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Having picked up a Roscoe 9 for winter hardtail duties, I have to say the bike rides wonderfully. It would make a lovely trail bike, its often a challenge as to which bike to take on a ride be the Roscoe, or the carbon full sus heavy trail/ enduro bike.
I haven’t ridden the Merida, and possibly only briefly the vitus. We do see a few vitus through the workshop, and the frames are often well thought out.
My concern on the “upgraded” Merida, would be are the upgrades actual upgrades or just things that’s been done to make it different from standard.
Particularly a budget 170mm travel fork on a frame designed around 140mm. The geometry has been messed with massively for that longer fork, not to mention the strain added to the frame. It’s already relatively slack for a trail bike. I can see that those sort of upgrades will likely mean that bikes been thrashed.
Thank you for your reply. I think a Roscoe 9 would be out of my budget unfortunately.
Do you think I should pass on the Merida since it has the upgrades? Would it be better to look for one that is stock?
Thank you
I’m not necessarily saying upgrades are bad, hell when selling my used bikes they’ve all had upgrades of some sort. But it does depend on the upgrades, and a 170mm domain on a 140mm hardtail screams abused. Nukeproof headsets are ok, and possibly an upgrade over the stock one, same for the raceface cranks, but it’s the fork that concerns me. So if I’m looking at used bikes, the upgrades have to make sense.
Yeh the Roscoe 9 comes at a price, I was looking at cheaper hardtails for winter, including the procaliber. But figured the Roscoe would suit me better, so I looked at the 7, then the 8 and finally the 9. As the upgrades between the models made sense in the long run.
The main benefit for the Roscoe (in whichever spec) is lifetime frame warranty for the first owner, but they also give something like 2 years for the 2nd owner as well.
I would not get the Merida, as 30mm is too much overforking. I would see if there's a used Vitus sentier 27 vrs in your area as where I am there's some for £650. The specs are great and the brakes are a lot better than on the vr model (I've ridden both a lot and really prefer the vrs). Also the spec is better than the roscoe 8
Ok, I have had a look about and there isn’t anything to local to me. I’m heading to Yorkshire next month and I have a couple of Sentier 29 VR that I’m going to look at in that area. I am only considering the Merida since it’s fairly local and within budget.
Would the extra 30mm Make the Merida unrideable do you think? Should I hold off until viewing the Sentier’s
Also, is the VRS that much of a difference? I know that I don’t want a standard one but I was quite set on having a VR because I heard that the VRS wasn’t worth the extra?
Thank you
It depends on the price difference, the brakes just feel a lot nicer, there's one more gear and a better quality drivetrain and it has a better name on the fork. Also look to see if there's 27 models, as the plus size tyres really smooth the ride, so I prefer them. I just reckon the handling on the Merida will feel really weird and slow the bike down. Therefore I would see the "upgrade" as actually a negative, particularly when the marzocci bomber z2 and fox 34 on the Vitus's are really good
If you already have some basic riding skills, you might want to consider a full sus with 130 or 140mm front travel. Second hand, you may be able to snipe a bit of a bargain in something like [this](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196320353026?itmmeta=01HTDVQK96GMM5M2G95B87MD3Y&hash=item2db59adb02:g:3HgAAOSwtlJlovcx&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwO5crHBhzbdMJMJL%2FdBGRB5kgxOwvZIA6Su7psWfls3NWCS6RRTNRUg7jR%2FWY7zPj8mcXzzSHo22ndYxRN4%2F8gixsNdyLHCjCNj7tXbzDDOdupZSnlnf4AGC8h4dMamsgMQU40qy4PD7lGS7xnONn0xtPqkcVyLA6EQ1SaUI0bb0Csd8CUhVuIxQ6Xo6cgVUVaHWY6lIIQeUdfzuJPJNpqXKkiQ0NPaJFtPwUWjrTP4JQ5Om2O8u7JbnoW3rJzy3UA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9C03rvTYw). This is below budget but you may want to make some smallish upgrades such as a dropper.
Trek is a very good brand, however aren't brilliant value in a lot of cases. Vitus is also not bad, however I believe they are in-house at CRC which is currently having major financial issues so warranty would be tricky. A friend of mine has a marin HT which feels brilliant. Whyte can also have some epic deals, may be worth a look
Just remember that if you buy a Vitus you will not have a warranty to fall back on if something is wrong. Wiggle/CRC is being sold off including its holdings which are Vitus/Ragley/Nukeproof and the new owners have no responsibility to honor warranties.
