Looking at this Big Seven 300 as an 'upgrade' option for my current 2015ish Giant Talon 3. It's being sold by a local bike collective which I've had dealings before, genuine people who know their stuff. Size isn't a worry as it's around the same size as my Talon and similar reach etc.
As best I can tell these originally come with a 2×7 or 2×8. They don't say specifically but going off parts in my area this looks like a Shimano 1×11 with a Microsoft derailleur. I believe the front ring is a 24T narrow wide. Fork is a lower end air Suntour XCR(?) air fork.
I'm really looking at getting something that is a better climber / slower overall speed. My Talon (which is more of a hybrid) has a 24/34/42 front chainring set with a 11-34T 8 speed rear with the 34T being a Megarange. So 28->34T low shift.
The Merida isn't being sold super cheap (around $500 AUD) but it's within my budget for consideration if the transmission / fork changeover would be worth it.
The question is, anyone with experience in 1x or going from elastomer to air forks would consider this a worthwhile purchase? I've rough priced the same conversion on my Talon and it exceeds the sticker price on the Merida.
by opinion_and_insult