Tech

New Merida Big.Trail targets fun-packed hardtail trail riding

Supplied by Merida.

· By Press Office · 23 comments

Nowadays we often associated trail and mountain biking fun with more and sophisticated full suspension travel as modern full suspension bikes become not just more capable on the way down but also easier to pedal and more efficient on the way up.

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However, the simplicity and capability of the hardtail remain a strong contender in the world of mountain biking. But it is not just at home on subdued trails or in the world of XC racing, but it also finds its way onto the more demanding tracks out there. However, to hit the more challenging trails that little bit harder, you need the right tool for the job.

Welcome to our new BIG.TRAIL, our take on the fun-packed, versatile, capable and rewarding trail hardtail category. Our BIG.TRAIL combines the simplicity and low maintenance of a hardtail with the capability and the fun factor of a long travel bike. For us, the BIG.TRAIL symbolises TRAIL FUN SIMPLIFIED.

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The UK has been one of the driving forces in Europe if not in the world when it comes to taking hardtails on demanding trails and tracks, so it was obvious to bring leading UK dealers and our R&D team together to create our four BIG.TRAIL models. Their combined market knowledge and experience paired with the design and development know-how of our German R&D team was the perfect combination to develop this new bike for the 2021 line-up.

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The new aluminium BIG.TRAIL is based on 140 mm travel forks, a modern and aggressive bike geometry, long dropper posts and 29er wheels with up to 2.5” tyre clearance.

Frame specs:

  • BSA 73 mm bottom bracket
  • Post mount 180 mm
  • 148×12 mm boost
  • 55 mm chain line
  • Sram UDH hanger
  • 30.9 mm seat post
  • Semi-integrated headset (44/55 mm)
  • 1x only

With a 65.5° head angle for increased stability, a 75.5° seat angle for effective climbing and a reach of up to 475 mm, the geometry of the new BIG.TRAIL is aimed at aggressive trail riding as well as long days in the saddle. The super sloping top tube gives confidence, and plenty of space to manoeuver on the bike as well as allows for 150 mm dropper posts (125 mm in size S) to be fitted.

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Further features of the BIG.TRAIL are internal cable routing, Boost standard front and rear, space for two water bottles plus ‘Trail Mount’ inside the frame, external bottom bracket, SRAM UDH hanger, tubeless-ready rims with 29 mm inner width and 180 mm rotors front and rear.

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Local availability

The Merida BIG.TRAIL will be available in South Africa. The current schedule is for early 2021. Models and pricing will be confirmed at this time.

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Comments

ajnkzn

Aug 17, 2020, 7:07 AM

Love where this trend is going  :clap:

TyronLab

Aug 17, 2020, 7:44 AM

Seems like a ripper! Interested in pricing and how many shops will actually stock them, especially in GP, as it isn't a 100mm dual sus XC "racing bike". 

 

The forest green is gorgeous but the red accents make it look like a christmas tree.

JuliBoB

Aug 17, 2020, 8:03 AM

Very nice and looks lekker. Hope pricing will be okay ;)

Meezo

Aug 17, 2020, 9:50 AM

pinkbike has pricing

 

Price: From £800 (€849) to £1,500 (€1,599)

 

more here

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/merida-lunches-uk-influenced-big-trail-140mm-hardtail.html

DieselnDust

Aug 17, 2020, 10:05 AM

looks like a lot of fun that could hide under the Christmas tree for weeks before the wifes NeBiDar finds it.... :)

Chris_

Aug 17, 2020, 10:15 AM

I don't like Merida's but that's a damn fine looking bike.

Meezo

Aug 17, 2020, 10:47 AM

looks like a lot of fun that could hide under the Christmas tree for weeks before the wifes NeBiDar finds it.... :)

*now Bike Market

BSG

Aug 17, 2020, 7:59 PM

Can't wait for my youngest to grow so that she can take my Merida over from me, that'll be my only chance of getting a new Merida. [emoji3060]

BenGraham

Aug 18, 2020, 7:52 AM

This looks very nice.

