I Want Dual Suspension!

WE’VE TRIED OUR BEST TO SING THE PRAISES OF THEHARDTAIL,BUTTHEREALITYISTHATADUALSUSPENSION BIKE IS SIMPLY MORE COMFORTABLE TO RIDE. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT BEGINNER MODELS ARE LIGHTER AND MORE CAPABLE THAN EVER, WITH PROGRESSIVE GEOMETRY AND DURABLE COMPONE

SILVERBACK SIDO 2

SILVERBACK HAS A LONG HISTORY IN SOUTH AFRICA – THEY WERE

FOUNDED HERE, and churned out solid beginner bikes for years before moving their operation to Germany.

Despite offering some high-end bikes these days, they haven’t forgotten that their brand is rooted in good value. As evidence: the Sido 2.

The frame is alloy and has the same cross-country design as Silverback’s carbon Sesta, which is a stage-race favourite. The build spec is great: 2x11 Shimano SLX, 100mm RockShox Judy Gold RL fork up front, and 90mm Fox Float shock at the back.

It’s slightly better on paper than the Giant Anthem (in second place), and the ride experience is on par; but the Sido’s aceup-its-sleeve is that it’s cheaper by more than R5k. Use the money you save to buy all the things that you didn’t think about when you went bike shopping: shoes, kit, lights, tools…