NINETY-SIX RC XT

 

This bike delivers top-level performance without blowing the budget, just like the privateer cross-country racers it's aimed at. The sweet spot between outright speed and excess spend? You got it.

The life of the privateer cross-country racer is the hardest one on the grid; delivering top-level performance but without top-level resources. That's where the NINETY-SIX XT RC comes in with a race-ready package of a lightweight CF4 carbon frame married to components that hit that sweet spot between performance and cost. Shimano's benchmark 12-speed XT drivetrain needs no introduction, while Fox' proven 32 SC fork and float shock serve up their 100 mm of travel, lap after lap. Your rivals will get bored of seeing the back of you.

The NINETY-SIX is the latest incarnation of our former World Cup proven XC and marathon machine. It inherits the forward-surging race genes of the old NINETY-SIX and combines it with a new readiness and ability to tackle today’s demanding XC and marathon courses. The carbon fibre frame platform and P-FLEX suspension is the perfect basis for a fun-packed, fast and trail loving short travel full suspension machine that helps define what a modern cross-country race bike should be. It's able to take on the rougher than ever world-class race tracks as well as the trail riders who want hyper-speed climbing with the ability to descend like never before. For those that want a cross-country bike for race duties rather than high-speed trail fun, the RC models deliver a short travel punch with a 100 mm fork in the front, super fast rolling tyres and a lighter front brake.

  • Lightweight CF4 carbon frame with 100 mm of travel and P-FLEX technology
  • Shimano's proven 12-speed XT drivetrain
  • Modern aggressive geometry with dropper seatpost
  • Fox Performance 32 SC fork and Float suspension hits the bang for buck sweet spot
  • Fast rolling Maxxis tyres
  • Dual remote lockouts for maximum efficiency
  • 100 mm suspension travel
  • material: carbon
  • 29x2.35" max. wheelsize
  • 148x12 mm axle standard
  • BSA bottom bracket standard
frame size S, M, L, XL
color SILK STEEL BLUE (BLACK/SILVER)
  • Air
  • 100 mm suspension travel
  • Tapered
  • Remote lockout
  • 44 mm fork offset
  • Upper and lower IPS sealing
  • material: aluminium
  • 760 mm width
  • flat
  • material: aluminium
  • 31.8 mm diameter
  • -6° stem angle
  • incl. MERIDA SMART MOUNT
  • S:60 mm, M/L/XL:70 mm
grip Rock Shox TwistLoc grip
  • 30.9 mm diameter
  • 0 mm setback
  • S/M/L/XL: 100 mm travel seatpost
  • V-mount
  • incl. MERIDA minitool
chain KMC X12
  • 32 teeth
  • 170 mm-S, 175 mm-M up
  • 10-51 teeth
  • 12 speed
  • 29x2.25"
  • fold
  • TR EXO 120 TPI
  • 29x2.25"
  • fold
  • TR EXO 120 TPI
  • including removeable lever, 6/4 mm allen key
  • weighed at frame size M
  • Weight may vary depending on bike size, finish or possible specification changes due to supply chain issues.
Bike Frame Geometry Image
Frame Size S M L XL
Tire Sizes 29" 29" 29" 29"
St Seat Tubes Mm 400 440 470 500
Tt Top Tubes Mm 576 596 619 643
Cs Chain Stays Mm 435 435 435 435
Hta Head Tube Angles Deg 68.5 68.5 68.5 68.5
Sta Seat Tube Angle Deg 76.5 76.5 76 76
Bd Bottom Bracket Drops Mm 45 45 45 45
Ht Head Tube Lengths Mm 95 95 105 115
Fl Fork Lengths Mm 503 503 503 503
R Reachs Mm 433 453 473 493
S Stacks Mm 585 585 595 604
Wb Wheel Base Mm 1126 1146 1169 1193
Sh Stand Over Height Mm 730 731 736 738

Technologies

IMAGE
Back to overview

X-TAPER HEADTUBE

Steering precision is vital to safe and confident handling, and the X-TAPER HEADTUBE allows us to significantly boost this precision. A larger headset diameter at the bottom paired with a smaller one at the top helps to deal with the strains modern riding and equipment can put on the headtube, all without adding unnecessary weight. It allows tapered forks to be fitted with ease and delivers precise and confidence-inspiring steering.

Watch Video
IMAGE
Back to overview

INTERNAL CABLE ROUTING

On the majority of our frames, we run the gear and brake cables and hoses through the frame. The cables enter and exit the frame through smooth sockets, or we use one of our other systems like SMART ENTRY or WIRE PORT to be routed through. Running the cables inside the frame protects them from the elements, gives a clean and neat look and can offer aerodynamic advantages.

Watch Video
IMAGE
Back to overview

NANO MATRIX CARBON

NANO MATRIX CARBON is a special kind of carbon fibre where we add extremely tiny, nano-scale particles to the resin that binds the individual carbon fibres together. These then work on a molecular level to protect them from damage. It’s so effective that it can actually increase the finished carbon fibre’s impact resistance by up to 40%, allowing us to build stronger and lighter composite frames that result in a faster and tougher bike.

Watch Video
IMAGE
Back to overview

AWS ANTI WRINKLE SYSTEM

This is a method we use to manufacture our carbon fibre frames. First, the carbon fibre that makes up the frame is laid around special formers. We then use a bladder to compress the layers against the outside of the frame mould, giving a smooth and wrinkle-free internal finish, removing any voids in between the layers of carbon that can cause potential weak points, resulting in a stronger, lighter frame.

Watch Video
IMAGE
Back to overview

NON-SLIP TIGHTENING

This system means you only need a single tool to tighten important bolts, making it easy to secure them while out on the trail and also making routine maintenance faster and simpler. The bolts have a specially shaped head on one end that fits into a matching recess in the frame, preventing rotation. That means there is no hardware bonded into the frame itself, so damaged threads or bolts can be easily replaced.

Watch Video
IMAGE
Back to overview

P-FLEX

A suspension design where the traditional pivot point on the seat stay is eliminated in favour of a flexstay design. This uses the compliance of the material and specific shaping of the tubes to allow for the seat and chain stays to move apart as the suspension moves through the travel. By removing this pivot point at the seat and chain stay junction, we save weight, reduce maintenance needs and add stiffness to the frame structure.

Watch Video
IMAGE
Back to overview

WIRE PORT

MERIDA designed headsets that enable all control cables from the handlebar to enter the frame through the headset cover, creating a clean and uncluttered look, allowing for a lighter, stronger and more aerodynamic frame structure than with conventional cable ports. Depending on the model, the cables are run completely internally (including the bar and stem) or semi-integrated, where the cables enter the frame underneath the stem.

Watch Video