THIS IS WHERE PROPER MOUNTAIN BIKING STARTS
Buying your first serious mountain bike doesn't mean you need to spend thousands.
But it does mean choosing a bike with the right foundations.
That's exactly what Merida has done with the new 2027 BIG.NINE 40.
Rather than simply creating a bike that looks like a mountain bike, Merida has given it the features that make a genuine difference when you hit the trails:
120 mm air suspension.
Hydraulic disc brakes.
Simple 1x gearing.
Modern trail geometry.
29" wheels.
2.4" tyre clearance.
An upgrade-ready aluminium frame.
This is an affordable hardtail that's actually designed to be ridden off-road.
OVER 50 YEARS OF MERIDA ALUMINIUM EXPERTISE
Merida has more than five decades of experience building aluminium bikes, and that knowledge is obvious in the latest BIG.NINE.
The updated TFS aluminium frame follows modern mountain bike design principles with a longer reach and shorter stem.
A steeper seat angle helps put the rider into an efficient climbing position, while the slacker head angle increases confidence and control when the trail points downwards.
Importantly, Merida hasn't taken the geometry to extremes.
That means the BIG.NINE remains practical and easy to ride, whether you're on a technical trail, local bridleway, canal path or simply riding with the family.
120 MM X-FUSION AIR FORK
This is one of the BIG reasons to choose the BIG.NINE 40.
Up front is an X-Fusion Migo air suspension fork with 32 mm stanchions, 120 mm travel and lockout.
Why does an air fork matter?
Unlike the basic coil suspension forks often fitted to entry-level mountain bikes, an air fork can be adjusted much more appropriately around rider weight.
That means we can help you set the suspension up to actually work for you.
The additional 120 mm of travel also gives you useful capability when trails become rougher.
And when you don't need all that suspension movement, there's a lockout.
At this price point, a proper air fork is a big selling point.
29" WHEELS – BUILT TO COVER GROUND
Here's the major difference between the BIG.NINE and BIG.SEVEN.
The BIG.NINE rolls on 29" wheels.
Their larger diameter helps them roll efficiently and maintain momentum, while making it easier to roll over roots, rocks and rough surfaces.
That makes the BIG.NINE a brilliant option for riders who value:
Speed.
Rolling efficiency.
Stability.
Momentum.
Confidence over rough terrain.
It's particularly well suited to taller riders, but wheel choice isn't solely about height.
If you're between BIG.SEVEN and BIG.NINE sizing, think about the type of riding you enjoy:
Want maximum rolling efficiency and speed? Choose BIG.NINE.
Want a more agile and manoeuvrable feel? Consider BIG.SEVEN.
Not sure?
Come and see us at The Endurance Hub and we'll help you choose the right one.
SHIMANO HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES
More confidence means you'll eventually start riding faster.
That's when proper brakes become very important.
The BIG.NINE 40 features proven Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes, delivering dependable stopping power and easy lever control.
Mud, rain or dry summer trails – hydraulic brakes give you considerably more confidence when you need to control your speed.
SIMPLE SHIMANO 1x9 GEARING
Mountain bike drivetrains don't need to be complicated.
The BIG.NINE 40 uses a straightforward Shimano 1x9 drivetrain.
There's no front derailleur and no multiple front chainrings to think about.
One chainring.
One gear shifter.
Nine gears.
Concentrate on the trail and enjoy riding your bike.
CLEARANCE FOR UP TO 2.4" TYRES
The updated frame accepts tyres up to 2.4" wide, giving you plenty of scope to increase grip, comfort and control.
As your riding progresses, that also gives you the flexibility to experiment with different tyres to suit your local trails and conditions.
READY FOR FUTURE UPGRADES
This is another reason we'd encourage riders to consider a quality platform such as the BIG.NINE rather than buying the cheapest mountain bike they can find.
The updated TFS frame gives you:
• Tapered head tube
• Full internal cable routing
• Inboard protected disc brake mounts
• Dropper-post compatibility
• Up to 2.4" tyre clearance
• Modern trail geometry
So if your riding develops and you decide to upgrade components later, you've got a frame worth building on.
The bike can grow with your ability.
BIG.NINE OR BIG.SEVEN?
This is something we're expecting customers to ask us a lot.
Both bikes share the same philosophy but offer a different riding experience.
