Submitted by
Uphill Ulrich
a Cross Country Rider
from South Africa Date Reviewed: October 16, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Giba Gorge
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
Fritz Pienaar Cycles
Strengths:
Fantastic Spec For Price, Fantastic handling, instills confidence to any rider, Geometry is extremely comfortable for both trail and XC.
Weaknesses:
Would have liked it to be about 1kg lighter, but eitherwise an awesome bike.
Similar Products Used:
Kona, Scott Genius.GT
Bike Setup:
Factory standard
Bottom Line:
I have done the Cape Epic and Sani 2C endurance races on this bike and could not have imagined doing it on any other bike i have ridden, very little maintenance. it is an awesome bike, and would have a hard time replacing it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
jmheino2
a Weekend Warrior
from Finland Date Reviewed: February 15, 2009
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Great value for money! I was looking for bike with very short cabin --> upright riding position and I have to say this one has it. I'm 179cm tall and I select M-size frame with extended sadle post. It's very handy and precise to drive. Suspension works as expected in all conditions.
Weaknesses:
Some problems with XT-disc breaks below -15°C temperatures, fluid lubricates discs...
Similar Products Used:
This is my first full suspension bike. How ever, I tested briefly several bikes before I closed the deal and I must say decisions was very easy to make.
Bike Setup:
Longer sadle post, rock ring, new handle grips and some lights for safety (main light of course on helmet). After little conflict with nature new rear derailleur (xt shadow, short).
Bottom Line:
I managed to drive over one year before I got the first loosen bolt --> no quality issues. This bike supports active driving style and it is very suitable for technical terrain. Short design might reduce its capability to climb, but so far the driver has been the limiting resource ;).
-Jukka-
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shark36
a Weekend Warrior
from EU Date Reviewed: October 1, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
It took me some time to find a proper AM bike and I did it!!! Very good geometry, equipement, stiffnes, good weight (really 13.1 kg as speciffied), very confortable for uphill, very confident for downhill.
Weaknesses:
The only weak thing were brake pads due to the quite a long downhill piste, that I doo over the weekends(I puted swiss stop and it is OK now)
Similar Products Used:
Scott genius 40, lappiere spicy 315, cube fritzz, scott ransom 40, ransom 20
Bike Setup:
I changed the steam (due to the fact that I am just in between M and L), seat (more confortable for men), grips (more ergonomic) and give a chain protection. I also changed only the first tire (Maxxis HR 2,35) and now I have very performante AM bike.
Bottom Line:
I would definitly recommande this bike to anyone who is searching for a AM bike, that can climb with ease and still want to do a decent down-hill.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
shawn
a Weekend Warrior
from gauteng south africa Date Reviewed: June 21, 2008
Favorite Trail:
all over
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2000.00
Purchased At:
bike scene
Strengths:
BEST LOOKING, AND BEST VALUE FOR MONEY, VERY COMFORTABLE,RESPONSIVE AND NOT TOO SOFT AS EVERYONE MAKES THE SUSPENSION OUT TO BE (PROVIDED THE SETUP HAS BEEN DONE PROPERLY)
Weaknesses:
DOESNT HAVE THE CREDIT IT DESERVES. THE SEAT COULD HAVE BEEN A BIT MORE COMFY.
Similar Products Used:
MONGOOSE TYAX ELITE,SPECIALISED FSR
Bike Setup:
BBB CARBON FIBRE HANDLEBARS OTHERWISE ITS STANDARD
Bottom Line:
AWESOME BIKE, GOOD VALUE FOR MONEY,COOL LOOKS AND I HAD ALOT OF COMPLEMENTS FROM DIFIRENT PEOPLE. NICE AND LITE (13.1KG). I TRIED A COUPLE OF BIG JUMPS AT A VERY TECHNICAL COURSE.....IT AN HANDELED IT WITH NO HASTLES, AN SAVED MU BUTT A COUPLE O TIMES TOO. A CONFIDENCE BUILDER.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ray
a Cross Country Rider
from Marikina, Philippines Date Reviewed: March 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Licao licao helipad, jackhammer
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$800.00
Purchased At:
John Wilkie Bike Shop
Strengths:
Great mean attacking looks with it's silver and black like the Oakland Raiders of the 80's. Excellent suspension that absorbs practically anything on the trail without losing your traction (confidence builder). Frame is relatively light for an all mountain.
