My thinking is get the bike with the best quality frame you can afford (obviously that fits). Pretty much everything else can be upgraded, and a great frame will always be a great frame even if all the tech is a little out of date.
Nice merida advert 👍 but with all those features and functionality they didnt talk about the elephant in the room , the dreaded cable routed headset which is surprising since one of the things doddy mentioned was ease of home serviceability 😮
The MTB world is not one that you can buy into and call future-proofing. Too many random companies out there with only profit on the mind, always trying to make some new bogus standard, realizing they don't like it, then going to the next. Look at the different standards for bottom brackets. Look at the rear axle spacing and how we have multiple "standards" that shouldn't really make a difference. Look at how many different seat post sizes we have to deal with. The best you can probably do is buy a bike with boost spacing, a tapered headset, a 34.9mm seat post, threaded bottom bracket, 29" wheels, and pray to god that no one decides to fuck with the standards more.
I’m riding a future proof bike. My old Specialised S Works hard tail M5 26” wheels. Years and years and years old and still works perfectly with regular maintenance. That’s what I call future proof…
But can you order a replacement drive train for that bike can you buy a new derailleur for that bike. Like my 2000 bike with mega 9drive train i can still buy from a collector for big bucks only. Real hard if not impossible to get a 80 mil fork required for this frame. Yeah this Ti. bike now hangs on the wall as art unfortunately.
@@Mavrik-60 you can use modern parts on the bike, if anything itll make it even better, fork wise get a modern 100mm travel fork and get a shop to lover it to 80mm. Everything can be done with money and a capable mechanic, assuming you dont plan on keeping the bike period correct
@@lexusstefan927 no anything longer than a 80 mil will cause to much stress on the frame. They strongly recommend i DON'T. Can't buy a mine speed coset. Only from a collector frame won't take anything larger than a nine speed. Believe me when i say it's can only be retired.
There is nothing future-proof about that bike. You are paying a premium any time you look for a new wheelset. Same thing for hubs for the old QR standard. That bike doesn't allow for tapered forks, so you cannot buy a modern fork with appropriate travel: you're either stuck with cheapo forks or paying a premium for a used fork. 26" tires are getting more and more expensive for true MTB tires. You're just lucky that dirt jumpers use 26ers, so you're not SOL.
@@lexusstefan927 No shit, but you're missing the basic concept of future-proof. Future-proofing doesn't mean that if you throw enough money at something, it's possible. It means that you can buy it and it will keep being relevant in the future.
Tapered head tube, standard shock mounts (eyelets), boost rear spacing, UDH and a 30.6 or whatever seatpost minimum. That's all you need to be future-proof within reason. Any new components will work and let's be fair, comfort and fit are the most important thing.
Vitus also use the same frame for the Escarpe and Sommet. I love modern geometry it is a much better way of sizing a bike to you and the performance is much improved. I think if you buy a bike now it will be pretty much future proof.
👌nice bikes, i suppose if possible its best to get a rig thats easy to get parts for, love those new dropper post, frame manufacterers need to keep with straight seat tubes and not interupted ones👌so that you can run longer droppers👍great video
Loved the new line of 140 and 160 bikes when Merida first launched them. Glad to see the same enthusiasm shared by Anna and Doddy in this video and the Eurobike coverage. Definitely on my shortlist of bikes to get!
I was literally just talking about Merida with my local bike shop mechanic this morning - 2023 specs at 2015 prices - that is one way to be future proof! (and they just got a EDR gold...)
Hi well normally I don't post negative comments (and I know you have partners like Canyon, Orbea, Nukeproof...) but this was so blatantly a commercial for Merida rather then an informative video... Next time please keep it just a little bit more neutral or mark it as an advert... That would be nice...
“Bikes should be easy to work on.” This bike has headset cable routing, which is far from easy to work on. Other than that, it’s a nice bike and all the other points are valid. Nicely presented, even though it’s a sponsored video.
