{"id":52948,"date":"2023-08-09T17:00:13","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T15:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=742578"},"modified":"2023-08-09T17:35:46","modified_gmt":"2023-08-09T15:35:46","slug":"bike-of-the-week-merida-big-nine-10k-is-destined-to-rip-around-xc-race-courses","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/bike-of-the-week-merida-big-nine-10k-is-destined-to-rip-around-xc-race-courses\/","title":{"rendered":"Bike of the Week | Merida Big.Nine 10k is destined to rip around XC race courses"},"content":{"rendered":"

The new Big.Nine shaves weight while improving comfort <\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 09 August 2023 at 15:00 PM<\/p>

\n\n

The Merida Big.Nine 10k cross-country race bike is built to prioritise \u201cmaximum speed\u201d, by relying on a rigid seatpost, flat handlebars and fast-rolling tyres, paired with a 100mm suspension fork and 29in wheels.<\/p>\n

That said, don\u2019t fret if your rides are more gnarly or you\u2019d just rather have a more capable bike, because Merida has concurrently released the Big.Nine TR.<\/p>\n

This trail-oriented alternative sports an extra 20mm of suspension travel<\/a> and switches to riser bars, a dropper post<\/a> and a more aggressive front tyre.<\/p>\n

A lean, mean XC machine<\/h2>\n
\"Merida<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
This is an XC weapon through and through.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Merida uses what it calls its NanoMatrix carbon on the Big.Nine. The brand says it adds \u201cextremely tiny, nano-scale particles to the resin that binds the individual carbon fibres together\u201d during manufacture.<\/p>\n

This is claimed to improve the carbon fibre\u2019s resistance to damage by up to 40 per cent.<\/p>\n

\"Merida<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
You can mount two bottle cages on the down tube.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The frame is available in three configurations \u2013 an aluminium option and two carbon variants. The top-of-the-line CF5 carbon frame featured on this bike weighs a claimed 880g in a size medium, with the more affordable CF3 weighing a claimed 1,100g.<\/p>\n

Merida says it has also focused on improving comfort. This is achieved primarily by speccing wider 2.4in mountain bike tyres<\/a> and the fact the standover height is much lower than its predecessor, meaning there\u2019s more seatpost<\/a> exposed to flex.<\/p>\n

\"Merida<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The flexstay sees the seatstay faces flattened for improved claimed compliance.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Additionally, the Big.Nine uses a flexstay, which is commonplace on many of the best mountain bikes<\/a>, to boost rear-end comfort.<\/p>\n

Merida has ditched the BB92 press-fit bottom bracket standard<\/a> and moved to a BSA threaded variant instead.<\/p>\n

\"Under<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
You also get bosses under the top tube.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Big.Nine relies on a SRAM UDH<\/a> and accepts a 30.9mm-diameter seatpost.<\/p>\n

\"Integrated<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
It looks as though integration is here to stay.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Big.Nine also now integrates its cables and hoses via the use of a proprietary Acros headset cover, an emerging trend on cross-country bikes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What is Bike of the Week?<\/h3>\n

Every fortnight, we\u2019ll bring you a detailed first look at one of the latest bikes (or framesets) to arrive at BikeRadar HQ \u2013 from road to commuting, gravel to enduro, and anything in between.<\/p>\n

This is our chance to introduce the bike and everything that makes it unique before hitting the road or trails.<\/p>\n

Head to our\u00a0Bike of the Week hub<\/a> for previous editions.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div> <\/section>

Revamped, size-specific geometry<\/h2>\n
\"Integrated<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The head tube slackens to 67 degrees on the Big.Nine TR, due to the longer-travel fork.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The Merida Big.Nine receives the longer, lower and slacker treatment<\/a>, and moves to the brand\u2019s Agilometer reach-based sizing system.<\/p>\n

The system, first debuted on Merida\u2019s all-mountain and enduro bikes<\/a>, pairs shorter seat tubes and stack heights with longer reaches. Therefore, you can pick between a long and stable bike without compromising on dropper-post drop or a shorter, more agile bike.<\/p>\n

The Big.Nine\u2019s head tube angle has been slackened from 70 degrees to 68 and the seat tube angle is now 75.3 rather than 73.5 degrees. The reach is longer at 452mm on a size medium.<\/p>\n

Merida alters the chainstay length for each size of bike, which isn\u2019t something many brands do. Merida says it does this to ensure a consistent ride feel across the size range.<\/p>\n

A SRAM-heavy build<\/h2>\n
\"Merida<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The RockShox SID SL Ultimate fork is a fitting choice.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

We have the range-topping Big.Nine 10k in for review, which retails for \u00a39,000\/\u20ac11,000. American and Australian pricing is to be confirmed.<\/p>\n

Most wallets don\u2019t stretch that far, so you\u2019ll be pleased to know the range starts from \u00a31,400 for the aluminium-framed Big.Nine TR 600, which features a Suntour Raidon 34 2CR fork and a Shimano CUES<\/a> U6000 drivetrain.<\/p>\n

The Big.Nine 10k we have is specced with a RockShox SID SL Ultimate fork. The RockShox fork<\/a> features skinny 32mm stanchions and a heavily machined crown to save extra grams.<\/p>\n

\"SRAM<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Derailleur hangers are so last year\u2026<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The bike also has SRAM\u2019s latest XX T-Type Eagle Transmission<\/a>. We\u2019re starting to see T-Type increasingly specced on top-end mountain bikes, with its hanger-less design improving shifting under load. Merida specs a 34t chainring on this bike.<\/p>\n

\"SRAM<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The crankset is equipped with a Quarq power meter.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The bike also has SRAM\u2019s lightweight Level Ultimate Stealth<\/a> 2-piston brakes.<\/p>\n

A pair of Reynolds Blacklabel 309\/289 XC carbon wheels round out the build and are claimed to weigh just 1,486g. The front wheel relies on a 30mm internal rim width<\/a>, with the rear a little narrower at 28mm.<\/p>\n

Although the hubs are Reynolds\u2019 own, you\u2019ll find Industry Nine Hydra internals inside.<\/p>\n

\"Maxxis<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Fast-rolling rubber for a speed-focused bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The wheels are wrapped with Maxxis Rekon Race tyres, which use the brand\u2019s 3C MaxxTerra EXO compound.<\/p>\n

Merida specs an FSA SL-K rigid carbon seatpost to showcase the frame\u2019s racing pedigree, with a Prologo Scratch M5 PAS NACK saddle. You\u2019ll find Merida\u2019s own V-mount multi-tool stored under the saddle.<\/p>\n

\"FSA<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
There\u2019s provision for a dropper if you want one.<\/span><\/figcaption> Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The bar and stem are Merida\u2019s own Team CC, the bar\u2019s 760mm width paired with a racey -6-degree stem angle.<\/p>\n

All in, the bike weighs 9.58kg in a size L.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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