Big Trail 500

In 2019, a few UK customers met Merida's MTB Product Manager Rey and over a few beers and together hashed out a wish list for the perfect UK specific hardtail mountain bike - a trail focussed 29er with 140mm fork, 1 x transmission, Boost standard bolt through axles and a dropper post. Then it was over to Rey, a very handy rider himself, to develop the ideas into a workable production bike.

That wishlist became a family of models of which the Big Trail 500 is part of - featuring a slack enduro inspired 65.5° head angle and a 140mm fork delivers a fun confidence-inspiring bike. The long reach and short seat tube give plenty of space to manoeuvre on the bike and a really low standover height.

Merida has used long dropper posts to achieve a short seat tube, an advantage of this geometry is that depending on your riding style, most sizes will work for most body sizes.

The only question is if you want to go crazy fast or super agile? For speed take the longer size, for agility take a shorter size.

Model Highlights

BUILT-IN VERSATILITY

While clearly a trail loving long-travel hardtail, the new BIG.TRAIL also offers built-in versatility through the hidden rack, fender and kickstand mounts in case you like to turn the BIG.TRAIL into a ‘SUV’ commuter.

DOUBLE BOTTLE

Ability to fit two water bottles into the frame without making the bottles difficult to reach. Perfect for long marathon races and extended trail sessions.

TYRE CLEARANCE BIG.TRAIL

BIG TRAIL rolls on 29er wheels and has tyre clearance for up go 2.5" trail tyres. The combination of 29er wheels and 2.5" tyres offer plenty or corner and climbing grip, while the big tyre volume and the 29er 'rolling over ability' give trail hardtails extra comfort and stability.

TRAIL MOUNT

The new 'Trail Mount' is positioned underneath the top tube/seat tube junction and these ingenious fixing points makes fitting an additional tool or a pump a breeze. The 'Trail Mount' offers a real advantage if you prefer to keep the weight off your back or if you are heading out for an extra-long outing where you might need to carry additional gear.

INTERNAL CABLE ROUTING

Merida features internal cable routing on all models. Cables are routed through the frame, entering and exiting through smooth sockets. Only a clever system for their internal guiding and fixing guarantees reliable and rattle free routing, whilst the cables are protected from moisture and dirt and gives the bike a cleaner look.

MODERN TRAIL GEOMETRY

A long reach, paired with a slack 65.5° head angle and a steep seat angle makes BIG TRAIL a solid descender even when the trail is littered with roots and rocks, while maintaining impressive climbing abilities, due to the central seating position over the bottom bracket. The extra short seat tube and low standover hight help to create lots of space to manoeuvre the bike when the trail gets demanding but also allow for long travel dropper posts.

BOOST TECHNOLOGY

All BIG TRAIL models offer Boost technology at the front and rear. The shallower axle standard of 110 mm (front) and 148 mm (rear) allows for a wider spoke angle, resulting in a stiffer and stronger wheel, hugely beneficial on these bikes given the impacts they endure.

Model Technologies

SMOOTH WELDING

Sometimes called ‘double pass welding’, a second pass over the weld gives a clean organic look to the frame. At first glance, you will be convinced it is carbon.

INTERNAL CABLE ROUTING

Cables are routed through the frame, entering and exiting through smooth sockets. The bike looks neat, whilst the cables are protected from moisture and dirt.

X-TAPER HEADTUBE

Merida's X-Tapered headtube offers the space for a tapered fork to be fitted. Tapered forks offer superb stiffness and precise and deliver confidence-inspiring steering.

DOWN TUBE EXIT

Ensures that internally routed cables and wires can’t move freely and remain easily accessible for servicing.

TFS - TECHNO FORMING SYSTEM

Technoforming is a mechanical forming process, shaping the tubes by using negative moulds, at times combined with an internal metalcore.

RACELITE 61 ALUMINIUM

Merida uses a minimum of 6061 aluminium. The payback is that it’s possible to make lighter and more advanced frames buy using additional heat treatment and double-butted wall thicknesses to produce light and stiff frames.

Model Specifications

• Model
  Merida Big Trail 500 (2021)
• Colour
  Black/Grey (P-M145)
• Weight
  14.2 kg
• Frame
  TFS - 6061 series double butted and technoformed aluminium tubing with smooth welding. Modern trail bike geometry. Class-leading, premium technologies such as Boost axle standard, tapered head tube, inboard disc mounts, internal cable routing.
• Fork
  Rock Shox Recon Silver RL, 140mm travel, Tapered, 42mm fork offset
• Hubs
  Front: Shimano MT400-B, 110x15mm, 32 spokes, Centerlock
  Rear: Shimano MT400-B, 148x12mm, 32 spokes, Centerlock including removable lever with 6mm Allen key
• Spokes
  Black steel
• Rims
  Merida Comp TR, 29mm inner rim width, Tubeless ready
  Note: Tubeless tape and valves not included
• Tyres
  Maxxis Dissector, 29" x 2.4", Kevlar bead, TR EXO Dual
• Crankset
  Shimano Deore M5100, 32T with Mr. Control CH-CM1 chain guide
• Bottom Bracket
  Shimano Deore
• Shift Levers
  Shimano Deore M5100
• Front Mech
  N/A
• Rear Mech
  Shimano Deore M5100 Shadow+
• Cassette
  Shimano Deore M5100, 11-51, 11-speed
• Chain
  KMC X11 NPBK
• Brakes
  Shimano BR-MT200 hydraulic, Shimano RT10 180mm rotors**
• Brake Levers
  Shimano BR-MT200**
• Handlebars
  Merida Expert TR, aluminium, 780mm wide, 20mm rise
• Grips
  Merida Comp EC
• Stem
  Merida Expert TR, 35mm diameter, 0 degree rise, 50 mm
• Saddle
  Merida Comp CC
• Seatpost
  Merida Comp TR, 30.9mm diameter, in-line
  S: 125mm drop - M/L/XL: 150mm drop with Shimano SL -MT500-IL lever
• Pedals
  VP Components, VPE-891
• Extras
  N/A

Whilst we do actively try to keep on top of all the details, manufacturers do occasionally change model specifications so anything detailed above is subject to change.

** Some stock may come with an equivalent Tektro HD-M275 hydraulic disc brake setup due to a shortage of parts from Shimano following the pandemic.

Big Trail Size Guide