Titan vs Merida

[Desmo]

Hi,

 

I would really appreciate some advise with buying my next bike.

 

My options are limited to the Merida big 9 600 (NX 1 x 11, tektro gemini brakes, manitou marvel fork)

 

or the Titan Elite 29R (SLX 2 x 11, shimano 315 brakes, rockshox 30 silver solo air fork)

 

The Titan also have tubeless ready tires, where the merida does not and the rest of the components are mostly made up of manufacturer labelled stems, seatposts, handle bars etc.

 

The Merida seems to have the better fork, which would be an expensive upgrade if I had to do it on the Titan. While the Titan seems to have the better drive train, but upgrading the Merida drive train to something better (GX) would not cost nearly as much as a fork upgrade for the titan.

 

Some people advise to avoid the titan bikes, but they are backed by the same company as Merida (is SA anyway) so you should be able to get the same after sale service levels.

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

PS, I know it is possible to get a great 2nd hand deal, but I have been done in on 2nd hand stuff before and would not consider that route for this purchase.

 

 

[BenReaper]

I would recommend you go for the Titan between the two.

Although the Manitou shock might be a higher spec , there are no agents for Manitou in SA AFAIK at the moment.

Also the Shimano brakes and drivetrain on the Titan are better than the Tectro and NX on the Merida IMHO.

 

Sent from my SM-J111F using Tapatalk

[Jase619]

Some people advise to avoid the titan bikes, but they are backed by the same company as Merida (is SA anyway) so you should be able to get the same after sale service levels.

 

Any reason given to avoid these bikes?

[Sitting@89]

Hi,

 

I would really appreciate some advise with buying my next bike.

 

My options are limited to the Merida big 9 600 (NX 1 x 11, tektro gemini brakes, manitou marvel fork)

 

or the Titan Elite 29R (SLX 2 x 11, shimano 315 brakes, rockshox 30 silver solo air fork)

 

The Titan also have tubeless ready tires, where the merida does not and the rest of the components are mostly made up of manufacturer labelled stems, seatposts, handle bars etc.

 

The Merida seems to have the better fork, which would be an expensive upgrade if I had to do it on the Titan. While the Titan seems to have the better drive train, but upgrading the Merida drive train to something better (GX) would not cost nearly as much as a fork upgrade for the titan.

 

Some people advise to avoid the titan bikes, but they are backed by the same company as Merida (is SA anyway) so you should be able to get the same after sale service levels.

 

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

PS, I know it is possible to get a great 2nd hand deal, but I have been done in on 2nd hand stuff before and would not consider that route for this purchase.

How much does the big nine 600 retail for? Thinking that would be more in the range of the Titan pro? Which has XT brakes as well

[Breezer]

In that price range, get a silverback sola 2

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/234397-2016-silverback-sola-29er-hardtails/

[ChrisF]

Hi Desmo, welcome to the Hub.

 

That is a difficult price range .... not entry level, but not enough money to really "go big" ....

 

I bought a commuter in that price range in February.

 

ended up buying a 2016 model - shop had to move to old stock as the 2017 models had arrived ... Picked up an R18k bike for R11k - and the 2017 model now costs R25k ......

 

 

You will need to visits the shops to find these bargains ....

 

 

happy hunting

[Desmo]

Thanks for all the advise. I eventually opted for the Titan, but as luck would have it I developed a bad flu a day before getting my new ride and I am now confined to sitting on it in the garage.

 

Can't wait to get it out on the trails

[Bos]

_{Buy a secondhand bike on the hub.. If youre new to the sport ask a budy to help you look.}

_{You can pick up a alu framed bike with a reba and xt for that pricerance.}

 

_{Let me know If you need advice, I'll help.}

[ChrisF]

CONGRATS !!!

 

 

PS - are you new to MTB'ing ?  Do you know the trails in the area ?  If not, Meerendal is your closest trail for riders starting out.  Start with the route over the dam ....

 

ENJOY !