2011 Merida Bikes Preview

We’ve just been sent a few pics and specs from Merida Bike’s 2011 range.

First up it’s the One Twenty Carbon, which is all new for 2011. As the name implies there is 120mm of travel at either end and pleasingly there’s a 69° headangle which Merida call ‘relaxed’ but we’d prefer to call ‘not-stupidly-steep’. The frame is made using Merida’s proprietary carbon moulding and construction techniques, including the carbon rocker link. Weights are said to range from around 24lbs going down to 22lbs for the top line 5000D model. The aluminium One Twenty Pro has also been revised with an all new front triangle with tapered headtube, dropping 250g over the 2010 model.

For the big wheel enthusiasts there is the MATTS Twenty-Nine, designed as an XC enduro/marathon racing bike. The geometry has been heavily tweaked to work with large wheels and Merida say the bike will “fully realise all of the rolling, traction and comfort advantages the 29er wheel size delivers”. Carbon framed and full suspension 29er designs are also being developed at the moment.

Merida have also introduced a lightweight(1,400g) hydroformed Scandium XC frame as a more affordable alternative to their carbon range. The MATTS Scandium has a flared seat tube, direct mount front mech, asymmetric chainstays, integrated post mount and a tapered headtube.

In other news the Trans-Mission becomes the One Forty and gets a tapered headtube, 15mm thru axle forks and 142mm thru axle rear end as well as integrated cable routing for uppy-downy posts. Headangles of the 0.Nine have been relaxed to 70° and every frame will be weighed and certified to make sure it comes in under the magic 1kg mark.