Merida Cyclocross 4

matt@theforce

After a succesful Cyclescheme year riding my Decathlon Forme5 Road bike I decided I wanted more from a commuter so have signed up for another certificate and bought a Merida Cyclocross 4. This will allow me to vary my routes through Wharncliffe Woods/Trans Pennine Trail & smoother ride on the appauling Sheffield road network.

I picked it up yesterday from The Bike Tree in Sheffield and have commuted into work today so still making a few minor tweeks but the first 17miles went very smoothly.

In comparison to my road bike, this is uber comfy on the bad road surfaces and while my speed on the flat was less my speed over the poor roads was higher giving me the same length of time to get to work. The Hayes brakes seem to be settling in, did a few high speed stops on the hills this morning and they feel to get better each time I use them. The tyres rumble on the road a little (have set them to 60PSI), I'm going to leave the pressures alone until I've commuted on the Trails & Wharncliffe to find that happy medium.
The 105 setup is far smoother and quicker shifting than my Tiagra/Sora setup and I love the close range of gears from the rear cassette, which is helped by running 2x10 rather than 3x9.

Size : 52cm (C108)
Frame : Technoformed, butted and heat treated 6061 aluminium with smooth welding
Color : white/black(red)
Fork : Carbon fork with alloy steerer
Speeds : 2x10
Derailleurs : Shimano 105
Shifters : Shimano 105
Brakes : Hayes CX5 160 / 140
Bottom Bracket : FSA BB6000/8000 Now Shimano 6700 Ultegra Black
Chainwheel : FSA Gossamer 46-36 Mega
Cassette : Shimano CS-4600-10 12-28 Now Shimano Deore XT-10 11-32
Chain : KMC X10 10s
Hubs : Road Disc Bearing
Rims : Merida XCD Lite
Tires : CX - Maxxis Raze 33c Kevlar / Road Schwalbe Durano Plus 28c / Commuting Schwalbe Marathon Plus 28c
Handlebar : Merida Road Pro Classic OS
Stem : Merida pro E OS -7
Headset : Orbit X
Seatpost : Merida Pro H SB15 27.2
Saddle : Merida Pro SI Now Charge Spoon
Weight (digital bathroom scales) 10.1kg
A couple of quick pics from when I got home from work last night






Overall 1st impressions are I'm very happy I picked this over the Norco Threshold a2 and will update in a few weeks time when its had time to settle in & I've got the setup right.
Looking forward to my 1st day out trip on it in 2weeks time

Matthew

earthvspace4XTuUWcX

Looks cool.

Mindermast

Perhaps I can add another report about this bike next week, going to have a test ride next Tuesday. Seems to be a good bike for a good price, that's what I can tell so far. And I am quite interested to test the disk brakes too. Main purpose of this bike will be fun, the excuse is going to work and road bikes don't have space for mudguards.

holiver

I'm definitely interested in any thoughts on the Hayes brakes.

Can you fit guards and a rack simultaneously?

matt@theforce

So far I've now done around 70miles and the brakes have bedded in nicely, I took in an extra hill on my way home from work to settle the brakes and found that I can now endo the bike, the brakes are nice and powerful and very easy to regulate although the rear of the bike does feel to be a little light under heavy breaking but I'm sure that is because I'm on the smaller size for this frame.

I cycled to work on the Trans Pennine Trail to Sheffield via Wharncliffe Woods this evening and I'm inpressed with the level of comfort on the fire trails, I did also take in a couple of small single track trails and was suitably impressed with it.

This bike is a great do-it-all bike however don't expect to be able to whizz around woodlands trails like you can on an MTB.

The 10sp 105 groupset is awesome so smooth & quick, such an improvement over 9sp Sora/Tiagra.

holiver wrote:

I'm definitely interested in any thoughts on the Hayes brakes.

Can you fit guards and a rack simultaneously?

I was skeptical about Hayes brakes as I never liked how my Stroker Trails felt but I do like these (comparing against my XT's), they certainly don't offer hydrolic performance but they are very powerfull and suite the bike very well.

I'm sure I saw mounts for guards but I'm not sure if you can fit guards & a racks.

Mindermast

You can definitely fit guards, but it might be tricky to fit a rack.

I like the bike already, fits like a glove, except for the saddle, which has to be changed. I bought it after a fairly short test ride. More later.

matt@theforce

Mindermast wrote:

I like the bike already, fits like a glove, except for the saddle, which has to be changed.

I couldn't agree more on the saddle. I've now fitted the Charge Spoon I had on my Road bike

matt@theforce

I've now done over 300miles in 2 1/2 weeks and still loving it.

Issues so far
* One of the saddle bolts keeps working its way loose
* Rear shifter/brake loose, only held in place by bar tape

Changes to date
* Saddle changed for my Charge Spoon from my BtWin Forme5
* 12-3t Shimano CS-4600 fitted

I've done plenty of road riding/trail riding and took it around Langsett and took in Cut Gate etc, it prooved quite hard going on this compared to the MTB but supprisingly do-able.

