Until the end of last year, the lively Spaniard continued with the Merida O.Nine on a 26-inch wheel, as this suited his active driving style better than the big one Big Nine. However, he has been on the brand new Merida since January Big Seven on road.
With a frame weight of just over one kilogram, the bike ranks between its two predecessors. It has internally routed cables and a 12 mm thru-axle mount on the rear dropouts, which increases rear rigidity. The brake caliper is incorporated into the strut triangle. To ensure better comfort, Merida has also incorporated flax fibers into the struts. Like the steering head, the bottom bracket area is a bit more bulbous. This also works in these areas Big Seven stiff.
At the front of Hermida's bike is a RockShox SID installed with 100 millimeters of spring travel, which Hermida can block from the handlebars. The drive also comes from Schweinfurt. Sram delivers here with the complete XX1 the latest standard in terms of 11-speed gears. The cassette has a gradation from 10 to 42 teeth. On the distinctive crank arms are Atac XC from Time.
Seat post, handlebars and stem are from Procraft. Here are components of the PRC-Series installed in team design. The saddle comes from Prologo and is with the one developed by the Italians Slide control system Mistake. The wheels also come from Italy. Fulcrum manufactures the installed ones especially for the team red metal in 27,5 inches. On these are Maxxis Aspen.
In Hermida's own words, the bike is the perfect work tool for "Technically demanding and fast cross-country routes".