Big Nine

Name: Merida Big Nine
Brand: Merida
Availability: InStock

bike549–6499 EUR

Origin

The Big.Nine is one of the most successful XC hardtails in history, famously ridden to numerous victories by Jose Antonio Hermida. For 2024, Merida modernized the frame, borrowing 'Agilometer' sizing from their trail bikes, allowing riders to choose frame length based on riding style rather than seat tube height. Gen 3 (2017-2023): Classic 70-degree head angle XC racer. Gen 4 (2024-present): Massive geometry overhaul. Slacker head angle (68 deg), steeper seat angle, size-tuned chainstays, and increased tire clearance (up to 2.4").

Specifications

Frame: Carbon (CF5 ~880 g / CF3 ~1100 g) or LITE aluminium (~1920 g); 148×12 mm Boost rear, SRAM UDH dropout, 29×2.4" tyre clearance, flat-mount rear brake, headset cable routing
Weight: kg
Drivetrain: 1×12 across most trims; entry Shimano CUES, mid Deore/SLX, race XT M8200 (incl. Di2 wireless on XT-Edition), flagship 10K on SRAM XX Eagle T-Type
Brakes: Hydraulic disc; Tektro/Shimano MT200 (entry) up to Shimano XT M8200 (180/160 mm rotors) on race trims
Wheels: 29"; Merida Comp/Expert CC alloy wheelsets (mid) to FSA SCi30 carbon (XT-Edition); Centerlock, Microspline, tubeless-ready

The verdict

+Strengths

Exceptional value: Merida's manufacturing scale puts genuine carbon frames and XT-level kit at mid-range prices.
Reliable, precise Shimano XT shifting that BikeRadar found 'smooth regardless of conditions'.
Comfortable, planted ride for a hardtail thanks to the forgiving rear triangle and flattened seatpost that take the sting out of choppy trails.
Strong, efficient climber: stiff frame and the steep 75.3° seat angle (2024+) put the rider over the front for hard efforts.
Light and fast for the money (~9.9 kg on the XT-Edition), with the 2024 geometry making it noticeably more capable on descents than the old model.

−Weaknesses

Stock Maxxis Ikon/Rekon Race tyres have shallow tread and dual-compound rubber that lack bite on wet rocks and roots.
Thin tyre sidewalls puncture easily — a BikeRadar tester flatted the rear within the first 30 minutes.
Even after the 2024 update the geometry trails the most modern XC bikes; a slacker head angle and longer reach would sharpen rowdy descents.
It's a superlight hardtail — fast, but unforgiving over rough ground, leaving your body aching the day after.
Quirks: a reported bottom-bracket near-seizure under hard testing, an oddly wobbly removable dropout lever, and the divisive Wire Port headset routing that makes bearing replacement harder.