BIG.NINE CARBON TEAM

These days, Twentyniners represent much more than just a trend: “Big Wheel” MTBs have captured a solid market position now and are especially favoured by Marathon racing pilots. In comparison to conventional 26" MTBs, they master trail obstacles with greater ease and offer enhanced uphill traction – at considerably more comfort while also providing all well-known advantages of a purely propulsion-orientated hardtail. With respect to World Cup racing, this means nothing else than: Even more powerful performance!

Together with the professional MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM athletes, our experienced R&D department in Magstadt (Germany) has therefore defined the objective to develop nothing less than the best and fastest 29" machine for the 2011 racing season. But according to Juergen Falke, MERIDA’s Head of Design, it was just too simple to “enlarge” the unbelievably successful O.NINE (José A. Hermida’s brilliant World Champion bike): “After all, a Twentyniner partly follows different physical laws in comparison to a matchable 26” hardtail.” But this racing rocket’s impressive genes are very well an essential part of our new MERIDA creation – as already indicated clearly by the name “BIG.NINE Carbon”!

Since the O.NINE ’s introduction two years ago, the MERI DA R&D experts have been collecting again a lot of new know-how concerning frame construction and carbon technology. The very expedient utilization of these two years e. g. results in the impressive total weight that characterizes our BIG.NINE Carbon at a frame size of 17": The new “working equipment” of José A. Hermida & Co. bases on a centrepiece that ranges below 1.100 g – despite the massive BB30 bottom bracket and the fact that all cable housings are routed internally. What a benchmark!

At the same time, the BIG.NINE Carbon outclasses even the well-known performance data of our superb O.NINE : Its 20 % higher BB stiffness supports a frame construction that is suitable for cranks with an adequately professional Q-factor of 156 mm. 

Also the head tube outclasses the data of its 26" equivalent: “As an appropriate answer to the comparatively softer 29" wheelset,” as Juergen Falke explains. Furthermore, Falke states that the Twentyniner’s generally higher front end (about 4 cm in comparison to 26" bikes with same frame-size) was “mitigated” via an extremely short X Taper head tube and a swopped stem with negative rise with a wide flat-bar. Therefore the pilot still exerts full pressure on the front wheel.

Further examination reveals that the BIG.NINE ’s geometry resembles the concept of our aluminium Twentyniner TWENT Y-NINE Lite which has collected some excellent test results since its introduction at Eurobike 2010. But according to the demands of our pro racers, the BIG.NINE Carbon features a minimally shorter top tube (similar to the O.NINE ). There are also our well-established “Flex Stay” seat stays, asymmetrically tapered chain stays and a curved seat tube with Direct Top Mount derailleur to insure for optimum tire clearance. The rear dropouts receive a 12 mm thru axle for improved rear-frames’ stiffness.

Our BIG.NINE Carbon also features well-proven carbon technologies (e. g. “Nano Matrix Carbon”, “Double Chamber Technology”) that characterize also a lot of other MERIDA bikes. Even more BIG.NINE Carbon highlights: A complete SRAM 2 by 10 drive-train with a gear ratio specially tuned to the demand of 29ers, ultralight PRC parts – and the ultra-light 150 g of our newly developed seat post which enters the 2011 racing season with top comfort and sets a new benchmark for EN-certified seat posts.

The MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TEAM athletes are always free to choose the individual trails they want to tackle with the new high-end hardtail. But on longer and technically challenging courses or at marathon stage races such as the upcoming Cape Eric, our professional riders with the green flame will surely cycle into the top ranks on 29" bikes!