Europe’s fastest carbon hardtail
Right from the day of its introduction, our high-end hardtail O.NINE caused giant waves of enthusiasm: German periodical BIKE confirmed the fact that MERIDA had not rested on the laurels of the successful predecessor CARBON FLX. MountainBIKE magazine added the O.NINE’s “surgical trail precision” and noticed the “virtually exploding” sprint performance. What an honour for us to convince the bike press experts this way! But the O.NINE was not primarily designed for this purpose – it was created to become the racing world’s most successful competition-bike!
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During the current season, the pro racers of our MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM have been pursuing this project more than successfully: In the saddle of the O.NINE, Ralph Naef scored two titles as European Champion (2009 XC, 2010 Marathon) while Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesja won European Gold and Silver (Marathon 2009 & 2010). Andreas Kugler complemented the European Championship medal rain with Bronze (Marathon 2010)! And last but not least, José Hermida so far has achieved three World Cup victories (2 x 2009, 1 x 2010)* on his O.NINE!
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STIFFNESS PLUS COMFORT AT MINIMAL WEIGHT
The O.NINE’s secret of success is a perfect combination of stiffness and comfort – at minimal weight! By means of complex measurement technology, our R & D specialists divided the “overall system bike” into its functional segments. Their detailed analysis revealed the differences between the individual requirement characteristics. After several months full of test runs, measurements and upgrades, a new world-class frame was born – providing extreme stiffness only in sections where the pilot induces power. This saved material as well as weight in record dimensions! Nevertheless, full O.NINE comfort is offered at all frame areas which protect the pilot against energy-reducing vibrations. Therefore, MERIDA has redefined the formula for racing hardtail success:
Minimal weight + outstanding stiffness + maximum comfort = O.NINE!!
First and foremost, this is possible thanks to a special material mix consisting of high modulus (HM), ultra-high modulus (UHM) and intermediate (IM) carbon fibres – fixed by a nano-reinforced matrix. Depending on practical requirements, the frame segments are either connected by TUBE-TO-TUBE technology or internal sleeves. Result is a STRUCTURE ELEMENT MONOCOQUE with optimal layer structure.
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The most obvious example for the symbiosis between stiffness and comfort is the O.NINE’s extremely butted seat tube: Around the BB section, an outer diameter of more than 40 mm guarantees brutal propulsion. Meanwhile, the upper end (slim 31.6 mm) receives the customized MERIDA 27.2 mm seat post. In terms of flexibility, this outperforms the previous reference model (FSA K-FORCE SB25) by 15 %. With respect to different preferences at BB versions, MERIDA offers two options: The direct-integrated BB30 standard with the stiffest crank set represents the lowest possible system weight for frame/BB/crank. On the other hand, a conventional threaded 73 mm BSA bottom bracket only reduces the combined weight of frame/BB by 30 g (in connection with any type of standard crank set).
The drive train’s fantastic stiffness data also base on a vertically integrated reinforcement rib dividing the internal down tube into a double chamber (DOUBLE CHAMBER TECHNOLOGY). In turn, perceptible comfort is provided by the rear stay’s extremely low-profiled FLEX STAY seat stays – working like compound springs while equipping the O.NINE with an almost active chassis.
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O.NINE – LITERALLY LIGHTWEIGHT
Our most lightweight O-NINE frame delights with stunning 930 - 950 g**. So it’s no surprise that our R & D department proudly utilized these 0.9 kg as eponymous role model. But pure frame mass does not automatically result in an adequately lightweight complete bike! Nevertheless, our components only cause a slight increase of general system weight – for example due to the ultra-lightweight MERIDA carbon seat post (191 g) with perfectly matching clamp (10 g). The same is for the carbon dropouts with post-mount disc brake interfaces (direct mount rotor diameter 160 mm) and for the seat tube with integrated direct-mount front-derailleur socket, saving the weight of a derailleur-clamp. Altogether in other words: One of the most lightweight hardtails that has ever been tackling the world’s racing courses!
*Status quo in Juli 2010
** Weight indication depending on paint /graphic style, size 18“/46 cm
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