Merida have just sent us some info about some of their new bike models. Amidst all the usual bling XC carbon hardtails was this intriguing Plus bike – the Big Trail.

This is a refreshing change. Normally we’re used to hearing about Merida’s XC race weapons. Even their trail bikes are often weighted more towards the steep-angled-climber end of the spectrum. The other exception to this was their One-Forty-B enduro bike.

The new Big Trail is very much a different animal to the usual Merida XC fare.

Ignoring the Plus sized tyres for moment… this bike has a 67.5 degree head angle. It runs a 130mm fork up front. It comes with 760mm wide handlebars. The stem on it is 35mm long. And yep, that’s an ISCG 05 mount down around the BB area.

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Looking at the general stance and side profile of the Big Trail it looks thoroughly modern. Long, slack and low. “Is this really a Merida?” you may well ask

Here’s how Merida describe the Big Trail: “The trail bike that ‘does without’ rear suspension. New addition to our hardtail line-up featuring a modern trail bike geometry (long – low – slag [sic]) based on a strong yet lightweight aluminium frame equipped with 130mm fork, dropper post and all rolling on supper grippy 650b+ wheels.”

We think they meant to put “slack” instead of “slag”! Maybe it was a Freudian slip.

The Big Trail looks like it should be a really fun ride. A Plus-sized take on a downhill-focussed real trail hardtail.

Big Trail bulletpoints

• Boost
• 27.5 x 2.8 tyres
• 67.5 degree head angle
• ISCG 05
• Impressive standover
• Short 427.5mm chainstays
• Merida Expert TP rims: 35mm internal width, hookless design
• Frame weight 2,101g
• Internally routed cables (exit in front of the BB)