The Merida Big Trail 600 sits at the top of Merida's trail hardtail lineup, and it's earned that spot. Third generation now, built on an award-winning heritage, and noticeably better for it.
The international mountain bike press has consistently rated the Big Trail as one of the best trail hardtails on the market. Merida has taken that reputation and pushed it further with updated progressive geometry: a slack head angle and extended reach that genuinely tames gnarly descents, paired with a steeper seat angle that makes grinding back up to the top feel far less like hard work.
The descending ability is at scary-fast levels. The climbing ability is up there with a mountain goat. And it's more fun than the previous generation in every direction.
For anyone searching for a Merida mountain bike that actually earns its keep on real UK trail centres and proper off-road riding, the Big Trail 600 is hard to look past. Wider tyres, longer travel dropper posts, and that extremely low standover height make this a bike that works for a wide range of riders and riding styles.
The looks have been sharpened up too, with sleeker lines and improved frame protection keeping it looking cleaner for longer, even after the inevitable muddy British days out.
Spec highlights
- Frame: Durable double-butted aluminium
- Fork: RockShox Pike 140mm trail fork
- Brakes: Shimano 4-piston Deore
- Wheels: 29er with 2.5" front and 2.4" rear aggressive trail tyres
- Drivetrain: 12-speed Shimano Deore
- Dropper post: Long-travel, paired with a very low standover height
- Sizing: XSmall to XLarge
Available in Deep Forest Green/White. If you've been looking at the Merida Big Trail for sale in the UK and wondering whether this is the one, the 600 is where the spec sheet and the geometry sheet both start making a convincing argument.