People like myself that ride S&M bmx bikes pay nearly 20-40% more and it's only to support the brand, no products work any different whatsoever just because they were made by hand in the states. Just a small note for anyone who complains about the Made in Taiwan thing
So that's the reason why top tubes are getting so low and seat tubes are getting so short... As it maybe accommodate a " medium size to large size rider's" To me it just seems like you have a really long torso and short legs... So upsizing could sound like a good idea for a roadies point of view... since they don't have to move on the bike as much as a proper mountain biker... Which makes me think that anyway I long torso and short legs rider won't really be able to benefit as much of the longer reach by upsizing? Since the shorter legs can't get the Rider to shift as much front to rear of the bike even knowing that the top tube accommodate better clearance... Having the possibility of a 230mm dropper post is just making the bike look much to small for the proper rider's size it's meant to accommodate the best...and to me 1.88cm tall ,more than a 175 on a Trail or enduro bike seem's useless ... With out talking about haw much stress a 230mm Seat post can get...as well designed it can be 🙈
I smell a paid sponsored advert from merida.... I've been riding offroad since the late 80's and my collection of 26r hardtails have been future proofed for decades, I have no interest in spending money on new bikes that will be deemed 'old hat' by industry in a couple of years
"These days we put people that are 5'6" on a 29" and everybody laughs because they look dumb all stretched out." Why did I pass everybody yesterday at the bike park on my steel Cotic BFe26? Because you have to know how to ride a bike, buying bigger wheels doesn't make you faster. And by everybody I mean 25 people.
Blatant lie!!!!! With the MTB industry following the moblie phone industry. No bike is future proof. To many changes to many new standards every two years.
Not trying to smash your crackers. But how universal is the UDH, when you're talking about worldwide. It's a US company and the mechs are pricey. If you're overseas it will probably need to be ordered. And what if SRAM runs into trouble in the future, or another supply chain type of problem? Won't Shimano and asian parts and friendly designs, read derailleur hangers, be much more future proof. The Universal point is if SRAM can get a good chunk of manufacturers frames spec'd for their tech. It seems more like economics or asian politics, using US Bluetooth.
I believe in today's generation of geometry. Trail or enduro. I could say it's in the pinnacle of the sport already. What you could only change to enhance are its components.
Taiwan is part of China, and the Chinese mainland is part of China as well. Since 1949, China has been temporarily divided, and each side of the Taiwan Strait is administered by a separate political entity. This is an objective reality that no proposal for China's unification can overlook.
Everyone's first quality bike should be an aluminum hardtail, you do you after that. If you later go full suspension, you can turn the ol' hardtail into a single speed and open up a whole new world.
the best way to future-proof your bike is to not give a damn about new tech or changes in geometry...i am never going to be able to find another 150mm tapered fork for 26" wheels - so once my fork is trashed or i taco my wheels, I'm gonna have to put a 27" fork on it and run it super slack
This video wasn't about future proofing, it was an advert for merida.
Exactly. And having flex stays on a 160 mm travel bike is definitely not future proof.
@@downhilljedi We have an alloy and Carbon version for about 12 months now, mostly park riding, no issues.
There’s no such thing as future proof in the bike industry. Standards change too quickly.
this
Ehh...there are a few that will always be around; square JIS BB's and 26" wheels come to mind. 'Styles' change with the selling year tho.
@@floydblandston108 agree with this. Changes quickly but some coming in circles.
#Capitalism
Agreed. Ride what you've brought--and have fun!
My thinking is get the bike with the best quality frame you can afford (obviously that fits). Pretty much everything else can be upgraded, and a great frame will always be a great frame even if all the tech is a little out of date.
Sorry but a new axle standard was just released and your frame is now obsolete garbage
Absolutely.
Nice merida advert 👍 but with all those features and functionality they didnt talk about the elephant in the room , the dreaded cable routed headset which is surprising since one of the things doddy mentioned was ease of home serviceability 😮
The MTB world is not one that you can buy into and call future-proofing. Too many random companies out there with only profit on the mind, always trying to make some new bogus standard, realizing they don't like it, then going to the next. Look at the different standards for bottom brackets. Look at the rear axle spacing and how we have multiple "standards" that shouldn't really make a difference. Look at how many different seat post sizes we have to deal with.
The best you can probably do is buy a bike with boost spacing, a tapered headset, a 34.9mm seat post, threaded bottom bracket, 29" wheels, and pray to god that no one decides to fuck with the standards more.
I’m riding a future proof bike. My old Specialised S Works hard tail M5 26” wheels. Years and years and years old and still works perfectly with regular maintenance. That’s what I call future proof…
But can you order a replacement drive train for that bike can you buy a new derailleur for that bike.
