Merida is focusing on fun times and value with its updated Big.Trail range of hardtails.The trail hardtail is often ignored, with high-tech, super-specced full-suspension rigs stealing the limelight. However, with far fewer moving parts, the hardtail shouldn't be overlooked, especially if youre looking for grins that dont cost the earth.Meridas refreshed Bike.Trail 29er bikes aim to provide those smiles, without you needing to visit the bank manager.The new bike range has updated geometry with longer reach, slacker head angles and steeper seat angles, as well as sensible tyre choices and a sturdy 140mm-travel fork.Refined chassisReady to get shreddy. - Ian Linton / MeridaThe Big Trail's alloy frame has been built with trail performance in mind, according to Merida, thanks to a modern shape that shouldnt baulk at steep and technical terrain.However, Merida has given a nod to versatility, recognising that many people will want a bike to do numerous jobs.This means at the back there are hidden rack and mudguard (fender) mounts, and even kickstand mounts for cross-town jaunts. There are also attachment points for Merida's large MTB fender, borrowed from the brand's One.Forty and One.Sixty models. This bolts directly onto the rear seatstay brace.Merida is confident in the chassis abilities, with the frame rated to Category 4, meaning you can race enduro on it.Merida's extended rear fender can be bolted straight into the frame via these holes in the rear brace. - Ian Linton / MeridaMod consSRAM's Univeral Derailleur Hanger sits at the back of the bike, ready to accept a SRAM Transmission direct-mount rear derailleur, or offer up easy replacement if you bend a traditional derailleur hanger. An ISCG05 mount wraps around the threaded BB shell.Theres chunky chainstay protection, to reduce chainslap noise, which can be distracting on the trail. Its made from two materials a rigid plastic that means theres no glue required to attach it to the bike, and a softer rubber that dampens noise, bolstered by air pockets to ensure a silent ride.The Boost-spaced rear end can accept up to 2.4in tyres, mounted to Meridas own 30mm internal-width rims.Cables enter the frame via the headset. - Ian Linton / MeridaInternal routingPerhaps the most obvious feature of the cockpit, at least in the absence of clutter, is the Wire Port, Meridas system of running cables and hoses into the down tube, via the headset. This includes a two-piece headset cover, made for Merida by Acros, which is claimed to provide impressive durability thanks to its sophisticated seals.Want to carry loads on the bike, rather than your back? Theres space for two bottles (Merida claims the Long and XLong frame sizes can carry two 700ml bottles, while even the XShort can take one 700ml and one 500ml) plus a mount under the top tube to attach tools and a tube.This is in addition to Meridas multi-tool stashed under the saddle.Sorted shapeMerida's Big.Trail range is built for laughs on the trail, with modern geometry, powerful brakes and grippy rubber. - Ian Linton / MeridaThe Big.Trails geometry is defined by Meridas Agilometer philosophy. Rather than small/medium/large frames, Merida dub their sizes from XShort to XLong, across five sizes.While the previous Big.Trail reviewed as part of our 2024 Budget Mountain bike of the Year test wasnt old-school in its shape, with a 65.5-degree head angle and 435mm reach in a Medium, Merida has grown the Big.Trail further.The head angle has slackened by 1.5 degrees to a raked-out 64 degrees, while reach figures have increased a Mid size has a reach of 455mm, 20mm longer than the previous-generation Medium model.We love to see little aesthetic details. - Ian Linton / MeridaSeat tubes are designed to be short this allows for longer-travel dropper posts, plus gives you the ability to pick a frame size on reach, rather than seat tube length.Seat tube angles are steepened to 76.5 degrees, from 75.5 degrees, while the bottom bracket sits 70mm below the axles nice and low. XshortShortMidLongXlong Seat tube angle (degrees)76.576.576.576.576.5 Head tube angle (degrees)6464646464 Chainstay (mm)435435435435435 Seat tube (mm)385400420445475 Top tube (mm)559581603630657 Bottom bracket drop (mm)7070707070 Wheelbase (mm)11651189121412431272 Standover (mm)715721724726729 Stack (mm)627636645654663 Reach (mm)415435455480505 Edit Table Pick your partsIt's great to see product managers fitting properly punchy brakes to their hardtails. - Ian Linton / MeridaThe Big.Trail will come in three builds, all with 140mm-travel forks, Shimano brakes and Shimano gears.They come with Meridas own dropper post, though, in a nod to value. The travel of the dropper post is fixed rather than adjustable as found on Merida's full-suspension bikes.Dropper travel ranges from 150mm on the XShort frames up to 230mm on the XLong bikes, so plenty of ability to get the saddle out of the way.Prices are included below, though European prices may differ, depending on territory.Merida Big.Trail rangeMerida Big.Trail 300The entry-level Big.Trail 300 has SR Suntour suspension and Kenda tyres. - MeridaPrice: 1,100 / 1,300Fork: SR Suntour XCR34 2CRBrakes: Shimano MT200Drivetrain: Shimano Cues U400Tyres: Kenda RegolithClaimed weight: 14.7kgMerida Big.Trail 500In the middle of the range is the Big.Trail 500, with a Psylo fork and Cues U6000 groupset. - MeridaPrice: 1,500 / 1,775Fork: RockShox Psylo Silver RCBrakes: Shimano MT410Drivetrain: Shimano Cues U6000Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF / Maxxis DissectorClaimed weight: 15.1kgMerida Big.Trail 600The top-of-the-range Big.Trail 600 has a Deore groupset, Pike fork and four-piston XT brakes. - Ian Linton / MeridaPrice: 2,000 / 2,350Fork: RockShox PikeBrakes: Shimano XT M8120Drivetrain: Shimano Deore M6100Tyres: Maxxis Minion DHF / Maxxis DissectorClaimed weight: 14.2kg