Changing bike

Peter88
Peter88 Posts: 50
edited September 2010 in Commuting general
Went to my LBS this afternoon on way home from work after deciding it is time to replace the mountain bike i got from Halfords 4 years ago ( a cheap Apollo bike that i thought would last me 1 or 2 years max)

Talking with the shop owner about what i do and the route he showed me a 2008 Merida Urban 6.7 the last one he had and said he could do it for £150 (should be £300) My budget is about £350.

I have never heard off Merida before and are they any good ?

Do i get the Merida and spend the rest on kit or boy a bike for £350?

Comments

  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    They're a Taiwanese company. I think they make bikes for other companies, too.

    The geometry looks a little upright, but that comes down to personal taste. How long's your commute?
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • bigflangesmallsprocket
    bigflangesmallsprocket Posts: 2,443
    It looks like VFM, but is it actually the sort of bike you're looking for? To me this looks like the sort of bike you migh get for pootling round an easy woodland trail or bridlepath with the kids, or popping to the shops to do a bit of shopping with. If that's what you're after then it's worth consideration (make sure it's the size for you). As cjcp says, it is quite upright, so serious commuting over a distance might mean road bashes eventually jarring up into your upright back, despite the mild suspension. For me personally though, those handlebars do look seriously high, it seems like a 'sit up and beg' with suspension.
    Jam butties, officially endorsed by the Diddymen Olympic Squad
  • Peter88
    Peter88 Posts: 50
    My commute is approx 4 miles each way about 50/50 canal paths and roads. The stem of the handlebars is adjustable by two hex bolts so can be lowered. but have thought a set of flat bars would be better for me.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    edited December 2017
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  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Merida supply LOTs of frames, Apollo and ALL Carrera, ALL Spesh, CBR and some Claud Butler and LandRover amongst others (like cheap brand Shogun, we have 4 Merida frames in the family from 3 different 'manufacturers'.

    Merida made frames for a long time, then figured that as all their customers did was bolt shimano/SRAM etc components to that frame, they may as well do it themselves.

    Bike looks excellent VFM at £150, although its a bit of a 'pootling Hybrid' and I wouldn't want to do more than a couple of miles on it as after that you'll notice how slow it is! Carrera have the similar but slightly sportier Subway for not much more.

    Simon
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • bigflangesmallsprocket
    bigflangesmallsprocket Posts: 2,443
    I've just picked up the Subway Ltd Edition myself for £225. It seems good value for that money, though the original quoted £450 is bloody hilarious. The kit is more basic than the subway 2, but it's also a tad lighter, and the money I've not spent on that I can spend on fitting it to my taste, and adding some fugly mudguards and racks to make it look a tad less sporty! The prices wobble up and down all the time, so keep an eye on't net for a good deal.

    If you go for something from Halfords though, you'll need to check it all again yourself after they've put it together and before you ride it. Seriously.
    Jam butties, officially endorsed by the Diddymen Olympic Squad
  • Rothsay
    Rothsay Posts: 64
    I bought a Merida Crossway back in January. I use it for fitness and touring - did 150 miles on it round north Devon in May on road and tracks. It is great. I hadn't heard of Merida before seeing this bike in the LBS. I was looking at Giant or Ridgeback. Merida own about 49% of Specialised and are more well known in Mountain bikes circles I believe. The crossway I have has suspension forks with lock out which is great for all sorts of surfaces.
  • Peter88
    Peter88 Posts: 50
    Went back to the LBS today (had a day off work) with the wife and she bought the bike for me :D and got herself a hybrid aswell.

    Went on my usual commute this afternoon. Will need a new seat post (longer one, had this problem with other bikes) got the bars quite low and it is a nice reach to yhem (don't feel cramped) the semi slick tires make a big difference on the road definatly a lot quieter.

    So far a happy bunny

    now i still have £350 to spend :D:D

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