BIG.NINE

to BIG.NINE Carbon Team

Meanwhile, MTBs with 29“ wheelsets (“Twentyniners”) are unstoppable – and deservedly so: Compared with 26” bikes, they offer many advantages at only a few limitations that can be compensated nearly completely via competent engineering and valuable pro rider feedback. With the BIG.NINE series – and especially with the racing rocket BIG.NINE Carbon that has already been tested successfully by the MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM – MERIDA has created an amazing 29er whose advantages have been celebrated enthusiastically already in form of the previous model TWENTY-NINE Lite. While the journal MountainBIKE headlined “Tester’s Darling” (MountainBIKE 5/11), also the magazine bike elected the MERIDA as “our testers’ favourite bike” (bike 1/11).

Thus Juergen Falke (MERIDA’s Head of Design) had created a bike that caused a successful sensation right from the start. Only a few features of the celebrated concept could still be improved – a process which utilized all racing genes of our O.NINE (José Hermida’s World Champion bike) and finally resulted in the BIG.NINE. As centre piece of the top version BIG.NINE Carbon, the frame weighs below 1100 g – despite internal cable routing, mighty BB30 bottom bracket and the “Tapered Steerer” that increases from 1 1/8 to 1.5”. 

The very low weight is enabled by cutting-edge carbon fibre technologies (e. g. “Nano Matrix Carbon”) that generate an equally ultra-light and ultra-stiff “Structural Element Monocoque”: Construction elements that experience extremely high loads (such as the connection between down tube and BB shell) are connected via internal sleeves while “Tube-to-Tube” technology applies to less stressed sections. In this way, the entire construction gets an outstanding STW (“Stiffness-to-Weight”) ratio – actively supported by “Double Chamber” technology in top and down tube.

“Double Chamber” already provides the carbon frames of O.NINE & Co. with excellent bending and lateral stiffness. But even the best basic material is useless if a 29er is not thought-out down to the very last detail: The bigger wheels cause geometry changes that require comprehensive engineering skills. For example, MERIDA solves the typical problems with high front ends via an extremely short head tube – resulting in maximum pressure on the front wheel. Simultaneously, the BIG.NINE’s “X-Taper” head tube outclasses even the O.NINE’s stiffness data while compensating the less torsion-resistant fork’s longer leverage as well as the bigger (and therefore softer) wheels. Thanks to its “Flex Stay” seat stays, the BIG.NINE offers excellent comfort that is supplemented by a BB30 section whose stiffness is even 20 % higher than in the case of our already superb O.NINE. As a true piece of engineering art, the BIG.NINE is complemented by asymmetric chain stays, a curved seat tube with direct-mount front derailleur, post-mount disc receivers and 142 mm dropouts for floating axles.

VIDEO

BIG.NINE

Technology statement

Chamber theatre: Due to „Double Chamber“ technology within top and down tube, the BIG.NINE frame is superbly stiff.

No detours: Via „Direct Mount“, the derailleur is installed directly at the curved seat tube whose shape offers maximum rear wheel clearance. Due to its torsional stiffness, the BB30 bottom bracket generates powerful propulsion.

Roll in peace: „Flex Stay“ rear stay and 27.2 mm seat post provide enormous comfort.

Steady: The functionally as well as visually perfect integration of the post-mount disc holder allows rotor sizes up to 160 mm w/o adaptor.