Merida Ride 93 Carbon.

PLuKE

Well I have had my first road bike the Merida Ride 93 carbon for just over 2 months, and really love cycling! I was really unfit for a 27yr old, but my fitness has come better, and lost of few pounds and back I to my 32inch jeans!

Anyway, here are a few pictures in order of when I first bought it, and a few changes have been made, Helo tape in prone stonechipping area. played with seat angle and height, and the hoods, stem and spacers, I like how I am on the bike and feel pretty low but comfortable, I fitted some Schwalbe Ultremo ZX tyres around 1.5 months ago, and they made a big difference compared to the standard fitment tyres.

This week I bought some Campagnolo Scirocco 35 wheelset, and couldn't really feel in the hand the weight saved compared to the Alexrims Race 24 with Tiagra hubs that came with the bike, but on the road there is a big improvement, can cruise at a higher speed easier and longer. And somebody who I ride with commented. Also the amount of cleaning I do on it, I think helps shave paint thickness!

Thanks
Luke

diamonddog

It looks a nice bike. Is it set up right for you? The saddle is level with the bars but if that's how you like it and you are comfy on it fair enough.
Hope you enjoy your rides

PLuKE

Thanks

I think so? What seems to be wrong with the setup? I keep learning

Feels good, nice and fitted into the bike and seem to "feel" aero'ish position.

Luke

matt-h

Looks great.
Wheels work well on that

Matt

diamonddog

PLuKE wrote:

Thanks

I think so? What seems to be wrong with the setup? I keep learning

Feels good, nice and fitted into the bike and seem to "feel" aero'ish position.

Luke

Normally with a sloping top tube there is a drop to the bars from the saddle.
If you do a Google search there is lots of info on bike set up (saddle position etc) but as I said if you are comfy and happy on it then it's right for you.
This link may help with set up advice.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store ... orBike.jsp

PLuKE

I can't have the seat any higher and there are no spacers left to remove. I have moved the hoods further down also, seems to fit me well and comfortable aswell.

Here is a better picture?

smoggysteve

I am really liking the look of Merida atm. They seem to be quite anonymous on the market. Shame as they look wonderful. Especially like the team colours from Lampre Merida pro team

diamonddog

Can see it far better now with a bigger picture, lovely bike and set up looks fine. Have fun with it.

rolf_f

diamonddog wrote:

PLuKE wrote:

Thanks

I think so? What seems to be wrong with the setup? I keep learning

Feels good, nice and fitted into the bike and seem to "feel" aero'ish position.

Luke

Normally with a sloping top tube there is a drop to the bars from the saddle.

I cannot see how the angle of the top tube has anything to do with the drop from the saddle to the bars - it's just not relevant!

Normally, saddle height near bar height just means the rider has relatively short legs.

diamonddog

Please read my other post above re set up, perhaps I didn't explain it correctly in the first case. :roll:

PLuKE

Thanks.

I have a new FSA carbon stem, SRAM apex callipers and Vredestein Latex tubes on order

Luke

diamonddog

I have Apex calipers one one my bikes and Force on the other, TBH I cannot tell the difference between them, both are very good IME.

rolf_f

PLuKE wrote:

Thanks.

I have a new FSA carbon stem, SRAM apex callipers and Vredestein Latex tubes on order

Luke

I'd return the stem if I were you. Carbon doesn't make for great stems - you pay a lot for them (usually) and they aren't even any lighter than a decent alloy stem*. The only point to them is if you need them to match your carbon bars........

*unless of course it isn't carbon at all but carbon wrap on alloy in which case it's just about the bling!

PLuKE

diamonddog wrote:

I have Apex calipers one one my bikes and Force on the other, TBH I cannot tell the difference between them, both are very good IME.

Oh really? I am currently using Merida own branded callipers which seem under powered! And really no confidence.

£37 for the pair of SRAM Apex.

Luke

PLuKE

Rolf F wrote:

PLuKE wrote:

Thanks.

I have a new FSA carbon stem, SRAM apex callipers and Vredestein Latex tubes on order

Luke

I'd return the stem if I were you. Carbon doesn't make for great stems - you pay a lot for them (usually) and they aren't even any lighter than a decent alloy stem*. The only point to them is if you need them to match your carbon bars........

*unless of course it isn't carbon at all but carbon wrap on alloy in which case it's just about the bling!

I was just replacing it for alittle bling factor, it's alloy/carbon wrapped, and I think on par weight wise as my current standard kit stem.

Thanks for the advice though!

Luke

diamonddog

PLuKE wrote:

diamonddog wrote:

I have Apex calipers one one my bikes and Force on the other, TBH I cannot tell the difference between them, both are very good IME.

Oh really? I am currently using Merida own branded callipers which seem under powered! And really no confidence.

£37 for the pair of SRAM Apex.

Luke

I would definitely get them never had a problem with mine. IMO the look and weight differences are the main things between Apex & Force.

PLuKE

Well, few small upgrades.

3T aeronova handlebars,
Removed the spacers from the stem
Fizik Antares R1
Campagnolo calipers
Latex innertubes
Campag Bullet 80 wheelset.

Next, Ultegra gearing!

Just a quick pictures.

Paul 8v

That's some deep rims!

PLuKE

Few pictures from this weekends ride.

Felt great, quicker, smoother, and make a nice noise. But today was alittle breezy so the bike does get blown around alittle.

dj58

Nice bike Luke, though I preferred it with the Scirocco 35 wheels, does it have endurance geometry, it looks like it has a tallish headtube?