The Merida Big.Nine might have had an update in the middle of 2023, but the range has had a refresh to make their performance hardtail range that bit better.
The Big.Nine is joined by a Big.Seven in the Merida range and gets updated geometry, more fork travel, more tyre clearance as well as spec upgrades compared to the outgoing model.
Merida’s budget-minded, entry-level hardtails have had a refresh for the 2026 model year and now come in both a LITE aluminium frame and a CF carbon fibre offering. Alloy frames feature TFS (Techno Forming System) that mechanically forms the tubes to get the wall thicknesses right for the different parts of the frame.
Stem length, bar width and wheel size all vary dependent on frame size, whilst fork travel jumps to 120mm, in turn, slackening the head angle by 2 degrees. Seat tube angle steepens to 75 degrees and reach has also grown. Despite this, the frame will still take a kickstand, mudguards, bottle cages and accessory mounts.
The Big.Nine and Big.Seven refer to their fitted wheel sizes, with the Big.Seven coming in an XXS too. Merida have take the time to get cranks lengths right as well, so it’s not just a smaller frame with smaller wheels. To improve standover, the seat tubes have been shortened but are still straight for maximum dropper insertion.
Fans of normal internal routing or external routing will love the non-headset internal cable routing, but the bike can be converted to through headset routing if you’re a bit of glutton for punishment. Merida were keen to focus on service and interchangeability with the specs, so the bike comes with a BSA BB as well a standard 135mm rear spacing. All models use hydraulic disc brakes (except BIG.NINE 15 which has mechanical discs).
There are eight Big.Nine and six Big.Seven models. The range topping bike is the Big.Nine 400 at £1,250.00 with the Big.Nine 15 kicking things off at £575.00.
Geometry
Sizing between the Big.Nine and Big.Seven is designed to overlap at size S to cover a broad range of rider needs.
Reach on the Big.Nine in M is 410mm with a seat tube of 420mm. Head angle is 67 degrees with a seat tube angle of 75 degrees. Chainstay length is 460mm cross the sizes with a wheelbase on the M of 1158mm.
