Merida Big Nine XT Edition vs Titan Pro 29R

[Shyguy30]

Hi all.

 

I am going to begin riding again and need a new bike. My budget is about R15k. I have narrowed it down to these 2 bikes. Which one do you think will be the better buy?

 

Merida: FRAME NAME Big.Nine TFS-D-Single FORK Rock Shox 30 Gold 29 100 Poploc DERAILLEUR FRONT Shimano Deore XT H35 triple DERAILLEUR REAR Shimano Deore XT Shadow SHIFTER FRONT Shimano Deore XT ispec SHIFTER REAR Shimano Deore XT ispec BRAKE LEVER attached BRAKE FRONT Shimano M596 180 mm Cen BRAKE REAR Shimano M596 160 mm Cen CHAINWHEEL Shimano Deore XT 40-30-22 CHAINGUARD no BBSET attached CHAIN KMC X10 10s HUB FRONT Shimano M435 Cen HUB REAR Shimano M435 Cen RIM Merida Big.Nine Pro D FREEWHEEL Shimano CS-HG-10 11-36 TIRES Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29 Perf. 2.25 fold / Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29 Perf. 2.25 fold SPOKES black stainless HANDLEBAR STEM Merida Pro OS 5° HANDLEBAR Merida Pro OS 680 Flat HEADSET EGG S-Bearing SEAT POST Merida Pro H SB0 27.2 mm SADDLE Selle Italia X1 PEDAL XC Alloy

 

Titan Pro:

• HYDRO X7 DISC + SMOOTH WELDING
  
• ROCK SHOX REBA RL TAPER 100MM W/POPLOCK
  
• TITAN COMP
  
• TITAN FLAT
  
• TITAN
  
• SHIMANO XT
  
• SHIMANO XT
  
• SHIMANO XT
  
• SHIMANO XT
  
• SHIMANO SLX
  
• KMC X10
  
• STANS ZTR CREST 32H TL
  
• SHIMANO XT
  
• RACING RALPH PERFORMANCE 29"X2.25" WHITE STRIPE
  
• SHIMANO M505
  
• SELLE ROYAL SETA
  
• TITAN COMP
  

Any help and advice making this decision will be appreciated.