YOUR FIRST PROPER MOUNTAIN BIKE?
Everyone has to start somewhere.
But starting mountain biking shouldn't mean buying a bike you'll immediately outgrow as your confidence improves.
That's what makes the 2027 Merida BIG.SEVEN 40 so interesting.
Merida has taken more than 50 years of aluminium bike-building experience and created an affordable hardtail with features normally associated with much more serious trail bikes.
You get a modern aluminium frame.
A proper 120 mm air fork.
Hydraulic disc brakes.
Simple 1x gearing.
Wide 2.4" tyre clearance.
And modern trail-focused geometry.
This isn't a mountain bike designed just to look good outside the café.
It's designed to get dirty.
NEW-GENERATION TFS ALUMINIUM FRAME
Merida knows a thing or two about building aluminium hardtails.
The latest BIG.SEVEN uses an updated TFS aluminium frame incorporating design ideas found on modern mountain bikes.
A longer reach is paired with a shorter stem, while a steeper seat angle and slacker head angle help improve control and confidence when the terrain gets rougher.
But Merida hasn't gone too extreme.
The BIG.SEVEN remains practical and easy to live with, making it equally suitable for trails, leisure riding and everyday use.
120 MM X-FUSION AIR FORK
This is a BIG feature at this end of the market.
Rather than a basic coil suspension fork, the BIG.SEVEN 40 gets an X-Fusion Migo air fork with 32 mm stanchions and 120 mm of travel.
An air fork allows the suspension to be adjusted more appropriately for rider weight, helping you get much more from the bike as your riding progresses.
There's also a lockout, allowing you to firm up the suspension when you don't need all that travel.
For us, this is one of the components that moves the BIG.SEVEN 40 from simply being an affordable MTB into something we'd happily describe as a proper first mountain bike.
SHIMANO HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES
Going faster is fun.
Being able to stop properly is rather important too.
The BIG.SEVEN 40 comes equipped with proven Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes.
Hydraulic braking gives you strong, predictable stopping performance with good lever control – particularly important as your confidence grows and you start tackling faster or steeper trails.
SIMPLE SHIMANO 1x9 GEARING
No front derailleur.
No multiple chainrings.
No wondering which combination of gears you should be using.
The BIG.SEVEN 40 uses a straightforward Shimano 1x9 drivetrain.
One shifter controls your gears, keeping the drivetrain clean and simple and letting you concentrate on riding.
For a first proper mountain bike, that's exactly how we think it should be.
WHY 27.5" WHEELS?
The BIG.SEVEN rolls on 27.5" wheels, giving the bike a nimble, agile feel.
They're particularly well suited to smaller riders and anyone who values easy handling and manoeuvrability.
Merida's sizing philosophy also gives riders options.
Generally, taller riders can look towards the 29"-wheeled BIG.NINE, while shorter riders can benefit from the BIG.SEVEN.
For riders who sit between the two, riding style can help make the decision:
Want agility and manoeuvrability? BIG.SEVEN.
Prefer maximum rolling efficiency? BIG.NINE.
And if you're unsure, that's exactly where buying from a proper bike shop makes a difference.
Come and see us and we'll help you choose the right bike and size.
CLEARANCE FOR UP TO 2.4" TYRES
Modern mountain bikes increasingly use wider tyres for increased grip, comfort and control.
The updated BIG.SEVEN frame provides clearance for tyres up to 2.4" wide, giving you scope to tailor the bike to your terrain and riding as you progress.
READY TO GROW WITH YOUR RIDING
One of the biggest advantages of buying a quality frame is what happens further down the line.
The BIG.SEVEN's TFS frame includes:
• Tapered head tube
• Internal cable routing
• Protected inboard disc brake mounting
• Dropper-post compatibility
• Clearance for wider tyres
• Modern trail geometry
So as your ability and ambitions grow, you've got a platform with genuine upgrade potential.
WHO IS THE BIG.SEVEN 40 FOR?
We think this bike is going to be brilliant for:
• Riders buying their first proper mountain bike
• New mountain bikers
• Younger riders progressing onto a serious MTB
• Smaller adult riders
• Riders wanting agile 27.5" wheels
• Leisure and fitness riding
• Local trails and bridleways
• Family rides
• Everyday riding
• Riders returning to mountain biking
• Anyone wanting a capable MTB without spending a fortune
PEARL WHITE (PURPLE)
And then there's the colour.
The Pearl White (Purple) finish really makes this BIG.SEVEN stand out.
It's clean, modern and very different from the endless sea of black and grey mountain bikes.
Combined with the updated frame shape and trail-ready stance, this looks like a considerably more expensive mountain bike than its position in the range might suggest.
WHY BUY YOUR MERIDA FROM THE ENDURANCE HUB?
DON'T JUST BUY A BIKE – BUY THE RIGHT BIKE
This is particularly important for someone buying their first mountain bike.
Which size?
27.5" or 29"?
How should the suspension be set?
What tyre pressures should you use?
What upgrades are actually worthwhile?
That's where The Endurance Hub comes in.
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.
When you collect your new Merida from us, you're getting much more than a bike.
FREE BIKE FIT & SETUP ON COLLECTION
We'll make sure you're on the correct size and help set the bike up around you.
SUSPENSION SETUP
An air fork is only useful if it's set correctly.
We'll help set your suspension appropriately so you can actually get the performance you've paid for.
FREE 6-WEEK SERVICE
Put some miles on it, get it dirty and enjoy it.
Then bring it back for its free initial 6-week service so we can check everything has bedded in correctly.
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP SUPPORT
As your riding progresses, our workshop is here for servicing, repairs, maintenance and upgrades.
CONTINUED SUPPORT
Need advice on tyres, pressures, setup, cleaning, servicing or upgrades?
Come back and talk to us.
Our support doesn't finish when you pay for the bike.
WE'RE MORE THAN A BIKE SHOP
The Endurance Hub isn't just somewhere to buy your new bike.
We're building a genuine cycling community.
We organise road, gravel and MTB rides, workshops, demo opportunities and community activities designed to get more people out enjoying their bikes.
New rider or experienced cyclist – you're welcome.
Call in, talk bikes, get some advice, join a ride or have a coffee and cake.
Buying the bike is just the start.
BIG.SEVEN 40 HIGHLIGHTS
• Updated TFS aluminium frame
• Modern trail-ready geometry
• Pearl White (Purple) colourway
• 120 mm X-Fusion Migo air suspension fork
• 32 mm fork stanchions
• Suspension lockout
• Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes
• Shimano 1x9 drivetrain
• Agile 27.5" wheels
• Shimano hubs
• Kenda tyres
• Clearance for up to 2.4" tyres
• Internal cable routing
• Tapered head tube
• Dropper-post ready
• Size-tuned Merida finishing kit
• Huge future upgrade potential
THE ENDURANCE HUB VERDICT
If you're looking for your first proper mountain bike, start here.
There are cheaper bikes out there.
But look closely at what the BIG.SEVEN 40 gives you.
120 mm AIR fork.
Shimano hydraulic brakes.
1x gearing.
Modern trail geometry.
2.4" tyre clearance.
Dropper-ready frame.
Those are features that actually make a difference when you start riding off-road.
And crucially, they're features that mean you shouldn't immediately outgrow the bike when your confidence and ability improve.
Whether you're buying your first MTB, upgrading from a basic recreational bike or looking for a capable 27.5" hardtail without spending a fortune, the 2027 Merida BIG.SEVEN 40 offers a huge amount of genuine mountain bike for the money.
Buy it. Get it dirty. Find out where it can take you.