Op1

Hey Guys So I pulled the trigger on the Merida 96XT and slapped on some carbon rims as well - Im super happy and it does feel great now that it has been setup Thank you all for the advice and the support whilst I was so indecisive

, so as a last attempt im going to make a dash to cyclelab again and ride a few bikes and get a feel for them. The only thing I found really strange on the Trek was the 800mm handlebars - Trek said they can shorten it for me. but I dont know what I dont know (ie: whether 800mm is better in the long run). Suffering from analysis paralysis at the moment

Hi Robert, im 174cm tall and ride a medium at the moment but on the merida im a large and OIZ also Large

I forgot to mention that I had a professional bike fit done on my current bike. So I guess that both test bike would feel very odd

Hi Guys So I visited cycle lab and rode the merida, its feels similar to my momsen ( wrt to position ), overall it felt ok and something im used to. Not sure if im suppose to instantly feel that this is the right bike.The twist lock is something id need to get used to...its super light. I didnt get a chance to climb up an incline to get a feel for it though. second- I visited Trek and rode the Top Fuel 9.7. It felt big and handlebars felt really wide.overall I felt like im riding a big bike and sat slightly high and fairly upright-something im not used to...but it felt really good climbing hills. In the end, I left Pretoria feeling more confused and wondering if I should put off the purchase until I get more information. If anyone is willing to meetup at Cyclelab/Trek and offer some expert advice so I just finalise this damn purchase. -Lunch will be on me.

Thanks for all the advice - Will update you guys on what happens this week - going to ride both of them .

Trek9.7is going on a special at the moment for 70K for the 2023 model ( brand new ) https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/top-fuel/top-fuel-9-7/p/35178/?colorCode=black I also am viewing a 2nd hand one tomorrow - 2020 model -44k https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/478889994330870/?hoisted=false&ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks

Option 1 - https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1017166-bike-mtb-ds-carb-merida-ninety-six-rc-xt-my22 Option 2 https://www.trekbikes.com/za/en_ZA/bikes/mountain-bikes/cross-country-mountain-bikes/top-fuel/top-fuel-9-7/p/35178/?colorCode=black

In not sure what model it is..cyclab refers to it as a 2022 model but a friend of mine has the exact same one and he brought in 2020 or 2021

Thanks all, you are all amazing Last question,. I was told that the Merida only has 100mm travel and won't be sufficient for technical trails etc. For example I'm planning on riding the sani2c and wondering if the 100mm will be a limitation...bear in mind I wiegh 94kg Else I got a great deal on a trek full carbon 9.7 top fuel. At 68k...so now I feel like I'm back to square one on decisions.

Hi guys, So I found a trek top fuel 9.7 carbon....2020model. going to have a look at it today. Anything I need to look out for on these bikes? Owner says it has about 1700km on it already.

Thanks, I do alot of gravel and long rides (4hrs+) and want something comfortable and fast. I don't do alot of downhill and technical already I really do enjoy tech rides a few times a year So between the Merida and the trek then?

Thanks guys, I will have a look at the Trek bikes as well...any comments on the OIZ H20?

HI Guys I am currently riding a momsen hardtail and started doing longer rides 60+, with the intention of training for the race to the sun and other similar long rides. I realized quiet soon that a hardtail is tough on the body esp on rough terrain. So im planning on getting a dual sus in the next couple of weeks. but would like something that is comfortable and easy to ride during longer rides but can also handle the occasional rough trails. I have pinned it down to the following ( purely based on it being on special at Cycle lab for December ) - I know there are better options but I dont know what to look at - your advice would be greatly appreciated. Merida 96 RC XT -https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1017166-bike-mtb-ds-carb-merida-ninety-six-rc-xt-my22 Orbea OIZ H30 and H20 XT https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1016522-bike-mtb-ds-alu-orbea-oiz-h30-my22 https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1016513-bike-mtb-ds-alu-orbea-oiz-h20-my22 outlier of the group - KTM skarp 294 SX - https://www.cyclelab.com/product/1010739-bike-mtb-ds-alu-ktm-scarp-294-sx-12-spd thanks in advance guys

