Silverback Stratos AL Pro Review | A German-Designed Full suspension XC Bike

See the full review here: flowmountainbike.com/tests/si...
Silverback Bikes is relatively new to Australian shores, so we’ll forgive you if you’re not familiar with the name. Based out of Germany since 2010, Silverback is actually a large company that produces a broad range of mountain bikes, kids bikes and e-MTBs that place a keen focus on the entry and mid-level end of the market. The combination of sharp pricing and local distribution via 99 Bikes means Silverback is quite an accessible brand for a broad portion of the Australian population, and arguably more relevant than some of the exotic bikes we’re used to drooling over here at Flow.
With very little prior knowledge of the brand, we weren’t sure what to expect when the Silverback Stratos AL turned up for review. That’s actually an ideal scenario from a testing perspective, and it set the scene for a pretty eye-opening experience...
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Video Contents
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - Silverback Stratos AL Overview
1:13 - Geometry & Sizing
1:29 - Prices & Specs
2:05 - Weight
2:23 - Strengths
3:21 - Value For Money
4:15 - Flow's Verdict
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[@pascaladl]

How is this a good deal? For comparison, last year's Epic Evo on sale for AUD $4,799.99. Comes in 13kg for an XL.

[@kyanr249]

A big reason the fork doesn’t fell great is because mazrocchi don’t install foam rings under the dust wiper, a quick lower leg service with some new foam rings will change the fork dramatically.

[@chewchew74]

$4000 and XC and 35 lbs..???

[@magruderable]

Yeah right, plenty of bikes in that price range specked better or as good.

[@badagaioo]

How is this, even remotely, a good deal? Low tier and extremely heavy components and almost 16kg with pedals for a short travel bike? Those brakes and Sram SX? Jeez... And I love my Z2 ( I'm going for the third bike with one) but for how much it weights it's not adequate for an "xc" build. That being said, you can find better value for money almost anywhere....

[@sandycarmichael31]

Great review Wil. Interesting that you mentioned the rider upgrading from a hardtail as the intended audience for this bike. Based on one of your reviews I upgraded to my first dual suspension bike which was 2021 Merida One Twenty 600 which cost me around $3200. Coming off a 2017 cube reaction GTC I did notice the increase in weight but I think that bike was around 14.6kgs not over 15kg like the stratos. The Z2 on that bike felt leaps and bounds above the recon silver turnkey I was used to the cube. I'd probably still opted for the Merida over Silverback at the time if the choice was available at the time but wonder how the more modern geo of the stratos would have compared to slightly dated geo but better spec of the Merida in a back to back ride comparison. Unfortunately the mechanic from a large unnamed bike chain didn't build the Merida very well and skimped on the loctite and a clevis bolt in the rear came loose and bent the rotor in the rear and damaged the frame almost sending me OTB at the you yangs so I returned the bike and got a full refund, which allowed me to purchase a Trance X 29 2 which I still have

[@chrisbraun72]

Giant trance 29 (aluminum) is still a better deal being lighter and better spec'd for the price...IMO You're review of the Z2 Bomber makes me feel better about getting a FOX 34 performance fork as a replacement for my FOX Rhythm 34 that was lost in shipping when sent for service. The Z2 RAIL damper's downfall is that there's no spring loaded floating IFP in the cartridge compared to the FOX GRIP damper in the Rhythm and Performance.

[@joshuaallswang8016]

The polygon T9 craps on this bike so much it’s crazy! 🤯🤯

[@notpablo8369]

Compare to Polygon Siskiu D?

[@xzstvr]

Please review silverback superspeed

[@magruderable]

15.4 KG is how many pounds?

[@HamSupZhai]

As you mentioned in the video. This bike is pretty average specced (pretty poor imo). You can pick up the top spec Norco Fluid with Fox factory forks for $4.3k. Way better specced in about every aspect. I'm confused where all the money is going for this Silverback.

[@HS-iu2nv]

I know the german bike-market pretty well. I've never heard of this brand, and never seen one. Seems like all inhouse components are made in China, bikes are (partially?) assembled in germany and only sold outside of the eu. If you want a good and well priced bike from germany just buy a Canyon, YT, Propain or Cube.

[@iffy_too4289]

This is a terrible priced for what's on offer.

[@fud1376]

I'm in the UK ,and since we 'apparently' left the EU, we cant get any bikes from Germany without paying almost double what they're worth,due to tax's etc....Ha! Also..those bikes are rubbish for the price...Anybody would be mad to buy one...!!

[@joshuaallswang8016]

The brainwashing of the bike industry is REAL!!! Anybody with half a brain will know a hardtail takes even MORE skill to ride fast down rugged terrain then a full suspension. This is coming from a guy with both a full suspension and a hardtail!