Weaknesses:
None other than the fact that the small frame is not fitted with a bottle cage bolt set.
Similar Products Used:
Merida Mission 2000D
Bike Setup:
07 Fox Vanilla 32 RLC and RP23, Thompson elite stem and seat post with Selle Filante Gel saddle, Maxm MX5 handle bar with Oury grips, all 07 XTR group set with 08 XTR shadow carbon rd and DCL, Mavic Crossmax SLR with Specialized Pro fastrack tires
Bottom Line:
This bike is one superbly designed bike that can rival the other big name manufacturers of course without paying a ransom. As an aggresive XC and AM rider, I find that the ride is so plush, thanks to the RP23 rear shock and gives you confidence both on climbs and descends. The bike is slightly heavier compared to the Mission 2000 and it took me a few rides to get adjusted to it especially on climbs as I found it slower now on the climbs. Still there's no regret replacing my old XC bike as the the ride is so smooth that it makes you want to look for bumps and humps for jumps. The looks are a killer that exudes aggresiveness out on the trail. It doesn't carry though the bling factor of having an Ellesworth or Cannondale or Specialized. But if it's performance,rideability and affordability that is what you're looking for, then this bike is it. At the end of the day, when the bikes are all covered with mud, you can't really tell the difference anymore.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a
from Caboolture QLD Australia Date Reviewed: December 11, 2007
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Really well balanced suspension geometry, all the Fox Sus gear
Weaknesses:
Seat even thought it comes with a high end Euro seat it doesn't have a grove
Similar Products Used:
everyone else dually I could get my hands on and some shop bikes from Specialised to Santa cruz to whatever
Bottom Line:
If you want a bike that once setup for your riding style can really be ridden hard up and down hill and not weigh a heap, get one. It loves seriously rutted out sections, drops, and still climbs up stuff the carbon hardtail boys find tough. Perfect allrounder but remember its not made for doing 20ft drops one after another like a serious freeride/DH bike is.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Iwan Kemp
a Weekend Warrior
from Cape Town, South Africa Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Dirtopia Black Root
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
Cycle Factory, Montague Gardens
Strengths:
Traction Confidence Inspiring Killer looks
Weaknesses:
Tires and wheelset are heavy
Bike Setup:
Full XT Groupo, XTR Pedals Fork:Fox 32Talas RL 100-140 REAR Shock:Fox RP2 RIM: DT Swiss E540 disc TIRE: Maxxis Ignitor 2.35 KV STEM: FSA ST-OS170 SADDLE: Selle Italia NT1 Kit B SEAT POST: XM Pro SB20 31.6
Bottom Line:
Once I get the weight of the wheels and tires down this baby will be flying! Great bike on trails and singkle track, but the weight ( and my lack of fitness!) bocks me on the climes.
Solid ride, with great traction and handling. A great buy.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ian Mackay
a Cross Country Rider
from QLD Australia Date Reviewed: March 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Daisy Hill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$3000.00
Purchased At:
Capalaba Cycles
Strengths:
So smooth beautiful balance awesome suspension,brakes,frame a work of art
Weaknesses:
none except price because of our greedy government
factory with recommended air pressure for my weight
Bottom Line:
fantastic value compared to big names like specialized,giant etc with same equipment they're nearly twice the price yet the merida frame is hydra formed has needle roller bearings in all pivots is super beefy and looks fantastic its the WR450 of montain bikes
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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