte dark-grey stealth and glossblack graphics, offset by neon-yellow detail around the frame and components, and two-tone bar tape. While the welds are chunky and raw in appearance, they are neatly beaded; whether the aesthetic appeals or not will come down to personal preference.

The full spec of Shimano 105 and hydraulic discs is a boon. 105 is known for its reliability and performance, while the hydraulic brakes speak for themselves at this price point. Thru-axles front and rear add to frame stiffness, while a colour-matched carbon fork takes advantage of that stiffness for precise handling on the Vittoria Sanfrino tyres.

SPEC HIGHLIGHTS: Hydraulic disc brakes, thru-axles front and rear, full Shimano 105, carbon fork

BOTTOM LINE: This is such great value, we had to double-check the price. Great spec on a solid frame, and the hydraulic discs are a bonus at this price point.