Merida Matts 10 V opinions..

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Hi all,

Firstly I did a search but couldn't come up with anything on the Matts 10 V, only other Matts series, but if my search lacked and there is something out there, I appologise and please link me to it .

Currently have a temp mountain bike (Huffy Gila DS) but always looking out for a better MTB (2nd hand via trading post/ebay etc..). Just wondering what opinions you guys have for the Merida Matts 10 V for use on fire trails/dirt paths. I'm keeping an eye out for something non-professional yet something that if I wanted to, could put my foot down, become (slightly) air borne and be a 'little' rougher than your average Sunday ride, all without doing damage to the bike.

( http://www.merida.com.au/2011-bikes/mtb ... s-10-v.htm )

By the looks of it, it would retail around $400 from a LBS which from reading, is a very basic bike and the shocks for that price wouldn't be 'that' great.

Alternatives welcome and appreciated


Regards,

[silentbutdeadly]

Personally, I'd step up to the 20 D as it gives you more flexibility to upgrade components as the OE stuff expires because of the wheelset. The 10 V wheelset is V braked and probably has a screw on rear freewheel rather than a rear freehub cassette which I suspect the 20 D has. Frame is basically the same between the two.

The forks on both bikes are basically boat anchors but competent enough for basic trails. Again...because of the disc setup...upgrading the front fork to something decent but good value (like the X-Fusion Velour) will be easier because disc forks are far more common.

[Mapomatic]

I was recommending this bike to brother in law and wife.

http://www.malvernstar.com.au/range/bike-2605.aspx

I've seen 2011 models for $700 in NSW, and they have been cropping up on ebay recently too. Topped one of the mountain bike mags best hardtails for under a grand. Review in mag found the bars and grips not real nice, but otherwise pretty nice. Deore all round, hydraulic disks. Comes in around 13.5kg if memory serves? I can dig up the article and have a look, send me a Pm if you're interested.

Brother in law ended up buying a full suspension off a mate, and I'm in the process of building a MTB for the wife but otherwise would have bought this.

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Hey guys,

Thanks for the replies and suggestions, I'll keep a look out for that malvern star .

Reason asking about this particular bike is I'm watching it on ebay and it might go for half retail price (a lot of bikes seem too) and thought it might be a much better upgrade.