Originally Posted by halfspeed

Merida is one of the largest manufacturers of bikes in the world and part owner of Specialized. Probably everything with a Specialized badge comes out of a Merida plant. While I can't comment on any particular model, the manufacturing and design capabilities of Merida can match anyone in the industry.

Originally Posted by Bob Dopolina

Both frames are made in Asia. If you got better components on the Merida than the Trek and if the frame materials are the same on both bikes then I would give the edge to the Merida.

FYI- Merida is the second largest producer of bicycles in the world behind Giant.