Merida Ninety Six 2021: Trail bike in XC fur?

Product news: With the Merida Ninety-Six 2021, a real MTB highlight sees the light of day at the end of the year. The cross-country and marathon race bike is getting a new frame and a good shot of trail potential for the coming season.

At a Glance: The Merida Ninety-Six

Range: Cross country, marathon, down country
Suspension travel: 100mm / 100mm (120mm front on Trail version)
Frame material: Carbon
wheel size: 29 inch

Weight frame: from 1,69 kg
Weight complete bike: from 10,29 kg
Price: from € 4.599

The Merida Ninety-Six is ​​probably one of the longest-serving bikes on the XC circuit. More than twelve years ago, the first version of the racing file was presented, which will receive a completely renewed successor for 2021. Even though Merida, for the first time when presenting a new Ninety-Six, no longer has an active professional team among the world's top cross-country racers, that doesn't mean that you don't know what's required there: in the development of the new Ninety -Six you could also use the input of race legend José Hermida. The end result is arguably the most versatile Ninety-Six ever.

Even if the orientation of the Ninety-Six has remained the same since the original model: race, race, race - the context has changed significantly over the years. The cross-country courses of 2020 should not have much in common with those of 2008; the downhill passages become more demanding almost every year. The tools used by racers are also changing accordingly: Hardtails have almost completely disappeared here and the focus of fullys is increasingly on downhill qualities, because races are now also decided here.

It is precisely this development that does not stop at the Merida Ninety-Six: Modern geometry, more tire clearance, progressive rear triangle, retractable seat post in all models. Is that still XC or already down-country?! This question is all the more justified as the Ninety-Six will be launched in two basic versions for 2021: as an RC version (race) with a 100 mm fork and as a trail version with a 120 mm fork. However, the latter will initially not be available in this country.

You can find even more top fullies in our top 10 for 2021

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Frame developed from scratch

The heart of the bike, the frame, has been completely redeveloped and has very little in common with its predecessor. What has remained, however, is not surprisingly the frame material: Carbon is used in all equipment variants, but in different versions, which is reflected in the weight. At 5g, the CF1.695 frame of the top model is around 150g lighter than the CF4 version of the other models.

Progressive rear end without Horst link

Nothing has changed in terms of spring travel either – the rear of the Merida Ninety-Six is ​​100 mm, which should also be sufficient for the intended area of ​​use. Aside from the spring travel, a lot has happened with the rear end - so they now rely on the so-called P-Flex system, which saves the Horst link of the predecessor in the same place thanks to the natural flex of the carbon seat stays. By eliminating the additional pivot point, the entire construction is stiffer, lighter and requires less maintenance, while stability and durability are not intended to be compromised. Also some other manufacturers like Cannondale at the new Scalpel rely on similar constructions.

But that's not all of the innovations on the rear triangle: the designers have also lent a hand with the kinematics. This is now significantly more progressive than before, so despite the limited spring travel it still offers some reserves for demanding terrain. A slightly more linear response on the first few millimeters of spring travel also ensures comfort and effortless pedaling on climbs. If you want maximum efficiency here, you can use the standard double lockout on the handlebars, which locks the damper and fork at the same time.

Two bottle holders, clever cable routing, flat mount brakes: the frame features of the Merida Ninety-Six

Modern geometry for speed up and downhill

In terms of geometry, the Ninety-Six has probably undergone the biggest changes compared to its predecessor; the steering angle has become significantly flatter, the frame has grown by a few centimeters in length. In connection with the low bottom bracket, you sit or stand much more centrally in the bike and can enjoy significantly smoother running. Thanks to the now very steep seat angle, however, you are also in an efficient position to pedal to the maximum when every second counts.

Merida Ninety-Six 2021: In this country only as an RC variant

Of the four model variants of the Merida Ninety-Six 2021 - three RC versions and one trail version - only the two high-quality RC bikes will initially be available in Germany. Whether and if so, when the other two pieces of equipment will also be available from us is still in the stars.

When looking at the equipment list, it is positive that both Race models are already equipped with a retractable seat post ex works. That goes well with the modern orientation of the bike, which certainly has its qualities on the descent. Otherwise, the top model Merida Ninety-Six RC 9000 has the best of the best: the super-light CF5 frame with 12-speed XTR group, carbon crank from Race Face, Fox Factory chassis and carbon wheels from DT Swiss. The price of 8.799 euros is therefore completely reasonable. The Ninety-Six RC XT is a bit more down-to-earth, but still of high quality: The 150g additional weight of the frame should be bearable in view of the lower price of 4.599 euros, as well as the "downgrade" to an XT group. When it comes to the chassis, there are performance elements from Fox and in-house wheels with tubeless-ready aluminum rims.

Website

www.merida-bikes.com