BIG.NINE – 29" WHEELS
Choose the BIG.NINE if you prioritise:
• Rolling efficiency
• Maintaining momentum
• Stability
• Covering ground quickly
• Rolling over rough terrain
• A larger-wheel feel
BIG.SEVEN – 27.5" WHEELS
Consider the BIG.SEVEN if you prioritise:
• Agility
• Manoeuvrability
• A more playful feel
• Smaller wheels for a smaller rider
And remember – you don't need to work this out alone.
Come into The Endurance Hub and we'll help you choose the bike and size that best suits you and your riding.
WHO IS THE BIG.NINE 40 FOR?
We'd recommend the 2027 BIG.NINE 40 for:
• First-time mountain bikers
• Riders buying their first proper MTB
• Riders upgrading from a basic recreational mountain bike
• Taller riders looking for a 29er
• Riders wanting efficient 29" wheels
• Local trail and bridleway riding
• Leisure and fitness riding
• Family adventures
• Riders returning to mountain biking
• Anyone wanting a capable hardtail without spending a fortune
PEARL WHITE (PURPLE)
And it looks fantastic.
The new Pearl White (Purple) colourway gives the BIG.NINE a much more premium appearance than you'd expect from an affordable hardtail.
Combined with its modern frame shape, wide tyres and 120 mm fork, it has the stance of a serious trail bike.
This definitely doesn't look like an entry-level MTB.
WHY BUY YOUR MERIDA FROM THE ENDURANCE HUB?
THE BIKE IS ONLY PART OF WHAT YOU'RE BUYING
We're passionate Merida specialists and we're working hard to make The Endurance Hub one of the premier destinations for Merida bikes in the North West.
And we believe the experience you get when buying a bike matters.
Especially if this is your first proper mountain bike.
Buy your Merida from The Endurance Hub and collect it from us and we'll include:
FREE BIKE FIT & SETUP
We'll help make sure you've chosen the right size and get your position set correctly.
FREE SUSPENSION SETUP
That X-Fusion air fork needs setting up around the rider.
We'll help set the air pressure and suspension correctly so you can actually benefit from the performance you've paid for.
FREE 6-WEEK SERVICE
Go and ride it.
Get it dirty.
Then bring it back for its initial free 6-week service so we can make sure everything has bedded in and is working properly.
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP BACKUP
Our workshop is here for servicing, repairs, upgrades and maintenance throughout your ownership.
CONTINUED SUPPORT
Questions about tyre pressures?
Want to fit a dropper?
Not sure which tyres to use?
Need help maintaining your bike?
Just ask us.
Our relationship with you doesn't finish when you leave the shop.
MORE THAN A BIKE SHOP
The Endurance Hub isn't just somewhere that sells bikes.
We're building a cycling community.
We organise road, gravel and mountain bike rides, workshops, demo opportunities and other community events designed to help more people enjoy cycling.
It doesn't matter whether you've been riding for 30 years or bought your first mountain bike yesterday.
Come in.
Ask questions.
Meet other riders.
Join one of our rides.
Have a coffee and cake.
That's why we're called The Endurance Hub.
BIG.NINE 40 HIGHLIGHTS
• Updated TFS aluminium frame
• Modern trail-ready geometry
• Pearl White (Purple) colourway
• 120 mm X-Fusion Migo air fork
• 32 mm fork stanchions
• Fork lockout
• Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes
• Shimano 1x9 drivetrain
• Fast-rolling 29" wheels
• Shimano hubs
• Kenda tyres
• Clearance for up to 2.4" tyres
• Full internal cable routing
• Tapered head tube
• Protected inboard disc brake mounting
• Dropper-post ready
• Size-tuned Merida finishing kit
• Excellent future upgrade potential
THE ENDURANCE HUB VERDICT
If you're looking for your first proper 29er, we'd start here.
The BIG.NINE 40 gives you the things we'd actually want someone to spend their money on.
A modern aluminium frame.
A 120 mm air fork rather than a basic coil fork.
Shimano hydraulic brakes.
A simple 1x drivetrain.
Big 29" wheels.
Generous tyre clearance.
And an upgrade-ready frame.
Those are genuine mountain bike features – not marketing stickers.
The 29" wheels make the BIG.NINE particularly appealing if you want to cover ground quickly, maintain momentum and confidently roll over rough terrain.
And because the underlying frame is designed to grow with your riding, this isn't necessarily a bike you'll want to replace as soon as your ability improves.
Proper 29er. Proper MTB features. Serious value.
That's the new 2027 Merida BIG.NINE 40.