Time for an upgrade

[slysi]

I have had my Specialized Rockhopper since I started cycling about 3 years ago. I have also started road cycling and I must say I enjoy both.

 

I bought a new road bike mast year so it is now time to upgrade my MTB. I have a budget of around R20k and would like a soft tail. I have been trawling the web for some time and cannot make up my mind.

 

The Merida 120 1500 (2011 model) looks like great value in terms of group set, etc. I do not know much about the brand though. Any thoughts?

 

The obvious question is what about a 29er? I am relatively short (172cm) and am told that these bikes are more for the taller folk. I love the Trek Gary Fisher collection HiFi Plus 29er (2011 model). Thoughts?

 

Finally I would really like a Specialized Camber Expert but it seems expensivce for what you get compared to the above.

 

I am not a racing machine by any stretch of the imagination I just want a decent bike to make the ride a little more comfortable and adding a little help on the climbs. WOuld the new 10 speeds help?

 

Any advice would be great. Oh, and finally what bike shops still do trade-ins?

[The expat cyclist]

I have had my Specialized Rockhopper since I started cycling about 3 years ago. I have also started road cycling and I must say I enjoy both.

 

I bought a new road bike mast year so it is now time to upgrade my MTB. I have a budget of around R20k and would like a soft tail. I have been trawling the web for some time and cannot make up my mind.

 

The Merida 120 1500 (2011 model) looks like great value in terms of group set, etc. I do not know much about the brand though. Any thoughts?

 

The obvious question is what about a 29er? I am relatively short (172cm) and am told that these bikes are more for the taller folk. I love the Trek Gary Fisher collection HiFi Plus 29er (2011 model). Thoughts?

 

Finally I would really like a Specialized Camber Expert but it seems expensivce for what you get compared to the above.

 

I am not a racing machine by any stretch of the imagination I just want a decent bike to make the ride a little more comfortable and adding a little help on the climbs. WOuld the new 10 speeds help?

 

Any advice would be great. Oh, and finally what bike shops still do trade-ins?

 

There is a story about a guy who at the finish area at an event, brought his bike, a Merida, into the beer tent. Someone shouted to him that he can't bring his bike into the tent. So he replied: "This is not a bike, it is a Merida."

 

Anyway, my opinion is Merida's are great bikes that are worth upgrading. The wife owns one and she loves it!

 

As for 29'rs - Burry Stander said that no matter what, everone will be faster on a 29'r. And as for it being for bigger guys - Burry is not that big. But my opinion on them is that they are still just bikes that need to peddaled.

 

2x10 gropupset? Marketing crap! My bike has a 3x9 and I use only about 1x4 95% of the time!

[amoryns]

look at the morewood

[The_Break]

There is a story about a guy who at the finish area at an event, brought his bike, a Merida, into the beer tent. Someone shouted to him that he can't bring his bike into the tent. So he replied: "This is not a bike, it is a Merida."

 

Anyway, my opinion is Merida's are great bikes that are worth upgrading. The wife owns one and she loves it!

 

As for 29'rs - Burry Stander said that no matter what, everone will be faster on a 29'r. And as for it being for bigger guys - Burry is not that big. But my opinion on them is that they are still just bikes that need to peddaled.

 

2x10 gropupset? Marketing crap! My bike has a 3x9 and I use only about 1x4 95% of the time!

 

Burry may no be that big but he has the power to ride a 29er. He may change his mind if his power was halved.

[slysi]

There seems to be conflicting opinions on the 29er. Any other opinions on the Merida?

[Weight Weenie]

Seems you want more off an all-mountain/trail bike with more relaxed angles and not a xc race full susser ?

 

Merida 120 should give good value, Ghost bikes also seem to be well priced, as well as Raleigh and Silverback. GT sensor would also suit you well.

 

Have a look at the bicycling buyers guide on their site as well.

[slysi]

Seems you want more off an all-mountain/trail bike with more relaxed angles and not a xc race full susser ?

 

Merida 120 should give good value, Ghost bikes also seem to be well priced, as well as Raleigh and Silverback. GT sensor would also suit you well.

 

Have a look at the bicycling buyers guide on their site as well.

 

Thanks, you have hit the nail on the head. Is the Merida 96 more of a racer?

[An3]

I've got the new 3x10 XT. Shifts like a dream.

[Weight Weenie]

Yep the 96 is a race bike through and through, the suspension is firmer and the angles racier than the 120, which has more active suspension and has you sit upright, good for long rides and bike control on steep terrain.

 

There are allot of guys that sell their 96 after they realize its too racy for them.

 

My opinion here - either buy a bike and use it with stock parts, replacing worn out parts and then sell it after a year and get a new year model bike or buy a frame locally and spec it to your liking with parts from the net and sell it after a year as well. I bought a bike, upgraded all the parts which cost me a fortune and now although I have a great bike I'm "stuck" with it, as after slowly upgrading it over 2 years it has lost most of its value and I won't be able to buy a new bike of nearly the same spec if I sell it.

 

GT Sensor or Force, Ghost AMR, Cannondale Rize, Merida 120, Felt Virtue, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Giant Trance etc. are the type of bikes that would suit you.

GT Marathon, Merida 96, Cannondale Scalpel, Giant anthem etc are not what you are looking for.

 

Part wise - Alu frame with 120-140mm brand name suspension fork like a Rock Shox Recon/Reba or Fox , with Shimano SLX or SRAM X9 and Avid/Shimano brakes as well as wheels from Mavic/DT Swiss/Shimano should be on your price range. Dont worry too much aboyut the saddle etc. as you will most probly end up changing these parts to suit your body. Just watch out for the rear shock - allot of brands seems to skimp there so take note.

 

Look out for 2nd hand bargains on the hub as guys buy 2011 bikes and try to haggle with shops to get old 2010 stock at a good price.

 

Hope that helps.

[mark ellis]

fully agree with WW

 

I got a 96 when i got back into mtb after about 10 years, very much a race bike, race geom, sold it after about 6 months and a few very uncomfy marathons, riding a stumpy now and much better for my size and riding style.

 

before you buy anything (well depending where you are based) contact Hannes in Bloem (Cyclotech) for a price on the 120, had a really good price on one for a mate of mine just before Christmas, did my s-works at a really good price (not connected to him or him shop in anyway - just gave me excellent price and service)

 

hannes@cyclotechfs.co.za pm me if you want his cell number

 

Merida and Specialized produced in same factory, infact if im not mistaken, Merida built Spez frames for many years before launching the Merida brand. had a look at the camber yesterday and was very very impressed, build quality is excellent for the price, sure it is going to be a very popular bike, geom is meant to fall between the stumpy and epic (think there is a review in the latest Tread Mag)

Edited January 4, 2011 by mark ellis

[The_Break]

 

Merida and Specialized produced in same factory, infact if im not mistaken, Merida built Spez frames for many years before launching the Merida brand. had a look at the

 

Being built in the same factory does not mean they are of the same quality from either a design or material point of view. I am not saying the are good or bad, just that you cannot use that as a comparison.

 

It is like saying the Opel Corsa Lite is a fantastic car because it was built in the same factory as the Hummer.