Melb commuter - Merida spresso 300D?

[gnik]

Hi all. 1st time poster looking for advice.

I ride to the Melb CBD from Clifton Hill pretty much every day, either along the Merri / Yarra paths or by road.

My Shogun Metro SE is ready for retirement & I've been looking at a replacement <$1k that is
durable, comfortable, low-maintenance and fast-ish (roughly in that order). I've test ridden Scott Subs, Scott Sportster, Kona Dew Plus, Cannondale Quick 5, Metro SE and Merida spresso 300D.

Of these, the Merdia seems well spec'd & a good buy at $899. Before I buy, has anyone had experience with these bikes? Or any other recommendations / comments?

Note: I broke my back a couple of years ago, so comfort (i.e. slightly upright position) is important. Also I'm steering away from sprung forks as I reckon I won't use them. Oh, and I'm told I ride fairly agressively.

Thanks in advance...

[gnik]

Here are specs for the Merida spresso 300D and the 2009 Scott Sub 20 which I'm tossing up between. Both are similarly priced...

Merida S-Presso 300-D 2009:
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/sh ... esso-300-d

Frame S-Presso Alloy
Size 45-50-55-60-45L-50L-55L
Fork Alloy Straight Disc
BB Set Shimano UN26
B-Lever attached
Brake-F Tektro Auriga Comp 160
Brake-R Tektro Auriga Comp 160
B-Cable 0
C-Housing MTK700 SP40
Chain Shimano CN-HG53
Chainguard Attached
Chainwheel Shimano M442 44-32-22 CG
DERA-F Shimano Deore 31.8 T-Swing
DERA-R Shimano Deore Top Normal
Freewheel Shimano CS-HG50-9 11-32
Grip Comfort Pro
H-Bar XM Comp CEN Flat 600
H-B Stem XM Speed CEN 7
Head Set CONOID A-HEAD
Hub-F Disc Alloy
Hub-R Disc Alloy
Pedal XC Alloy
Rim Alex DP17 Disc Black
Saddle Selle Royal Freccia
Seat Clamp Merida Aero 32 Allen ST
Seat Post S-Presso Comp CEN SB20 27.2
Shifter-F Shimano Deore rapidfire
Shifter-R Shimano Deore rapidfire
Spoke Stainless Black
Tire-F C1447P 35
Tire-R C1447P 35
Hardware Stainless

Scott Sub 20 2009:
http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/bikes/sh ... ott-sub-20
WEIGHT
11.60kg/ 25.265lbs

FRAME
New Evo/Aero hydroformed alloy tubing w Evo D/O 26"

FORK
Scott SUB straight alloy fork
26“ or 700C disc only

HEADSET
Ritchey OE Logic Zero, semi integ.

DERAILLEUR (REAR)
Shimano Alivio RD-M410 SGS
24 Speed

DERAILLEUR (FRONT)
Shimano FD-M310
34.9mm clamp

SHIFTERS
Shimano SL-MC 40-8
w/gear indicator

BRAKELEVER
Shimano BL-M 486
Disc

BRAKES
Shimano Deore BR-M 486 disc
w SM-RT53 CL 160mm

CRANKSET
Shimano FC-M 411
48x36x26 T w CG BB-SET
Shimano BB-UN 26 / 68-113mm

HANDLEBARS
Scott X-Rod OS ,
580mm, 5° bend

H'STEM
NVOâ„¢ 3 OS Stem / 4 bolt
40mm adjustable

PEDALS
Wellgo 998 A

SEATPOST
Scott Comp HL-SP 209
31.6mm

SEAT
Scott SUB

HUB FRONT
Scott Comp Disc CL

HUB REAR
Shimano FH-RM 65 CL

CHAIN
Shimano HG 40

CASSETTE
Shimano CS-HG30- 8I
11-30T

SPOKES
stainless black, 14G/2mm
RIMS
Alex SUB 26", 32H,
black anodized, for disc

TIRES
Continental Sport Contact
26“ x 1.3 or 622-32C

[trailgumby]

Tektro Auriga hydro discs are pretty ordinary. Unless you're a lightweight rider, that would disqualify the Merida for me right there.

It has the better drive train, though. The Alivio on the Scott is not a long term prospect. It will not be very nice to use and will be a challenge to keep in tune.

