Countless riders started to get involved with and Merida . The Merida Challenger series frequently produces high-quality products because it is positioned higher than entry-level mountain warriors and dukes. Previously, the Challenger 300 was the most popular mountain bike model of the year. In recent years, the Challenger series has been steadily updated, maintaining consistent excellent quality workmanship while also following the trend of the times.
Recently, the Meiqi evaluation room received a Merida Challenger SL7-N. When I saw the word Merida for the first time, the editor seemed to be back to those crazy green years. I have to say that Merida brings so much to the riders. What unforgettable memories. So what kind of riding experience does this Merida Challenger SL7-N bring? Let’s take a look below!
Vehicle configuration
Color: Sand matt black
Size: 27.5"*15"/17"/19"
Frame: Lightweight aluminum alloy frame
Front fork: Magura pneumatic wire-controlled front fork
Transmission system: SHIMANO SLX
Chain: KMC11S
Flywheel: SHIMANO M700011-42T
Brake system: Magura MT2
Wheel set: Vidal TRS integrated wheel set
Tires: 27.5*1.95
As a new model of the Challenger series that was well-known in the car circle that year, this car Challenger SL7-N focuses on ultra-light weight and can control the weight of an aluminum alloy vehicle within 10kg (9.9kg). The ultra-light frame plays an important role. The overall design of the
frame is slender and dynamic. The black-based painting design with white accents is simple and elegant, just like a "dark horse" ready to gallop at high speeds. The thin top tube and wide and flat down tube visually give people a slender and lightweight feeling.
The thick tube type + large-area embossed LOGO that was once widely used in Challengers, Dukes, and Warriors no longer exists in this Challenger SL7-N, and only the embossed LOGO is retained on the head tube.
The riser position adopts Triple Butted+Taper design, and the three-butted tube process greatly reduces the weight of the riser10.
The proud FLEX STAY elastic rear fork is softer than the traditional straight rear fork and has been imitated by many brands. It can effectively absorb off-road road vibrations, improve riding comfort, and effectively transmit energy.
Thanks to Merida’s unique aluminum alloy manufacturing process, the lightweight frame does not mean a sacrifice in strength. In terms of quality control, Merida adopts stricter quality standards than JIS, CPSC, and BS. Every dense and uniform fish scale solder joint represents Merida's high quality requirements. The
frame adopts Smoothwelding welding technology, which makes the joints of each pipe smoothly transition, making the appearance look integrated and enhancing the structural strength of the frame. The surface of the
frame uses sandblasting + anode oxidation treatment. The sand matte black looks high-end and has a full metallic texture. The benefit of anodizing is not only to reduce the weight of the traditional spray painting process, but more importantly, after surface anodizing, the corrosion resistance, hardness, wear resistance, insulation, heat resistance, etc. of aluminum alloys are greatly improved. No longer afraid of gravel collisions during off-roading.
The thick bottom bracket and fish scale welding pattern ensure the strength of the bottom bracket and make the force more direct.
In terms of frame wiring, the Challenger SL7-N adopts an internal wiring design, integrating all brake and transmission lines into the tube, giving it a simple and elegant appearance. There are reserved holes on the side of the head tube and the bottom of the down tube of the frame, which can give riders more modification options.
It’s all about the details. The cable management at the bottom is well organized. The fixing seat and cable passing seat are well designed to effectively reduce the entry of mud and sand into the interior of the frame. The brake line and gearshift line pass through the bottom of the down tube and are arranged under both sides of the rear chainstay. , the cable routing layout reduces the bending of the cable pipe, ensuring quick response and smooth feel during variable speed braking.
The braking system is MAGURA MT2. On the road to lightweight braking, no one is more extreme than MAGURA.
The structure of the entry-level brake MT2 adheres to simple aesthetics and is made of high-tech fiber composite material Carbontecture®, which brings the advantage of lighter weight while ensuring strength. Direct push rod braking force transmission is more direct. The hollowing out of the brake lever further reduces weight.
In addition, MAGURA also provides a 5-year leak-proof warranty for the calipers and pistons. The
front fork also uses MAGURA's product - MAGURA TS4 air pressure wire-controlled front fork.The unique appearance of the double-fork axle design makes it more rigid than a single-fork axle, providing riders with greater confidence on rougher roads.
By adjusting the preload state according to the air pressure table at the end of the front fork, the MAGURA front fork can effectively cope with the impact caused by the drop. The wire control device passes through the base of the steerer tube, making installation simple and convenient. MAGURA recommends using the shortest wire tube to maintain the quick response of the wire control device. The remote control handle is a push-type operation, which can be locked and released with one finger.
In terms of transmission components, the mountain advanced kit SHIMANO SLX 11-speed is used. The shifting is stable, fast and precise. The 34T single disc + 11-42T flywheel is enough for daily mountain and cross-country training. The single disc setting further reduces the weight of the vehicle, simplifies operation, and allows Riders pay more attention to the road ahead when traveling on mountain cross-country.
wheelset uses Vidile TRS integrated quasi-vacuum wheelset. The direct pull braiding method + eccentric ring is lightweight and improves the rigidity of the wheel set. The quasi-vacuum design can be converted to tubeless tires. In intense mountain cross-country, lower tire pressure can be used to improve grip and crush obstacles without worrying about "snake bites".
Regarding the choice of front and rear quick release
tires, the factory original 27.5x1.95 Chaoyang Falcon series lightweight tires have low rolling resistance and super wear resistance, and use Chaoyang’s exclusive dinosaur skin anti-puncture technology to improve safety protection.
performs extremely well on dry, smooth and hard roads. The kinetic energy converted from pedaling can be continuously and powerfully output, increasing the riding speed. But riders should be more careful on slippery gravel roads.
Riding experience
Thanks to its ultra-light weight, the most direct feeling is its lightness and flexibility when riding. It picks up speed quickly without any heavy lag, and every step is directly and quickly converted into power output.
Going into the mountains and off-roading is the real purpose of the Challenger SL7-N. The geometric structure of the 27.5 wheel diameter makes it easier to turn and handle obstacles on XC mixed roads full of branches and small gravel, making it more calm when facing technical sections. A single disc makes people more focused, and they can easily cope with frequent and quick gear changes. The free left finger dial can just be used to install the remote control of the air pressure front fork. It locks when the road is flat and opens when the road encounters bumps. It greatly affects the riding efficiency. The improvement is also very obvious.
On the uphill section, the ultra-light weight of the vehicle makes the climb less strenuous, and you can steadily conquer steep slopes while riding. However, the 27.5x1.95 tires still have insufficient grip in the humid dense forests of Guangdong. The editor suggests that if you really want to use this car for off-roading, it is best to choose appropriate tires according to the actual conditions.
On the downhill section, the well-adjusted shock absorber performance of the MAGURA TS4 air-pressure wire-controlled front fork can basically handle various drops. After all, the Challenger SL7-N is a pure light off-road (XC) model. From this perspective, the Challenger SL7-N is more like continuing the classic and continuing the legend.
Generally speaking, it is not easy to achieve a weight of 9.9kg on an aluminum alloy vehicle that sells for only 6,998 yuan. Challenger SL7-N continues Merida's consistent high-quality product quality and solid workmanship. The overall lightweight design direction satisfies riders’ pursuit of lightness and speed. The elegant and high-end surface treatment, rock-solid quality assurance, and light and fast riding experience can all be the reasons for you to choose Merida Challenger SL7-N.
