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Merida Ninety-six vs Specialized Epic 8 Comp

Merida Ninety-six XT Di2, side view

Merida

Ninety-six

Specialized Epic 8 Comp, side view

Specialized

Epic 8 Comp

High endCross-countryFull suspensionCarbon2025
High endCross-countryFull suspensionCarbon2025

Close on the specs and the list price: here are their 21 differences, line by line.

Merida Ninety-six XT Di2, side viewMeridaMerida Ninety-six
Specialized Epic 8 Comp, side viewSpecializedSpecialized Epic 8 Comp

At a glance

  • Merida Ninety-six has the higher-range groupset: Shimano XT Di2, against SRAM S-1000 Eagle Transmission.
Key specs7 differences
FrameSame for all Carbon
As printed

frame NINETY-SIX CF4 III material: carbon

 Carbon
As printed

FACT 11m Carbon

Suspension Full suspension, 120 / 100 mm
As printed

120 mm travel RockShox Judy Gold fork ... 100 mm of rear travel

 Full suspension, 120 / 120 mm
Fork model Fox 34 Float SL Performance RockShox SID Select Higher range
As printed

RockShox SID Select, Ride Dynamics developed 3 position, TwistLoc remote adjust, Debon Air

Shock Fox Float SL Performance Elite RockShox SIDLuxe Select+ Higher range
As printed

RockShox SIDLuxe Select+, ... 190x45mm

Wheelset 29" · FSA SCi30 29" · Specialized Alloy 29 °Value not published by the brand
Groupset Shimano XT Di2 Higher range
As printed

Shimano XT Di2 M8250

 SRAM S-1000 Eagle Transmission
Brake model Shimano XT M8200 SRAM Level Bronze Stealth, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc
Seatpost Dropper · MERIDA TEAM TR SL
As printed

Merida Team TR SL, 150 mm

 Dropper · X-Fusion Manic, 30.9, 125/150/170 Travel, 0mm offset
As printed

X-Fusion Manic, 30.9, 125/150/170 Travel

Model yearSame for all 2025 2025
Weight–Not given 11.89 kg
Drivetrain–Not given 1×12

Prices

Each model's retailers, delivered to your country, and their prices over time.

Merida Ninety-six

Merida Ninety-six

Specialized Epic 8 Comp

Specialized Epic 8 Comp

Affiliate links: no extra cost for you ♥

Character

The bike at a glance: the ground it is made for, how it handles, its gears and its equipment, beside the other bikes of its kind.

  • Ninety-six · Mountain bike rather demanding, rather stable, rather high equipment.
  • Epic 8 Comp · Mountain bike very demanding, very stable, long gearing, rather high equipment.
Terrain
Merida Ninety-six 73%Specialized Epic 8 Comp 91%3 bikes1 bike6 bikes6 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes1 bike2 bikes1 bike4 bikes1 bike3 bikes1 bike3 bikes1 bike4 bikes3 bikes · Merida Ninety-six5 bikes4 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes · Specialized Epic 8 Comp5 bikes1 bike
EasyDemanding
Handling
Merida Ninety-six 70%Specialized Epic 8 Comp 88%4 bikes1 bike2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes2 bikes1 bike7 bikes1 bike2 bikes4 bikes1 bike2 bikes1 bike1 bike1 bike1 bike3 bikes · Merida Ninety-six1 bike5 bikes2 bikes2 bikes1 bike · Specialized Epic 8 Comp2 bikes3 bikes1 bike
NimbleStable

Gearing

Speed in the lowest and the highest gear at 90 rpm: lower on the left climbs easier, higher on the right goes faster.

  • Specialized Epic 8 Comp8 km/h - 43 km/h
Easiest gear (climbing)Hardest gear (descending)
Merida Ninety-sixSpecialized Epic 8 Compother cross-country mountain bikes

Components and specs

Every spec line by line; the higher range of a component is marked. The technical groups are folded.

