Submitted by
Ray Cordero
a Cross Country Rider
from Marikina, Philippines Date Reviewed: October 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Bosoboso
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$550.00
Purchased At:
John Wilkie Bike Shop
Strengths:
Frame is very rigid considering it's a full suspension bike. Relatively light and nice racy colour combination. Value for money. Ride is comfortable and firm for confident ride either going up or racing downhill.
Weaknesses:
Paint chips especially in the pivot sections. Can be very tasking when cleaning the bike after a muddy ride. Lots of tight and hard to reach areas. Need a lot of cotton buds. Hard to reach control lever of rear shock. Need remote lockout.
Similar Products Used:
Merida hard tail.
Bike Setup:
Fox Vanilla 130 RLC, X-fusion 02 RL, Thompson stem and seat post, Syncros head set, Max-m MX 5 handle bar, All XTR 07's (DCL, fr & rear derailleur, cog set, crank, brakes), American Classic MTB 26.
Bottom Line:
This is my first full suspension XC bike. I was lucky the bike fit my style of riding and geometry perfectly. All parts are bought individually to further enhance the great ride quality this bike delivers considering it's very affordable price. The next closest bike in terms of price is about $200 more. This bike is so easy to maneuver even in the most technical tracks. Excellent climbing ability and gives you confidence to attack a trail going downhill regardless of terrain. The Fox Vanilla gives the bike an all mountain feel but borders on the firm ride due to the Low Ratio Sytem. I've taken this bike on all types of terrain aggressively and it still ride new. No squeaks or rattling noise. I recommend this bike for those who wants a race inspired, value for money full suspension XC bike. Merida defied the odds on this one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Alessandro Pontellini
a Weekend Warrior
from Isola del Piano (ITALY) Date Reviewed: May 14, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Cesana n°37
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2600.00
Purchased At:
Green Bike Shop FOSSOMBRONE
Strengths:
Light,Light,Light!! It climbs like a monkey and come down like an heatseeking missile...you can't go wrong on bends cause she lets you choose the better trajectory. Big safe brakes and no bobbing on climbs with the suspension properly set.What do you want more?!
Weaknesses:
The bike doesn't have any weakness by my point of view but Merida needs a kick in the a## cause they sold me a 20' frames instead of the 22' I ordered. Luckily with minor adjustments (change of seatpost, handlebar and stem)I got the bike set good for me. Some could tell why I don't get the right frame...I had already waited for 7 MONTHS...so maybe for this MERIDA needs another kick in the a##!! But now, with a bike with an L size instead of an XL I gained more manouvrability.So I'm happy
Similar Products Used:
GT XCR 3000...a missile too on descents but a very heavy and much more less manouvrable bike.
Bike Setup:
as Merida sells it here in Italy...guess it's the same in the rest of the world!
Bottom Line:
I'm very happy with this bike and it's very good for trail biking and long cross country rides. Once suspensions are set in the proper way the bike reacts pretty good on rough terrain both on climbs and descents, even if the R7 fork is not plush as my old Marzocchi MX PRO, but it makes well its job. So 5 flaming chilis for the bike but 4 for MERIDA for the mistake in the frame size.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lance Stephenson
a Racer
from Cape Town Date Reviewed: May 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Grabouw
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
My own Shop
Strengths:
Build quality is top, frame design (mechanically speaking) and hydro forming technology is exceptional. Geometry is spot on. Choice of Rear shock Manufacturer (manitou) Climbing ability descending ability, handling ,weight blah blah so much to say the way the bearings come apart in the frame, you can see the thought thats been put into it for the mechanic or end users sake, it's made simple and easy.AND you can carry 2 bottles
Weaknesses:
Like EVERY full suspension rig, one tends to have to fiddle with suspension to get it right. This bike is a breeze in comparison.....but still it's something that requires time to get right, but it's not a weakness as such, but a down side to all full sussers.
Similar Products Used:
Wheeler 3000czx (old clunker), GF sugar, Trek Fuel, and the stupidist of the lot, Specialized epic. Crap bike that one, or rather SORRY BRAIN shock is the crap part, if Spesh has specced th manitou on their bike, i'd still have it..MAYBE
Bike Setup:
Manitou R7 Super 100mm thompson elite stem carbon LP bar Magura Marta SL(BLACK one offs) Green goodridge hoses, SRAM XO twist shifters, DT swiss 240s hubs dt revolution spokes mavic 717disc rims truvativ stylo team cranks XO der and cassette selle san marco aspide carbon saddle use alloy seatpost. 10.8kg happy, bike is sweat to ride all season and lasts!
Bottom Line:
After buying a Specialized Epic, i rode it for 6 months and sold fast. Went back to Hardtail(carbon) for 4 years. I saw this bike and had to get it. the ride is where the magic happens, the bike is right...it's what suspension bike should ride like!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Town Date Reviewed: April 19, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Eselfontein
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$2500.00
Purchased At:
CMC
Strengths:
Brilliant braking, smoothest ride I've had, solid climber and flying downhills, value for money. Did I mention the brakes? Massive front rotor gets me out of trouble all the time. On the fly adjustable rear shock is brilliant. Looks great!
Weaknesses:
Need to replace the saddle (personal setup). Took ages for the bike to get here! Local importer needs a kick in the pants (South Africa)
Similar Products Used:
None - first full susser and loving it! Have ridden hardtails from Giant to Kona.
Bike Setup:
Off the shelf
Bottom Line:
Ordered the bike when I realised I needed something better than a six year old mid range hard tail to do the EPIC on. Waited for ages for the bike to arrive, but once I got it the wait was worth it. Absolutely loving it. Climbs extremely well - there is a lock out on the rear shock but with the shock adjusted properly you don't need it - absolutely no bob, just reacting to the bumps. Much better than my friends BRAINS! Also adjustable on the fly, great shock. Braking is awesome, the front rotor is massive and gets me out of trouble - riding this thing downhill FAST is so much fun you tend to overcook it a little! Fantastic handling. Perfect for LONG cross country rides with downhill single track thrown in for good measure, this thing handles. SRAM and Juicy components BRILLIANT - very happy with the performance.
The EPIC was a breeze, all I needed was a clean and lube each day, didn't have a mechanic near the bike for 8 days, 900 km's of the toughest moutain bike race in the world (apparently!). Not a single issue - kudo's to SRAM and Juicy. Absolutely blown away. Only issues - the saddle hurts my ass (but saddles are personal issues) and you need to get tubeless - although I did only get three punctures in 900k's.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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