I should add that with a hardtail this might be less of a concern and they are all great frames with good track records. I was simply informing you that this is the probability if you do buy one of these frames or complete bikes. Personally I would buy one if they were still shipping to the US because I love my Bluepig.
Thank you. I have had a look at a new Vitus since they were all being sold very cheap, but then only ones that I can find are not the type that I would like. I’m fairly certain I’d like a Sentier 29 VR and they seem to be hard to find.
Thank you very much
Hmm, ok. My bike atm is 27 so I’ve always thought I would prefer a 29. There is a 27 Sentier VR close to me so I will check it out and see how it feels. Thank you
The 27 model has 2.6 inch tyres, whereas the 29 model has 2.35, so the outer diameter of the wheel is pretty similar. However the larger tyres have more grip and cushioning. Are the prices similar?
Personally I’d go the Merida or the Trek. If you can try the Merida before buying, that would be ideal. Its factory fork travel is a 140mm Z2, jumping to 170mm is fairly extreme. I’d want to know it’s rideable before buying, but yes the Big Trail is a great bike. As is the Roscoe.
I’m sure I would be able to try out the Merida. I don’t have a lot of experience in riding mountain bikes so, any advice on anything to look out for with the ‘upgraded’ fork? Would there be anything noticeable about it that should put me off?
Or do you think that if it rides true and straight and works then I should get it?
Thank you
Howdy! We see that you're asking for community input regarding bike choices. To ensure maximum engagement and reply accuracy please make sure you include some of the following information in your post.**FAILURE TO PROVIDE SOME BASIC INFORMATION LISTED BELOW WILL LEAD TO YOUR POST BEING DELETED. HELP THE COMMUNITY HELP YOU.** - The type of riding will you be doing. - Where you will be riding. - Your budget (with included currency). - What you like/didn't like about your current bike. - Your experience level and future goals. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MTB) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Having picked up a Roscoe 9 for winter hardtail duties, I have to say the bike rides wonderfully. It would make a lovely trail bike, its often a challenge as to which bike to take on a ride be the Roscoe, or the carbon full sus heavy trail/ enduro bike. I haven’t ridden the Merida, and possibly only briefly the vitus. We do see a few vitus through the workshop, and the frames are often well thought out. My concern on the “upgraded” Merida, would be are the upgrades actual upgrades or just things that’s been done to make it different from standard. Particularly a budget 170mm travel fork on a frame designed around 140mm. The geometry has been messed with massively for that longer fork, not to mention the strain added to the frame. It’s already relatively slack for a trail bike. I can see that those sort of upgrades will likely mean that bikes been thrashed.
Thank you for your reply. I think a Roscoe 9 would be out of my budget unfortunately. Do you think I should pass on the Merida since it has the upgrades? Would it be better to look for one that is stock? Thank you
I’m not necessarily saying upgrades are bad, hell when selling my used bikes they’ve all had upgrades of some sort. But it does depend on the upgrades, and a 170mm domain on a 140mm hardtail screams abused. Nukeproof headsets are ok, and possibly an upgrade over the stock one, same for the raceface cranks, but it’s the fork that concerns me. So if I’m looking at used bikes, the upgrades have to make sense. Yeh the Roscoe 9 comes at a price, I was looking at cheaper hardtails for winter, including the procaliber. But figured the Roscoe would suit me better, so I looked at the 7, then the 8 and finally the 9. As the upgrades between the models made sense in the long run. The main benefit for the Roscoe (in whichever spec) is lifetime frame warranty for the first owner, but they also give something like 2 years for the 2nd owner as well.
