How is it possible?

A stunning symbiosis of latest measurement technology and scientific research enabled us to realize our MERIDA O.NINE. The practical data basis was provided by test pilot Moritz Milatz, successful MTB pro member of our MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM: He absolved countless runs along one of Germany’s most challenging National League XC courses in Heubach, while we measured the highest load peaks a bike has to endure during a tough race – i. e. with regard to extreme jumps, downhill and sprint sections or when climbing out-of-saddle. Thanks to Moritz, the resulting data pool covered each and every sportive and technological aspect. The subsequent analysis revealed potential upgrades in comparison to previous frame versions, but also the need for some completely new solutions.

Certainly, it would be slightly exaggerated to define this as a genuine re-invention of the bicycle – but concerning practical application range, we have probably optimized two-wheeled performance like nobody ever before!

MERIDA O.Nine Highlights

Our revolutionary MERIDA O.NINE shares its raw material with the legendary MERIDA NINETY-SIX: A special combination of High Modulus (HM), Ultra-High Modulus (UHM) und Intermediate (IM) carbon fibres – securely fixed by one of the latest nano-reinforced matrix versions.

All compact frame parts are manufactured by premium “Blast Bladder” technology. Depending on received load peaks during practical performance, the respective tubing areas are interlinked either via “Tube-to-Tube” connections or internal sleeves. Result is a stunning STRUCTURE ELEMENT monocoque construction guaranteeing optimal layering and equal-zero wrinkling.

Simultaneously, the down tube’s vertical bending stiffness is optimized by a vertical reinforcing rib dividing the inner down tube into two separate and therefore extremely stiff sections (DOUBLE CHAMBER TECHNOLOGY).

The outer diameter of the extremely butted seat tube ranges from more than massive 40 mm (heavily loaded BB section) to slim 31.6 mm (top end).

Concerning BB options, the rider is spoilt for choice: In the context of system integration, MERIDA offers an O.NINE BB30 version representing the stiffest crankset as well as the most lightweight all-in-one package (incl. frame/BB/crank). But there is also an alternative: All those preferring a most lightweight solution in the form of “naked frame” can order their O.NINE frame with a 73 mm BSA bottom bracket – comparatively 30 g lighter than the BB30 version.

Another decisive weight reduction has been realized by utilizing “Post-Mount” dropouts (100 % carbon) for direct mounting of 160 mm rotors. The same applies to the seat tube’s integrated direct-mount front derailleur socket (also compatible to SRAM XX). The latter does not only protect the extremely thin-walled seat tube against mechanical overloading, but is also substantially lighter than any conventional clamping systems.

The specifically designed O.NINE carbon seat clamp delights with an incredibly low weight of only 12 g! Our newly developed MERIDA carbon seat post features a practice-oriented 15 mm offset while weighing just 191 g at 27.2/350 mm – effectively supported by outstanding comfort results: Under load, this O.NINE component offers 15 % more flexibility in comparison to the FSA K-Force SB25, so far the reference model in this context. In addition, the clamping system of our O.NINE seat post is perfectly compatible to all saddles with carbon rails.

WHY “O.NINE”?

Based on current MERIDA knowledge, our new hardtail flagship is fighting for the leadership in the world of ultra-lightweight production frames. The premium version’s 935 g would even bring any road-racing machine to perfection! With other words: Close to 0.9 kg – verbalized “O.NINE” in MTB English…

The Making of ... Merida O.Nine

Magic term: Automotive Engineering! According to proven methods of motor vehicle development, we decided to start the realization of our brand-new concept by measuring and analyzing all occurring real-performance loads with regard to our bike.

Most important: Maximum product safety! Therefore, our efforts were dominated by the main objective to reinforce heavily loaded frame areas as effectively as possible while lightening comparatively massive elements to achieve another substantial reduction of general weight.

In 2008, we contacted Holger Krauss, Automotive Engineering specialist at Esslingen University (Germany). His Institute of Vehicle Technology took over the task of collecting real-performance load data provided by our bike during XC racing runs.

Generally, this is achieved by so-called “real data recording”: At first, all critical frame/bike areas are equipped with transducers and strain gauges. These electronic sensors transmit all measured shocks and vibrations as well as even minimal compression or torsion effects to a separate “black box” mounted in the frame triangle – of course with ultra-fast real-time precision. While the test pilot absolves the run, a camera simultaneously maps the complete racing course (incl. all obstacles and difficulties) in a visual way. Advantage: During later analysis, the respective frame load peaks can also be identified very easily by means of the course profile.

Tests & Methods

Moritz Milatz – successful MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM member – acted as test pilot by riding the previous reference bike of our professional athletes: In the saddle of his MERIDA CARBON FLX TEAM 2009, Moritz absolved countless runs along one of Germany’s most challenging MTB National League courses in Heubach.

Especially important: The collection of real-performance load data with regard to the uphill, downhill and sprint sections of the course. Simultaneously, we wanted to find out how propulsion and retarding forces actually affected the rear stay – and which thermal loads occurred at the disc brakes and dropouts. Another interesting aspect was the physical behaviour of our CARBON FLX’s outer skin in connection with measured load peaks. In this context, a 3D analysis with subsequent FE (Finite Element Method) calculation was chosen as appropriate modus operandi.

The resulting real-performance data pool enabled us to challenge the complete bike configuration for optimization purposes: Did the CARBON FLX chassis dimensions (down tube/BB/chain stays) already represent an ideal solution? What about potential improvement of seat tube/stay design? Which amount of asymmetry would make for a perfect rear stay?

Surprising observations

Even our experienced R&D team was surprised by the observation that the chain stays received symmetrical load during real-performance: Both chain stays demonstrated exactly the same physical behaviour although power transmission/chain pull always applies solely on the right (drive train) side of the frame.

Simultaneously, the influence of retarding forces was completely different: Especially the disc brake caused extremely strong torsion loads – affecting the left frame side as a result of the side clearance between brake rotor and centre axis of seat/chain stay.

That’s why our brand-new O.NINE features asymmetric seat stays: Between tube center and dropout, the left stay’s diameter increases considerably for optimized brake force absorption. Therefore, this intelligent concept provides outstanding protection against performance-affecting rear stay twists.

The result

Countless test and measurement runs successfully supplied all necessary data for the utilization of CAD software and theoretical FE (Finite Element) calculation. During the next stage, our own R&D department generated first 3D models which again faced intensive testing again and again.

Afterwards, the members of our MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM absolved extensive test marathons in the saddle of the first prototypes. So finally, we are proud to present the outstanding and probably rather unique result of our intensive efforts to the international bike scene: The brand-new MERIDA O.NINE!

• Frame weight approx. 200 g lower in comparison to the CARBON FLX 2009, our previous reference model!
• Further optimization of BB stiffness by approx. 30 % (O.NINE/CARBON FLX 65/50 Nm)!
• The already excellent CARBON FLX comfort (7.6 mm vertical deflection; best result Carbon Hardtail Direct Competition in German BIKE magazine 12/2008) is also dramatically outshined by the 9.4 mm of our new MERIDA O.NINE!

Basically, such a machine equals a licence to win – as proven emphatically by its very first “public” performance under control of our MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM: In February 2009, the MERIDA O.NINE directly scored 1st Rank at the season’s very first World Cup Series competition in Pietermaritzburg (South Africa).