Merida rolls out new Huge.9 TR path hardtails and XC-focused choices

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Merida splits the distinction and drops a 120mm fork mannequin between its Huge.9 and Huge Path hardtails

Hardtails are very a lot alive and kicking. They might nicely sit within the shadows of each the newest e-MTBs and tech-heavy path bikes however there’s nonetheless loads of improvement happening.

We examined Merida’s Huge Path 600 – with a 140mm fork – again in 2022 and it impressed us, scoring a stable 9/10 nevertheless it’s the Huge.9 hardtails, with shorter journey forks, that the model has simply refreshed and relaunched.

Merida has given its XC targeted 29in wheel hardtails a makeover, dividing them into two camps, the Huge.9 TR and Huge.9. Each ranges can be found with aluminium or carbon frames however every runs completely different journey forks with a element spec that’s picked to swimsuit a selected using model.

These are 29ers for much less demanding terrain than the Huge Path hardtails however as an alternative with an eye fixed on pace and distance. However how do they evaluate when pitched in opposition to the finest hardtails available on the market?

Must know

Aluminium or carbon body choices
100mm or 120mm body choices
5 body sizes (S-XXL)
29in wheels F and R, on all body sizes
Proportional chainstay lengths on carbon frames
Revised, extra up to date geometry
Low standover peak
2.4in tyre clearance
Merida’s reach-based AGILOMETER sizing system
Two bottle cage mounts, one device mount
SRAM UDH hanger/dropout

Huge.9

The common Huge.9 runs a 100mm fork, with a inflexible seatpost, faster-rolling tyres and a flat handlebar. It’s acquired the look and stance of a head down race hardtail with a give attention to excessive efficiency and low weight and would go head-to-head with bikes just like the Large XTC SLR 29 1.

Merida affords the Huge.9 over a large worth bracket, with the aluminium fashions beginning at £1400 and working by means of to the Huge.9 10K carbon mannequin with a pro-level spec and £9000 price ticket to match.

Merida Huge 9 TR vary appears to be like splendid for slashing singletrack

Purchase a Huge 9 if…

You wish to race cross-country or marathon occasions
Low weight and quick rolling is your important precedence
You need most pace uphill and on the flat
You need a bike with speedy dealing with responses

Huge.9 TR

The Huge.9 TR fashions are those which have piqued our curiosity although. And it’s the 2 aluminium fashions, the TR 600 at £1400 and the TR LTD at £1750 that stand out.

On the TR fashions fork journey is boosted to 120mm and that’s matched with a slacker 67° head angle, extra aggressive entrance tyre, triple compound Maxxis rubber, a body dimension particular stroke dropper submit and the next rise bar. Because the TR nameplate suggests, these hardtails have a extra trail-focused slant however nonetheless with pace baked into their DNA that’s all a part of the Huge.9 ethos.

Hardtails with a 120 or 130mm fork typically hit the candy spot for us and bikes such because the Whyte 629 V4 are a benchmark instance.

Hardtails have to work nicely in a spread of path circumstances

Huge.9 TR fashions are for riders that also wish to hammer the climbs but in addition have enjoyable on the descents. The experience attribute is extra relaxed than the laser-focussed race angle of the common Huge.9.

Purchase a Huge 9 TR if…

You need the pace of a cross-country bike paired with the dealing with of a path bike
You need higher descending efficiency and don’t thoughts a small weight penalty
You wish to push exhausting on climbs, however take pleasure in tackling trickier descents
You need a dropper submit and extra succesful tyres as customary equipment