Like my 2000 bike with mega 9drive train i can still buy from a collector for big bucks only. Real hard if not impossible to get a 80 mil fork required for this frame. Yeah this Ti. bike now hangs on the wall as art unfortunately.
@@Mavrik-60 you can use modern parts on the bike, if anything itll make it even better, fork wise get a modern 100mm travel fork and get a shop to lover it to 80mm.
Everything can be done with money and a capable mechanic, assuming you dont plan on keeping the bike period correct
@@lexusstefan927 no anything longer than a 80 mil will cause to much stress on the frame. They strongly recommend i DON'T.
Can't buy a mine speed coset.
Only from a collector frame won't take anything larger than a nine speed. Believe me when i say it's can only be retired.
There is nothing future-proof about that bike. You are paying a premium any time you look for a new wheelset. Same thing for hubs for the old QR standard. That bike doesn't allow for tapered forks, so you cannot buy a modern fork with appropriate travel: you're either stuck with cheapo forks or paying a premium for a used fork. 26" tires are getting more and more expensive for true MTB tires. You're just lucky that dirt jumpers use 26ers, so you're not SOL.
@@lexusstefan927 No shit, but you're missing the basic concept of future-proof. Future-proofing doesn't mean that if you throw enough money at something, it's possible. It means that you can buy it and it will keep being relevant in the future.
I don't think there's such a thing the industry will always find another product or design too over charge us for
You don't have to buy it.
I'd rather be called a customer rather than a consumer. I'm not a useless eater.
7:45 I see what you did there, cheeky cameraman 😅
It's the rebound ☺
Future proof means hardtail, as rear suspension linkages are continually progressing.
Yep 100 agree to this!
Tapered head tube, standard shock mounts (eyelets), boost rear spacing, UDH and a 30.6 or whatever seatpost minimum. That's all you need to be future-proof within reason. Any new components will work and let's be fair, comfort and fit are the most important thing.
Good info; gorgeous location, filming, and editing. Thanks team!
What a well thought out bike! That dropper 😍
Vitus also use the same frame for the Escarpe and Sommet. I love modern geometry it is a much better way of sizing a bike to you and the performance is much improved. I think if you buy a bike now it will be pretty much future proof.
Love that purple 160❤
Thanks for the info I was looking to buy a new bike this helps a lot
Merida is one of the big three along with Kinesis and Giant. Glad to see some exposure on Merida as in the states it is not well known at all.
cause Merida in the states is Specialized
👌nice bikes, i suppose if possible its best to get a rig thats easy to get parts for, love those new dropper post, frame manufacterers need to keep with straight seat tubes and not interupted ones👌so that you can run longer droppers👍great video
Am I the only one that loves their outfit? Great video guys, keep up the good work. Greetings from Brașov 😘
I'm still riding my 10 years old hardtail 😄
Boost Spacing, Threaded Bottom Bracket, UDH, Tapered Head Tube, Dropper Post compatible, Thru-Axles, High-Engagement Hubs, Tubeless Ready Rims and Tires
Nice advertisement for Merida. Kind of annoying.
Merida is good brand
Loved the new line of 140 and 160 bikes when Merida first launched them. Glad to see the same enthusiasm shared by Anna and Doddy in this video and the Eurobike coverage. Definitely on my shortlist of bikes to get!
I was literally just talking about Merida with my local bike shop mechanic this morning - 2023 specs at 2015 prices - that is one way to be future proof! (and they just got a EDR gold...)
Forget the future I wouldn’t ride that bike in the present. Sticking with my Cotic hardtail.
Avoid headset cable routing!
What Merida dropper post is that? It look interesting. Thanks!
Yeah, thanks Nukepoof for NO-UDH Reactor and old-gen shock.
This seems to be an advertisement for Merida.
I'm stoked on Guerrilla Gravity's platform in this regard.
Hi well normally I don't post negative comments (and I know you have partners like Canyon, Orbea, Nukeproof...) but this was so blatantly a commercial for Merida rather then an informative video... Next time please keep it just a little bit more neutral or mark it as an advert... That would be nice...
I agree with you but it helps to run the channel I suppose
Is this a Merida commercial? I may be sold
Seems like more of an ad than a review
Lightest frame you can afford + UDH. Done.
This should have been titled "how to pick a Merida bike"...
“Bikes should be easy to work on.”
