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Merida
Merida Dakar 670, 1999 Cr Mo
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Submitted by
Sandor Nagy
a Cross Country Rider
from Balatonalmadi, Hungary, Europe
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | fleamarket | | Strengths: | cromo frame... unbreakable, strong, flexible, durable, retro style :) durable painting, nice black-orange. | | Weaknesses: | heavy, but this is one of its strength -> massive
doesn't have rear disc brake mounting point. must do it at home. | | Similar Products Used: | few noname steel, and cromo frame. 2-3 alu frame too... | | Bike Setup: | full stx rc set, manitou x-vert e, hydraulic disc brake, syncros stem-handlebar (carbon), selle italya. | | Bottom Line: | I like it, and never be for sale :) Try to get one. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Archie Brown
a Cross Country Rider
from Melbourne
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Djerriwarrah | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Frame only? Strong, looks good, perfect geometry, inexpensive. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy - as you would expect from cro-mo | | Similar Products Used: | Various steelies and aluminiums - all hardtails | | Bike Setup: | My commuter: Dakar frame, deore hubs, wtb rims, racing cassette, geax hubis, CF bar and Ti stem. | | Bottom Line: | Strong, strong, strong. I have dirt jumped, stair jumped, river jumped, crashed this bike into cars, posts, poles, rocks, trashed forks and running gear, put myself in crutches, bandages and hospital on a regular basis and after all that: With a wash and polish this frame would look brand new.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney NSW Australia
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Oaks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Strengths: | Unbreakable, flexible, forgiving | | Weaknesses: | possibly a little heavy but what do you expect out of a cro-moly frame. But if you want to flex with the big hits then this is the trade-off you got to make | | Similar Products Used: | Trek 8000, Giant ATX, Mongoose 6.5, | | Bike Setup: | Merida Dakar factory, Time pedals for maximum mud repellance, factory shocks on there way out! | | Bottom Line: | Bottom Line: "If you want a workhorse and not a showpony, then go the Dakar frame."
Since this review is about the frame, and not the entire Dakar package, I will concentrate on the cro-moly frame (because some of the components on the package need real attention, e.g., forks, brakes, etc.). This frame takes the big hits without the nagging worry that some little fracture have unearthed itself and spreading with each pedal stroke. If you want a frame that will go where you want to go, and your not a feather-light freak, then go the Dakar. Alot of the guys I ride with have alloy frames and, considering the lightness of the alloy frames, I've never found myself puffing at the rear of the pack struggling to haul a weighty frame around; I am up there with them without a hassle.
The virtues of the Dakar shine when any one of us has bitten the earth. Your aluminium framers are fussing over any possible little hairline fractures, while me and my Cro-moly vintage mates are straight back in the saddle pulling the pebbles out from under the skin. I've thrown myself and this frame into some dirty situations and this workhorse comes out without a groan.
I give the frame 4 flamers for both value and overall...don't want manufacturers thinking they have perfected anything because there's always room for improvement.
Show me an aluminium frame that can take it like cro-moly and I'll get on. In the meantime I'm riding my Dakar with confidence. Now shouldn't you get your posterior off that chair and into the saddle....because I'd sure as hell rather be riding. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Igis
a Cross-Country Rider
from Slovakia
Date Reviewed: December 21, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Little Carpathians | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Hard to break, sporty, flexible, pushing hits | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Similar Products Used: |
Scott Tampico 95
Author
Aluminium Meridas
various irons | | Bottom Line: | I do not desire to have suspension from the time I have this frame. With 2.1 tires you can do a weaker downhill with this frame. | | Overall Rating: |
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