The Merida Big Trail 400 is part of the brand\u2019s range of 29er hardtail mountain bikes.<\/p>
This second-tier model sports a 140mm-travel Suntour XCR34 fork, Shimano Deore 10-speed M4100 drivetrain, Tektro stoppers, Kenda tyres and Merida dropper seatpost.<\/p>
The Big Trail range saw its geometry updated back in 2021, aiming all models at more gnarly trail riding. My size-medium test bike sports a slack head angle of 65.5 degrees, steep seat tube at 75.5 degrees and long 435mm reach.<\/p>
With its 140mm-travel fork, this smart-priced hardtail certainly looks ready to take on a challenge or two in our 2024 Bike of the Year<\/a> budget MTB category.<\/p><\/div><\/div> The Big Trail hardtail range from Merida boasts construction using the innovative ‘Techno forming system,’ enabling precise shaping of aluminium tubes with varying wall thickness.<\/p> This strategic design ensures strength where it’s needed, while maintaining a lightweight frame.<\/p> Accommodating 120mm or 140mm forks, with a maximum tyre width of 2.5in for 29er wheels<\/a>, it\u2019s nothing if not versatile. A Boost rear dropout (12x148mm), BSA bottom bracket, and a SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger<\/a> enhance performance.<\/p> Internally routed cables, featuring down tube entry ports for rear brake, gears, and dropper cables, ensure a clean aesthetic. The tight tolerance eliminates the need for rubber grommets.<\/p> Conveniently located bosses on the seat tube and seatstay brace means owners can fit both mudguards and pannier racks, along with thoughtful finishing touches such as the thin chainstay protector.<\/p> The frame offers versatile tool and hydration-carrying capacity, boasting three sets of bosses; two on the upper side of the down tube and one beneath the top tube.<\/p><\/div><\/div> All models in the Big Trail line-up are fitted with a 140mm fork, with the exception of the Big Trail 200, which gets 120mm travel.<\/p> The 400\u2019s head angle is raked out to 65.5 degrees, and to keep pedalling efficient, there’s a relatively steep seat angle, of 75.5 degrees. The medium bike has a 435mm reach, while the effective top tube is 600mm.<\/p> The 435mm chainstay length is consistent across the size range. <\/p> My size-medium frame has a wheelbase of 1,172mm and a 737mm front-centre.<\/p>Merida Big Trail 400 frame<\/h2>
![\"Merida](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/05\/Merida-Big-Trail-400-12.jpg\")
Merida Big Trail 400 geometry<\/h2>
![\"Merida](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/05\/Merida-Big-Trail-400-02.jpg\")
![\"Merida](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/39\/2024\/05\/Merida-Big-Trail-400-14.jpg\")
\ufeff<\/th> S<\/b><\/th> M<\/b><\/th> L<\/b><\/th> XL<\/b><\/th> XXL<\/b><\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Seat tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td> 75.5<\/td> 75.5<\/td> 75.5<\/td> 75.5<\/td> 75.5<\/td> <\/tr> Head tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td> 65.5<\/td> 65.5<\/td> 65.5<\/td> 65.5<\/td> 65.5<\/td> <\/tr> Chainstay<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 435<\/td> 435<\/td> 435<\/td> 435<\/td> 435<\/td> <\/tr> Seat tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 380<\/td> 410<\/td> 430<\/td> 450<\/td> 470<\/td> <\/tr> Top tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 579<\/td> 600<\/td> 622<\/td> 645<\/td> 670<\/td> <\/tr> Head tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 95<\/td> 100<\/td> 110<\/td> 120<\/td> 120<\/td> <\/tr> Bottom bracket drop<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 66.5<\/td> 66.5<\/td> 66.5<\/td> 66.5<\/td> 66.5<\/td> <\/tr> Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 1150<\/td> 1172<\/td> 1196<\/td> 1220<\/td> 1245<\/td> <\/tr> Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 636<\/td> 641<\/td> 650<\/td> 659<\/td> 659<\/td> <\/tr> Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 415<\/td> 435<\/td> 455<\/td> 475<\/td> 500<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table>