91 Meridia Al Bon Tech XT - NOW FIXED UP

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agentorange

rBotM Winner
Saw this advertised in local classifieds for €20 here in France and took a gamble. Just picked it up & yeah, it's nice.

Don't know much about the brand but there's a bunch of posts here re similar & by all accounts it's a German/European brand based on a range of Taiwanese frames. This frame appears to have allu front triangle bonded to a CroMo rear.

I'm undecided about the frame but if I were honest I'd say I was only interested in the parts. So, for my €20 I get a full XT groupset with underbar shifters and XT pedals. Wheels are RM17's and the front has a rather clean Ground Control. Bearings are smooth and ch/set casting still seems crisp.

So, yeah, I'm pleased. I'll post more pics if anyone wants.

6140048664_96a20d120a_b.jpg
 
Wish I could find deals like that around here (Sweden)...looks cool, and the components aren't too shabby.
 
Merida are a Taiwanese company that manufacture bikes for many other companies in their factories, but also sell bikes under their own brand name - just like Giant do. They are popular in Europe, but not an European brand as such, though they may be 'designed' there like so many other brands that are 'designed' in the USA, but built in the far east. The 'bonding' construction of your frame is similar to Giant's Cadex bikes and Trek's bonded frames of the same era (to name a few).

I worked in a shop that stocked these BITD and they were really good value - good components with fantastic (but fragile) paint. In Australia they weren't as popular as they should have been.

20 euro's is a bargain.
 
drr

Anyway, thought it was worth cleaning up.

Stripped it down, spruced and greased, replaced cables, grips and tires and here's the result. Mag20's still have excellent seals and more travel than I remember. Reluctant to throw money at this thing but it does need a more retro seat.

Anyway, the Marida Al Bon Tech XT.

6162188580_36b304d1ce_b.jpg


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Nice looking bike and brilliant bargain. I know modern Meridas are decent bikes but have never seen any retro models.

Great to see something other than the usual run of GTs, Konas etc. for a change :wink: :wink:

Is it a paint or anodised finish?
 
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