Quiver

2021 Merida NINETY-SIX RC vs 2023 Specialized Epic Pro

The Specialized Epic Pro size closest to your M is the L. Compare the L instead

What changes on the Specialized Epic Pro

Compared with the Merida NINETY-SIX RC in M, the Specialized Epic Pro in S places the top of the head tube at about the same height and 38 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 30 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
+1 mm
About the same height
Frame reach
−38 mm
Shorter frame reach
Wheelbase
−30 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
−1.0°
Slacker: calmer steering
Chainstays
−2 mm
About the same

The two frames

2021 Merida NINETY-SIX RC (M) and 2023 Specialized Epic Pro (S), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Merida NINETY-SIX RC is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Specialized Epic Pro is the colored outline on top.J 1146

Merida NINETY-SIX RC, MSpecialized Epic Pro, SDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementMerida NINETY-SIX RC MSpecialized Epic Pro SDifference
Reach453415−38 mm
Stack585586+1 mm
Head tube angle68.567.5−1.0°
Seat tube angle76.575.8−0.7°
Effective top tube596not listed
Chainstay length435433−2 mm
Wheelbase11461116−30 mm
BB drop4548+3 mm
Standover731not listed
Seat tube length440not listed
Fork length503not listed
Head tube length95not listed
BB heightnot listed324

Differences are the Specialized Epic Pro minus the Merida NINETY-SIX RC. Full charts: 2021 Merida NINETY-SIX RC, 2023 Specialized Epic Pro.

Where each sits in its class

Merida NINETY-SIX RCSpecialized Epic Pro

AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted

Each bike is ranked against the other XC bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.

What each ships with

The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.

PartMerida NINETY-SIX RC5000Specialized Epic ProPro
FrameMerida NINETY-SIX RC CF4 IIISpecialized Epic
ForkRockShox Reba RLRockShox SID SL BRAIN
Rear shockRock SIDluxe Select+RockShox BRAIN
DerailleurShimano XT M8100 Shadow+SRAM X01 Eagle AXS
CassetteShimano Deore M6100SRAM X01 Eagle
ChainKMC X12Specialized SRAX X01 Eagle
Crankset175mm-M upSRAM X1 Eagle
Bottom bracketShimano SM-BB52SRAM DUB
TireMaxxis Rekon RaceSpecialized Fast Trak, Specialized Renegade
RimMerida EXPERT CCRoval Control
RotorShimano SM-RT54not listed
HandlebarMerida EXPERT CCS Works Carbon XC Mini Rise
StemMerida TEAM CC IISpecialized Pro SL
SeatpostMerida EXPERT TR LIGHTSpecialized Bike Yoke Divine SL
SaddleMerida COMP CCSpecialized Power Expert
Shifternot listedSRAM Eagle AXS Rocker Paddle
Wheelsetnot listedRoval Control
Hubnot listedDT Swiss 350
Brakenot listedSRAM TLM

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