The main thing I've noticed is not being able to spin up some of the climbs around, the last thing I want todo after a 12hr day shift is stand up out of the saddle to climb the 14% climb after 30miles so have just fitted a 12-30t cassette, fits fine with the 105 rear mech and plenty of chain left, if this prooves worthwhile I may replace this again with a 12-32t as the 12-30t is a bit of a trial.

RideOnTime

Good spec...

matt@theforce

After 1200miles the rear Maxxis Raze is almost smooth and as winter is coming I thought I should get my winter tyres sorted.
As I won't be using Wharncliffe much for my commutes during the winter I've been able to change my tyre choice for something more suited to the road and hard packed trails so I've decided on the Schwalbe Durano Plus 28c.

The 28c Durano's weigh in at approx 200grams heavier per tyre than the Maxxis Raze 33c but I suppose that is the trade off with wanting more protection from punctures.

Having only fitted them today and only done 30miles on them they certainly ride alot smoother but they have also dulled down the ride, the bike doesn't feel as responsive as before but it does roll better and I've found myself using higher gears on my way to work tonight and found myself being quicker going over Ewden Bank so at the moment they look very positive, tomorrow morning shall see me commuting home in the rain on a mixture of roads and trails so will see how they perform in those conditions.





I shall still be using this for off road riding so I'll be buying another cx tyre for my days off

Another thing to note was the simplicity of fitting these tyres, no tools needed which was a great supprise as I remember having a nightmare with my old Marathon Plus tyres on my road bike, maybe this is just down to the width of the rim/tyre??

Matthew

ps.. I know its grubby (mid shift rotation)

matt@theforce

Just a quick update (nothing exciting).

6months & 2200miles later and the left side bb bearings were almost siezed and grinding.

Shimano Ultegra Black 6700 bottom bracket fitted.

Cost
£22 - Ultegra Bottom Bracket

Paul 8v

Looks great!

MountainMonster

My father in law is obsessed with Merida, and rightly so. They make some good bikes. How much did this one cost in total?

matt@theforce

MountainMonster wrote:

My father in law is obsessed with Merida, and rightly so. They make some good bikes. How much did this one cost in total?

Purchase price on cyclescheme £999
Tyres £40
Mudguards £30
Cassette £30
Bottom Brackets £22
Saddle £0 came off my last cyclescheme bike

So far I've cycled 40times to work & back (not bad considering I work 12hr day/night shifts) saving approximatly £9.50 per trip, 35miles per trip £4 parking per day. I shall be doing a complete run down of total cost of ownership in June 2014, I'm hoping to get close to breaking even with what I save in commuting costs

fret

Good review.
I'm now looking at a stablemate for the Boardman CX I own that I use as a commuter and the occasional off-road event as it's too much hassle changing tyres or wheels and removing the mudguards and lights each time and the Merida was my first choice at the end of 2013, I very nearly bought one but the shop wouldn't do a deal, despite the model having been in their showroom for 6 months or more.
Now some 2012/2013 models around for around the £850.00 mark in shops.

matt@theforce

After 2400miles my chain snapped and has started to show signs of poor shifting, new chain time as the measurement is now .75

I just don't get on well with the 12-30t cassette, I don't know why & due to me using the bike for more & more off road riding in the Peak District I've changed it to a Deore XT 11-32

A few new shiney bits


32t mated to 105 fits perfectly


Here's to another 2 1/2 thousand miles

Costs

£17 - 105 chain
£7 - quicklinks
Cassette not being counted as it is personal preference and didn't need replacing.

matt@theforce

The cassette is prooving perfect for me, all but the 32t sproket is being used which is what I wanted, that will be my climbing gear for when I hit the big climbs

Due to getting 4 punctures in a matter of 4 days (1 stop I had 3 holes to repair) commuting to work I've decided to use some harder wearing tyres.

Have fitted some Marathon plus 28c tyres and all is now well with the world. 200 miles covered and they are a little firmer than the Durano Plus's but that is only to be expected.

matt@theforce

Quick Update,

2800miles and I've replaced the rear brake pads as there was only about 1mm pad left on both pads. The OEM Hayes pads have been changed for some Superstar Sintered pads.

The fronts look like they will need changing soon.

2900miles, Front & Rear wheel bearings replaced by http://www.tonybutterworths.com/. Replaced due to excessive wheel movement from side to side

Costs
£7 - Superstar sintered pads
£60 - Front/Rear wheel bearings inc fitting

Brunor

Hello,
Very good info for my cx 4.
Do you always switch back to the Conti cx when you go offroad? or do you have an extra set of wheels?
Cheers,
Bruno

matt@theforce

Brunor wrote:

Hello,
Very good info for my cx 4.
Do you always switch back to the Conti cx when you go offroad? or do you have an extra set of wheels?
Cheers,
Bruno

It all depends on the type of offroad. For commuting I still use either the Marathon Plus or Durano Plus and I use them down the Trans Pennine Trail, when commuting through Wharncliffe I use either the Marathons Plus or the Maxxis Raze, if I'm going out with friends I will either run my Maxxis Raze or take my 456c depending on the route.

