KnavishStream Posted January 23, 2019 Share Hi guys, Help on this would be greatly appreciated! I am a roadie looking to dabble in some mtbing - in my long search for a mtb within my price range - the options have been narrowed down to the 'Cannondale Scalpel-SI 6' and the 'Merida Ninety-Six 600'. I would really appreciate the hubs advice on both these bikes. Below is the low down on each bike (apologies for adding in ALL the detail, just have no clue what's important to look at and what isn't): Cannondale: FRAME: Scalpel-Si, 100mm, SmartForm C1 Alloy, Zero Pivot seatstay, Carbon Link, PF30, 1.5 Si head tube, Ai OffsetFORK: RockShox Reba RL, 100mm, Solo Air, Tapered Steerer, Maxle Lite, 51mm offsetREAR SHOCK: RockShox Monarch RL, 100mmRIMS: Stan's NoTubes Crest S1, 32 hole, tubeless readyHUBS: Formula DC51 front, Formula DHT-142x12, (Ai Offset dish - Rear)SPOKES: DT-Swiss Champion (Ai Offset dish - Rear)TIRES: WTB Nineline Comp 29x2.25" DNA Compound.PEDALS: Not includedCRANK: Cannondale Si, BB30, 36/26 CNC RingsBOTTOM BRACKET: Cannondale Alloy PressFit30CHAIN: KMC X11, 11-speedREAR COGS: SunRace, 11-40, 11-speedFRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano SLX, side swingREAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano XT Shadow Plus, 11-speedSHIFTERS: Shimano SLX , 1x11-speedHANDLEBAR: Cannondale C3 flat, Butted AL6061 Alloy, 760mmGRIPS: Cannondale Locking GripsSTEM: Cannondale C3, 6061 Alloy, 1.125", 31.8, -5°HEADSET: Cannondale HeadShok SiBRAKES: Shimano Deore MT500 hydro disc, 180/160mmBRAKE LEVERS: Shimano Deore MT500 hydro discSADDLE: Cannondale Stage 3SEATPOST: Cannondale C3, 6061 alloy, 31.6x350mm (S,M) 400mm (L,X)SIZES: M,L,XL (29") Merida: FRAME NINETY-SIX LITE96mm suspension travelFRAME SIZE M, L, XLCOLOR GLOSSY BLACK ((BLUE/SILVER))FORK Manitou Markhor CompSHOCK Rock Shox Monarch RLBRAKE FRONT Shimano MT-500BRAKE REAR Shimano MT-500BRAKE LEVER Shimano MT-500HEADSET FSA NO.55EHANDLEBAR MERIDA Expert CCHANDLEBAR STEM MERIDA Expert CCGRIP MERIDA Comp ECDERAILLEUR FRONT noDERAILLEUR REAR Sram NX EagleSHIFTER FRONT noSHIFTER REAR Sram NX EagleSEAT POST MERIDA Comp CCSEAT CLAMP MERIDA ExpertSADDLE MERIDA Comp CCCHAIN Sram NX EagleCHAINWHEEL Sram NX Eagle 32 teeth FREEWHEEL Sram NX 1230 Eagle11-50 teeth12 speedBOTTOM BRAKET Sram BB DUB PF MTB 92RIM MERIDA Comp CCTIRE FRONT Maxxis IkonTIRE REAR Maxxis IkonHUB FRONT Shimano MT400-BHUB REAR Shimano MT400-BAXLE REAR JD-QR48R Boost axle 12x148mmROTOR FRONT Shimano RT10ROTOR REAR Shimano RT10SPOKES Double Butted Black stainlessWEIGHT 13.13 kg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnavishStream Posted January 23, 2019 Share Links to the bikes: Merida: https://www.merida-bikes.com/en/bike/30/ninety-six-600Cannondale: https://www.cannondale.com/en/International/Bike/ProductDetail?Id=3620dce3-6d2a-453b-83c3-6b93679feead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted January 23, 2019 Share Yo Steve, what sort of riding are you going to be doing? Dirt roadie-ing, or MTB proper? If MTB proper, and you're not going to be racing at the pointy end for position or on the XCO circuit, I'd point you towards the Merida 120 instead of the 96, purely due to the fact that it's a more effective all-rounder than the 96, which is an all-out XCO/XCM race machine, and is built on the premise that most of the pilots will have sufficient technical prowess to overcome the inferior handling characteristics & geometry when compared to bikes like the 120 & Spark (non RC) which are more confidence inspiring and forgiving, especially for a noob to the MTB world. Of those, though, I'd go for the 'dale any day of the week, due to the more modern geometry and better fork. However, depending on your weight, I'd swap out the stock CREST wheelset for something a bit more hardy, like the Arch or Flow (also from Stans) and I'd change the rear