grant_110

G'day,
Can anyone give me a basic opinion of this bike? I ride road bikes for the most part but have a 700km ride mid next year on a dirt (gravel) road. As the gearing etc is different on MTB was hoping for an opinion - not much online review wise :

https://www.merida.com.au/Default.asp...3&ObjectType=1

jbchybridrider 

The Merida is a quality bike with a older looking rear suspension/frame design that looks similar to a VooDoo Canzo frame i,m looking at, they seem to still get good reviews. I,m wondering if the ride your doing is more suited for a lighter hardtail 29er being on dirt roads you wont get to use all that suspension and bigger wheels should be better in open terrain you seem to describe.
I,m only a newbie to mtb's though but that's the way I would go.

grant_110

Cheers, it's for the gibb river road across the Kimberley, also includes a couple of (crocodile filled) river crossings. I did half of it this year in a hard tail but am pretty sure the soft tail is a more comfy way to go. Everyone does seem to go on about 29ers but I can get this Merida pretty cheap so tempted, just don't understand the quality of the parts??

atallen223

Can we get some specifics? I know Australia has a billion things that want to kill you, but what will the road be like? Is it just a straight dirt road or is there technical parts or big drops?

grant_110

Fairly straight road - badly corrugated in some parts, bit of water usually, snakes popping up here and there but thats no worry. Nothing really technical at all - just the corrugations, some sections of quite soft dirt and plenty of dust (see https://www.thegibbchallenge.com.au/)

xlDooM

If you're asking whether that bike is well equipped, it is. The fork is good, and shimano XT components are a nice range (I'd put them about where Ultegra is for road bikes). I haven't ridden a full suspension of that style yet but it looks like a nice and proper bike.

grant_110

Excellent, thanks xlDoom

jbchybridrider 

Yeah I see now why you prefer a FS bike that Gibb River Road kills 4wd's with corrugations, I'm into traveling by 4x4 and know of that road, haven't been that far north yet though.
Your a lucky bugger to get to ride that event I would love to do it.
Still I think a 29er would roll better on that road but if you can get a good deal on the Merida then go for it it is a top bike. I like the tip to use tri bars for the event.

grant_110

I rode it in a team last year on a failry basic hardtail Haro, definately liking the dually idea and I only rode 350km odd in the team over the 5 days. This year a mate and i are doing the whole lot side by side. The other tip that the organisers but forward are around the continental tyres, the specific ones they mention arent available in 29ers. Thanks for the feedback though guys appreciate it.

atallen223

I'm not sure a rear suspension will help with snakes!

arevinotion

good idea.i think so,The fork is good, and shimano XT components are a nice range.thanks