Merida are a juggernaut in the global bike industry and a main stay in the Australian mountain bike market. Select Merida models have lead the way in their respective categories, and the Merida Big.Nine hardtail may be best known for the wide range of intermediate hardtails on shop floors, but the new 2024 Big.Nine is a completely different beast to the Big.Nine you think you know.
The Big.Nine has had a big overhaul for the carbon framed Big.Nine XT on test, alongside the alloy frame Big.Nine TR Limited. These two models sit apart from other Big.Nine models available at your local Merida dealer, thanks to a complete revamp on frame design, handling, features and geometry. Merida reckon the Big. Nine range are the backbone of their mountain bike range – so will that still ring true?
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The large sized frame (the middle size of 5 options) has a dramatically sloping top tube,
