Merida One Twenty 800 / Scott Spark 940...Giant Anthem

[hanre]

I have been wondering about a next bike for a few months now. I currently ride the trails around Cape Town as a member of the Tygerberg MTB club. And my old hardtail was always going to be replaced this year.

 

As with all of us I am looking to get the best bang for my buck. Originally I was planning 30k but have realized that this leaves the options limited. 

 

Having recently driven a Giant Anthem 1.0 and with some details they are around 40k for a 2018 if found.

 

I do however like the idea of the Scott Twinloc system as I found myself changing the shock setting regularly on the Anthem and with the 2018 models going for 36K again if found in my size this also seemed to be a perfect fit until I visited a local shop who showed me the Merida One Twenty 800.

 

I have viewed the Merida One Twenty a few times as at some stores it fits the budget but the Rockshox Revelation RC and Deluxe RL concerned me and it does not have the remote lockout. Could this be fitted and is it worth it? Has anyone ever had their twinloc jam? I heard this happens and thus some prefer the manual locking.

 

My riding will most likely only be trail but I do plan to do the odd 60km ride and the Karoo to Coast.

 

Is my desires greater than my budget? The Scott seems to tick all the boxes but should I wait for the 2020 models to launch and is the Fox 34 considered greater in the non-elite version? 

 

Used bikes seem to go for the price discounted Meridas, Giant and Scotts go

[thebob]

I've had two of those three bikes. The Spark is a really efficient machine. Pedals well, climbs like a boss and the TwinLoc is a great feature for the flat trails or gravel roads. Where I found it lacking was on the downhills. It is pretty nervous and did not inspire confidence to push hard. Eventually I set it up with a standard Fox 3 position for adjuster and ran the shock only on the remote.

 

The Giant is what I currently ride. It is a blast downhill and surprisingly good uphill. I could make it better on the ups by fitting some more XC biased tyres, but I'm not too fussed about that. It's handling is much more composed than the Spark.

 

Component wise I think the Giant will be a little more bang for buck than the Spark, with the Merida probably even better. Unless you are doing a lot of jeep and gravel roads, I wouldn't even bother with a remote lockout it will just cost you a ton of cash and add some cable clutter and weight. The bike design these days is good enough that you don't bob away all your power in the open modes. If you are going to be hitting that terrain often, go for the Spark. If you are after more gravity orientated riding the Merida or the Giant. Either way, make sure you have a good local shop who will support the bike you choose

[PeterF]

I've had two of those three bikes. The Spark is a really efficient machine. Pedals well, climbs like a boss and the TwinLoc is a great feature for the flat trails or gravel roads. Where I found it lacking was on the downhills. It is pretty nervous and did not inspire confidence to push hard. Eventually I set it up with a standard Fox 3 position for adjuster and ran the shock only on the remote.

The Giant is what I currently ride. It is a blast downhill and surprisingly good uphill. I could make it better on the ups by fitting some more XC biased tyres, but I'm not too fussed about that. It's handling is much more composed than the Spark.

Component wise I think the Giant will be a little more bang for buck than the Spark, with the Merida probably even better. Unless you are doing a lot of jeep and gravel roads, I wouldn't even bother with a remote lockout it will just cost you a ton of cash and add some cable clutter and weight. The bike design these days is good enough that you don't bob away all your power in the open modes. If you are going to be hitting that terrain often, go for the Spark. If you are after more gravity orientated riding the Merida or the Giant. Either way, make sure you have a good local shop who will support the bike you choose

Bob you do realise that the OP is refering to the Giant Anthem and not the Trance? There is no way that the Anthem is better downhill than the Scott Spark.

[DieselnDust]

Bob you do realise that the OP is refering to the Giant Anthem and not the Trance? There is no way that the Anthem is better downhill than the Scott Spark.

Bob you do realise that the OP is refering to the Giant Anthem and not the Trance? There is no way that the Anthem is better downhill than the Scott Spark.

Yes ways it’s better downhill and up. The Anthem just feels planted up and down. It’s about 13mm longer in wheelbase and it’s bb is little higher so it pedals through obstacles where the Scott requires the rider to time their pedal rpms to avoid smacking pedals on rocks

[thebob]

Bob you do realise that the OP is refering to the Giant Anthem and not the Trance? There is no way that the Anthem is better downhill than the Scott Spark.

Eish! My bad. But the Trance is more comparable to the Merida 120 and Scott Spark than the Anthem!

[Dexter-morgan]

Just go and buy the Genius.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Of those 3 my vote goes towards the Merida 120 800 (2019)

 

It's an extremely well reviewed bike and is currently at a KILLER price at bike addict.

 

If you REALLY want remote lockout functionality, it can be done by changing the shock which is a relatively simple and cheap exercise, but I don't envision you needing it that much.

 

At the end, though, test test test. Make sure you get the right size bike for you,

 

In terms of new alternatives at that price point, none really spring to mind mainly cuz the 120 is such a good deal. Trance 29 and spaz stumpy St / camber would find their way in to the list if the budget were extended a bit, but I'd still go for the 120 and upgrade it to an even more killer spec than put an extra 10k in it to buy the others which have a oak spec, comparatively.

[PeterF]

Yes ways it’s better downhill and up. The Anthem just feels planted up and down. It’s about 13mm longer in wheelbase and it’s bb is little higher so it pedals through obstacles where the Scott requires the rider to time their pedal rpms to avoid smacking pedals on rocks

Have to disagree with you.  My previous bike was an Anthem and I am now riding a Spark 920 and loving it.  My times on the routes I ride have all improved and I have so much more confidence on the technical downhills.