If you can get the next equipment level up you'll enjoy the bike a lot more.

[gnik]

Tektro Auriga hydro discs are pretty ordinary. Unless you're a lightweight rider, that would disqualify the Merida for me right there.

If you can get the next equipment level up you'll enjoy the bike a lot more.

Thanks for the reply. Are you saying the Tektro Auriga hydro discs lack stopping power? I'm about 67-68kg by the way.

The other option I'm considering is the Scott Sub 30 2010 which has all Deore running gear + Tektro / SCB-36 A V-Brakes. Any thoughts on this?

Re. next level up, I really don't want to pass $1k. Can you recommend something else at my price point?

[Cranky Jim]

There are many user reviews of the Auriga series here

[Aushiker]

Hi

Have you looked the Giant CRX range? I am not sure that you really need disks (especially low end ones) or the weight they add.

The only possible downside is the limitation on tyre width. They come standard with 28 mm but I am not sure how wide you could go.

Regards
Andrew

[gnik]

Hmmm. This is getting tricky. I've just realised that the Merida S-Presso 300-D has 26" wheels which I suspect will be a bit MTB-ish for me these days after riding 28" wheels for the last 12 yrs.

Thanks for the comments re. the performance of the Auriga discs (this also putting me off the Merida). Perhaps the 2010 Scott Sub 30 is a better bet than the Merida & 2009 Scott Sub 20 in the OP. The 2010 Scott Sub 30 is spec'ed like the 2010 Sub 20, but with cheapo v-brakes:

2010 Scott Sub 30
Frame
New 2010 hydroformed alloy tubing w Evo D/O 700C

Fork
Scott SUB straight alloy fork 700C

Headset
Ritchey OE Logic Zero, semi integ.

Derailleur (Rear)
Shimano Deore RD-M592 SGS, 27 Speed

Derailleur (Front)
Shimano Deore FD-M590 34.9mm clamp

Shifters
Shimano Deore SL-M 590, w/gear indicator

Brake Levers
incl. in shifters

Brakes
Tektro/ SCB-36 A V-Brakes / blk

Crankset
Shimano FC-M 443 48x36x26T, w CG

BB-Set
Shimano BB-ES 25 / 68-113mm

Chainguide
on crankset

Handlebar
Scott OS , 580mm, 9° bend

H'stem
Scott, JD ST 66 OS 31.6, 4 bolt

Pedals
Wellgo 127 S

Seatpost
Scott Comp HL-SP 209 31.6mm

Seat
Scott SUB SCT 19

Hub (Front)
Scott SCO 31

Hub (Rear)
Shimano FH-RM 30

Chain
Shimano HG 53

Cassette
Shimano CS HG 50-9 11-32

Spokes
Stainless black, 14G/2mm

Rims
Alex SUB 7, 00C 32H, black anodized, cnc

Tires
Continental Sport Contact 622-32C

[Aushiker]

The 2010 Scott Sub 30 is spec'ed like the 2010 Sub 20, but with cheapo v-brakes:

Hi

My CRX1 has/had Tektro RX-5 85mm mini v-brakes which where/are okay. Going to Kool Stop pads improves braking by all accounts. Brakes are also a relatively cheap item to upgrade if you so wish.

Regards
Andrew

[gnik]

Contacted the LBS & looks like the Merida has 700mm wheels after all. At $899, it still seems well-spec'd to me in spite of the less-than-ideal brakes. So out of the bikes I've tried, the Merida & Scott Sub 30 are on the short-short list. These both use MTB Deore componentry.

I'm also interested in trying some of the bikes that use more of the road bike componentry as I think the gear ratios may suit my riding style more (have I got this right - I tend to run out of higher gears & rarely use the lower ones?).

From what I have seen & read, bikes around my price point (<$1k) that would be worth a look are the Orbea Spectrum and Progear RS-40 (thanks to other thread! (maybe another bulk-buyer?)). I'll also look at the Giant CRX 2 and Jamis Coda Sport tho' these are pushing my price-limit.

This is a steep learning curve for me; hence any comments on the relative merits of these bikes are very welcome....

[richiec]

Eyeball Norco VFR series bikes. Though they'd gone back to V-brakes for 2010 models. You might find an 09 VFR1 or VFR2 floating around with disks.

