I have the entry level alloy merida ninety six and really like it! It has a 2x10 setup, the suspension is very firm in the small ring. Good on the smooth but seems a bit harsh pedaling over rocks. Suspension feels great in the bigger ring. Its fun for trail riding even though its an XC bike.
For men in the 2017 Blue Lagoon Challenge, a full suspension and a hardtail came in first and second place, respectively . First place women's was nabbed by a hardtail too. Hardtails do not suck (see 6:33) and continue to be XC favorites.
Good review! Interesting to hear your thoughts on the lack of stiffness of the RS1 fork. I'm wondering how it would compare in that respect with a Fox 32mm fork. And would the Rockshox fork on the lower spec 96 models be stiffer or not? Cheers, Simon.
Hi Bro, what's your comment on the alloy version Merida ninety six 400 soft tail bike. I bought my Nx light edition with the sram nx group set after watching your review. I must say I'm. Happy with that bike as well.
At 11:00 you mention a future episode on what kind of terrain you can manage with an xc bike like this. Can't find it? If you haven't done that pleeease do :)
i am curious about did you think any another bikes before buy merida why merida maybe same price you can buy scott or any another bike..what was the special? or canondale :)
I don't think he owns this bike. He's just testing it. And about the price, this top Merida full sus is about 1200 euros cheaper than top Scott Spark with very similar spec, and about 5000(!) euros cheaper than top Cannondale Scalpel. Personally, if I wanted to buy top spec XC full sus, I would get top Canyon Lux, with XTR Di2, better carbon wheels, better look and better price. But this Merida is also pretty cool.
I wouldn't say, that some of the leading brands is simply better, than other. I would rather compare the bikes. My Cannondale F-SI is a great bike, just as my Merida Ninety-Six, which has well made all the details.
Enduroadance Duran Hey, I also just bought the 27.5 version,and you're right about choosing Merida until you see this model it is awesome and fantastically light also, mine is 22 pounds. Also Merida make frames for many other leading manufacturers. Thanks. Take care all. Happy riding.
before 2009 cannondale made it self bike.. :(( i was prefer after that many german brand mading own items on their country for rx: cube canyon vsvs.. p/p best bikes ..
You've got yourself a racing weapon that is a well kept secret among riders, son don't spread the word 😏. Why such an old school cockpit? The provided 720mm carbon handlebar is stiff and good for descends and technical climbs. For such a lightweight bike, you should probably consider lighter pedals such as time atacs or shimano xtr. Nice report. Thanks!
Thanks Guillermo! Wider bars don't give me any advantage on technical sections and actually put my arms in less natural position. More space for overtaking other on singletracks is also a nice thing.
Great bike Danny, I love my old good Anthem and your videos of course 😊
Thanks Mauricio!
I have the entry level alloy merida ninety six and really like it! It has a 2x10 setup, the suspension is very firm in the small ring. Good on the smooth but seems a bit harsh pedaling over rocks. Suspension feels great in the bigger ring. Its fun for trail riding even though its an XC bike.
Thanks for sharing!
For men in the 2017 Blue Lagoon Challenge, a full suspension and a hardtail came in first and second place, respectively . First place women's was nabbed by a hardtail too. Hardtails do not suck (see 6:33) and continue to be XC favorites.
No no, hardtails do not suck at all. Most of the riders used them in Albstadt XCO race.
Good review! Interesting to hear your thoughts on the lack of stiffness of the RS1 fork. I'm wondering how it would compare in that respect with a Fox 32mm fork. And would the Rockshox fork on the lower spec 96 models be stiffer or not? Cheers, Simon.
Hi Bro, what's your comment on the alloy version Merida ninety six 400 soft tail bike. I bought my Nx light edition with the sram nx group set after watching your review. I must say I'm. Happy with that bike as well.
At 11:00 you mention a future episode on what kind of terrain you can manage with an xc bike like this. Can't find it? If you haven't done that pleeease do :)
just to confirm.. the 7.team (27.5) has 14mm more of rear travel... so it's 110mm travel on the rear.. ? and still 100 on the front? thanks
Hey, Danny, what exactly do you mean by Swingarm at 07:53. Is it the rear triangle..? Not exactly... so please clarify
i am curious about did you think any another bikes before buy merida why merida maybe same price you can buy scott or any another bike..what was the special? or canondale :)
I don't think he owns this bike. He's just testing it. And about the price, this top Merida full sus is about 1200 euros cheaper than top Scott Spark with very similar spec, and about 5000(!) euros cheaper than top Cannondale Scalpel. Personally, if I wanted to buy top spec XC full sus, I would get top Canyon Lux, with XTR Di2, better carbon wheels, better look and better price. But this Merida is also pretty cool.
Tomasz Krynicki I also can prefer Canyon or cube German bikes i like it.. Nice choice but merida pretty damn good ofc..
I wouldn't say, that some of the leading brands is simply better, than other. I would rather compare the bikes. My Cannondale F-SI is a great bike, just as my Merida Ninety-Six, which has well made all the details.
Enduroadance Duran Hey, I also just bought the 27.5 version,and you're right about choosing Merida until you see this model it is awesome and fantastically light also, mine is 22 pounds. Also Merida make frames for many other leading manufacturers. Thanks. Take care all. Happy riding.
before 2009 cannondale made it self bike.. :(( i was prefer after that many german brand mading own items on their country for rx: cube canyon vsvs.. p/p best bikes ..
What about Chainline AND Backpedaling????
4:20 - Yeah, you are ride really hard! Almost like downhill track from a world cup.
Is it possible your testing assorted pads we commented about? Seems like optimal conditions. Keep it up!
Guess sick didn't like my question.
Dan, did Volks Wagon motor company make this bike?
This one or Giant Anthem?
The problem with this bike is that any size S , the wheels size becomes 27.5. That is not what I want unfortunately. I want a 29er.
Sram makes a 10 tooth cog instead of the classic 11t... Is there really a difference in therms of speed you can get ? I mean its only one teeth...
I'm preparing an episode about that.
2x11 (xtr cassette) might be better for most of us just saying as an amateur racer.good bike but don't like the way it looks
I like the look, but I would also go for a double crankset, perhaps with 10s Sram cassette.
You've got yourself a racing weapon that is a well kept secret among riders, son don't spread the word 😏. Why such an old school cockpit? The provided 720mm carbon handlebar is stiff and good for descends and technical climbs. For such a lightweight bike, you should probably consider lighter pedals such as time atacs or shimano xtr. Nice report. Thanks!
Thanks Guillermo! Wider bars don't give me any advantage on technical sections and actually put my arms in less natural position. More space for overtaking other on singletracks is also a nice thing.
where is your love for Cannondale bikes? :(
It never went away :)
how good is that brand?
It`s a top 10 brand
Merida is taiwanese brand. Remember world biggest bike brand is also taiwanese (GIANT)
It's good, their lowest end models are speced quite badly but they are really cheap so I can't really complain.
how can you say that giant is from taiwan??
tok ling Giant is Taiwanese. Look it up!
I had a bad experience with an Ikon... Aspen, Crossmarks and Ardent are better
Crossmarks are one of my favorites.
SickBiker i just replaced my worn out 29er 2.10 schwalbe rocket rons with 2.25 rocket rons. what's your opinion on those tyres?
cool
nice shorts
Love them :)
Should have used a Trek Top Fuel!
Rich Piana's Oil Distribution Manager yes
It's a nice bike, but it needs a 2 X drivetrain.
Fortunately it is 2-by compatible.
SickBiker he means the groupset should be 2x