For South African riders who may have wondered about the status of Silverback Bicycles locally, the answer is clear: Silverback is very much still here. The brand that was born in South Africa continues to serve local riders and is available through dealers, including Cycle Lab and CWC, two of the country’s most established cycling retailers.
Paid partnership with Silverback Bicycles
Silverback Bicycles was founded in South Africa in 2004, at a time when the local cycling market was beginning to mature and riders were demanding better-performing, better-value machines. From those roots, Silverback has grown into a truly global brand, now sold in 49 countries. While its head office is based in Stuttgart, Germany – one of the world’s leading hubs for engineering and industrial design – Silverback’s DNA remains firmly connected to the needs of riders who demand durability, performance and value.
The current Silverback range reflects the brand’s broad vision of cycling. It includes full-suspension mountain bikes, hardtail mountain bikes, eBikes, road bikes, gravel bikes, kids’ bikes and practical city bikes. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, Silverback has consistently focused on designing bicycles that work well in the real world – whether that’s on cross-country race courses, marathon mountain bike routes, flowy trails or rugged stage races.
That approach has earned the brand multiple international design nominations and awards, but Silverback has never allowed aesthetics to overshadow performance. The philosophy is clear: function over fashion. These are not cheap bicycles built to hit a price point at all costs, but carefully specified bikes that offer genuine value for money. For riders who understand components, geometry and long-term durability, that distinction matters.
“From a South African perspective, Silverback’s line-up remains particularly relevant,” says Taryn Henstock, Marketing Manager for Morecycle, the company that imports and distributes Silverback Bicycles in South Africa.
“The brand offers bikes in categories that resonate strongly with local riders, including entry-level hardtail mountain bikes for school racers or newcomers to the sport, capable full-suspension mountain bikes for trail-riding and marathon racing, versatile gravel bikes, and well-designed kids’ bikes that introduce younger riders to cycling on equipment built specifically for them – not scaled-down adult compromises.”
One of the most compelling offerings in the current range is a sub-R30 000 electric mountain bike, the Selectro 50. In a market where eMTBs are often priced far beyond the reach of many riders, Silverback’s approach opens the door to assisted riding without sacrificing reliability or ride quality. It’s another example of the brand identifying rider needs and responding with practical solutions.
Silverback’s credibility is further reinforced by its racing heritage. This is not a brand that merely talks about performance – it has proven itself at the highest level. Silverback bikes have won a UCI XCO World Cup, achieved multiple XCO World Cup podium finishes, claimed stage victories at the Absa Cape Epic and stood on the overall podium at the world’s toughest mountain bike stage race. These results underline the depth of engineering and development that goes into every frame bearing the Silverback name.
Importantly, the move to distribution through high-profile stores including, Cycle Lab and CWC, ensures that South African riders continue to receive strong product support, expert advice and reliable after-sales service. The retailer group has a national footprint, experienced technical teams and a deep understanding of local riding conditions – a crucial factor when investing in a new bicycle.
Silverback Bicycles’ story is one of evolution rather than reinvention. From its South African beginnings to its global presence, the brand has stayed true to its core principles: intelligent design, proven performance and honest value. For local riders, Silverback’s continued availability is not just good news – it’s reassurance that a trusted name in cycling remains firmly part of South Africa’s riding future.
