Merida Big.Trail 600 on test: Successful hardtail with many faces

Test: With the Big.Trail, Merida is launching an enormously versatile trail hardtail that, on the one hand, scores with convincing equipment and progressive geometry, but whose frame also has features for everyday pilots and bikepackers.

Merida Big.Trail 600: The Facts

Frame material: Aluminium
Suspension travel: 140 mm
wheel size: 29 inch

Price: € 1.599

The Big.Trail is a relatively young MTB in Merida's extensive portfolio. The name already roughly indicates the focus - on the trail - but the term trail hardtail does not do justice to the versatility of the bike. It is thanks in particular to the intelligently designed aluminum frame equipped with well thought-out features that the Big.Trail should cut a fine figure in many areas - even in everyday life or for off-road bikepacking. Overall, the bike is in the rather affordable price range. Our test bike, the Merida Big.Trail 600, is already the end of the range with a price of just under 1.600 euros. On the other side of the scale is the Big.Trail 200, with which you can get a really solid entry into the area of ​​trail-ready MTBs.

Versatile aluminum frame

We already mentioned it at the beginning: The Merida Big.Trail 600 was perhaps the most versatile bike in our test field. The savvy biker's eye may recognize this by taking a closer look at the frame; there are four eyelets on the down tube so that two bottle cages can be mounted if necessary. In addition, there is another mounting option on the underside of the top tube, Merida speaks of the "Trail Mount". For example, those who don't like backpacking can easily attach a bike emergency kit with a hose, tool and CO² cartridge - cool! But that's not all about the eyelets: Appropriate mounting points for luggage racks, mudguards and a side stand (!) were even considered when designing the frame. Many mountain bikers may turn up their noses at this, but the threads are so well hidden that they remain invisible when not in use. And let's be honest: Above all, the cheaper equipment variants will definitely also be used as everyday bikes and here the buyers are probably happy about this option. Always better than clamp stands and plug-in plates.

But of course the boys and girls from Merida have also thought of the "real" mountain bikers. This can be seen, for example, in the generous tire clearance: The bike, which is designed for 29-inch wheels, easily tolerates tires with a width of up to 2,5 inches. This not only provides grip, but also additional cushioning, which is always welcome on trail hardtails. Apart from that, there are few surprises: internally routed cables, like the Boost axle in the rear triangle, are now standard and the classic bolted BSA bottom bracket is a pleasure for even screwdrivers.

Modern geometry and largely convincing equipment

The Merida Big.Trail 600 also proves its trail DNA in terms of its geometry data. The steering angle is sporty and flat at 65,5°, so that you can let it rip on steep terrain without getting the feeling of overturning. So that it doesn't get too difficult on the way up, the bike has also been given a pleasantly steep seat angle, which puts the rider in a nice central sitting position, which is emphasized by the pleasantly low bottom bracket.

Our test bike came with the top equipment of the Big.Trail series, but at 1.599 euros it is still one of the more affordable representatives. This is only noticeable in a few places in the built-in components. For example, the bike scores with the Z2 fork and 140 mm travel. The fork is one of our favorites in this price range and we always like it with its creamy response. There's also a 12-speed Shimano Deore drive with a 510% gear range. At most, it has to hide from significantly more expensive circuits in terms of weight, and there is absolutely nothing to complain about in terms of performance. The same applies to the wheels made of Shimano MT400 hubs and the in-house aluminum rims. Not only are they tubeless-ready, they are also wide enough for large-volume tires with an internal width of 29 mm. The dropper post is also made in-house, and it has an adjustment range of 150 mm on our test bike in size L.

So is everything great? As well thought-out and solid as most of the components are, Merida has unfortunately made cuts on the brakes. The MT4100 from Shimano is not a bad brake, but with its two pistons and 180 mm discs it will certainly reach its limits here and there. We are far more positive about the choice of tires: The relatively new Dissector from Maxxis is a very good all-rounder and can also be used tubeless very well. We don't see any surprises in the cockpit: there are solid OEM parts with modern dimensions. In all sizes, the 50 mm long stem has a 780 mm wide riser handlebar.

Merida Big.Trail 600: On the trail

In order to get to the heart of the driving behavior of the Merida Big.Trail 600 according to the opinions of our testers, the following words were repeatedly used: Calm and all-rounder! But one by one…

Thanks to its modern but by no means extreme geometry, all test riders found their way around right away. The slack 65,5 degree steering angle promises a good compromise between smoothness and agility after just the first few meters. The relatively steep seat angle provides support on climbs and, despite the compact chainstays, keeps the front of the bike firmly on the ground even on steep terrain. The Big.Trail is also versatile in moderate terrain; the Deore 12-speed drive always offers enough bandwidth and the Maxxis Dissector tires showed extremely good rolling characteristics. In muddy conditions, however, he sat down relatively quickly and lost traction.

When going downhill, the Merida clearly shows its well-balanced all-round qualities. It's not a "specialist" like the extremely flat Marin El Roy or the Orange, but rather agile and balanced. The Marzocchi Z2 fits these driving characteristics like a glove: easy to adjust and with its calm, good performance, it convinced us; responds sensitively and dampens confidently. If the speed on the trail gets a little faster, the Big.Trail feels a little uncomfortable. The main reason for this is the Maxxis Dissector tire. The EXO carcass saves weight (which has a very positive effect on climbs), but lacks a bit of the dampening properties. In addition, the susceptibility to breakdowns increases with increased speed. But well, tires are always a compromise between weight, rolling resistance and performance. If you mainly ride downhill and if the uphill is only a means to an end, you should think about a more stable tire.

Last but not least: the brakes! While many hardtail competitors tested – at least at the front – used 4-piston brakes, the Big.Trail is “only” equipped with 2-piston brakes from Shimano's MT400 series. In combination with 180mm discs at the front and rear, the brakes were not always convincing. The testers often criticized the high manual force and decreasing braking power on long descents. At least upgrading to a 203mm disc at the front is certainly not a bad tip.

Nevertheless, the Merida Big.Trail left a very positive impression. Its balance and the intuitive and agile handling should suit many (including beginners) right away. With a very good price-performance ratio and the practical frame features, it is a great all-rounder. And that's exactly what a trail hardtail should be, right?