Originally Posted by
Dave_linux
Oh, it has got mudguard mounts, but they are hidden very good. I saw them only the real bike, not on the picture.
IcySmooth52: The main reason I sold my 29" is that I didn't used it where it was build for.
Just rolling on tarmac, gravel and sand (yellow colored, don't know the name) and like the conditions now; mud.
The 29" (Trek Superfly) screamed for more but my back doesn't like that.
You got it right then! That Merida looks more gravel grinder style to me than cyclocross. I'd recommend more cyclocross racer style if you want something to do the road as much as the dirt, because they're far 'snappier' in handling than the new gravel grinder styles. More fun. But if you have a back that doesn't like such ratios of reach:stack (positioning on frame), the gravel grinder is probably better because it's slightly more lax on geometry for endurance.