Merida Big Trail 500 Mountain Bike 2027 - Hardtail MTB

Built for riders who want more from a hardtail, the Big Trail 500 pairs progressive geometry with a 140mm air fork and grippy Maxxis tyres. Shimano CUES 10-speed shifting, four-piston brakes and a long-travel dropper complete the trail-ready setup.Key Features:6061 double-butted aluminium frame with progressive trail geometryRockShox Psylo Silver RC air fork with 140mm travelShimano CUES U6000 10-speed drivetrain with wide-range 11-48t cassetteSRAM DB4 four-piston hydraulic disc brakes29in Merida Comp TR wheels with Maxxis Minion DHF and Dissector tyresSize-specific dropper posts offer between 150mm and 230mm travelAvailable with 0% APR financeThe Merida Big Trail 500 takes the simplicity and efficient pedalling of a hardtail and combines it with geometry and components aimed at more demanding trail riding. Its 6061 aluminium frame is double butted to put material where it's needed while reducing unnecessary weight, with smooth welds giving it a clean finish.Updated progressive geometry uses a slack head angle and longer reach to improve stability when descending, while a steeper seat angle helps put you in an efficient position for climbing. A low standover height gives you plenty of clearance above the frame, helping you move around the bike when the trail gets steeper or more technical.The RockShox Psylo Silver RC fork provides 140mm of travel and uses an air spring, allowing its pressure to be adjusted for rider weight. Its 35mm chassis adds stiffness for accurate steering through rough sections, while adjustable damping lets you tune the fork to suit the terrain and your riding style.Shimano's CUES U6000 drivetrain keeps things straightforward with a 1x10-speed setup. The 32t chainring and wide-range 11-48t cassette provide useful low gearing for steep climbs without the complication of a front derailleur. CUES is designed with durability in mind, making it well suited to regular off-road use.The 29in Merida Comp TR wheels use a 29mm internal rim width to provide good support for the wide trail tyres. They're tubeless ready, although tape and valves are required if you want to make the conversion.Merida has chosen different Maxxis tyres for each end of the bike. A 2.5in Minion DHF up front uses an aggressive tread for cornering and braking grip, while the 2.4in Dissector rear balances traction with a faster-rolling tread. Both use EXO casing protection and are tubeless ready.SRAM DB4 hydraulic disc brakes use four-piston callipers, providing the braking power and control suited to steeper trails and longer descents. Boost thru axles at both ends provide a secure wheel connection and complement the wider trail-focused wheel setup.Dropper post travel is matched to frame size, ranging from 150mm on the XShort through to 230mm on the XLong. This allows Merida to maximise saddle drop across the size range, giving riders more room to move around the bike on descents while quickly returning the saddle to pedalling height for climbs.Internal cable routing keeps the frame tidy, while a threaded BSA bottom bracket makes servicing straightforward. Added frame protection also helps shield the bike from the knocks and debris that come with regular trail riding.With a long-travel fork, progressive geometry, wide tyres and generous dropper travel, the Big Trail 500 is aimed at riders who enjoy the direct feel of a hardtail but want a bike that's comfortable tackling rougher and more technical trails.