Merida Crossways 100?

[bozmandb9]

Hi guys,

I'm thinking of upgrading my hybrid. I was tempted to buy a mountain bike, I want disc brakes, but I'm not intending to do any serious off roading, and I will be doing some miles on the tarmac, so I'm thinking the Crossways 100 may be a good compromise, having front suspension with a lock out, and suspension saddle, but also not too heavy, and good for road use.

What's the consensus? I know it's an age old debate, but I'd be interested to get some views on the Merida, I can get one nearly new, fully loaded, for half the new price, in my exact size.

I'm assuming that if I do want to go a bit more offroad, I can switch to nobbly tires, and it should work pretty well.

Cheers,

David

 

[vickster]

I had a crosstrail with fat tyres and lock out suspension. It was really hard work on road and I quickly sold on for a rigid fork bike. Personally, if riding mainly on road, forget suspension and get a bike, preferably with a rigid carbon fork

But if you like the Merida go for it, it just wouldn't be my choice regardless of how good a deal because I wouldn't enjoy riding it
What's your budget?

 

[bozmandb9]

Thanks for the reply Vickster. Budget is as low as possible. I can get the Merida for £205-£300, it's been used twice, and has extras, such as luggage rack, pannier bags etc. Here's the spec:

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bikes/cross/cross/2014/crossway-100-378.html

I could also get a Trek Marlin 5, which is three years old, but scarcely used. The thing which really puts me off this is that it's on, bizarrely, 26 inch wheels, so doesn't really seem to stack up, since these were never an option (it should be a 29er), and the seller doesn't seem to have any idea about them, and is saying that's the way it came.

 

[vickster]

Looks ok, get a test ride

 

[riderjoe]

I've got the Crossway 20 MD, which is working perfectly fine for me. Got slightly bigger tyres, so not road ones, so I can go onto forest tracks and canal paths, but still works fine on roads. Was thinking of changing the Grips though, not very happy with the ones it came with....