Anyone got a Merida or Kinesis road bike?
Discussion
I'm currently looking to move over from a MTB to a road bike. I've been looking at places like Evans Cycles and obviously been looking at bikes made by Specialized, Scott, Cannondale, Bianchi, etc. I know absolutely nothing about road bikes so i'm listening to what the shop staff are telling me.
I went in a shop this morning and was advised i should get either an Merida or a Kinesis, but i have never heard of them! Are they any good? I was also advised to stay away from Shimano Sora shifters as they are difficult to use if you are down on the drop bars. The guy seemed to know what he was talking about and seemed very genuine but i just need some confirmation.
Basically, i will be buying a bike through the company cycle scheme, so have up to £1000 to spend (although i was thinking more around the £700-£800 mark) and just want to get the best bike i can for the money.
Any advise or suggestions of which bike to get will be greatfully received!
Thanks
I went in a shop this morning and was advised i should get either an Merida or a Kinesis, but i have never heard of them! Are they any good? I was also advised to stay away from Shimano Sora shifters as they are difficult to use if you are down on the drop bars. The guy seemed to know what he was talking about and seemed very genuine but i just need some confirmation.
Basically, i will be buying a bike through the company cycle scheme, so have up to £1000 to spend (although i was thinking more around the £700-£800 mark) and just want to get the best bike i can for the money.
Any advise or suggestions of which bike to get will be greatfully received!
Thanks
I've got a Specialized Allez with sora shifters and I agree with bike shop guy. It's really annoying being down on the drops pushing hard and having to move my hand back up to the hood to get another gear.
It didn't bother me at first because I rode on the hoods all the time, but now I've spent some time in the saddle I'm on the drops more and it does bug me.
It didn't bother me at first because I rode on the hoods all the time, but now I've spent some time in the saddle I'm on the drops more and it does bug me.
Merida (and Kinesis, IIRC) are two, large Taiwanese bike manufacturers that make frames for many/most of the other brands (Merida own a chunk of Specialized, or t' other way round I believe). Merida is, well, Merida. Kinesis UK is the UK distributor/designer of Kinesis International.
All much of a muchness: you won't buy a dud, so it's just a case of getting the right spec' and fit
I know of a few people with Kinesis road, cross and mountain bikes. All seem happy enough.
All much of a muchness: you won't buy a dud, so it's just a case of getting the right spec' and fit
I know of a few people with Kinesis road, cross and mountain bikes. All seem happy enough.
I've had my Marida Ride lite For about 4 months. I really like it. Like you I'd never heard of them when I went to the Dealer so did my research. The company own about 40% of specialized, and make frames for a number of other manufactures. their quite bike in Oz apparently.
Choose it over a Giant Defy 2 for two main reasons:
1) the attitude of the LBS/ Merida Dealer.
2) the level of The finishing kit. Both bikes had tiagra gear sets and shifters but the giant had cheaper brakes and subs. The Merida is all Tiagra.
I've done well over a thousand miles on it, including Coast 2 coast and haven't had any problems bar having to replace the tyres after my first puncture resulted in a large bulge (bad luck).
Choose it over a Giant Defy 2 for two main reasons:
1) the attitude of the LBS/ Merida Dealer.
2) the level of The finishing kit. Both bikes had tiagra gear sets and shifters but the giant had cheaper brakes and subs. The Merida is all Tiagra.
I've done well over a thousand miles on it, including Coast 2 coast and haven't had any problems bar having to replace the tyres after my first puncture resulted in a large bulge (bad luck).
A bit late to the party, so don't know if it helps you, but:
I've got one of these:
http://www.thegreenbikecompany.co.uk/used_bikes_fo...
4,800 miles on it since November 2010, has required very little in terms of repair/maintenance since new. Very comfortable, good looking, well finished bike. I would budget for some better tyres if you do buy, as is the case with most bikes.
I was in the same boat as you, never heard of the brand until I looked in a LBS in Great Dunmow, Essex. Did a little research, liked what I found, and saved 25% off RRP at the end of the 2010 season. It was on a shortlist with bikes from Orbea and Blue, but bought this one on the strength of the VFM offered by a FULL ULTEGRA group on an aluminium frame for a little over £1100. If you haven't bought yet, it's getting toward the time of year when the 2012 bikes get discounts applied to make room for the 2013 ranges, so go ahead and see if you can't strike a bargain, and make whatever you buy even better value for your money.
One caveat with the Merida range is that at the lower end, they can look a little plain in terms of paint design. The finish is still decent quality, but you need to spend a little more to get a better looking bike.
I've got one of these:
http://www.thegreenbikecompany.co.uk/used_bikes_fo...
4,800 miles on it since November 2010, has required very little in terms of repair/maintenance since new. Very comfortable, good looking, well finished bike. I would budget for some better tyres if you do buy, as is the case with most bikes.
I was in the same boat as you, never heard of the brand until I looked in a LBS in Great Dunmow, Essex. Did a little research, liked what I found, and saved 25% off RRP at the end of the 2010 season. It was on a shortlist with bikes from Orbea and Blue, but bought this one on the strength of the VFM offered by a FULL ULTEGRA group on an aluminium frame for a little over £1100. If you haven't bought yet, it's getting toward the time of year when the 2012 bikes get discounts applied to make room for the 2013 ranges, so go ahead and see if you can't strike a bargain, and make whatever you buy even better value for your money.
One caveat with the Merida range is that at the lower end, they can look a little plain in terms of paint design. The finish is still decent quality, but you need to spend a little more to get a better looking bike.
Comfortably Dumb said:
I've had my Marida Ride lite For about 4 months. I really like it. Like you I'd never heard of them when I went to the Dealer so did my research. The company own about 40% of specialized, and make frames for a number of other manufactures. their quite bike in Oz apparently.
That frame looks identical to an Allez, even has the unusual curved top tube. I have a Merida Scultura 905 and love it to bits, I was fortunate in that I got a ridiculously good deal on it which I must admit was a big draw for me. It had been faultlessly reliable and I can't really say a bad word about it, they do tend to be very well specced for their price as well.
Ironically being a Taiwanese behemoth there is a degree of exclusivity as they are somewhat rare in this country, I've only ever seen one other Scultura out on the road.
Ironically being a Taiwanese behemoth there is a degree of exclusivity as they are somewhat rare in this country, I've only ever seen one other Scultura out on the road.
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