Long, low and slack trail hardtail is designed to deliver grins without having to visit your bank manager <\/p>

\ufeff<\/th>	Xshort<\/th>	Short<\/th>	Mid<\/th>	Long<\/th>	Xlong<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Seat tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>	76.5<\/td>	76.5<\/td>	76.5<\/td>	76.5<\/td>	76.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>	64<\/td>	64<\/td>	64<\/td>	64<\/td>	64<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay<\/b> (mm)<\/td>	435<\/td>	435<\/td>	435<\/td>	435<\/td>	435<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>	385<\/td>	400<\/td>	420<\/td>	445<\/td>	475<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td>	559<\/td>	581<\/td>	603<\/td>	630<\/td>	657<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket drop<\/b> (mm)<\/td>	70<\/td>	70<\/td>	70<\/td>	70<\/td>	70<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td>	1165<\/td>	1189<\/td>	1214<\/td>	1243<\/td>	1272<\/td> <\/tr>
Standover<\/b> (mm)<\/td>	715<\/td>	721<\/td>	724<\/td>	726<\/td>	729<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td>	627<\/td>	636<\/td>	645<\/td>	654<\/td>	663<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>	415<\/td>	435<\/td>	455<\/td>	480<\/td>	505<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table>

Merida is focusing on fun times and value with its updated Big.Trail range of hardtails.<\/p>

Refined chassis<\/h2>
Ready to get shreddy. – Ian Linton \/ Merida<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The Big Trail’s alloy frame has been built with trail performance in mind, according to Merida, thanks to a modern shape that shouldn\u2019t baulk at steep and technical terrain.<\/p>
However, Merida has given a nod to versatility, recognising that many people will want a bike to do numerous jobs.<\/p>
This means at the back there are hidden rack and mudguard (fender) mounts, and even kickstand mounts for cross-town jaunts. There are also attachment points for Merida’s large MTB fender, borrowed from the brand’s One.Forty and One.Sixty models<\/a>. This bolts directly onto the rear seatstay brace.<\/p>
Merida is confident in the chassis\u2019 abilities, with the frame rated to Category 4, meaning you can race enduro on it.<\/p>
$\"Merida$
Merida’s extended rear fender can be bolted straight into the frame via these holes in the rear brace. – Ian Linton \/ Merida<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Mod cons<\/h2>
SRAM’s Univeral Derailleur Hanger<\/a> sits at the back of the bike, ready to accept a SRAM Transmission direct-mount rear derailleur<\/a>, or offer up easy replacement if you bend a traditional derailleur hanger. An ISCG05 mount wraps around the threaded BB shell.<\/p>
There\u2019s chunky chainstay protection, to reduce chainslap noise, which can be distracting on the trail. It\u2019s made from two materials \u2013 a rigid plastic that means there\u2019s no glue required to attach it to the bike, and a softer rubber that dampens noise, bolstered by air pockets to ensure a silent ride.<\/p>
The Boost-spaced<\/a> rear end can accept up to 2.4in tyres, mounted to Merida\u2019s own 30mm internal-width rims.<\/p>
$\"Merida$
Cables enter the frame via the headset. – Ian Linton \/ Merida<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Internal routing<\/h2>
Perhaps the most obvious feature of the cockpit, at least in the absence of clutter, is the Wire Port, Merida\u2019s system of running cables and hoses into the down tube, via the headset. This includes a two-piece headset cover, made for Merida by Acros, which is claimed to provide impressive durability thanks to its sophisticated seals.<\/p>
Want to carry loads on the bike, rather than your back? There\u2019s space for two bottles (Merida claims the Long and XLong frame sizes can carry two 700ml bottles, while even the XShort can take one 700ml and one 500ml) plus a mount under the top tube to attach tools and a tube.<\/p>
This is in addition to Merida\u2019s multi-tool stashed under the saddle.<\/p><\/div><\/div>
Sorted shape<\/h2>
$\"Three$
Merida’s Big.Trail range is built for laughs on the trail, with modern geometry, powerful brakes and grippy rubber. – Ian Linton \/ Merida<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The Big.Trail\u2019s geometry is defined by Merida\u2019s Agilometer philosophy. Rather than small\/medium\/large frames, Merida dub their sizes from XShort to XLong, across five sizes.<\/p>
While the previous Big.Trail \u2013 reviewed as part of our 2024 Budget Mountain bike of the Year test<\/a> \u2013 wasn\u2019t old-school in its shape, with a 65.5-degree head angle and 435mm reach in a Medium, Merida has grown the Big.Trail further.<\/p>
The head angle has slackened by 1.5 degrees to a raked-out 64 degrees, while reach figures have increased \u2013 a Mid size has a reach of 455mm, 20mm longer than the previous-generation Medium model.<\/p>
$\"Merida$
We love to see little aesthetic details. – Ian Linton \/ Merida<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Seat tubes are designed to be short \u2013 this allows for longer-travel dropper posts<\/a>, plus gives you the ability to pick a frame size on reach, rather than seat tube length.<\/p>
Seat tube angles are steepened to 76.5 degrees, from 75.5 degrees, while the bottom bracket sits 70mm below the axles \u2013 nice and low.<\/p>
<\/colgroup>

\ufeff<\/th> Xshort<\/th> Short<\/th> Mid<\/th> Long<\/th> Xlong<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>

Seat tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td> 76.5<\/td> 76.5<\/td> 76.5<\/td> 76.5<\/td> 76.5<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td> 64<\/td> 64<\/td> 64<\/td> 64<\/td> 64<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 435<\/td> 435<\/td> 435<\/td> 435<\/td> 435<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 385<\/td> 400<\/td> 420<\/td> 445<\/td> 475<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 559<\/td> 581<\/td> 603<\/td> 630<\/td> 657<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket drop<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 70<\/td> 70<\/td> 70<\/td> 70<\/td> 70<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 1165<\/td> 1189<\/td> 1214<\/td> 1243<\/td> 1272<\/td> <\/tr>
Standover<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 715<\/td> 721<\/td> 724<\/td> 726<\/td> 729<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 627<\/td> 636<\/td> 645<\/td> 654<\/td> 663<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td> 415<\/td> 435<\/td> 455<\/td> 480<\/td> 505<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table>