Tell me about "Merida"

[Leafspring]

I used to default to a Claude Butler, but for some reason all the current line up I've seen so far have an air of "mass produced crap" to 'em

Wanting new (not second-hand) I have found this

http://www.thebikewarehouse.net/product.php/2014_m...

Merida, the quality looks good in the photos... I'm favouring the black

But it's right at the top end of my budget and I've never heard of 'em

It's for an all weather 2 mile commute... and chucking in the back of a Land Rover to go play in the mud

[richardxjr]

They're a very long established Taiwan manufacturer. Much like Giant. Underated in the UK. You're right that CB is rubbish these days sadly, although another LBS stalwart brand Dawes is also worth looking at, they're OK too. Whatever brand, you're going to struggle to find anything worth riding at all much below that price (£300 + vat) new and off the peg.

If you're not comfortable with sourcing something used then also look at Evans' own brand Pinnacle, Decathlon own brand, and Calibre which is Go outdoors own brand.

[Leafspring]

Merida not premium but not budget either, good to know.

Budget is £350-£400... weight is the main concern (disc brakes and as few composite/moulded/plastic components as possible)

Saracen is the other maker that caught my eye.

[richardxjr]

Compare any spec with this.

http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/calibre-two-two-alloy-...

[Usget]

Voodoo Hoodoo (from Halfords) gets good reviews at that kind of money, and you can pick one up for less than £330 with a British Cycling discount and the judicious use of pre-purchased vouchers (search elsewhere on this site for the way to do this).

Rockrider 8.1 is still available for £399 from Decathlon if you're a size small, otherwise it's the newer 540.

[Leafspring]

I'm 6'3" with a 33" inside leg... small isn't a word that comes to mind when making my selection

[yellowjack]

Merida. Very well known outside of the UK. Started off making frames (and complete bikes) under other brand names. Including Raleigh, when they first started outsourcing production. They also own a massive chunk of 'Specialized'.

I believe they are the second largest producer of bicycles on the planet, behind only Giant. They produce for other brands too, both 'premium' and not so premium, as well as their own brand stuff. I love(d) my aluminium "Road Race 905" road bike, especially impressed by the quality of the welds, which are so smooth they can be confused for carbon fibre by some casual observers. Unfortunately, it didn't fare too well in a fight with a Mercedes Sprinter van earlier this year.

You will almost certainly have seen bikes built in the Merida factory at a bike shop, even, whisper it, some of the fancy-pants Italian brands. You have nothing to fear from giving one a try...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merida_Bikes

[Leafspring]

I like the Go Outdoors supplied bike... not sure if a 20" top tube is going to be too cramped though.

Last bike was 22" Salcano 101N (or summat like that) which lost a fight with a Fiat Brava at the traffic lights (It's an odd sensation to find yourself standing in the road at a red light as your bike flies out from beneath you and cartwheels down the road... he didn't hit me though just the bike)

The Merida was my first choice as the shop is less than 10 minutes walk away... Halfords is next 30 minutes by foot ... then Go Outdoors which is a 1&1/2 hour drive.

Edited by Leafspring on Tuesday 4th November 18:19

[Raven Flyer]

The entry level/budget Merida stuff is no better than anyone else's budget models and is a false economy.

Much better value with Decathlon's Triban at that budget.

[Raven Flyer]

The entry level/budget Merida stuff is no better than anyone else's budget models and is a false economy.

Much better value with Decathlon's Triban at that budget.

[7heavensoon]

I've got a 2013 Matts 20D which I used mainly for the road and a bit of light off road. I really like it - comfortable, well made and mostly reasonable kit. The hydraulic brakes are fantastic, the front fork less so.

It hasn't had much (well, any) use since I bought a Specialized hybrid in the summer though...

[Raven Flyer]

The entry level/budget Merida stuff is no better than anyone else's budget models and is a false economy.

Much better value with Decathlon's Triban at that budget.

[Leafspring]

Raven Flyer said:

The entry level/budget Merida stuff is no better than anyone else's budget models and is a false economy.

Much better value with Decathlon's Triban at that budget.

you said that already I need a 22" top tube (63 size frame?)

Suppliers in Medway area?

Edited by Leafspring on Tuesday 4th November 20:43

[richardxjr]

Triban's a road bike though Decathlon has megastores in SE16, Thurrock and France.

[Leafspring]

So this

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike...

Or

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-520-mountain-...



Chances of getting one delivered before Sunday?

[Beer Man]

I bought my Big Nine 300, new, in July and have nothing but praise for it.

I'm 6'6" so needed the 21" frame, fits perfectly, is comfortable, well specc'd for the price. Munches any on road miles and is more than capable on the off road stuff too, weighs in at 13kg or thereabouts so it's not heavy, it's sturdy. In short, I love it.

Looks good too compared to some of the other ones I was looking at.

My local dealer is an old friend of mine and is based in Uckfield, East Sussex so not tooooooo far from you.

[DMN]

I have a Merida One-Forty 900:

http://www.merida.com/en_gb/bikes/mountain-bikes/f...

Before it (and in order going backwards) I've had:

Giant Reign
Orange Crush
Giant Team AC

The Merida is better than all of them IMO. I only had the Regin a few months before getting rid of it for the Merdia. The latter has better fork and shock than the Reign in the same price bracket (or at least it did when I bought mine), but also the balance and the weight of the bike is better.

I'd recommend giving one a try. They're underated, but solid bikes IMO.

[Beer Man]

Add to that and my previous post, the frames are guaranteed to IIRC.

Certainly can't fault the construction and workmanship on mine.

[Leafspring]

I went to my local Merida supplier, had some test rides (inc a B-Twin 500SE and a Cannondale... the Whytes was nice too) BUT I really like the Merida Big 9 2015 model although it's a fraction over budget (by about £150).

So I know what I want now... just need to see what the car needs for it's MOT tomorrow and how that'll damage the budget

Edited by Leafspring on Wednesday 5th November 16:15