NBD - Merida Big Trail

[Numnut]

I think this is too nice to be the 'winter' hardtail...

It was meant to arrive on Monday, but for whatever reason the delivery company didn't bring it out until yesterday. Anyway, it's arrived, nothing's broken and it's very shiny.

I've got a small front mudguard to go on, along with some red/orange pedals which will clash horribly with the frame and I've got to finish doing the tubeless. I'm not 100% sure there's not some air leaking out somewhere. There's also a nice multi-tool under the seat and a 6mm (I think) key in the rear axle for removing the wheels. The frame has a UDH which I'm quite surprised about.

I've only had a few rides up and down the road, but it's a nice thing to ride (a lot nicer than what it replaced). Will try and get out properly over the weekend.

Sorry for the crap picture, but that's the best I've got at the moment!

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[crust]

Nice bike, mister.

Very smart

[Numnut]

Nice bike, mister.

Very smart

Cheers!

First proper ride today, and it’s lovely. Exactly what I wanted it to be.

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[Mr Moofo]

Those pedals have to go

[Count Steer]

Those pedals have to go

...and the rear tyre valve is in the wrong place. (Ming's Rules ).

[Numnut]

Those pedals have to go

...and the rear tyre valve is in the wrong place. (Ming's Rules ).

Yeah the pedals do clash badly, it looks worse in the picture but they’re not a good match!

The tyre’s not coming off now, can’t be doing with the sealant going everywhere, it’ll just have to be wrong until I need a new tyre!

[MingtheMerciless]

Those pedals have to go

...and the rear tyre valve is in the wrong place. (Ming's Rules ).

Not my rules….. I just follow (sometimes) The Velominati
Rule 40# // Tires are to be mounted with the label centered over the valve stem.Pro mechanics do it because it makes it easier to find the valve. You do this because that’s the way pro mechanics do it. This will save you precious seconds while your fat ass sits on the roadside fumbling with your CO2 after a flat. It also looks better for photo opportunities. Note: This obviously only applies to clinchers as tubulars don’t give you a choice.

[Count Steer]

Those pedals have to go

...and the rear tyre valve is in the wrong place. (Ming's Rules ).

Not my rules….. I just follow (sometimes) The Velominati
Rule 40# // Tires are to be mounted with the label centered over the valve stem.Pro mechanics do it because it makes it easier to find the valve. You do this because that’s the way pro mechanics do it. This will save you precious seconds while your fat ass sits on the roadside fumbling with your CO2 after a flat. It also looks better for photo opportunities. Note: This obviously only applies to clinchers as tubulars don’t give you a choice.

....and since you raised it, I can't unsee it and can be regularly found, tutting, at bicycles and their misaligned valves and muttering 'Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear'.

[weeksy]

You'd hate all of mine then, i don't give it a seconds thought.

[mboy]

Looks awesome! Red bikes are ace eh!

What size did you go for and how tall are you?

[Numnut]

Looks awesome! Red bikes are ace eh!

What size did you go for and how tall are you?

Cheers! Yeah the paint is lovely, a nice metallic red. Thanks for the recommendation! I’m 5’9 so went for the M, it’s bang on for me.

[Numnut]

I'm still really enjoying this, I'm quite tempted to take it to twisted oaks for a day to see what it's like..

It's taken a while to get the fork (Bomber Z2) set up nicely. That's more to do with me being used to the Pike Ultimate on the Bird, but I've now found a happy place and it's all good.

I've got a feeling I might have a small leak from the rear brake. I can't see anything obvious in the caliper and have given it a good clean and ridden to work so I'll check again later. I'm about to fit a 3rd set of pads as the others have all lost all bite and become horrendously squeaky. The first set - OE Shimano ones weren't great but did the job - started howling, so I replaced them with Galfer blacks which have been great but have also started howling. Next up is Uberbike Kevlar to be fitted this evening...

For both the Shimano and Galfer pads, I've cleaned, sanded and chamfered the edges (some random reddit thread suggested it) of the pads and cleaned the disc each time but no change. All good fun...

[weeksy]

It's not uncommon with Shimano brakes.

Banana Industries have some SRAM DB8 which we're now running for £60 a set.

[Numnut]

Yeah, hopefully I've just accidentally contaminated the pads... I've been considering those DB8s, that'll be the option if these new pads don't work, though I'll probably try and warranty the brake first and see what comes of that. If you're running the DB8s with no issue then they'll be fine for what I'll be using the bike for!

[weeksy]

Yeah, hopefully I've just accidentally contaminated the pads... I've been considering those DB8s, that'll be the option if these new pads don't work, though I'll probably try and warranty the brake first and see what comes of that. If you're running the DB8s with no issue then they'll be fine for what I'll be using the bike for!

The boy now has them on his Fuel as well.

[Numnut]

Definitely going to be fine for me then!

[Numnut]

Well that's fairly definitive! There's not been any visible moisture whenever I've checked the pads, so I guess it gave up on the way home yesterday. Tredz want the caliper back for inspection before replacing it. I'm hoping my spare SRAM level caliper fits in the meantime...

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[Numnut]

I'm still waiting for Tredz/Shimano to declare that caliper faulty, so I fitted a spare clarks caliper (which had bonus race matrix pads!). The shimano hose screwed straight in and there's been no leaking at all which is pretty lucky. It's likely to be another week or 2 before I hear about the Shimano caliper...
The clarks caliper is much better so chances are it'll stay on anyway!

At the weekend I decided to fit the cheap Argotal tyres I got from Banana Industries as we're getting to that time of year...They're awesome, been to work and back a couple of times and they seem to roll better than the (dual compound) dissectors I had, and have loads of grip. I'm pretty glad I didn't send them back.

Here they are on the bike, valves not lined up...

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[weeksy]

now THAT is a mudguard.

[Numnut]

It's hideous, but it works brilliantly. Keeps everything nice and clean (ish) for work