Merida bicycles: model rating and tips for choosing

There are many Russian and American, European and Asian bike manufacturers. However, even against such a background, the products of Merida are not just "one of". You should learn more about it.

The country of origin of Merida bicycles is Taiwan. The release of these products began in 1972. Unlike many competing companies, this one does not seek to sell products as expensive as possible. She concentrated her advantage on the assembly of budget structures. However, in its assortment you can also find very perfect road versions, which are successfully used in solid competitions.

Initially, instead of producing for itself, the company supplied products for marketing under other brands. But it was just a necessary stage for gaining experience and improving the production and technological base. Today, the Merida confidently challenges such giants of the market as the GT. The quality of its products is already confirmed by the fact that shipping to the USA and European countries began in 1975... Further, the creation of overseas factories and training centers began.

In 2001, a contract was signed with Specialized. Therefore, it became possible to obtain the most advanced technologies from a leading developer. Merida bikes are now shipped to all continents. The firm has introduced a number of racing teams using its own bikes. Advanced technologies are equally well applied not only to elite bikes, but also to mainstream bikes.

Thus, Smooth Welding ensures the ultimate smoothing of welds. Therefore, the appearance of the vehicle turns out to be more elegant than that of competitors' products. Internal Cable is a clever technology for routing wires in the inner part of the frame. Thanks to it, it is excluded as a hindrance to riders, there is also an unjustified risk of damage.

In the production of carbon bikes, Merida engineers were also able to make a number of important improvements. In particular, they came up with addition of nanoparticles to the base material, which makes the matrix stronger and reduces unwanted vibration. The More format suspension has helped to eliminate the inherent disadvantage of two-suspension bicycles - the loss of energy during the pedaling process. As a result excellent kinematics are guaranteed without interfering with the work of the frame. Finding the right model, taking into account additional options and technologies, is not difficult.

The Merida Corporation has set a goal to design excellent bicycles in the Federal Republic of Germany, but to economize on assembling them in Asia. As a result, the highest quality, thoughtfulness and optimal price are guaranteed at the same time. The advantage of the company is that it purchases some of the components from leading suppliers, such as:

• Shimano;
• Sram;
• Suntour;
• RockShox;
• FoxRacing;
• KMC;
• Manitou Machete;
• Maxxis;
• Continental.

As a result, it was possible to achieve excellent quality of these parts without their own costs for their development and implementation in production. It's easy to find great products to suit a wide variety of bike needs. The already mentioned active use of the most modern technologies can also be considered a positive side. Partly the disadvantage is the high price.

The Merida range of bicycles is rich in entry-level products. This group includes:

• mountain bikes;
• road bikes;
• hybrids;
• cyclocross products;
• female and child modifications.

The modification is intended for use by women. One-Twenty XT-Edition Juliet. The One-Twenty Lite frame is available in sizes S to XL. When creating the bike, bushings, brakes, cassettes, and shifters from Shimano were used. The frame is made of lightweight 6066 aluminum alloy. It is formed using triple butting and hydraulic forming.

The seams on the bike are smooth enough and the wires are routed inside. The tapered head tube provides precise control. The rear axles in Boost format allow for a stiffer rear triangle. At the same time, the suspension located there "walks" by 0.12 m and has a "floating" shock absorber. The tension does not slip and the frame geometry meets modern trail standards.

In the mountain segment, it stands out favorably One-Forty 900... Frame sizes range from S to XL. The Rock Shox Pike RC forks and the manufacturer's own MeridaA M2339 Neck headset don't fail. The total weight of the structure is 13.96 kg, and it can be painted in both green and black tones.

Fenders included as standard Merida MTB lite-front. In the production process, a lightweight frame made of 6016 aluminum alloy is used. The seams during welding are smoothed as much as possible. The rudder cup and axles allow for maximum precision when steering the bike in the right direction. Thanks to a special technology, the cables run inside the frame do not create a runout effect. The Float Link suspension does not give rise to any complaints, even with intensive use.

A modification such as Speeder. It comes in 6 different frame sizes from XS to XL. The carefully matched Speeder CF2 fork works very well. Bicycle hubs are purchased from Joytech and the rims are designed and manufactured in-house.

Model tires Maxxis detonator fully cope with their task. Brake levers and brakes as well as shifters are available from Shimano. The same company supplies both switches and cassettes. But the stem, handlebar, grips and seat are made by Merida on their own.So are the seatposts, by the way.

The total weight of the bike is 9.38 kg. The frame is constructed from 6066 aluminum alloy, triple butted and hydraulically formed. Separate fender mounts and luggage compartment are provided. The frame looks sleek, with all the necessary cables being pulled inside. The forks are formed from carbon fiber and the geometry is quite comfortable.

Among road bikes, Scultura Disc 8000-E. This model is available in 7 different sizes, and brake levers, brakes, rotors and shifters are available from Shimano. The same company also supplies cassettes. The total weight of the bike reaches 7.49 kg. Its unique feature can be considered:

• electric gear shifting;
• extra light frame (in one of the sizes less than 1 kg);
• geometry tested over many races;
• truncation of the profile of the lower pipe and the pipe passing under the saddle;
• head tube of small thickness.