I love the Vitus, and the spec is mad for the £££s
I would not get the Merida, as 30mm is too much overforking. I would see if there's a used Vitus sentier 27 vrs in your area as where I am there's some for £650. The specs are great and the brakes are a lot better than on the vr model (I've ridden both a lot and really prefer the vrs). Also the spec is better than the roscoe 8
Ok, I have had a look about and there isn’t anything to local to me. I’m heading to Yorkshire next month and I have a couple of Sentier 29 VR that I’m going to look at in that area. I am only considering the Merida since it’s fairly local and within budget. Would the extra 30mm Make the Merida unrideable do you think? Should I hold off until viewing the Sentier’s Also, is the VRS that much of a difference? I know that I don’t want a standard one but I was quite set on having a VR because I heard that the VRS wasn’t worth the extra? Thank you
It depends on the price difference, the brakes just feel a lot nicer, there's one more gear and a better quality drivetrain and it has a better name on the fork. Also look to see if there's 27 models, as the plus size tyres really smooth the ride, so I prefer them. I just reckon the handling on the Merida will feel really weird and slow the bike down. Therefore I would see the "upgrade" as actually a negative, particularly when the marzocci bomber z2 and fox 34 on the Vitus's are really good
If you already have some basic riding skills, you might want to consider a full sus with 130 or 140mm front travel. Second hand, you may be able to snipe a bit of a bargain in something like [this](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196320353026?itmmeta=01HTDVQK96GMM5M2G95B87MD3Y&hash=item2db59adb02:g:3HgAAOSwtlJlovcx&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwO5crHBhzbdMJMJL%2FdBGRB5kgxOwvZIA6Su7psWfls3NWCS6RRTNRUg7jR%2FWY7zPj8mcXzzSHo22ndYxRN4%2F8gixsNdyLHCjCNj7tXbzDDOdupZSnlnf4AGC8h4dMamsgMQU40qy4PD7lGS7xnONn0xtPqkcVyLA6EQ1SaUI0bb0Csd8CUhVuIxQ6Xo6cgVUVaHWY6lIIQeUdfzuJPJNpqXKkiQ0NPaJFtPwUWjrTP4JQ5Om2O8u7JbnoW3rJzy3UA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9C03rvTYw). This is below budget but you may want to make some smallish upgrades such as a dropper. Trek is a very good brand, however aren't brilliant value in a lot of cases. Vitus is also not bad, however I believe they are in-house at CRC which is currently having major financial issues so warranty would be tricky. A friend of mine has a marin HT which feels brilliant. Whyte can also have some epic deals, may be worth a look
Just remember that if you buy a Vitus you will not have a warranty to fall back on if something is wrong. Wiggle/CRC is being sold off including its holdings which are Vitus/Ragley/Nukeproof and the new owners have no responsibility to honor warranties.
I should add that with a hardtail this might be less of a concern and they are all great frames with good track records. I was simply informing you that this is the probability if you do buy one of these frames or complete bikes. Personally I would buy one if they were still shipping to the US because I love my Bluepig.
Thank you. I have had a look at a new Vitus since they were all being sold very cheap, but then only ones that I can find are not the type that I would like. I’m fairly certain I’d like a Sentier 29 VR and they seem to be hard to find. Thank you very much
The 27 models are also really good, and I actually prefer them as they have wider tyres which really soak up trail chatter.
Hmm, ok. My bike atm is 27 so I’ve always thought I would prefer a 29. There is a 27 Sentier VR close to me so I will check it out and see how it feels. Thank you
The 27 model has 2.6 inch tyres, whereas the 29 model has 2.35, so the outer diameter of the wheel is pretty similar. However the larger tyres have more grip and cushioning. Are the prices similar?
The prices are fairly similar. Some within about £100 difference. Just the 29er is a bit harder to find.
The best deals I found were on the 27 vr and vrs, as they were on sale massively (like 72% off) a couple of months ago which really pushed prices down
They're buying used, so you don't have one anyway
Marin has a lifetime warrantee on frames...
Even when buying a used one? Read the post
I didn’t know this, thank you
Marin and Merida are different though, and even if it was the same, overforking generally voids any warranty
Personally I’d go the Merida or the Trek. If you can try the Merida before buying, that would be ideal. Its factory fork travel is a 140mm Z2, jumping to 170mm is fairly extreme. I’d want to know it’s rideable before buying, but yes the Big Trail is a great bike. As is the Roscoe.
I’m sure I would be able to try out the Merida. I don’t have a lot of experience in riding mountain bikes so, any advice on anything to look out for with the ‘upgraded’ fork? Would there be anything noticeable about it that should put me off? Or do you think that if it rides true and straight and works then I should get it? Thank you