Contrary to all preconceptions, the Merida Big.Trail 600 gave us a lot of riding fun despite the rigid rear end. The basis for this is the successful frame construction. You sit comfortably upright on the hardtail. The slightly longer 55 millimetre stem equalises the short top tube and reach. The slack head angle gives the bike a smooth ride and the short 430 mm chainstays inject a good deal of playfulness into the trail bike. The high stack value positions the rider confidently behind the control centre.
The interplay of these dimensions results in very harmonious handling. Whether it's fast flow trails, winding paths or off-road playfulness - the Merida Big.Trail is not short on riding fun. The Marzocchi Bomber fork with 140 millimetres of travel also plays its part. It relies on the inner workings of high-quality Fox suspension elements and responds very well. On the climbs, however, we missed the option of locking the fork completely. As a result, the Z2 sags far into the suspension travel with every pedal stroke. That's annoying. The cheap Shimano Deore components and the heavy wheels make for an extremely attractive price point for the Merida hardtail, but push the total weight up to 14.8 kilos. This puts a damper on the uphill fun. However, the steep seat angle and long stem allow the Big.Trail to make up points. The front wheel only climbs slightly on real ramps. The biggest drawback: the flimsy brakes with cheap brake discs.
Conclusion from Louis Krauss, BIKE tester:
"If you're looking for trail fun at the best possible price, then the Merida Big.Trail is the perfect choice. However, if you opt for hardtails because of the better propulsion, you should go for a sportier and lighter model."
Technical data and notes Merida Big.Trail 600
General information
- Price: 1899 Euro
- Available from specialised dealers
- Frame material: aluminium
- Frame size: S / M /L / XL / XXL (tested size L / 43 cm)
- to the Merida website
Measured values
- Suspension travel: 143 mm
- Weight without pedals: 13.78 kg
- Frame weight: 2327 g
- Weight of wheels: 5411 g
- Acceleration of running wheels: 3881 kg x cm²
- Handlebar width: 780 mm
- Frame rigidity (absolute): 62 N/mm
Equipment
- Wheels: Jalco Expert
- Tyres: Maxxis Dissector Exo Protection TR 29 x 2.40
- Fork: Marzocchi Bomber Z2
- Brakes: Shimano BR-MT 410 / 180/180 mm
- Gears: Shimano Deore 1 x 12
- Gear ratio / bandwidth: 32; 10-51 / 510 %
- Telescopic post / stroke / Ø: Merida Comp TR / 150 mm / 30.9 mm
Valuation
- Driving behaviour uphill: 20 from 25
- Suspension: front 7 out of 10
- Rolling resistance: 15 out of 20
- Weight: 6 of 20
- Inertia impellers: 5 out of 10
- Bottle cage: 9 out of 10
- Seating comfort: 5 out of 10
- Driving behaviour downhill: 27 from 30
- Front suspension: 18.75 out of 25
- Saddle retractability: 10 out of 10
- Brakes: 13 of 20
- Tyre grip: 17 out of 20
- Driving stability: 2 out of 10
- TOTAL UPHILL: 67 OF 105
- TOTAL DOWNHILL: 87.75 OUT OF 115
- Other: 19 out of 30
- Ease of maintenance: medium
BIKE test rating*: good - 173.8 out of 250
* The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders. The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
¹ Price may be subject to additional costs for packaging, dispatch and coordination.
² The BIKE judgement reflects the laboratory measurements (BIKE laboratory measurement) and the subjective impression of the test riders.
The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super (250-205 P.), very good (204.75-180 P.), good (179.75-155 P.), satisfactory (154.75-130 P.), with weaknesses (129.75-105 P.), unsatisfactory (104.75-0 P.).
Max Fuchs
Editor