A well-thought-out carriage allows you to transfer energy as efficiently as possible. Due to the narrowing of the profile of the top stays, harmful vibrations are reduced and the ride becomes more comfortable. The wheels are fastened with an eccentric or by Flat Mount technology. The profile of the pipes is kept in accordance with the requirements of aerodynamics. Curiously, the brakes have a reliable cooling system.

The Matts bike is very popular. It is characterized by high speed. A sharp start and accelerated set of speed are guaranteed. Because of this, these bikes work very well in sporting events. Such a model is better suited for cross-country rides than for traveling on city streets.

Merida Matts has excellent brakes... However, these bicycles are characterized by increased weight (13 kg even without the addition of additional components). This range also includes mountain bikes optimized for moderately aggressive off-road riding. Many mountain versions are equipped with a shock absorbing fork, but do not have a rear shock absorber.

You can purchase and folding bike from Merida. An example of such a model is Mypocket HFS 100-8. Equipment of a professional category is installed on it. Mechanical rim brakes work very well.

The Alloy Cassette rear hub works great. Both development and production of the model takes place in Taiwan. The rigid fork works without any problems. Implemented 8 speeds. Avid Single Digit 3 brakes will allow you to stop as quickly as possible and prevent collisions with any obstacle.

But the company Merida can please consumers with excellent double suspensions. Among them stands out Ninety-Six 600, which appeared in 2019. The designers provided for the use of extra strong Sram NX Eagle system... The carefully selected tires are equipped with a large tread pattern for excellent traction. As a result, it becomes possible to overcome a rather difficult off-road.

Modification feature Ninety-Six 600 is the use of a sports saddle. Therefore, active driving is greatly facilitated. Attachments meet the requirements of professional equipment. A particularly reliable device from Sram is used for gear shifting. Hydraulic traction disc brakes will allow you to lock the wheels as quickly as possible on a wet surface.

As for the hybrid versions, then deserves attention among them Crossway XT Edition Lady. The product is designed for users with a height of 1.67-1.82 m. It is equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. The wheel is 28 inches wide. The frame fully complies with the requirements of the hardtail format. Additional equipment belongs to the professional category.

The frame is made of selected aluminum.The air-oil fork "walks" by 0.1 m. The rear shock absorber is not provided by the design. An important feature of the product is that it is designed for 30 speeds.

A good men's bike can be considered Crossway 20-D. It is usually designed for consumers with a height of 1.62-1.77 m. The bike is painted green. But there is also an option with a 23-inch frame, allowing people to ride from 1.92 to 2.02 m in height. The design uses disc brakes that allow you to stop at any of the 24 speeds; the shock absorber cannot be blocked.

If you need to pick a decent road bike, you should pay attention to Crossway Urban 100 Lady.

The main parameters are as follows:

• wheels 28 inches;
• aluminum frame;
• fixed type fork;
• rear derailleur Shimano Alivio.

The list of Merida models could be continued for a long time. But much more important is that their assortment is large enough... Therefore, it is important to know how to choose the right product without mistakes. From the very beginning, you should decide which accessories are needed for them, and which ones are not particularly necessary.

When planning to engage in sports riding, you need to take a bike with a slightly smaller frame. But a comfortable fit for ordinary riders is possible if the size of the vehicle is slightly larger. Road models are designed for high speed, but they will be difficult to use outside of flat, hard surface. But on a cycling marathon, such transport turns out to be an almost ideal assistant. In turn, purely urban models, despite the greater comfort, turn out to be heavier.

When you plan to drive around a settlement, through a forest, or through a park, you should choose a mountain modification. Cross versions, which occupy an intermediate position between mountain and road devices, can also be considered an alternative. A special place is occupied by tourist modifications, which are useful for long trips. These devices differ:

• increased strength;
• equipping with a trunk;
• structural stability.

Having decided on the type of bike you need, you need to make a choice between steel, carbon and aluminum frames. Both are available in different sizes. The height of the seat must be adjusted individually. It is worth trying every opportunity to experience the bike in person. The impressions received will be more valuable than any formal metrics or even the most honest feedback from others.

The larger the wheel, the easier it will be to drive over difficult terrain. However, at the same time, the structure becomes heavier. The width of the tires also affects the permeability. For riding in difficult terrain, it is recommended to use bicycles with a suspension fork.

Owner evaluations are very important - they allow you to better understand the choice of bike. The Matts TFS 300 is great for riding through forests and hard-to-reach terrain. Celebrate excellent gear shifting. It is possible to use the bike for a long time without repair, only by servicing it correctly... The Crossway range is prized for its speed and reliability, but requires careful handling.

Sometimes there are complaints about the inconvenience of the frame and seat. However, this is only due to the wrong selection of modification. Some difficulties are caused by the operation of tires and the braking system. If you change the saddle for yourself, you can use the bike without any problems. Even when using models with a non-professional "body kit", it will be very easy to drive from point A to point B.

An overview of the Merida bikes is presented in the following video.