Even in a world going 29er mad, our superstar UK pro Paul Hopkins dominated his category on a 26” wheel full suspension bike.
Total racing focus whether for XC or marathon, completely stripped back weight utilising all of the Merida carbon wizardry: structural element monocoque construction using high modulus carbon fibres and a nano matrix. Stiffness is guaranteed by use of the double chamber reinforcing rib in the down tube and X-taper head tube and the transmission is optimised for 2 x 10 use.
As a professional rider, Paul gets to ride whatever he wants, and never has the choice been harder. All of his competition are now on 29er hardtails, which the logic would state would be faster than a 26“ wheel full suspension - but the logic didn‘t count on Paul being so quick!
For all the advantages that 29er fans talk about, Paul Hopkins is still convinced there is a definite place for a superlight 26” wheel full suspension bike. Which I am guessing means we won’t be getting his 2012 race bike back again!
Build:
Speeds: 20
Sizes: 18" (C138), 20" (C139)
Frame: Merida 99 Carbon Superlite Premium UHM Fibres, BB30 and X Taper heatube. 99mm of Suspension travel optimised for 2x10 transmission
Color: UD Carbon(Team)
Fork: Rock Shox SID XX 100 X-lock
Shock: Rock Shox Monarch XX X-lock
Shifters: Sram XX
Brakes: Sram XX 180 / 160
Chainwheel: Sram XX 42-28 BB30
BB-Set: attached
Chain: KMC X10 10s
Hubs: DT Swiss 240s cen
Rims: Alex XCR Supercom
Freewheel: Sram XX 11-36
Tires: Maxxis Aspen Exception 2.1
Handlebar: PRC Team Rise bar 680 R15
Stem: PRC Team OS 7
Headset: NO.9-55 HBS
Seatpost: PRC Monolink Carbon Superlite, 27.2 mm
Saddle: Selle Italia SLR Monolink
Pedals: no
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M.O.R.E. SUSPENSION
MERIDA Optimized Ride Engineering – full-suspension with a kinematic being perfectly designed for the specific application.
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X-TAPER HEADTUBE
External butted head-tube with huge dimensioned 1.5” lower head-set and matching taper-steerer fork.
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POST-MOUNT DISC
Direct assembling of the disc-caliper at the frame’s rear drop-out – simplified adjustment of the caliper.
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DOUBLE CHAMBER TECHNOLOGY
Integrated reinforcing rib separates highly stressed carbon-tubes into 2 individual chambers; bending strength and hit-resistance are getting improved.
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REMOTE LOCK-OUT
Device to lock the suspension (fork and/or rear-shock) through switching a cable actuated lever, being mounted at the handlebar.
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NANO MATRIX CARBON
NANO-particles reinforce the epoxy-based matrix structure - for up to 40% improved hit-resitance.
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INTERNAL CABLE
Brake or shifting-cables routed internally through the frame’s tubes. Clean and improved outlook, wi
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STRUCTURE ELEMENTS
Carbon-frame, which is made from compact dimensioned carbon frame-segments. The bonding of these elements is made according to the specific stress lasting at the different areas, either by internal joints or tube-to-tube.
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2 x 10 MTB
Race drive-train, which demands less front shifting than triple chain-wheels: Less power-loss and reduced risk of chain-suck.
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Buy Merida Ninety-Nine Carbon Team 2013 Full Suspension Mountain Bike online at Fatbirds