mark ellis Posted May 4, 2010 Share I do mainly marathon and when possible stage races, I weight 90kgs (ok you right...93 kgs) Been on a Merida 96 3000 for the last few months. Looking at upgrading now and was pretty much sold on an S-works or Volcan Pro. But been thinking if this type of bike is actually the best suited for my weight and riding. For sure if i was a super competitive racer and weighed less then probably the way to go. but Im just a normal mid pack rider. Thinking maybe I should be looking at something with a bit more travel and a more comfy geom, like a stumpy or scott genius What your thoughts and suggestions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splat Posted May 4, 2010 Share 120mm travel is the new 100mm Trek FuelYeti ASR5Scott Spark Those would be my options if I was bike shopping.I currently ride a Giant X1 and really like it.I keep buying Lotto tickets though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtbreath Posted May 4, 2010 Share Mark, I'm in a similar weight category and riding group to you. I ride a Yeti asr and can honestly say that even though I am looking elsewhere at another bike which I think might be better I have not managed to ride this bike anywhere near its peak potential. If I find I have my bike 100% setup for my riding style and the bike runs out of balls before I do then I will upgrade and look for something cushier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weight Weenie Posted May 4, 2010 Share Depends if you want to play on the bike or just ride or take part in events IMO . If you live where there are some nice techie trails and you would ride them then I think a more all mountain bike would be good. If you ride marathons and dirt roads then I think the merida or similiar is the right bike, as its more efficient and lighter, don't see you using all that suspension that much ? How bout you keep the merida and take the money you would have added for a new bike and get a nice bike built up (or 2nd hand on the hub) to play with then ? Then you have best of both world and you can save the merida from allot of wear and tear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headshot Posted May 4, 2010 Share I think those are perfect options for the kind of riding you do, but I second Splat's comments on the 120 mm travel thing and you do have a point on the comfy vs race geometry isssue. I would personally not touch a Carbon bike and a Zula with 120mm fork would be my first choice, but then I have Tokai's trails a few km from home and only do the ocassional race over 40 km. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thug Posted May 4, 2010 Share XC Bike - Morewood Zula or Santa Cruz Superlight AM Bike - Santa Cruz Blur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thumper Posted May 4, 2010 Share Steel single speed with a ridgid fork! Pure class Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbon911 Posted May 4, 2010 Share buy a carbon dpecialized, i have one for sale, spotless, for 17000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark ellis Posted May 4, 2010 Share yeah, starting to lean toward the zula with a xx build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mawbs Posted May 5, 2010 Share what about Commencal Meta 5.5 it doesnt seem to get much of a mention here in SA but gets good reviews overses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goatman Posted May 5, 2010 Share Zula + 120mm fork gives you a marathon race bike and a trailbike all in one. My mate rode one for first time(in a race) in Sani to Sea as his carbon bike cracked at the headtube....he is now sold on the Zula. I rode the Zula and this bike has tremendous potential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mawbs Posted May 5, 2010 Share Doesnt the Zula only have 4inchs rear travel ? if its more comfort you were looking for then i would rather opt for the Shova as it has 5.7inch rear travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headshot Posted May 5, 2010 Share A Shova weighs a lot more than a Zula and 4" works well enough for general trail riding. Look at the UK guys on their hard tails with 140 mm forks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mawbs Posted May 5, 2010 Share actually i checked and Frame weight difference is only 1kg so i suppose it depends if your a weight weenie or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weight Weenie Posted May 5, 2010 Share actually i checked and Frame weight difference is only 1kg so i suppose it depends if your a weight weenie or not. Would say that suspension design/function/setup and geometry play a bigger part to differenciate the two (Zula/5''model) than just weight or what ? Weight Weenie2010-05-05 17:34:18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mawbs Posted May 6, 2010 Share Definately have to agree with you on that WW. And i will get to test out that exact statement this month at the " buy b4 u ride " at Giba ...so looking foward to that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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