Merida Ninety Six XT (Carbon) 2025

There used to be a time when you had to choose between trail bike performance and cross-country race ready weight. Not any more. Say hello to the NINETY-SIX XT. It builds on the speedy genes of our short travel race winner with a CF4 carbon frame and adds a whole new layer of capability thanks to a longer travel 120 mm Fox 34 SL Performance fork paired to 100 mm out back. Add in fast rolling tyres, a long travel dropper post and a super smooth Shimano XT drivetrain and brakes and you’re ready to rock.

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.