Bikes up to 60% offWe monitor over 40,000 bikes daily to find the best prices
Today’s Deals2021 Merida
NINETY-SIX RC 5000
A 29″ carbon frame full suspension crosscountry bike with upper mid-range components.
Compare the full range
Manufacturer Price
A$5,899($4,220)| Weight | 26.6 lbs |
|---|---|
| Frame | Carbon |
| Suspension | Full, 100 / 100mm |
| Fork | RockShox Reba |
| Shock | RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ |
| Wheels | 29″ Aluminum |
| Drivetrain | 1 × 12 |
| Groupset | XT, Deore |
| Brakes | Shimano SLX Hydraulic Disc |
| Seatpost | Dropper |
5'2" – 5'8"
5'6" – 5'11"
5'10" – 6'3"
6'1" – 6'7"
🐐 Estimated
None yet.
Do you have this bike? Help other riders make a decision about which size will work for them by sharing your own size and fit notes.
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Geometry may feel outdated in some aspects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?
View all reviews
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
May 2021
Merida has updated the Ninety-Six, its flagship cross-country and fast trail bike, for 2021. The range-topping RC 9000 delivers a fast but very capable design and suspension platform, with a build capable of tackling the more technical modern cross-country race courses.
May 2021
Totally revamped for this year, the all-new Merida Ninety-Six features progressive suspension performance, contemporary geometry, and a lightweight carbon frame that's bristling with neat details. So how does the value-packed RC 9000 stack up against the competition? Read on for our Merida Ninety-Six review.
New-school geometry delivers fantastic all-round handling
Active & progressive suspension performance
Dropper post on an XC bike? Yes please!
Superb DT Swiss wheels
Slick XTR shifting and braking
Dual bottle capability
TwistLoc remote is a total letdown
Headset cable routing adds servicing complexity
We'd like to see wider bars as stock
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 RC 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 Reba RL, Air, 100mm suspension travel, Tapered, Remote lockout, 51mm fork offset, 29x2.8" max. wheelsize Travel: 100mm Spring Type: Air |
| Shock | Rock SIDLuxe Select+, remote lockout Travel: 100mm |
| Bottom Bracket | BSA, 100mm, threaded |
| Headset | MERIDA-8151 1-1/8"-1.5" cartridge bearing set |
| Handlebar | MERIDA EXPERT CC, material: aluminium, 740mm width, flat |
| Saddle | MERIDA COMP CC with MERIDA Multitool with saddlebox |
| Seatpost | MERIDA EXPERT TR LIGHT, 30.9mm diameter, 0mm setback, S/M/L/XL: 100mm travel seatpost Type: Dropper |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano XT M8100 Shadow+, SGS |
|---|---|
| Crank | Shimano Deore M6100, 32 teeth, 175mm-M up |
| Shifters | Shimano SL -MT500-IL |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore M6100, 10-51 teeth, 12 speed |
| Chain | KMC X12 |
| Brakes | Shimano SLX M7100, 2 piston Type: Shimano SLX Hydraulic Disc |
| Rims | MERIDA EXPERT CC, 22.8mm inner width, material: aluminium, Tubeless ready (tubeless tape and valves not included) |
|---|---|
| Spokes | Double Butted Black stainless |
| Front Hub | Shimano MT400-B, 110x15mm width front hub, 32 spoke holes, Centerlock |
| Rear Hub | Shimano MT410-B, 148x12mm width rear hub, 32 spoke holes, Centerlock |
| Tires | Maxxis Rekon Race, 29x2.25", fold, TR EXO 120 TPI |
First added November 24
Last updated August 20
Not listed for 1,378 days