Merida NINETY-SIX XT

Merida NINETY-SIX XT

There used to be a time when you had to choose between trail bike performance and cross-country race ready weight. Not any more. Say hello to the NINETY-SIX XT. It builds on the speedy genes of our short travel race winner with a CF4 carbon frame and adds a whole new layer of capability thanks to a longer travel 120 mm Fox 34 SL Performance fork paired to 100 mm out back. Add in fast rolling tyres, a long travel dropper post and a super smooth Shimano XT drivetrain and brakes and you're ready to rock.

The NINETY-SIX is the latest incarnation of our former World Cup proven XC and marathon machine. It inherits the forward-surging race genes of the old NINETY-SIX and combines it with a new readiness and ability to tackle today’s demanding XC and marathon courses. The carbon fibre frame platform and P-FLEX suspension is the perfect basis for a fun-packed, fast and trail loving short travel full suspension machine that helps define what a modern cross-country race bike should be. It's able to take on the rougher than ever world-class race tracks as well as the trail riders who want hyper-speed climbing with the ability to descend like never before.

• Lightweight CF4 carbon frame with 100 mm travel and P-FLEX technology

• 120 mm travel Fox 34 SL fork for increased capability

• Powerful Shimano XT brakes

• Modern aggressive geometry with dropper seatpost

• Fast rolling Maxxis Rekon tyres on tubeless ready wheels

• 12-speed Shimano XT drivetrain

*Because of ongoing problems in the delivery chain, the bike can be delivered with modifications.

• X-TAPER HEADTUBE - Steering precision is vital to safe and confident handling, and the X-TAPER HEADTUBE allows us to significantly boost this precision. A larger headset diameter at the bottom paired with a smaller one at the top helps to deal with the strains modern riding and equipment can put on the headtube, all without adding unnecessary weight. It allows tapered forks to be fitted with ease and delivers precise and confidence-inspiring steering.
• INTERNAL CABLE ROUTING - On the majority of our frames, we run the gear and brake cables and hoses through the frame. The cables enter and exit the frame through smooth sockets, or we use one of our other systems like SMART ENTRY or WIRE PORT to be routed through. Running the cables inside the frame protects them from the elements, gives a clean and neat look and can offer aerodynamic advantages.
• NANO MATRIX CARBON - NANO MATRIX CARBON is a special kind of carbon fibre where we add extremely tiny, nano-scale particles to the resin that binds the individual carbon fibres together. These then work on a molecular level to protect them from damage. It’s so effective that it can actually increase the finished carbon fibre’s impact resistance by up to 40%, allowing us to build stronger and lighter composite frames that result in a faster and tougher bike.
• AWS ANTI WRINKLE SYSTEM - This is a method we use to manufacture our carbon fibre frames. First, the carbon fibre that makes up the frame is laid around special formers. We then use a bladder to compress the layers against the outside of the frame mould, giving a smooth and wrinkle-free internal finish, removing any voids in between the layers of carbon that can cause potential weak points, resulting in a stronger, lighter frame.
• NON-SLIP TIGHTENING - This system means you only need a single tool to tighten important bolts, making it easy to secure them while out on the trail and also making routine maintenance faster and simpler. The bolts have a specially shaped head on one end that fits into a matching recess in the frame, preventing rotation. That means there is no hardware bonded into the frame itself, so damaged threads or bolts can be easily replaced.
• P-FLEX - A suspension design where the traditional pivot point on the seat stay is eliminated in favour of a flexstay design. This uses the compliance of the material and specific shaping of the tubes to allow for the seat and chain stays to move apart as the suspension moves through the travel. By removing this pivot point at the seat and chain stay junction, we save weight, reduce maintenance needs and add stiffness to the frame structure.
• WIRE PORT - MERIDA designed headsets that enable all control cables from the handlebar to enter the frame through the headset cover, creating a clean and uncluttered look, allowing for a lighter, stronger and more aerodynamic frame structure than with conventional cable ports. Depending on the model, the cables are run completely internally (including the bar and stem) or semi-integrated, where the cables enter the frame underneath the stem.