I only have the 1 set of wheels & find the CX tyres really easy to fit/remove (no tools needed), I don't use tools for the Durano Plus's either.

On a sad note, while cycling home last night my rear gear cable snapped , I had noticed the gears becoming a little sloppy over the last couple of months and intended to replace all the cables & remove the handlebar brake levers next month when the weather starts to improve but didn't realise the problem was due to the cable becoming frayed in the shifter. (google has shown this to be a common problem)

milage = 3117

matt@theforce

I thought I might aswell make the most of not being able to use the bike to replace all the cables, remove the handlebar brakes and replace the bar tape & fit new front brake pads.

Finally got the snapped bit of cable out of the shifter


Gone is the white with red dots bar tape and replaced with Merida's black with red dots



Total expense
£24 - Jagwire Racer cable kit (technically not required but might as well fit a full set of new cables)
£7 - Superstar sintered brake pads
£14 - Merida bar tape (not including in running costs as techinally there wasn't a need to change it unless I removed the handlebar brakes)

Its like having a new bike again, shifting is very quick/smooth and effortless & the Hayes CX5's have gone from being very impressive to outstanding, removing the handlebar brakes has sharpened up the feel/less spongy & more powerfull as a result :twisted: . Looking forward to getting it off road and dirty again

sloppyschleckonds

Is that rhubarb growing?

matt@theforce

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Is that rhubarb growing?

Yep, along with Rasperry's/onions/potatos & a couple of fruit trees

matt@theforce

Getting ready for my Way Of The Roses tour

I didn't want fixed paniers as I wanted a quick easy solution that can be moved from bike to bike, this offers that flexibility.
Rear bag - Carradice Super C http://www.carradice.co.uk/index.php?page_id=product&under=range&product_id=34
Handlebar bag - Decathlon http://www.decathlon.co.uk/handlebar-bag-25-litres-blue-id_8241979.html




Roll on July when I'll complete the Way Of The Roses & raise some valuble funds for Asthma UK, should anyone like to donate (any amount is greatly appreciated, please donate here http://www.justgiving.com/chilton-WOTR), no doubt this will be the start of my touring

matt@theforce

Started to get a creaking noise from the bottom bracket and while looking around I found a new Shimano CX50 chainset at a bargain price (less than the cost of a megaexo bottom bracket) so I bought it & a Shimano 105 bottom bracket & it still came in less than an FSA megaexo bottom bracket.

£30 spent



The difference in shifting between the CX50 & the Gossamer is very different, the CX50 is much smoother & quicker although at 80gms heavier it wont suit all people but for my commuter it will be fine

arknor

What mudguards have you got on?

I just picked up a 2014 cyclocross 4 and realised the sks chromoplastics on my other bike won't fit because the callipers get in the way of the stays and they are to short to alter since I already cut them down for my other bike...

I wish the brake calliper was mounted inside the chain stay triangle bit like on my other bike as the rear one would fit easily then.

BTW can you post close up pics of how the chainstays are bent around the calipers

matt@theforce

The mudguards are Tortec's (I forget which model). I much prefer these to the SKS that I had fitted previously, these rattle/move less and fit a lot better.

Front



Rear


Matthew

redvee

Just applied for the LoC on my C2W bike with this bike being the one I had to choose late last night as I couldn't use Evans. On my other bike with discs I've mounted the mudguards on the front by using the top calliper bolt with a longer bolt and spacer to clear the calliper lever.
Not sure about the gearing yet but will see how I get on and might swap the chainrings after a few months road use.

matt@theforce

Another dull update.

1year of ownership done & 3780miles covered. Used for commuting all year round (day shifts with the odd night shift)/x1 100mile sportive/pleasure road and off road riding and have trying touring with it.

All I can say is, it's a fantastic bike & I always look forward to going out on it.

A brief run down of the figures

£258 spent on consumables & servicing / Salary deductions (approx) £492 = £750
Cycled to work 74 times at a saving of £9.50 per day = £703
Final purchase price £250

Total Cost of ownership (so far) £750 - £703 + £250 = £297, which still makes this bike cracking good value for money , also the more I continue to commute on it the lower this price will become.

Very Happy
And a few pics to whore it (alongside my brothers Scott)





Matthew

MountainMonster

It's great to hear that you have been enjoying your bike so much! There is no point having it if you aren't but you seem to be getting on well.

congrats, and keep the good times rolling.

redvee

matt@theforce wrote:

The mudguards are Tortec's

Gone for Tortec Reflectors on mine in 27-35 flavour along with a Tortec Transalp rack. Getting the shop to fit them and also remove the cross levers.