MERIDA Ninety-Six XT 2018 vs KTM Scarp Elite 2017

[Mususa]

Hello All,

 

I need some friendly advice please. I'm looking to upgrade my current MTB which has reached its useful life. Just a note I'm no expert so if I have made a few newbie mistakes please accept my apology. I'm here to learn.

 

My price range is up to 45k MAX and I'm not set on having a carbon frame. I want a bike that is reliable and will allow a weekend warrior like me to enter a few races and a few stage races as well. I'm doing Sani this year. My only requirement is a soft tail. I'm not obsessed on it being carbon and to be honest at my price range I don't think ill find a full carbon anyways. I'd rather have better specs then it being carbon etc.

 

Two bikes have caught my eye. (Please advise on other bikes should you feel they are better ones)

• MERIDA Ninety-Six XT 2018
• KTM Scarp Elite 2017

 

I have read mixed reviews on both bikes. The KTM is 2017 and I'm a bit worried that Cycle Lab are the only dealers so spares may be an issue?

 

The Merida is 2018 and well known in SA but I've read that people are not fans of the wheels.

 

Please let me know your thoughts on the above as well as any other bikes in my price range. I'm happy to spend less if I get real value. More money for other things.. I was looking at the Sido 1 2017 but no one has stock of that bike anymore.

 

Thanks

[anybody seen george?]

I personally would avoid KTM. Just do not like the brand as MTB specific and only ever heard bad things about it. 

Other bikes to consider:

1. Trek Top Fuel 8: Falls within your price range with $$$ to spare for tubeless conversion and some add-ons
2. Gaint Anthem 2: Same as above
3. Scott Spark 95: Same as above. Note this is not the RC version but in my opinion the weekend warrior and weekend race snake better option than the full-on XC racehorse

[JohanMalan]

A friend is having difficulty replacing a cracked KTM frame as they don't import it separately, so , that is probably not a good choice.

[Pulse]

I have a Scarp. I love it. I did have an issue with the frame a while back, and I got it replaced without much hassle.

 

I think both of those are nice options. If I had to get a new bike, I would probably go Giant or Scott

[Mususa]

I have a Scarp. I love it. I did have an issue with the frame a while back, and I got it replaced without much hassle.

 

I think both of those are nice options. If I had to get a new bike, I would probably go Giant or Scott

 

 

Thank you Pulse.

 

What Scott would you recommend?

 

Cycle lab are having the scrap elite 2017 at 45k. Discounted from 60k supposedly. With my multiply vouchers I could pay around 40k.

 

Worth it?

[Bitsy]

My experience on the link below.

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/171900-mtb-around-40k/

 

I looked at the KTM as well but our fellow hubbers quickly put me on the right track. I am really happy with the final selection.

[Eugene]

Looking at your post, it is not a soft tail you are looking for. It is a full suspension.

 

A soft tail is actually a hard tail with a very flexible chainstay and a small shock. It is not the same as a full suspension bike. To my knowledge, BMC is the only manufacturer that has a soft tail available in SA.

 

Don't worry, even the more experienced mtbers get confused between the two.

[Mususa]

Looking at your post, it is not a soft tail you are looking for. It is a full suspension.

 

A soft tail is actually a hard tail with a very flexible chainstay and a small shock. It is not the same as a full suspension bike. To my knowledge, BMC is the only manufacturer that has a soft tail available in SA.

 

Don't worry, even the more experienced mtbers get confused between the two.

 

Haha thanks Eugene..

 

So a full Suspension is what i'm looking for

[Neverfit]

Giant Anthem as mentioned above. Excellent bike with solid dealers and support.

If you can, pop in to a few LBS and see who can offer you a demo bike for a ride or 2. What seems good and fine on paper may feel different out on the trails.

 

Good luck!

[slickjay007]

Ridgeway Cycles in Edenvale have some awesome deals on Giant bikes. Rory and the team are extremely helpful.

 

PS. Not sure if they have a loan bike for you to test out.

[wildwindfr]

If I was you I would look at the silverback sido 1 from Bike Addict with the 12 speed eagle group for under R30 000 with some spending money to ride more and do more races. Just my 2c. Whatever you get enjoy it.