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Today’s Deals2021 Merida
NINETY-SIX 8000
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension crosscountry bike with high-end components.
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Manufacturer Price
A$8,999($6,437)| Weight | 25.8 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 100 / 120mm |
| Fork | RockShox SID Ultimate |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Ultimate |
| Wheels | 29″ Carbon |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | GX Eagle, XT |
| Brakes | Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
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Summary
The Merida Ninety-Six is a cross-country bike praised for its lightweight frame, well-sorted suspension with excellent traction and sensitivity, and modern geometry that enhances handling and versatility. It offers impressive value with high-level components, though some reviews note issues with the TwistLoc lockout and inconsistent brakes. The bike excels in technical terrain and racing scenarios, balancing efficiency and comfort effectively.
Lightweight and stiff frame
Well-sorted suspension with good traction and sensitivity
Modern geometry for improved handling
High value with quality components
Dual bottle cage capability
Issues with TwistLoc lockout
Inconsistent or squealing brakes
Geometry may feel outdated in some aspects
Cockpit can be too low and narrow
Suspension lacks sensitivity in certain builds
The benefits of traction and fatigue reduction are very clear too, combined with the low weight, to make epic marathons or flat out technical circuit speed a lot easier.
Bike PerfectMerida has refocused their short travel full-suspension bike for more fun, all-day versatility, and speed when the trails get rough.
BikerumorIt’s lighter, snappier and more agile than your typical trail bike, with excellent pop that’ll have you skipping and jumping your way down far more technical trails than a 100mm travel bike should really be on.
Flow Mountain BikeThe suspension and geometry have both feet firmly planted in XC racing.
MBRNo doubt this bike feels cohesive; it's a proper case of the whole being as good or better than the sum of the parts.
off.road.ccFeedback?
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Jan 2022 · Tom Marvin
Does the Ninety-Six’s on-trail performance match its on-paper spec?
Smooth and effective seated climbing performance
Snappy handling between corners
Solid spec choices
Can feel a little unsupported on medium-sized undulations
Narrow bar
Jul 2021
The down-country Merida Ninety-Six RC8000 delivers do-it-all, full-suspension competence with high-level spec and performance at a reasonable price. Merida Ninety-Six RC 9000 review All-new XC tyres and shoes from Specialized Santa Cruz's XC machine gets revamped for 2021 'Down-country' is the recently adopted term for an XC full-suspension bike that's been tweaked to offer more poise and ability when the terrain gets technical and gravity kicks in. In real terms, this means a slacker geometry, longer suspension travel and bigger profile tyres over its RC9000 brother.
May 2021
Standing out like a sore blue thumb, the new Merida Ninety-Six 8000 is a 100mm travel XC bike that's pumped up with a bigger fork, aggressive rubber and more powerful braking. What effect does that have on the trail? And what kind of rider is it best suited to? Read on for our Merida Ninety-Six review.
Supple, active and progressive suspension performance
Low weight and sprightly handling gives it a load of spunk
Massive confidence for a 100mm travel XC bike
The SID Ultimate fork is brilliant
Aggressive, idiot-proof rubber
Dual bottle capability
Wider bars please
TwistLoc remote struggles to stay in place
Front hub would benefit from Torque Caps
Headset cable routing adds servicing complexity
Mar 2021 · Alan Muldoon
Merida Ninety-Six XC full-suspension range gets a fresh look and a down-country makeover. Available in two versions: 100mm RC and a 120mm down-country bike.
Killer spec for the money
Geometry is old skool
Jan 2021 · Guy Kesteven
Merida’s all-new Ninety-Six RC 9000 is great value for a fully loaded, full suspension XC race flagship. We went epic in full winter conditions to see whether it was fun as well as fast
Very light yet practical and stiff frame
Very well-sorted suspension
Impressive smoothness and traction
Stabilized race handling
Excellent DT Swiss wheels
Impressive value
Big chainring compatibility
Heavier than competitors.
Inconsistent, squealing brakes
TwistLoc lockout issues
Bar hits the top tube
Steering is still nervy
Nov 2020 · Cory Benson
Merida's World Cup full-suspension Ninety-Six cross-country race bike gets complete 2021 redesign, re-evolved for both technical XC & trail!
Nov 2020 · Ed Spratt
Merida has overhauled its Ninety-Six full suspension XC bike range to include both race and trail models.
| Frame | NINETY-SIX CF4 III, 100mm suspension travel, material: carbon, 29x2.3" max. wheelsize, 148x12mm axle standard, BSA bottom bracket standard BB Standard: BSA, 100mm, Threaded |
|---|---|
| Fork | Rock Shox SID Ultimate, Air, 120mm suspension travel, Tapered, Remote lockout, 44mm fork offset, 29x2.8" max. wheelsize Travel: 120mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | Rock SIDLuxe Ultimate, remote lockout Travel: 100mm |
| Bottom Bracket | BSA, 100mm, threaded |
| Headset | MERIDA-8151 1-1/8"-1.5" cartridge bearing set |
| Handlebar | MERIDA TEAM CC, material: carbon, 740mm width, flat |
| Saddle | SCRATCH M5 PAS |
| Seatpost | MERIDA EXPERT TR, 30.9mm diameter, 0mm setback, S: 125mm travel seatpost - M 150mm travel seatpost - L/XL 170mm travel seatpost Type: Dropper |
| Rear Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle |
|---|---|
| Crank | SRAM Carbon GX Eagle, 34 teeth, 175mm-M up |
| Shifters | Shimano SL -MT800-IL |
| Cassette | SRAM XG-1299 Eagle, 10-52 teeth, 12 speed |
| Chain | SRAM XX1 Eagle |
| Brakes | Shimano XT / Shimano XT M8110, 4 piston, 2 piston, flat mount Type: Shimano XT Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | Reynolds TR 309, 110x15mm width front hub, 148x12mm width rear hub, 30mm inner width, Centerlock, Shimano 12 Speed, material: carbon, Tubeless ready (tubeless tape and valves included) |
|---|---|
| Tires | Maxxis Minion DHR II, 29x2.3", fold, TR EXO 3C MaxxTerra |
| Disc Rotors | Shimano RT-MT900, 180mm, 160mm |
First added November 24
Last updated April 10
Not listed for 1,145 days