I know I know Merida owns minority stake in specialized, same/similar manufacturing etc etc. Doing research on buying new bike, the ego is saying buy the specialized (lower spec SL8 or SL7) and the wallet is saying go the Merida. Can anyone tell me if there is actually any difference between them other than just a logo (and a few grams at same tier level) ?
by jdawg232323
11 Comments
I think the Merida is sexier and specialized bikes are too common imo
I get to ride a bike that isn’t Specialized AND pay less? Sign me up!
(I’ve had 4 Specialized Bikes, Mountain) they’ve always been great bikes but I don’t love being a Specialized Customer.
I once joined a group road ride and the riders on Specialized felt like the biggest posers and not the best riders.
Merida owns the fabrication for Specialized, so you are choosing between two Meridas
Merida probably made both of these frames. I used to work for a Merida dealership – I love their bikes
NGL the Scultura looks incredibly sexy (https://www.merida-bikes.com/en-au/bike/4863/scultura-5000).
To answer your question, no real difference. In fact I’d argue that Specialized’s expensive road bikes on the average Fred/dentist are gaining a very “poseur” reputation.
Jeez, I came here to make a funny comment and got savage burns 🙂
Merida is the best bang for buck out there. Flies under the radar a bit as I don’t think they have a presence in the USA and on the small scale size in Europe. Massive in Australia though.
(1) it doesn’t matter what brand your frame is.
(2) despite (1), I would never personally choose to buy a Speciaized if there were other compelling options, not because of ethical concerns or whatever but just because they’re boring as hell.
My mate had a Merida Reacto and he rode that thing into the damned ground. It took many thousands of kilometres to do. I vouch for the Merida.
The Merida is so much less ugly because of the headtube. It also has a round seat post in the year of our lord 2026. A bit of sensible speccing
Someone beat me to it but I’m always voting ‘regular seat post’ over proprietary.