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Help with downcountry bike choice

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Help with downcountry bike choice

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flag thefan
Posted: Nov 3, 2024 at 12:56 Quote
Hi all,

In my local market i've found two bikes that i'm trying to decide between:

1. Merida Ninety-six approx. 3200USD
2. Scott Spark approx. 4800USD

Both bikes have identical drivetrain + brakes, identical forks and very similar geometry.

The the only difference im really interested in is that the Scott has 120mm rear travel vs 100mm for the Merida, and the Scott can take a 2.4 inch tire on the rear whereas on the Merida it's more like 2.25 inch.

I'd be using it for 3 hour adventures round the hills as well as undulating forest single track. Racing wise i'd use it for 6 mile sprints and up to 80 mile races in hills.

I want the Scott, but with the price difference I could put 4-pot brakes on, maybe light wheels, maybe power meter.

What would you pick?
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Nov 3, 2024 at 14:53 Quote
From a quick search of the geometry numbers etc, to me the Merida ninety-six is more of an XC bike not really a downcountry bike, even if Merida market it as 'downcountry'.

If you're more about the racing (and aiming to be competitive) the ninety-six might suit you, otherwise the Scott is more of an all-rounder and I would expect it to be much more fun and confidence inspiring on descents and more technical trails but maybe not quite as efficient climbing.

Worth looking at Giant Trance 29 as well, its a great downcountry bike (similar numbers to the Scott) and Giant usually offer better value for money than Scott.
flag thefan
Posted: Nov 3, 2024 at 18:25 Quote
The non-RC version of the Ninety-six is what i'm looking at with a Fox34 SC forks. Eg:
https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/bike/4072/ninety-six-7000

The geometry is very similar to spark RC Team:
HTA 67 vs 67.2
STA 75 vs 75.9
Reach 460 vs 471
Chain stay 435 vs 437

Does anything stick out as odd with these numbers?

The Trance is a burlier bike. Probably 5lbs heavier than the bikes i'm looking at which will make a difference when doing 2km of climbing in a day. I already have a longer travel bike.

Thanks
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Nov 3, 2024 at 21:53 Quote
I must have been looking at a different Spark not the RC Team, the geo numbers I found said 66 HTA.

If those are the geo numbers for the versions you are looking at then you're right, not a big difference - can you try both and see which fits you better? Having a bigger bike as well means you can move the compromise more towards XC for this one so you are probably on the right track! I had assumed it was more of a one bike to do everything.
flag thefan
Posted: Nov 4, 2024 at 1:49 Quote
Another way to ask the question:

My current xc bike is a 2015 Scott Spark 100mm front and back. I'm looking for less flex in the frame, less flex in the forks and a bit more travel, particularly in the front to help with knarly downhill sections - not necessarily to go extra fast down, but just to get down in one piece.

Current gen xc/downcountry bikes are ~120mm front and back with 2.4inch tires. Am i already a generation behind if I buy the Merida Ninety-six with 100mm rear/120mm front and 2.25inch rear and 2.4inch front tires?
flag TyBronder
FL
Posted: Nov 5, 2024 at 9:16 Quote
I would go with the Scott. The reviews and people I’ve talked to who race sparks all love them. And this is the rc version. Some on the team and some of the full transmission and ultimate level suspension versions. They all have the same thing to say though, it’s plush and comfy in open, traction it’s great for climbing and locked out it’s, well, locked out. If you want to do big days you’ll want something comfy and if you want to do short track then you’ll need something light and fast and the Scott gives that. Also, having the remote lockout of the Scott would be a nice thing to have for long days if you have roads mixed in there. The lack of a dropper is a shame but if you’re willing to cough up the extra 150 bucks for one, I think it would be better in the long run for your needs.
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