Dan Dob

Aug 27, 2020, 8:07 AM

Nice! But I as good as these aggressive hardtails look, when they're made out of alu the ride from the rear end is just too harsh IMO. Make them out of steel with all the springiness and forgiveness to overcome what you're putting the front end through and I'll be their biggest fan (Same goes fro the Silverback Slade and the Commencel Meta Hardtail.)

Jewbacca

Aug 27, 2020, 8:32 AM

Nice! But I as good as these aggressive hardtails look, when they're made out of alu the ride from the rear end is just too harsh IMO. Make them out of steel with all the springiness and forgiveness to overcome what you're putting the front end through and I'll be their biggest fan (Same goes fro the Silverback Slade and the Commencel Meta Hardtail.)

While I agree re the steel, I think the cost factor comes into play.

 

Maybe not the Commencal, but the slade and the Merida come in at pretty low price points as a great 'Intro' to rowdy hardtails as opposed to noobs buying an equivalent XCO bike as has always been the case.

 

Those who love the experience and get hooked will likely up grade to a more bespoke steel brand in the long run as that seems to be the 'Niche' experience. Even a company like Ragley makes a steel version and an Alu version of the exact same frames to suit price points.

MajG

Oct 22, 2020, 4:49 PM

Has this been released yet in SA? bike looks saxxxy

CdT85

Oct 22, 2020, 5:18 PM

Im loving it. Will have to find a way to motivate a new bike purhase with the missus as soon as they get launched locally

BSG

Oct 22, 2020, 7:07 PM

I've said today for the 3rd or 4th or was it the 20th time that I can't wait for my daughter to grow tall enough so that I can pass on my current size M Merida TFS900 29er to her for me to have an excuse to buy myself a new bike. [emoji1787]

MajG

Oct 22, 2020, 7:25 PM

I have 3 boys, so thats future bike excuses lined up.

 

All hand me downs as dad gets a new bike lol

Me rida my bicycle

Oct 22, 2020, 10:03 PM

I've said today for the 3rd or 4th or was it the 20th time that I can't wait for my daughter to grow tall enough so that I can pass on my current size M Merida TFS900 29er to her for me to have an excuse to buy myself a new bike. [emoji1787]

buy another bike and tell your wife you bought it for her so she can join you as you want to spend more time with her.????
Chadvdw67

Oct 23, 2020, 5:26 AM

I have 3 boys, so thats future bike excuses lined up.

All hand me downs as dad gets a new bike lol

This makes me think of a picture my buddy sent me.... post-140742-0-12933900-1603430728_thumb.jpg

MajG

Oct 23, 2020, 6:12 AM

Hahhahaha

 

Thats me yeah

BSG

Oct 23, 2020, 7:02 AM

buy another bike and tell your wife you bought it for her so she can join you as you want to spend more time with her.[emoji16]

Tried that, she hates cycling and it was a nice full suspension Merida.[emoji3061][emoji44][emoji3064][emoji1787]
PjT

Nov 19, 2020, 10:19 PM

Anybody know anything about when these will be available in SA?

martinza

Nov 20, 2020, 6:15 AM

From Merida:

 
The Big Trail range will arrive around MARCH next year (2021) and the 400 and 500 will be the models offered in SA….not the 200 sorry.
PjT

Mar 30, 2021, 9:44 AM

 

From Merida:

 
The Big Trail range will arrive around MARCH next year (2021) and the 400 and 500 will be the models offered in SA….not the 200 sorry.

 

 

 

any news on this. availability and pricing?

MajG

Jul 2, 2021, 6:04 PM

On 3/30/2021 at 11:44 AM, PjT said:

 

 

any news on this. availability and pricing?

Wonder if we will actually get this model in SA, haven't seen it advertised anywhere here

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