A Ferrari and a monster truck? For a car it’d be an unthinkable – if not impossible – idea. But this is exactly how you’d class the MERIDA BIG.TRAIL 900. With a blazing pace, arrow-like cornering, masses of stability on downhills and traction on tough terrain when it counts, has the MERIDA really mixed the ingredients to the max? We took it out on our home trails and the trails around Latsch, South Tyrol, to find out.
More and more companies are launching hardtails with plus-size 2.8″ tires, proclaiming that these rigid rear whippets aren’t just made for post-work loops but also capable of proper mountain rides. When you consider it like that, the MERIDA BIG.TRAIL 900 is a purebred trail bike.
Specification of the MERIDA BIG.TRAIL 900
Coming in three build specs, MERIDA offer the all-new BIG.TRAIL with price tags from € 1,499 to € 3,499. From this trio we’ve put the top-of-the-range BIG.TRAIL 900 through the wringer. At around 2 kg, the aluminium frame seems destined more for comfort, and the solid spec hints at the same concept. There’s a RockShox PIKE RC fork up front with 130 mm travel as well as DT Swiss XM 1501 SPLINE ONE wheels with a width of 40 mm: two features that leave no room for complaint. Naturally, both the front and back wheels feature Boost standard hubs.
Fork: RockShox PIKE RC with 130 mm
Brakes: SRAM Guide R 180 mm
Drivetrain: SRAM X1 1×11
Seatpost: RockShox Reverb Stealth
Stem: MERIDA Expert SS 35
Handlebar: MERIDA Expert 35 760 mm
Wheelset: DT Swiss XM 1501 SPLINE 40 mm
Tires: MAXXIS Rekon+ 27.5 x 2.8
Weight: 13.08 kg
Price: € 3,499
Guaranteeing that the bike and its 2.8″ MAXXIS Rekon rubbers can properly come to a halt, the BIG.TRAIL is kitted out with the proven SRAM Guide R four-piston brakes with 180 mm discs. There’s a RockShox Reverb Stealth seatpost with 125 mm of adjustment. Despite showing the bike no mercy on the trails, it came away completely unscathed. We rode tubeless with 1.0 bar at the front and 1.2 at the rear, as the lack of suspension at the rear does mean you’re more susceptible to puncturing. The SRAM X1 1×11 drivetrain is robust, shifts with precision and is the prime choice for this bike.
Geometry of the MERIDA BIG.TRAIL 900
With 427.5 mm chainstays, the rear is pretty compact. Pair it with the long frame and reach (from 405 mm for the small frame to 465 in XL), and the BIG.TRAIL morphs into an agile missile, but one that’s also capable of delivering the desired smoothness on rough terrain. The stack, ranging from 637 mm (S) to 665 mm (XL), isn’t mega low like on many other bikes, so for a trail machine with 130 mm travel you could say it’s pretty high – a great confidence-boosting advantage for steep sections.
| Frame Size | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Tube | 390 mm | 440 mm | 490 mm | 540 mm |
| Top Tube | 594 mm | 616 mm | 639 mm | 662 mm |
| Head Tube | 105 mm | 115 mm | 125 mm | 135 mm |
| Head Tube Angle | 67,5° | 67,5° | 67,5° | 67,5° |
| Seat Tube Angle | 73,5° | 73,5° | 73,5° | 73,5° |
| Chain Stay Length | 427.5 mm | 427.5 mm | 427.5 mm | 427.5 mm |
| Bottom Bracked Drop | 60 mm | 60 mm | 60 mm | 60 mm |
| Wheel Base | 1122 mm | 1146 mm | 1170 mm | 1194 mm |
| Reach | 405 mm | 425 mm | 445 mm | 465 mm |
| Stack | 637 mm | 646 mm | 656 mm | 665 mm |
Climbing on the MERIDA BIG.TRAIL 900
MERIDA knew exactly how to exploit the advantages of a hardtail on climbs, and the plus-size tires provide sufficient traction at all times for the rear wheel. Even given the pretty stiff aluminium frame, the tires make a substantial improvement to the level of comfort. The BIG.TRAIL cuts a fine figure when pedaling, be it on long, gentle climbs or short, steep ones. Plus, the pairing of the 30-tooth chainring and the SRAM X1 10-42 cassette renders virtually every gradient and speed within its reach. Despite the relatively high overall weight it’s still a damn sight more agile than the majority of its trail fully peers. The short 35 mm stem gives a compact and comfy position on the bike.
Descending on the MERIDA BIG.TRAIL 900
Perhaps hard to believe, but the MERIDA BIG.TRAIL 900 barely lagged behind the rest of the trail fullys that we were testing in Latsch. But one thing was for sure: hardtails ask a hell of a lot more from the rider, exacting their toll on your body in the absence of rear suspension. There’s also the question of weight distribution to consider. After a lengthy stint on a fully, you’ll have a period of readjustment with the hardtail but within no time you’ll be shredding down the trails and popping over things. The mega high cockpit produces a great riding position and there’s enough in reserve if the terrain gets steeper, without any risk of losing pressure on the front wheel. On descents the RockShox PIKE RC performs superbly, with effortless lightning-quick adjustment for compression and rebound. To best suit our test conditions, we mounted MAXXIS Rekon+ tires and they proved the ultimate choice. Its many low lugs generated maximum grip on dry, dusty trails and the strong carcass does it bit for puncture resistance.
Conclusion
If you’re into direct feedback, the MERIDA BIG.TRAIL 900 delivers a hell of a riotously fun ride be it for regular loops or forays into rough terrain. Its well-considered spec and balanced handling package are primed for trail riding, so if you’re looking for a versatile hardtail with a decent dose of comfort then you’re reading the right review. However, with a price tag of € 3,500, it might price itself out of the game for many.
For more information head to the MERIDA website.
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Words: Photos: Christoph Bayer