This bike has headset cable routing, which is far from easy to work on. Other than that, it’s a nice bike and all the other points are valid. Nicely presented, even though it’s a sponsored video.
People like myself that ride S&M bmx bikes pay nearly 20-40% more and it's only to support the brand, no products work any different whatsoever just because they were made by hand in the states. Just a small note for anyone who complains about the Made in Taiwan thing
That thumbnail! So is Doddy REALLY tall or Anna REALLY small?
Both!
Let's hope China leaves Taiwan alone so we can keep getting good frames from there
Too much product placement :/
So that's the reason why top tubes are getting so low and seat tubes are getting so short...
As it maybe accommodate a " medium size to large size rider's"
To me it just seems like you have a really long torso and short legs... So upsizing could sound like a good idea for a roadies point of view... since they don't have to move on the bike as much as a proper mountain biker...
Which makes me think that anyway I long torso and short legs rider won't really be able to benefit as much of the longer reach by upsizing? Since the shorter legs can't get the Rider to shift as much front to rear of the bike even knowing that the top tube accommodate better clearance...
Having the possibility of a 230mm dropper post is just making the bike look much to small for the proper rider's size it's meant to accommodate the best...and to me 1.88cm tall ,more than a 175 on a Trail or enduro bike seem's useless ... With out talking about haw much stress a 230mm Seat post can get...as well designed it can be 🙈
Hopefully my stumpjumper evo is somewhat future proof it cost me alot lol
I smell a paid sponsored advert from merida....
I've been riding offroad since the late 80's and my collection of 26r hardtails have been future proofed for decades, I have no interest in spending money on new bikes that will be deemed 'old hat' by industry in a couple of years
It's a script, they are clearly reading a script.
No, they aren't. If you're spending a fortune and having a hard time finding parts compared to modern parts, it's not future-proof.
26er hardtails are considered old hat...🤣🤣
@@rustler08 What parts?
@@gazzas28 I see no videos from you lol
"These days we put people that are 5'6" on a 29" and everybody laughs because they look dumb all stretched out."
Why did I pass everybody yesterday at the bike park on my steel Cotic BFe26? Because you have to know how to ride a bike, buying bigger wheels doesn't make you faster. And by everybody I mean 25 people.
If something just works for the next 100 years, would it be good enough?
Rall riders like you and I Doddy need a higher stack height than Anna so what you said makes no sense?
Blatant lie!!!!! With the MTB industry following the moblie phone industry. No bike is future proof. To many changes to many new standards every two years.
Your right there I've been trying to follow the trends for the last two years
If I bought into them I would have spent well over 20 grand
I don’t think we can future proof consumers.
Not trying to smash your crackers. But how universal is the UDH, when you're talking about worldwide. It's a US company and the mechs are pricey. If you're overseas it will probably need to be ordered. And what if SRAM runs into trouble in the future, or another supply chain type of problem? Won't Shimano and asian parts and friendly designs, read derailleur hangers, be much more future proof. The Universal point is if SRAM can get a good chunk of manufacturers frames spec'd for their tech. It seems more like economics or asian politics, using US Bluetooth.
I believe in today's generation of geometry. Trail or enduro. I could say it's in the pinnacle of the sport already. What you could only change to enhance are its components.
Nah. Manufacturer decides to change standard again and people will buy even if nothing is wrong with their bike
Get a Bosch e-bike, so when you’re a old fart you’re all set. Locked in the price for life 🤔🍿🤩💥🤣
Nobody:
Absolutely no one:
canyon fangirls: You can't show real bikes in the video for so long it is adv!!1
When it says Taiwan it's actually from China. Taiwan is a shipping loophole for China
Taiwan is part of China, and the Chinese mainland is part of China as well. Since 1949, China has been temporarily divided, and each side of the Taiwan Strait is administered by a separate political entity. This is an objective reality that no proposal for China's unification can overlook.
☝🏽firrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrst🏁
How old are you, 12?
?????????????????????????????
Everyone's first quality bike should be an aluminum hardtail, you do you after that. If you later go full suspension, you can turn the ol' hardtail into a single speed and open up a whole new world.
the best way to future-proof your bike is to not give a damn about new tech or changes in geometry...i am never going to be able to find another 150mm tapered fork for 26" wheels - so once my fork is trashed or i taco my wheels, I'm gonna have to put a 27" fork on it and run it super slack
This guy looks like a cartoon character