cassette from the advertised 11-40 to an 11-46 or 11-50 (also a SUNRACE - cheap and far better gear spacing than the Shimano options in the same category) in order to get a better range of gears. The wheelset change should be a no-cost item, and the Sunrace cassettes are cheap. Jako De Wet, KnavishStream, Rocket-Boy and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnavishStream Posted January 23, 2019 Share Yo Steve, what sort of riding are you going to be doing? Dirt roadie-ing, or MTB proper? If MTB proper, and you're not going to be racing at the pointy end for position or on the XCO circuit, I'd point you towards the Merida 120 instead of the 96, purely due to the fact that it's a more effective all-rounder than the 96, which is an all-out XCO/XCM race machine, and is built on the premise that most of the pilots will have sufficient technical prowess to overcome the inferior handling characteristics & geometry when compared to bikes like the 120 & Spark (non RC) which are more confidence inspiring and forgiving, especially for a noob to the MTB world. Of those, though, I'd go for the 'dale any day of the week, due to the more modern geometry and better fork. However, depending on your weight, I'd swap out the stock CREST wheelset for something a bit more hardy, like the Arch or Flow (also from Stans) and I'd change the rear cassette from the advertised 11-40 to an 11-46 or 11-50 (also a SUNRACE - cheap and far better gear spacing than the Shimano options in the same category) in order to get a better range of gears. The wheelset change should be a no-cost item, and the Sunrace cassettes are cheap. Wow! thanks so much for the detailed reply - I really appreciate it. I am wanting to do a bit of both - I am entered for Race to the Sun on the 16th Feb, but would also love to start getting into stage races such as Sani etc. I have had experience on trails - but was a while ago before I found the dark side of road riding! I weigh just shy of 80kgs - will look at the option of changing out the wheel set. Thanks again for the response! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted January 23, 2019 Share Okay, stage races don't really necessitate an XCO/XCM weapon, particularly if you're not at the pointy end of the field. A merida 120 / scott spark / giant Trance 9er may be the better bet, if you're looking at a bit of everything. Put it this way - a 120mm bike will generally have a much larger margin-for-suckage than a 100mm bike, and will be far less likely to pitch you otb (or make you FEEL as if you're gonna go OTB) if you get something wrong. KnavishStream 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnavishStream Posted January 23, 2019 Share Will also take a look at those options! thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebob Posted January 23, 2019 Share I see you stay near me. Welcome to come have a look at my Spark if you want KnavishStream 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocket-Boy Posted January 23, 2019 Share Wow! thanks so much for the detailed reply - I really appreciate it. I am wanting to do a bit of both - I am entered for Race to the Sun on the 16th Feb, but would also love to start getting into stage races such as Sani etc. I have had experience on trails - but was a while ago before I found the dark side of road riding! I weigh just shy of 80kgs - will look at the option of changing out the wheel set. Thanks again for the response!What Myles said. 90%+ of riders on the whippet XC bikes should be on 120mm bikes with more relaxed geometry. They arent slow by any means and are a lot more fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongoose! Posted January 23, 2019 Share It's only a Scalpel if it has a Lefty KnavishStream 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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