Morning all, Hope everyone is have a good start of the week, I need some quick advice on a replacement chain for my 12speed MTB bike I'm running sx chain at the moment and have got about 3000km on it... current wear is 0.5, so it's time for a replacement.. My options are sram gx chain or KMC x12 chain. I'm not sure which is the better chain to buy...I'm happy if the new chain last 3000km plus as well. Need your thoughts and advice. Setup is SX deraileur and SRAM cassette

No it's still not level with the front block removed. I have a few spare boards I can use to raise the trainer and take it from there.

Thanks for the responses, it's a mountain bike with a road wheel in the rear and a mountain bike wheel up front. Iv had to remove the block to lower the front wheel otherwise I sit at a slight incline, my thoughts are to raise the trainer at the back, level to the front wheel. So I would sit at a neutral position (ie not at an incline) hope I'm making sense I had my bike setup by Craig, so if the incline on the trainer has no impact the the setup then I guess it would be ok to continue riding, I assume the slight incline would put added pressure on my butt? Would that make longer sessions more uncomfortable? But in all things, I'd like for it to be level...what are you thoughts...raise the back or ride it like it is?

Hi guys, curious to know if others are experiencing the same issue and if it's normal. I have noticed that when I mount my mtb on my kickr snap. The front wheel is slightly higher when compared to the rear, so it feels like I'm sitting on a slight incline. If I use a level on the saddle you see the seat is raised. Should I try to level it or is it safe to ride as is.(ie: for my knees,body etc) Fyi: if the bike is off the trainer it's completely level

Hi Guys, So I have made it to the 60km mark twice,😁 first time was a horrible experience and felt drained out, second time was much better ( granted im fitter than I used to when I did my first 60km)...now I am planning an 80km ride on Wednesday. I averaged my calories over 3 rides and its roughly 200 -270Kcal per hour depending on the effort... do I need to fuel avg calories_x_hours im going to ride ? My current eating plan on rides is as follows : Breakfast - future life cereal and some dates 60min - fast bar 90min - 150ml hammer perpetuem( equivalent to 1scoop) every hour after that I take 150ml pepetuem and 30min later 1xfast bar. On an 80km ride,which will take me 5hours+- , that's alot of fast-bars and pepetuem to stomach. I would like to hear your nutrition strategies on long rides. What do you use, how you use, when and how much. Thanks in advance gents.

Your Setup looks really neat. I am using my wife's bike for now. she isn't planning on riding during winter and I suspect the indoor setup will serve as motivation for her to ride a bit...

thanks Guys I was thinking of just selling the snap and buying a core, but I would to get a 12 speed cassette and a 10spd for my wife who also wants to use the trainer.....super annoying position to be in

will Pm you

Thanks , I also not a fan of changing/removing tyres,hence I thought the snap would be perfect for us when compared to the kickr core, until I realized its not for mtb tyres, looks like I wont get away with swapping out wheels unless I get a dedicated bike for the trainer. So pretty much any HT or road bike with slick tyres will work ?

Hi Guys So with winter on the way and all the rain we having been getting recently, I decided to look for an indoor trainer and found a kickr Snap 2 on the market place for a decent price. I figured it would work on my mountain bike but realized very quickly that its super noisy with mtb tyres and not practical to ride with that much noise. anyone else using a snap2 with their mountain bike that can provide some guidance on how you are making it work ( did you buy a dedicated cheapo bike ) or setup a new rear wheel with a road/training Tyre ? not sure which is the better option. I am running a 1x12 sram...do I need to match a new rear wheel with the same casette or can I go for something cheaper(8 or 10 speed casette ) Would like to hear from you guys on your setups

Thanks all , appreciate the responses