Market: The Merida Ninety-Six and the One-Twenty are two old familiar ones from the Taiwanese manufacturer's MTB segment. In 2016 there are some new features for both models, the Racefully Ninety-Six gets a newly developed frame, while the One-Twenty will also be available in carbon and 29″ from now on.
Merida Ninety-Six 2016: a long-running hit with a new look
The Merida Ninety-Six gets its name from the 96mm of rear travel and is an old acquaintance in the Taiwanese portfolio. 2007 was the year of birth of the cross-country fully, until it was finally replaced in 2012 by the then successor Ninety-Nine. The Ninety-Nine was a completely new development - new kinematics, new damper position, everything matched to the 2-speed drives that were emerging at the time. In 2014, the Ninety-Nine became the Big Ninety-Nine with 29″ wheels, which will remain in the range in 2016. But the venerable Ninety-Six is also celebrating a rebirth: The biggest innovation for 2016 is certainly size-specific wheeling: the wheel size increases in relation to the frame size - with medium sizes, the customer still has the choice. Specifically, this means that frame size S always comes with 27,5″ wheels, while L and XL always come with 29″ wheels. In size M it is up to the buyer whether he prefers to ride 27,5″ or 29″ wheels – the bike is available for both wheel sizes. Another new feature of the Ninety-Six 2016 is the kinematics, which have been optimized for the 1x drives that have now also become standard in the professional sector.
The lightest variant of the Ninety-Six frame weighs less than 1800g without shocks and is therefore one of the lightest full-suspension cross-country frames available on the market. The development took place in close cooperation with the Multivan Merida team and the new (old) damper position under the top tube is of course particularly striking. This has the advantage that the bearing and pivot points are in the same place for all sizes. The sporty, taut kinematics are not altered by different frame sizes. At Merida, great importance was attached to this anyway: Every frame size should have the same characteristics. This includes not only the rear triangle kinematics, but the entire geometry. With many other manufacturers, only one or two values of the frame grow or shrink in different sizes - with the new Ninety-Six almost all tube lengths change so that the frame is guaranteed to feel like a Ninety-Six - whether in size S or XL.
The racing file, which will be available from next season, will be available with three different carbon frames and a cost-effective aluminum version. One or the other may certainly ask why three different carbon frames. Well, the top model comes with the "CF 5" composite material, which is said to be significantly lighter (and more expensive) than the "CF 3" located below it, which is used in a class below. There will also be a model with a main frame made of carbon and a rear triangle made of aluminum - as well as a pure aluminum model. As with wheel sizes, you have a choice.
Merida One-Twenty 2016: lighter and bigger
The popular touring fully in the Merida range, the One-Twenty doesn't get quite as fundamental changes as the Ninety-Six, but there are certainly some notable updates. For example, the One-Twenty Carbon with a main frame made of carbon and rear triangle made of aluminum is brand new. Like the Ninety-Six, there will also be size-specific wheeling for the One-Twenty from 2016 – for the first time, the bike will come in larger sizes with 29″ wheels. Last but not least, Merida has thought about the equipment.
With the new main frame made of carbon, the weight should drop by almost half a kilo without driving the price up to astronomical heights - this is one of the reasons why the decision was made not to use a rear triangle made of carbon fiber - the costs would have been too high with a comparatively small weight saving. Thanks to Size Specific Wheeling, from 2016 customers can choose between 27,5″ or 29″ wheels for the One-Twenty in sizes M and L. Size S only comes in 27,5″, XL accordingly with 29″ tires.
The two equipment variants of the One-Twenty Carbon, which underline the all-round character of the frame, are also exciting. While the slightly cheaper One-Twenty Carbon 7.7000 model comes with a 2x drive, slightly longer stem and narrow handlebars and thus appeals more to moderate touring riders, Merida has given the top model 7.8000 a telescopic seat post and a 1x drive from SRAM and turns the screw clearly in the direction of the trail setup.