Merrell Promorph
Huge thanks to @safepro for sending me the Merrell ProMorphs—in a colourway very similar to the new Adidas Terrex (white and orange), and honestly, I’m loving these so much more! From the moment I laced them up, they felt comfortable, supportive, and ready for anything. For anyone looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on performance or style, these are it.
Big shoutout to Merrell for making such an amazing shoe. After dealing with runner’s knee for the past 3 months, I wasn’t sure what to expect on my first run—but to my surprise, this was the first run with absolutely no pain. The cushioning, support, and fit all came together perfectly, making the miles feel effortless. Over the past 2 months, I’ve put +-20km on them, and every run has been smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable—no aches, no discomfort, just pure running.
I’m so excited to take them further and really test them out on both the road and trails. From what I’ve experienced so far, I have no doubt they’re going to perform amazingly, whether it’s long road runs, technical trails, or even casual day-to-day wear.
2013 Giant Trance X 29er
The 2013 Giant Trance X 29er is an incredibly capable and fun trail bike, especially considering its age. The suspension feels smooth and supportive, the 29-inch wheels roll confidently over obstacles, and the overall geometry still holds up well for trail riding. It climbs efficiently, descends with confidence, and delivers a balanced, responsive ride that makes long sessions genuinely enjoyable.
So far, I’ve ridden roughly 48.2 km on it across Bloemendal, Meerendal, Contermanskloof, and some random trails in Lomond (Gansbaai), and it’s handled everything impressively.
The only real downside with my second-hand purchase is that the previous owner swapped out the dropper seat post for a standard one. I’ve also noticed it can feel a bit unstable at higher speeds on loose, rocky trails. That said, it’s still an amazing bike, and with a 1×12 drivetrain conversion, a dropper seat post, and a fresh set of tyres, it should feel close to perfect for modern trail riding.
Silverback Sola 4
The Silverback Sola 4 is an impressively stable hardtail that offers tons of grip and confidence on the trail. It feels planted through corners, tracks well over rough terrain, and gives you a strong sense of control even when pushing the pace.
The only real downside is long-distance comfort — being a hardtail, extended rides can feel a bit harsh compared to a full-suspension bike. That said, it genuinely handles jumps shockingly well. It’s the kind of bike that can send you off a jump slightly bigger than planned and still land smoothly enough to make you double-check whether it secretly has dual suspension.
Overall, the Silverback Sola 4 is a fun, capable, and confidence-inspiring trail bike — perfect for riders who want a tough, grippy hardtail that can still send it when the trail gets rowdy.