Merida Ninety-Six Team

Merida’s Ninety-Six Team is a genuine world-class XC chassis with a ‘no expense spared’ spec and head-down racer mentality.

Rolling options

While 29in wheels roll fastest, racers can’t always get low enough over the big hoops. The Ninety-Six answers that in several ways. The two smallest sizes come with 650b wheels (an option on the medium too), while the bigger frames use a super-short head tube and flipped 90mm stem to minimise bar height. The 70-degree head angle and 74.5-degree seat angle push rider weight forward aggressively too.

Nano Matrix resin improves the impact resistance of the carbon frame, and it’s moulded on removable silicone formers for the smoothest, strongest layup possible. Neat features include switchable cable or electric entry plates for the internal routing and sliding sleeves to stop suspension movement affecting shifting.

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RockShox’s RS-1 fork is great in a straight line but flexy in the turns

The Multivan Merida XC squad were among the first to use RockShox’s ‘upside-down’ RS-1 fork and here it’s linked to the Monarch XX shock via a single XLoc Full Sprint lockout button on the bar.

• RockShox RS-1

Straining at the leash

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