Quiver

2018 Specialized Epic Men's Comp Carbon vs 2020 Merida NINETY-SIX 9.

The Merida NINETY-SIX 9. size closest to your M is the M. Compare the M instead

What changes on the Merida NINETY-SIX 9.

Compared with the Specialized Epic Men's Comp Carbon in M, the Merida NINETY-SIX 9. in XL places the top of the head tube 20 mm higher and 35 mm further forward, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 45 mm longer, which can contribute to stability at speed.

Frame stack
+20 mm
Higher front end
Frame reach
+35 mm
Longer frame reach
Wheelbase
+45 mm
Longer: steadier at speed
Head angle
+0.5°
Steeper: sharper steering
Chainstays
−1 mm
About the same

The two frames

2018 Specialized Epic Men's Comp Carbon (M) and 2020 Merida NINETY-SIX 9. (XL), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Specialized Epic Men's Comp Carbon is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Merida NINETY-SIX 9. is the colored outline on top.J 1123

Specialized Epic Men's Comp Carbon, MMerida NINETY-SIX 9., XLDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementSpecialized Epic Men's Comp Carbon MMerida NINETY-SIX 9. XLDifference
Reach433mm468+35 mm
Stack597mm617+20 mm
Head tube angle69.5°70+0.5°
Seat tube angle74.75°74.5−0.3°
Effective top tube595mm640+45 mm
Chainstay length438mm437−1 mm
Wheelbase1123mm1168+45 mm
BB drop38.9mm40+1 mm
BB height332.6mmnot listed
Standover770mm776+6 mm
Seat tube length434mm560+126 mm
Fork length506mm503−3 mm
Head tube length105mm130+25 mm

Differences are the Merida NINETY-SIX 9. minus the Specialized Epic Men's Comp Carbon. Full charts: 2018 Specialized Epic Men's Comp Carbon, 2020 Merida NINETY-SIX 9..

Where each sits in its class

Specialized Epic Men's Comp CarbonMerida NINETY-SIX 9.

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.

PartSpecialized Epic Men's Comp CarbonMen's Comp CarbonMerida NINETY-SIX 9.9. 3000
ForkRockShox Reba RL 29RockShox Reba RL
Rear shockRockShox Brain shockRockShox Monarch RL
ShifterSRAM GXSRAM SX Eagle
DerailleurSRAM GXSRAM SX Eagle
CassetteSRAM XG-1150SRAM SX Eagle
ChainKMC X-11SRAM SX Eagle
CranksetRace Face Aeffect175mm-M up
TireSpecialized Fast TrakMaxxis Ikon
RimRoval Control 29Merida EXPERT CC
BrakeSRAM Level TLShimano MT500
GripsSpecialized Sip GripMerida EXPERT EC
SaddleSpecialized Phenom CompMerida COMP CC
Framenot listedMerida NINETY-SIX CFA
Bottom bracketnot listedSRAM BB DUB PF MTB 92
Hubnot listedShimano MT400-B
Rotornot listedShimano SM-RT10
Handlebarnot listedMerida EXPERT CC
Stemnot listedMerida EXPERT CC
Headsetnot listedFSA NO.55E
Seatpostnot listedMerida EXPERT CC

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