Merida Big.Nine 10K: The new edition of Merida's cross-country legend on test

There are few brands that spring to mind as instantly as Merida when you think of sporty race hardtails. For 16 years, the Multivan Merida Biking Team led by José Antonio Hermida, Gunn-Rita Dahle-Flesja and Ralph Näf achieved numerous racing successes. At the end of 2016, the team withdrew from the Cross Country World Cup and at the same time the final expansion stage of the extremely successful Big.Nine hardtail was presented. At the time, it was a race bike with classic geometry and a weight-optimised carbon frame weighing just 878 grams. In top trim, the bike from the 2017 model year had a total weight of just 8.55 kilograms.

7 years development time for the new edition

Merida took its time with the new edition of the race hardtail and has now responded to the challenges of modern cross-country trails. With the new Big.Nine, the focus was clearly on updating the geometry. Merida is following the general trend and has given its new race file more length, a slacker head angle and a steeper seat angle. With two degrees less, the former ends up at 68 degrees and the latter at a steeper 75 degrees. Compared to the current competition, the Big.Nine is therefore in the golden mean without going to extremes. The steeply sloping top tube, which flows directly into the seat stays, is visually striking. The design is based on the so-called agilometre size concept, which is based on relatively short seat tubes. This allows the rider to choose the right frame based on the frame length, with greater flexibility in terms of seat height.

Lush equipment

On the top model we tested, the Big.Nine 10K for 9499 euros, Merida dispenses with a dropper post in favour of weight. However, the manufacturer pulls out all the stops when it comes to the other features. From the Sram XXL SL AXS transmission drivetrain with integrated wattmeter to the Reynolds carbon wheels with fine-tuned Industry Nine freewheel, everything is on board to maximise propulsion. A GPS mount integrated into the stem has also been included. To make the Big.Nine suitable for long distances despite the short seat tube, it has two bottle cage mounts on the down tube.

Wide tyres for better grip

Nevertheless, the scales only stop at a rather average 9.5 kilos without pedals. Even if the frame can't quite match its predecessor at 1053 grams, the extra weight is mainly due to the choice of tyres. Merida sacrifices weight in favour of comfort and grip and gives the Big.Nine 2.4 Maxxis Recon Race tyres, which can be ridden with pleasantly low air pressure. A real gain, as the frame's seating comfort is rather low with only 5.7 millimetres of flex. A negative aspect that can be explained by the steeper seat angle. On the other hand, the wheels are a little less agile when accelerating, which minimally reduces the liveliness. However, when the trail gets rougher, you don't want to do without the wide tyres at any time. A real added value in terms of control.

Sporty and agile in the bends

Thanks to the increased reach and the significant saddle rake, the riding position is pleasantly sporty and provides pressure on the front wheel even on steep ramps. On twisty sections, the Big.Nine is still very agile and manoeuvrable around corners. The Merida is far removed from tippy steering or even sluggish handling and is therefore reminiscent of classic race bike virtues. The handling is also pleasing thanks to the successful cockpit with the 760 mm handlebar and 70 mm stem.

It's a bit of a shame that the Big.Nine doesn't come in a wide range of models. In Germany, there is only one other variant of the carbon model with a more favourable carbon layup and Shimano XT equipment for € 2999. There is a huge gap in between, which limits the choice considerably.

Conclusion on the Merida Big.Nine 10K by Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager:

The new edition of the Merida Big.Nine may not break any weight records, but thanks to the wide tyres and balanced geometry it has a high level of ride quality and therefore a wider range of use. Details such as the integrated mini-tool and the GPS holder increase its everyday usability.

Technical data and notes on the Merida Big.Nine 10K

Manufacturer information

• Price: 9499 Euro
• Available from specialised dealers
• Frame material: Carbon
• Frame size: S / M /L / XL(tested in size L, 44 cm)

Measured values

• Weight without pedals: 9.47 kg
• Frame weight: 1053 g
• Weight of wheels: 4040 g
• Acceleration of running wheels: 3283 kg x cm²
• Handlebar width: 760 mm
• Seat comfort: 5.7 mm
• Frame rigidity (absolute): 47 N/mm

Equipment

• Wheels: Reynolds 309/289 XC
• Tyres: Maxxis Recon Race; Exo Protection TR 29 x 2.40
• Fork: Rockshox SID SL Ultimate Remote
• Suspension travel: 98 mm
• Brakes: Sram Level ULT / 180/160 mm
• Gear system: Sram XX SL Quarq Transm.1x12
• Ratio/bandwidth: 34; 10-52 / 520 %
• Seatpost / Ø: FSA SL UD Carbon / 30.9 mm

Valuation

• Driving behaviour uphill: 31.5 out of 35 points
• Front suspension: 15 out of 15 points
• Rolling resistance: 11.25 out of 15 points
• Bottle cage: 9 out of 10 points
• Inertia impellers: 9 out of 15 points
• Bottle cage: 9 out of 10 points
• Seating comfort: 5 out of 10 points
• Driving behaviour downhill: 27 out of 30 points
• Front suspension: 18 out of 20 points
• Saddle retractability: 7 out of 10 points
• Brakes: 6.5 out of 10 points
• Tyre grip: 12.75 out of 15 points
• Driving stability: 5 out of 10 points

TOTAL BERGAUF: 100.8 out of 125 points

TOTAL BERGAB: 76.25 out of 95 points

• Other: 23.75 out of 30 points

BIKE test rating *: very good - 200.8 out of 250 points

¹Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.

²The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-170 P.), good (169.75-140 P.), satisfactory (139.75-100 P.), with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.