The Big Ninety-Nine is the first choice of the young guns from the Multivan-Merida racing team. Ondrej Cink and Thomas Litscher also rely on full-suspension 29ers in the World Cup. After all, light, fast racefullys have a long tradition (and success) at the Taiwanese company. You can tell immediately that the Big Ninety-Nine was developed for racers. You sit stretched out (long top tube), low at the front and steer with comparatively narrow handlebars. The stem points downwards at a steep 17 degrees, a flatter model would be more relaxed for those without a professional licence. The full carbon chassis and team equipment are available for 6599 euros, the green and white team design covers the entire bike including the Fulcrum wheels. But why are they fitted with quick-releases at the front and not thru-axles? At the request of the team riders. At 10.9 kilos, the Big Ninety-Nine carries the red lantern in the starting block (the "real" team bikes are lighter thanks to special tuning).
Off to the trail: Just as the high saddle rake makes for an aggressive riding style on the climbs, this front-heavy riding style leads to a battle with the bike on the descents. You hang over the front wheel and don't utilise the rear suspension travel. As I said: a neutral stem solves the problem immediately. Because nobody doubts that the bike is successful.
Conclusion From pros for pros: the Big Ninety-Nine is made for the World Cup. Those who master the bike will be rewarded. If you swap the stem, you get a top marathon bike.
PLUS Five frame sizes, team design and equipment
MINUS Quick release at the front (no thru axle), cockpit less tidy in comparison
The alternative
If you like the team look, you can get it on the Big Ninety-Nine CF X0 Edition model with aluminium rear triangle for 4249 euros. That means Rock Shox Reba instead of SID, Sram X0 instead of XX. 12.1 kilos according to Merida.
