hi i'm looking at getting myself a rock lobster 853 complete bike from merlin. looks a cracking deal with full xt/raceface deus and rockshox recon forks @ £1100 i've done a search on here and the only thing that crops up that concerns me is,will it be strong enough for my 16 stone mass? i won't be jumping off anything,just general xc, riding around cannock chase. ie trying to shift some lard! what do u lot reckon??

You will be fine.

http://reynoldstechnology.biz/our_materials_853.php
Ultimate tensile strength of 1250-1400 MPa ……….. yes I see what you mean………

Strong enough????????

My 16st mass didnt break the Soul (also 853), that I had for a few months of Cannock Chase riding. You'll be fine. Might be worth the upgrade to a Thomson post though.

Yeah get a Thomson post as they are even Ton proof.

I've been over 16st and it doesn't seem to have done my 853 Soul any harm.