Which initiation bike - Merida or Specialized

[Capelo]

Hi there.
I have been checking bikes between 500 and 700 €'s. I have two in mind:

Merida Big Nine 300
(http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bikes/hardtails/29-xc-race-marathon/2014/big-nine-300-191.html)
Specialized Rockhopper 29
(http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/mountain/rockhopper/rockhopper-29)

Merida is about 120 € more expensive but has better components.
Specialised is slightly cheaper, but I would spend about that same money in 1 or 2 years to change the components.
I want to make 75% road, 20% trails and 5% mountain.
I have ride on both for 5 minutes and both feel great (but again, I come from a 26" regular Berg bike, so....).

So, what I am more interested at the time is on the quality of the frame (and front suspension, as it is usually so expensive, that not much worth changing on bikes of this price, I guess).
I have heard that Specialized alloy is a bit better, and will feel more robust on the road.
I am also considering evolving a bit and go along changing some material. So, again, my main concern is on the frame and suspension.

What would you advise me?

Thanks

 

[Cyclist33]

1. Why get a mountain bike if you're going to spend the vast majority of your riding on the road?
2. Specialized's frames are made by Merida.

 

[bozmandb9]

What sort of mountain riding will the 5% be? As per cyclist 33, why not get a road biased bike? Speeder 300? 3 kilos lighter, much easier (and faster) to ride on road.

 

[mustang1]

1. Why get a mountain bike if you're going to spend the vast majority of your riding on the road?
2. Specialized's frames are made by Merida.

1. While I agree with you, I'll play devils advocate and say with a road oriented bike, you can ride road and many trails but no mountain. On a MTB you can ride any surface any time.
But the caveat is most people who say they will ride a to y bit of mountain surface usually don't.

Op, think if you really will ride mountain. Cyclist33 is right as I think he's suggesting you get something more road oriented.

2. Just get whichever colour you like.