Merida BIG.NINE: suspension setup & specs
The Merida BIG.NINE is a cross-country hardtail with 100–120 mm of fork travel. Below you will find all 5 current builds with fork, plus SAG values in millimetres and a tyre pressure table.
Calculate the setup for your Merida BIG.NINE →
All builds
Fork, weight and price according to the manufacturer. Wheel size: 29" / 29".
| Build | Fork | Weight | RRP | Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | SR Suntour MAG32 Boost LOR (120 mm) | – | €899 | Setup → |
| 400 | RockShox Judy Gold RL (120 mm) | – | €1,349 | Setup → |
| 7000 | FOX 32 SC Performance (100 mm) | 10.9 kg | €3,199 | Setup → |
| XT | FOX 32 SC Performance (100 mm) | 9.9 kg | €4,599 | Setup → |
| 10K | FOX 32 SC Factory (100 mm) | – | €7,699 | Setup → |
How it compares
On travel, the Merida BIG.NINE is right where the “cross-country hardtail” category usually is: 100–120 mm up front against a median of 100 mm from 46 bikes. Of Merida’s mountain bikes, the Merida BIG.NINE offers the least travel up front. The frame is available in aluminium or carbon.
9.9 kg for the XT build puts the Merida BIG.NINE mid-pack on weight (median: 10.0 kg). There are 1.0 kg between the lightest and the heaviest build. Prices for the Merida BIG.NINE start at €899 (200), below the category median of €1,450. For the 10K build, Merida asks €7,699. In total, 4 different forks are used, from the SR Suntour MAG32 Boost LOR to the FOX 32 SC Factory.
Setup notes for this spec
- Air fork (RockShox Judy Gold RL): the air valve is on top of the left leg under a cap. Change pressure in small steps (about 5 psi (0.34 bar)) and cycle the fork a few times afterwards so the air chambers can equalise.
- Rebound: on FOX and RockShox suspension the rebound adjuster is red. Always count clicks from fully closed (clockwise to the stop) so you can return to any setting.
- Hardtail: without rear suspension, rear tyre pressure largely decides comfort and traction – it is worth testing in 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) steps.
Target SAG for the Merida BIG.NINE
The table converts the recommended SAG percentages into millimetres, so you can check them with the O-ring directly on the stanchion. Adjust the air pressure until the value is right. If Merida specifies its own target SAG for your model, that takes priority.
120 mm fork (200, 400)
| Riding style | Fork SAG |
|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 20 mm |
| Trail | 20 % = 24 mm |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 26 mm |
| Bike park | 20 % = 24 mm |
100 mm fork (7000, XT, 10K)
| Riding style | Fork SAG |
|---|---|
| XC / touring | 17 % = 17 mm |
| Trail | 20 % = 20 mm |
| Enduro / rough | 22 % = 22 mm |
| Bike park | 20 % = 20 mm |
How to measure SAG is explained in our guide SAG setup.
Tyre pressure starting values
Basis: 2.40″ tyre width, tubeless, trail casing. If you run tubes, add about 0.2 bar (2.9 psi); with an insert, about 0.1 bar (1.5 psi) less is enough. Stock tyres: Kenda Booster 29x2.4; Maxxis Rekon Race 29x2.4"; Maxxis Rekon Race 29x2.4" WT.
| Ready-to-ride weight | Front | Rear |
|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 1.43 bar (21 psi) | 1.63 bar (24 psi) |
| 70 kg | 1.55 bar (22 psi) | 1.75 bar (25 psi) |
| 80 kg | 1.67 bar (24 psi) | 1.87 bar (27 psi) |
| 90 kg | 1.79 bar (26 psi) | 1.99 bar (29 psi) |
| 100 kg | 1.91 bar (28 psi) | 2.11 bar (31 psi) |
| 110 kg | 2.03 bar (29 psi) | 2.23 bar (32 psi) |
| 120 kg | 2.15 bar (31 psi) | 2.35 bar (34 psi) |
Air pressure in the fork
The sticker on the fork and the manufacturers’ setup charts give you a first pressure. Our calculator is more precise and suggests rebound too – always check the result via SAG.