Difference between the rear shocks (Buying a new bike) HELP PLZ

[Transformer09]

Hi all,

 

So I've saved up a decent amount over the last couple of months. I am on the verge of buying myself a new bike.

 

Now, I've seen a few articles about the difference in rear shocks but non of them are in plain English. I am currently looking at the Merida Ninety Six 800 (2018) and the Scott Spark 960 (2019)

 

Can someone please explain to me what the differences are when riding? Will the one benefit me more than the other one? I am around 177cm and weight is around 107kg at the moment. This will be my first bike in more than 10 years and my friends convinced me to get back in riding. 

 

Thanks

[Chavo]

When referring to "difference", do you mean in terms of suspension design or the brand of the shock itself?

[Transformer09]

When referring to "difference", do you mean in terms of suspension design or the brand of the shock itself?

 

Suspension design 

[JacBrand]

I doubt that you will notice a difference in riding if the suspension is properly set up and maintained.

Both are single pivot above the bottom bracket. Just the shocks are in different areas.

I think both will be the right choice, but have the suspension set up done properly and make sure you maintain it.

[Mawbs]

the bigger question is what type of riding are you going to do as the Merida is more a Xcountry bike with steeper head angle and the scott more Trail bike with slacker head angle

[Odinson]

There isn't much that separates those two shocks.

 

A more important consideration is the bike as a whole. The Scott is decidedly more modern and suited to general trail use than the Merida. It's a top class bike. 

[Rick Sanchez]

Get the Scott

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

There isn't much that separates those two shocks.

 

A more important consideration is the bike as a whole. The Scott is decidedly more modern and suited to general trail use than the Merida. It's a top class bike. 

^^This. 

[DieselnDust]

Hi all,

 

So I've saved up a decent amount over the last couple of months. I am on the verge of buying myself a new bike.

 

Now, I've seen a few articles about the difference in rear shocks but non of them are in plain English. I am currently looking at the Merida Ninety Six 800 (2018) and the Scott Spark 960 (2019)

 

Can someone please explain to me what the differences are when riding? Will the one benefit me more than the other one? I am around 177cm and weight is around 107kg at the moment. This will be my first bike in more than 10 years and my friends convinced me to get back in riding. 

 

Thanks

 

 

 

What type of riding are your friends into as I assume you will doing most of your riding with them?

 

What I know of George is that the trails out there are tight twisty single track, generally soggy due to year round rain fall. Garden Route trail Park, the trails around Oudtshoorn, and further onto Knysna are generally not steep and are well maintained. However the trails range from extremely rocky to muddy at the extreme.

Either bike will serve you very well but I would consider aspects such as mud clearance around the rear tyre bb area and hence the ability to fit a wide range of tyres comfortably. For Oudshoorn you may want a 2.35 to 2.4 tyre whilst in George and Knysna you may want to drop that as far as 2.00 or 2.1 for mud clearance.

The Scott has a lower bb by about  3mm which is effectively the difference between a 172.5 crank and a 175mm crank. Not a massive deal and can be offset by the Scott having a three position travel adjust for the rear shock.

[Transformer09]

What type of riding are your friends into as I assume you will doing most of your riding with them?

 

What I know of George is that the trails out there are tight twisty single track, generally soggy due to year round rain fall. Garden Route trail Park, the trails around Oudtshoorn, and further onto Knysna are generally not steep and are well maintained. However the trails range from extremely rocky to muddy at the extreme.

Either bike will serve you very well but I would consider aspects such as mud clearance around the rear tyre bb area and hence the ability to fit a wide range of tyres comfortably. For Oudshoorn you may want a 2.35 to 2.4 tyre whilst in George and Knysna you may want to drop that as far as 2.00 or 2.1 for mud clearance.

The Scott has a lower bb by about  3mm which is effectively the difference between a 172.5 crank and a 175mm crank. Not a massive deal and can be offset by the Scott having a three position travel adjust for the rear shock.

 

Yeah mostly single tracks and normal gravel roads around the George Dam area. Still have no idea which one to buy, so far Im leaning towards the Scott...

[Transformer09]

Another question guys. Is it save to ship with Bike addict? Shipping a 30k bike to me is kinda concerning. 

 

I also cant seem to find the weight of the new Scott Spark 960 2019 model... 

[porqui]

Get the Scott

.

Why?

.

[DieselnDust]

Yeah mostly single tracks and normal gravel roads around the George Dam area. Still have no idea which one to buy, so far Im leaning towards the Scott...

Based on this I'd go for the merida. It's about a kilo lighter, nimble and doesn't come with the added maintenance of a dropper

[Transformer09]

Based on this I'd go for the merida. It's about a kilo lighter, nimble and doesn't come with the added maintenance of a dropper

 

How do you know that? I cant find the weight of the Scott 2019 model yet? I'm so new to these stuff I don't even know what a dropper is lol (I guess something to do with the seat?).... Like I said, this will be my first bike in over 10 years. 

[Odinson]

Based on this I'd go for the merida. It's about a kilo lighter, nimble and doesn't come with the added maintenance of a dropper

 

The Merida is an outdated race bike. OP would be much better served with the Scott - a bike which can knock out serious miles, but is also fun on more trail (gravity) rides. 

 

And really, a dropper doesn't require much maintenance. 

[DieselnDust]

How do you know that? I cant find the weight of the Scott 2019 model yet? I'm so new to these stuff I don't even know what a dropper is lol (I guess something to do with the seat?).... Like I said, this will be my first bike in over 10 years.

 

2018 model is 14.2Kg.

2019 won't be lighter