Ride type
DisciplineSame for all Cross-country
As printed

cutting edge cross-country race weapon

 Cross-country
As printed

Progressive XC Race Geometry

Frame and fork1 difference
Max tyre clearance 60 mm –Not given
AxlesSame for all Thru-axles
As printed

148x12 mm rear axle

 Thru-axles
As printed

12x148mm UDH compatible rear dropout

Bottom bracket BSA
As printed

BSA bottom bracket standard

 SRAM DUB Threaded Wide
Cable routing–Not given Internal
As printed

internal cable routing

Seatpost diameterSame for all 30.9 mm 30.9 mm °Value not published by the brand
Suspension1 difference
Fork travelSame for all 120 mm 120 mm
Rear travel 100 mm 120 mm +20 mm
Drivetrain5 differences
Groupset brand Shimano
As printed

Shimano XT Di2 M8250

 SRAM
As printed

SRAM S-1000 Eagle Transmission

ShiftingSame for all Electronic, wireless
As printed

Shimano XT Di2 M8250, wireless

 Electronic, wireless
Chainrings–Not given 1
Gears at the backSame for all 12 12 °Value not published by the brand
Chainring teeth Shimano XT M8200 34T SRAM S1000 Eagle, DUB, 34T, 165/170/175mm °Value not published by the brandHigher range
Cassette Shimano XT M8200 10-51T
As printed

Shimano XT M8200, 12-speed, 10-51T

 SRAM XS 1270 Transmission, 10-52t
Rear derailleur Shimano XT DI2 M8250 Higher range SRAM S-1000 Eagle Transmission °Value not published by the brand
Shifters Shimano XT DI2 M8250 SRAM AXS POD Controller °Value not published by the brand
Crank length 170 mm –Not given
Brakes1 difference
BrakesSame for all Hydraulic disc
As printed

Shimano XT M8200, 2-piston hydraulic

 Hydraulic disc
As printed

SRAM Level Bronze Stealth, 4-piston caliper, hydraulic disc

Front rotorSame for all 180 mm 180 mm
Rear rotor 180 mm Best of the comparison 160 mm −20 mm
Wheels and tyres3 differences
Wheel sizeSame for all 700c / 29"
As printed

tyre front Maxxis Rekon Race 29x2.4"

 700c / 29"
As printed

Specialized Alloy 29

Rims Carbon
As printed

FSA SCi30, carbon

 Aluminium °Value not published by the brand
Rim inner width 30 mm 27 mm −3 mm
Tubeless readySame for all yes yes
Tyres Maxxis Rekon Race 29x2.4" Specialized Fast Trak, Control Casing, T7 Compound, 29x2.35 / Specialized Renegade, Control Casing, T5 Compound, 29x2.35 °Value not published by the brand
Tyre width fitted–Not given 60 mm °Value not published by the brand
Cockpit and seatpost3 differences
Dropper travel 150 mm –Not given
Handlebar width 760 mm 750 mm −10 mm
Handlebar FSA SIC CF 1-piece cockpit Specialized Alloy Minirise, 10mm rise, 750mm, 31.8mm clamp °Value not published by the brand
Stem–Not given Specialized, 3D-forged alloy, 4-bolt, 7-degree rise °Value not published by the brand
Seatpost model MERIDA TEAM TR SL X-Fusion Manic, 30.9, 125/150/170 Travel, 0mm offset °Value not published by the brand
Weight
Weighed in size–Not given M
As printed

Poids Taille MD

Max total weight 135 kg –Not given
Mounts and storage
In-frame storage–Not given yes

° Value not published by the brand

Geometry

A size per bike (the nearest to the first one's at first), the differences measured from the reference bike.

Epic 8 Comp · M
  • Epic 8 Comp · M

Stack and reach

560570580590600610620630420430440450460470480↖ UprightAggressive ↘Reach (mm)Stack (mm)Epic 8 Comp · M — Reach (mm) 450 · Stack (mm) 598
  • Epic 8 Comp · M Epic 8 Comp · M — Reach (mm) 450 · Stack (mm) 598
Geometry
Size–Not given M
Reach–Not given 450 mm
Stack–Not given 598 mm
Top tube (effective)–Not given 605 mm
Seat tube–Not given 410 mm
Head tube–Not given 95 mm
Head angle–Not given 65.9°
Seat angle–Not given 75.5°
Chainstays–Not given 435 mm
Wheelbase–Not given 1,179 mm
Front centre–Not given 747 mm
Standover–Not given 760 mm
BB drop–Not given 44 mm
BB height–Not given 326 mm
Fork offset–Not given 44 mm
Trail–Not given 117 mm
Fork length (axle to crown)–Not given 530 mm
Stem–Not given 60 mm
Handlebar width–Not given 750 mm
Crank length–Not given 170 mm

Adjustable geometry: the table gives the brand’s main position.

Where to buy them

Compare the whole Specialized Epic range

Frequently asked questions

What groupset do Merida Ninety-six and Specialized Epic 8 Comp come with?

Merida Ninety-six: Shimano XT Di2. Specialized Epic 8 Comp: SRAM S-1000 Eagle Transmission.

Other comparisons

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