Giant vs Trek vs Merida (Full Suspension)

[zeetyun]

Guys hi,
I'm newbie here and planning to get a trail bike, i'd like to get your expert opinions and experiences on these MTBs. I'm looking for a full sus bike and currently tied up among Giant Anthem X2 / Trek Fuel EX7 / Merida 120 XT-D. From a component perspective, merida has the best option, from the looks it's trek and giant. Trek has the DRCV rear shock made by Fox exclusively for Trek. Is this really helpful? Giant looks ok as well from a component and looks perspective. I read from some of the thread that Giant frame quality is not ok.

What are the pros /cons coming from these bikes? Any thoughts and comments are appreciated. thanks in advance as I would be making a huge investment

Budget is 100K. Any suggestions/tips are welcome as well.

Below are the links are for the specs.

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/b...ne-Twenty+XT-D
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...ex/fuel_ex_7/#
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-in/...2/10842/53028/

[Xtyling]

I wish I had your dilemma and budget...
my order of preference would be:
1) Giant Anthem X2
2) Trek Fuel EX7
3) Merida XT-D

Reason: The Anthem is probably the lightest frame of the choices.

[zeetyun]

Thanks xtyling... how about frame quality? Is this durable compared to the two?

[Xtyling]

I don't own any of the 3 bikes. But from the manufacturer reputations all of them would have very good frame quality and durability. Just don't use those bikes for insane All Mountain (AM), Down Hill (DH), or Dirt Jumping (DJ) and you will be more than safe and satisfied. If you want to do AM/DH/DJ you better buy the specific bike for your specific need.

[VNC]

Go for that giant model as suggested by Sir Xtyling; you wont go wrong generally. It will be a good all-around bike for trails and XC. Its durability is OK and one big come on is its weight. I own a giant NRS 2008/2009 model which i bought pre-owned; love it and i used for my long rides (butt friendly) and some light trails.

[zeetyun]

Thanks sirs sa mga reply.. seems like giant is the winner here.
Now if we compare 2012 anthem x2 against 2012 trance x2? Which would you go?

[Boss]

anthem is still the way to go.........i don't own one but have the ridden both bikes.my vote goes to anthem still.happy riding!

[VNC]

With you last query, its really gonna be your very personal choice as to color and of course your budget. geometry would be probably same (not too sure); but look at the rear suspension type (if any) and frame weight if any difference, too.

[zeetyun]

Thanks sirs for all your inputs.
It seems that anthem x2 is lighter than trance X2.
Let me have a thought and ponder all of these.

btw, is DRCV of the trek really helpful?

[athlonfan]

Trek EX7 for me.

Why? kasi mas konti gumagamit and I like how it looks.

mejo unfair lang comparison kasi ung trek fuel ex7 and merida are trailbikes while the anthem is a xc-trail bike.

Giant, Trek and Merida's frame quality are top notch and can't go wrong with any of them, just make sure you choose your bike depending on your application.

[taichu]

I'm use ro have trek ex7 nung nagttrail pa ako, trail wise u can feel the drcv saka un components nya tugma sa whole bike. I used the 2011 ung gold and black, i loved it. The reason i swapped it sa trek remedy 8 is the purpose of use kasi nag am ride ako. But u can see i still use the same frame and drcv components, kasi pagginamit mo cya lalo sa drop u can feel the difference. Hope it helps.

[Xtyling]

IMO: The three bikes have similar suspension systems. Just different names. I'm very sure they all work very well because their design is used in many other bikes.

The best way to decide for yourself is to fit and test ride each bike. I would suggest going to Life Cycle Greenhills because they carry Trek, Giant and Merida. That would make fitting and testing which bike suits you much easier. Life Cycle also has fair prices so I don't think you would be at any disadvantage if you bought a bike from them.

Call them in advance just to make sure they have the models and frame sizes you are interested in.

[k8nolasco]

for suspension i'd go for trek, for popularity i'd go for giant and for d components id go for merida..

[zeetyun]

Thanks guys for all the posts! Appreciate all the inputs.. now it's buying time.. hehe...

thanks PMTB as well.

[Kojie]

Just curious kung pati ba trek na frames for thier mtb ang giant din ba gumawa? Ang merida alam ko oo.

Anyway vote ko nman merida xt. Pero may giant at trek ako

[Dragunov]

i vote for giant trance x since the anthem is not a trail bike. for me , its has the most efficient suspension, its bobs less than the merida and trek given they use the same rear shock model. the merida has more value for money but their frame design is a bit dated, and trek has been using the abp suspension design since the fuel ex was born. all your choices are good, its just a matter of knowing how and where you will use it.

[mcoy123]

Originally Posted by Kojie

Just curious kung pati ba trek na frames for thier mtb ang giant din ba gumawa? Ang merida alam ko oo.

Anyway vote ko nman merida xt. Pero may giant at trek ako

yes sir. . . except their carbon frames

[Kojie]

^^ tnx for the info.

Kung kasali trance x2. Yun pipiliin ko

[zeetyun]

Thanks sir kojie for your inputs.
Any advantages that Trance X2 can bring over Anthem X2?
Napaisip po ako tuloy

[Xtyling]

My opinion on the Trance vs Anthem...

Both are 26 inch wheels with very similar suspension system.

The Trance is more of a "Trail bike" (more rugged, but heavier)

The Anthem is more of a "XC race bike" (lighter but less rugged)

But in reality, only serious and hard core riders who stick to their specific disciplines would appreciate their difference.