@Ben78 - did you finish getting this built up? (Assuming you did here...) Any thoughts on how it rides?
Yeppo, so I bought this frame after cracking my Merida 96 and they couldn't sell me replacement parts after dicking me around for 7 months. Ican delivered the frame in less than 2 weeks. The geo was attractive to me as it is very similar to my 2019 Specialized Enduro, but obviously lower travel.
Parts list is
Revelation 120mm fork
Monarch 165x38
Magura Trail brakes
Truvativ carbon bars
SLX cranks 170mm with Deckas 32t ring
Microshift Advent X drivetrain (I have 3 of these and they are fantastic)
DT XM401 rear wheel and Merida front wheel - but I have a carbon one to replace the front shortly.
Bontrager 150mm dropper
Whilst I was waiting for Merida, I was riding my enduro with 29" XC tyres and the suspension firmed up a heap - it actually rode pretty good like that - and the Ican feels very similar to how it rode. On climbs it can be a little vague and I definitely have to get more forward to account for the longer front centre. I've ridden it about 160km so far and am very happy with how it rides. Descents are brilliant. Pedalling is firm like a XC bike should be but once I start downhill it turns into a trail bike. Rear suspension feels great and tracks well. Currently only works out to 96mm travel, eventually I'll get a 165x45 which will get the frame out to 112mm.
Realistically if I get 2 years from the frame before it explodes spectacularly and I have to buy another one I still haven't lost as much as I would have if I bought a Epic Evo or similar new. Although seeing as there is 'boutique' bike brands running the frame I can't see that it will end that way.