[Runjikol]

Highly recommend disc-brakes for commuting. All your bike choices seem solid (but I think you should jump up the range to disc-brakes). Best test is getting your butt on the bike and going for a spin. You'll know the one you want after that.

[gnik]

Highly recommend disc-brakes for commuting. All your bike choices seem solid (but I think you should jump up the range to disc-brakes). Best test is getting your butt on the bike and going for a spin. You'll know the one you want after that.

Genuine question: why do you recommend disc-brakes for commuting? Others have suggested heavy & unnecessary...Of those I've tried, the Merida, Scott Sub 20 & Kona Dew Plus had discs-brakes, the former two hydraulic & the latter cable.

Had a brief spin on an Orbea Spectrum and Progear RS-40 today (my 5YO daughter was in tow & too hot for a serious test). Both seemed worth a second look. I can see why others are impressed with the Progear - seemed pretty nimble after 12 years of hybrids. I liked that the Orbea had an adjustable head stem (I compressed a couple of vertabrae in 2007 & need to sit a little upright to avoid lower back pain), tho' I assume these can be added to most bikes.

[Runjikol]

I can't take an extra 400grams or whatever seriously as "heavy". That's just a big gulp of water.
IME disc brakes are so much better in inclement weather that I could never go back to rim brakes by choice.
In dry weather, well... just awesome to the point of being unnecessary and Avid Juicy Three's are not high-end at all.

Try them for yourself and see what you think. It's the best way.

[Poutama]

Eyeball Norco VFR series bikes. Though they'd gone back to V-brakes for 2010 models. You might find an 09 VFR1 or VFR2 floating around with disks.

Melb Com,

Bike Hub has 2009 VFR Disc 1s and 2s on special at the momment as I believe they are one of the only stores that can sell Norco now. I'm about to get one to replace my old Giant crx2 if all goes well.

I asked Bike Hub here in bris to get one in so I could test it out and they were cool

You might want to jump in soon though as there arn't that many 2009 models left in the country.

[gnik]

Eyeball Norco VFR series bikes. Though they'd gone back to V-brakes for 2010 models. You might find an 09 VFR1 or VFR2 floating around with disks.

Melb Com,

Bike Hub has 2009 VFR Disc 1s and 2s on special at the momment as I believe they are one of the only stores that can sell Norco now. I'm about to get one to replace my old Giant crx2 if all goes well.

I asked Bike Hub here in bris to get one in so I could test it out and they were cool

You might want to jump in soon though as there arn't that many 2009 models left in the country.

Thanks, I'll check it out. As a matter of interest why are you replacing your CRX2?

Also, I tried a 2009 Merida Speeder T2 this morning which has more of a road bike set up than the S-Presso - Tiagra running gear, Mavic rims, 52 tooth chainwheel...felt light & responsive, but hopefully tough enough to handle potholes & cobblestones.

Does anyone have any comments on this bike? Specs below:

Frame Speed Alloy
Fork Speeder Lite
BB Set Shimano UN26
B-Lever XM COMP
Brake-F V-Brake Linear
Brake-R V-Brake Linear
B-Cable MTK720 2P
C-Housing MTK720 Sp40
Chain Shimano CN-HG50
Chainwheel FSA Vero 52-42-30
DERA-F Shimano R453 34.9
DERA-R Shimano Tiagra GS
Freewheel Shimano CS-HG50-8 11-25
Grip XM Comp
H-Bar XM Comp CEN Flat 600
H-B Stem XM Speed CEN 7
Head Set M10 Neck
Hub-F Alloy QR
Hub-R Shimano 2200
Pedal XC Alloy
Rim Mavic CXP22N BLK/NC
Saddle XM Cross Sport
Seat Clamp Merida Aero 35 Allen ST
Seat Post XM Speed CEN SB20 31.6
Shifter-F Shimano SL-R440-3
Shifter-R Shimano SL-R440 8s
Spoke Stainless Silver
Tire-F Kenda Kwick Trax 32 ref.
Tire-R Kenda Kwick Trax 32 ref.
Hardware Stainless

[Poutama]

The CRX 2 is a few years old now and I'm after something a bit more comfortable for longer training rides, casual rides and speedy commuitng as well.

This bike seems to fit the bill. Also the disc brakes are a bonus. Though havn't tested it yet

I've been quoted $1195

After Christams is a great time to get decent deals as well.