#PedalWithPurpose: Riding Strong — Bert Clark’s Silverback Story

Inspiring Every Body to Ride — Your Bike. Your Vision. One Pedal Stroke at a Time.

Cycling has never been about fitting into a mould. It’s about freedom, movement, confidence, and finding your own rhythm on two wheels. At Silverback, we believe bikes should empower every rider — across all spaces, sizes, and stories. That belief sits at the heart of our movement: #PedalWithPurpose.

That’s why meeting, 54 year old Bert Clark from Germany — a passionate, unapologetic, heavy rider who rides hard, fast, and with intent — felt like a moment worth sharing.

This is not just a story about e-bikes, fat bikes, or components. This is a story about determination, adaptation, and proving that cycling belongs to everyone.

A Picture That Changed Everything

Bert’s journey into fat biking began in 2015 with something simple — a picture he saw online.

“I saw a fat bike on the internet and thought, that’s it.”

That curiosity quickly turned into action, research, and eventually purchased his first fat bike. At the time, Bert didn’t know much about bike geometry — and why would he? Like most riders, he trusted the process and just wanted to ride.

But reality arrived fast.

At 190 cm tall and 167 kg, Bert quickly realised that the cycling industry wasn’t exactly built with riders like him in mind.

“There’s basically no bike built or approved for someone like me.”

Still, he rode.

Learning the Hard Way — and Riding Anyway

Bert started with simple tours, gradually pushing himself further. One climb in particular — the Königstuhl — exposed both physical and mechanical limits.

Instead of quitting, he adapted.

Strength training helped him conquer the climb. Curiosity led him to learn about geometry, suspension, head angles, reach, and wheelbase. And honesty made him accept that some bikes simply weren’t right for his body or riding style.

That self-awareness led him through several bikes, each one teaching him something new — until he found setups that worked for him, not against him.

His Kona Woo, paired with a Steiner Design McAir Fat Fork, became a turning point.

“It’s polarizing — but seriously awesome.”

The fork didn’t just add strength; it transformed the bike’s trail capability, stability, and confidence. For Bert, confidence on the bike isn’t optional — it’s essential.

READ NOW:  #PedalWithPurpose: The Boy Who Learned to Fly on a Silverback SESTA Pro

Fast, Confident, and Fully Committed

Watch Bert’s riding and one thing becomes clear: this is not casual cruising.

He rides fast, tackles technical trails, and pushes his equipment with intent. His preferred terrain? Trails that challenge skill, setup, and nerve — not just fitness.

Community played a big role in this progression. Through Fat Bike Deutschland, Bert connected with riders, engineers, and brands, exchanging knowledge and pushing boundaries together. Meetups turned into test labs, campfires into classrooms.

For years, Bert rode non-electric fat bikes — but when group rides became impossible to keep up with, he made a pragmatic decision.

Why the S‑Electro?

E-assist wasn’t about shortcuts. It was about inclusion.

“To ride with others, I needed electric support.”

After exploring multiple brands — many of which simply couldn’t accommodate his size or geometry needs — Bert turned to Silverback.

The S‑Electro stood out as solid, well-built, and capable of becoming something more.

The journey wasn’t flawless. There were delays, wrong components, frustrations — and honest conversations. What mattered most was what came next: support, accountability, and the freedom to build a bike that truly matched his needs.

Built, Not Bought: Bert’s Custom Silverback — Your Bike. Your Vision.

Bert’s S‑Electro today is a reflection of purpose-driven MyDreamBike customization — every change made to improve control, durability, and confidence.

Key upgrades include:

• Steiner Design double crown fat fork (tandem-approved, 40 mm stanchions)

• Hope Tech 4 V4 brakes with ventilated rotors (220 mm / 203 mm)

• Ergotec 70 mm rise handlebars

• Hope Gravity 50 mm stem

• Crankbrothers Stamp 1 pedals

• Sunrace 51/10 cassette for improved gear spacing

• SunRingle wheels with reinforced, soldered spokes

This is not about excess — it’s about function. Through MyDreamBike™, Silverback’s customer-to-customer configuration tool, Bert was able to turn a solid platform into a bike that truly reflected his body, his riding style, and his vision. When you ride with intent, your bike must respond without compromise and MyDreamBike™ makes that possible.

Changing the Narrative

Bert knows that many heavier riders hesitate to start cycling — often not because they don’t want to ride, but because they don’t feel welcome or represented.

His message is simple:

You don’t need to look like a pro rider to ride with passion.

E-bikes are not cheating. Fat bikes are not gimmicks. They are tools — and when used with purpose, they unlock access, freedom, and joy.

“Pedal With Purpose means riding for your reason — fitness, fun, mental wellbeing, or simply freedom.”

This Is #PedalWithPurpose

Bert’s story reminds us why we do what we do.

Cycling is not about weight limits or stereotypes. It’s about movement. Momentum. Belonging.

Whether you’re riding an e-bike or a non-electric bike, on gravel roads or technical trails — your ride matters.

If you’ve ever thought cycling wasn’t for you, let Bert’s story be your sign.

Get on the bike. Ride with intent.

Pedal With Purpose.