Deciding between 120mm and 140mm bike

panajotov

Hi guys, I'd like your opinions and help to decide which bike to choose.

I work as a mountain bike guide in Macedonia. Our tours are 5-10 days long, and we ride 50+km / 1.000+m elevation daily. We use backcountry roads and some technical singletracks with 1.500+m descents.

My LBS offered me factory prices (sort of sponsorship) for these two bikes: Merida One-Twenty 2013 and Merida One-Forty 2013. I can only try the One-Twenty (a cheaper build) as they would not order a One-Forty so soon. On to the bikes:

A. Merida One-Twenty 3000 (2013)
frame: Pro-D-Single BC A-Link 120mm travel
shock: Float CTD Remote BV SV - Factory
fork: 32 Float 26 Remote-ready CTD O/C-Evolution 120 15mm taper
equipment: Shimano XT (3x10)
wheels: Fulcrum Red Power XL disc F15 with Schwalbe Racing Ralph 2.25 Evo fold


B. Merida One-Forty XT-edition (2013)
frame: D-Single BSC VPP A-Link R12 140mm travel
shock: Float CTD Remote BV SV - Factory
fork: 32 TALAS 26 CTD O/C-Evolution 120-150 15mm taper
equipment: Shimano XT (3x10) with SLX 180 brakes
wheels: Fulcrum Red Power XL F15-R12 with Schwalbe Nobby Nic 2.35 Evo fold


I know that a 140mm bike will descend better, but is the pedaling efficiency much better on a 120mm bike, since the 140 has a 120-150 travel fork and they both have Pro-Pedal? I don't mind pedaling a bit harder (and more) but I don't want the bike to be over kill for all that climbing. What is your experience?

chez_m356

panajotov wrote:

Hi guys, I'd like your opinions and help to decide which bike to choose.

I work as a mountain bike guide in Macedonia. Our tours are 5-10 days long, and we ride 50+km / 1.000+m elevation daily. We use backcountry roads and some technical singletracks with 1.500+m descents.

it seems to me that you should have a better idea on which bike you need than we do

handful

I think there may be a lack of knowledge of riding the hills of Macedonia here

If it was my day job I think I'd go for the one that climbs better so probably the 120mm but without any knowledge of the terrain I may be totally wrong.

felix.london

chez_m356 wrote:

panajotov wrote:

Hi guys, I'd like your opinions and help to decide which bike to choose.

I work as a mountain bike guide in Macedonia. Our tours are 5-10 days long, and we ride 50+km / 1.000+m elevation daily. We use backcountry roads and some technical singletracks with 1.500+m descents.

it seems to me that you should have a better idea on which bike you need than we do

...remind me never to book a biking holiday in Macedonia :?