Touring Equipment

Merida huh, wouldn't have though you'd gone for them, they don't look like something decent, but then that's just internet snobbery talk.

As far as I'm aware Merida are huge and make bikes for loads of other companies too?
They've had many successful MTB riders on their team over the years.
I wouldn't have picked one if i had cash burning a hole in my pocket, but it was free so what ya gonna do eh? ;]
To be honest it rides as well as the last 2 carbon road bikes I've had and apart from the paint and pretty shit rims I'm very pleasantly surprised with it.
It's the top of their aluminium range.

Once the paint is sorted and I get some new wheels I'll be plenty happy with it. :]

edit...and get rid of the shit rubino's it came with! :]
I already swapped to black bar tape, a black fizik saddle, and de-stickered the rims. New tyres are on the way!