Merida have unveiled a new cabon hardtail, the 0.Nine which will be available in late 2009.
At last year’s event, the Ninety-Six full suspension bike was launched to as one of the fastest, lightest and stiffest bikes available. But the Ninety-Six was not a one off, it is now joined by the brand new 0.Nine carbon hardtail.
The current Merida Carbon FLX hardtail was a very successful base to develop from, winning 5 World and 5 European Championship titles and 15 World Cup victories.
"I rode it at the team launch in Majorca and I’ve never ridden a bike like this before" said Michael Wilkens, in charge of marketing for Merida in the UK. "I had high expectations, because the FLX is a very compliant bike, but this is in a different league. Making a frame that’s light is one thing. It’s even harder to make something that’s light as well as compliant but at the same time stiff in the bottom bracket."
With a frame weight of close to 930g (for 18" with regular BB), the result is a frame 200g lighter and 20% stiffer than the already astonishing Carbon FLX frame. BB30 versions are available with a 35% increase in stiffness and a frame weight of 960g (18").
The comfort of the Carbon FLX is also surpassed, in addition to the patented Merida flex stays, the 0.Nine gets a tapered seat tube, starting at a massive 40mm cross section at the BB and topping out with a 27.2mm seat post, the seat tube and post can flex more than an oversize post.
"After riding the HFS XC Pro 3500-D the flex stays do make a difference, making the bike more comfortable and the difference between having a race bike underneath you."
Merida is distributed in Australia by Advance Traders.
