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Merida Big Trail 600

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Merida Big Trail 600

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flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Jan 27, 2024 at 16:02 Quote
Mine started life as a Big Trail 500, but is more like the 600 spec now with the Z2 and a few other changes.

2.4" isn't a small tyre, especially in Maxxis WT format - I have 2.6" on mine now but the difference really isn't much, I'd say just ride it until the factory tyres wear out before you worry about replacing with something slightly wider. Not being tubeless from factory is a pity but not really a big deal, you could always just get the shop to set it up tubeless for sale.

They pedal uphill just fine, really good all-rounder. Very balanced intuitive handling to me. Not particularly light but not terrible either at around 14kg.

They do have a pretty low bottom bracket, which is great for stability and high speed cornering but can result in more pedal strikes if you are pedalling through rock gardens or deep ruts.

Standover height is a complete non-issue, its not something I've ever even thought about with mine. Standover is probably the least important of bike geo numbers, but I'd say it feels lower than most I've ridden - they're a pretty low slung frame, note how its a straight line from the chainstay through to the head tube...

Nothing offensive at all about Deore brakes at that price point, solid and reliable though the 4-pot version would be even better. My 500 came with Shimano MT200 which were pretty weak but they are a much lower model than Deore, they were still tolerable for a year or two before I upgraded to Deore 4-pots.

Well worth the extra money for the 600 over the 500 in my opinion, I would have got a 600 if they were available when I got mine.

You might be able to wrangle a better price than advertised as its a 21/22 model and they are probably keen to shift stock, worth contacting them to ask. It might be better to have the old spec anyway as a lot of newer bike specs are lower than their equivalent model a couple of years go.
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Jan 27, 2024 at 19:38 Quote
Yeah Giant are good at selling bikes tubeless, my Trance 29 and Reign 29 were both good tubeless setup from new.

Compared to your Fathom the Big Trail is half a degree slacker head tube angle (65.5 vs 66) and half a degree steeper seat tube (75.5 vs 75), so not a big difference but (in theory at least) a little more capable/confident on steeper stuff both uphill and downhill.

I'm 1.77m / 5'10" and in between M and L with most bikes, I went for an L Big Trail but I did swap the 50mm stem down to a 35mm to shorten up the fit a bit - subjectively I think it feels slightly larger than the numbers suggest.

See if you can find one at a bike shop closer to you to test fit/ride, even if its a lower spec version the frame will be the same to check sizing.
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Jan 28, 2024 at 1:33 Quote
Doesn't need to be a 99 bikes though, other shops stock them too - I got mine from an independent local shop.

I think a M would probably fit you better than an L, the smaller size should feel a bit more snappy and agile too if that's what you're after.
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Jan 28, 2024 at 20:53 Quote
2021, yep blue and yellow 500.

Try to resist the trap of up-selling yourself further up the range than you need or upgrading components just for the sake of it though, mid level components are really solid these days and cheaper to replace things as they wear out. But I do think the 600 is well worth the extra $ over the 500, a Z2 is a truckload nicer fork than a Recon for starters.

I'd ask what is it you don't like about the Fathom that has you looking to change? Its a similar class of bike to the Big Trail, if it fits you well you might be better off to gradually upgrade it instead. There have been some good deals around lately on components as companies try to clear excess stock.
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Jan 29, 2024 at 15:17 Quote
Some thoughts on those issues:

Bottom bracket/cranks - press-fit may not be great for DIY working on, but if its working and not actually causing you problems then no point stressing over it.
Dropper - interesting, my Giant Droppers were fine but I did upgrade the Reign to a OneUp 210mm to get a longer drop. Not a huge cost to upgrade, I think the OneUp was under $300 at the time.
Tyres - rotten luck but probably not caused by the bike, tyres are consumables that wear out anyway.
Rusty metal bits - annoying but you can get that with many bikes, especially if stored outside or put away wet.
Chain guide - what sort is it? Some can be a fit fiddly to align but once set up you should be able to forget about it.
Made in China - I think Giant are Taiwan rather than China, either way they are one of the biggest bike manufacturers in the world and a lot of other brands frames come out of their factories too. Same deal with Merida, Taiwanese and manufacturing bikes for other brands too so good chance a replacement will be made in the same part of the world.

Having said all that, you've obviously had a lot of use out of it already and if you just feel like a change there is nothing wrong with that!
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Jan 29, 2024 at 18:17 Quote
toddnzmtb wrote:
The Fathom had a made in China sticker on it...

Interesting, Giant are Taiwanese and I'm pretty sure mine have had made in Taiwan stickers, but the Fathom must have come from a factory in China.

Just looked it up - the internet says they have factories in Taiwan, the Netherlands, China, and Hungary and are planning one in Vietnam.
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Jan 30, 2024 at 17:01 Quote
Suntour fork and MT200 brakes are probably the main weak points of the Big 9 spec from a quick look, plus wire bead tyres as you say - off the top of my head I don't think the wire bead tyres are tubeless compatible.

If you were questioning the Deore brakes on the BT600, the MT200 are 2 or 3 steps below Deore.

The Suntour fork, probably not much (if any) worse than the Recon on a BT500 but I think it would be a long way off the Marzocchi Z2 on the BT600.

25mm internal width rims are on the narrow side if you want to run wider tyres, they will probably still work but around 30mm is better if you want to go 2.6".

Definitely more XC than trail geometry, less capable/confident than the Fathom or Big Trail on rougher steeper stuff but depends how and where you ride - if you mostly ride mellower less aggressive trails with lots of sitting pedalling that may suit you better. Basically just a different compromise between pedalling performance and descending capability.

I expect it would be a lighter bike overall than the Big Trail if thats a factor.
flag derick1
Posted: Jul 23, 2025 at 14:10 Quote
Hey man, just wanted to say I really appreciated your breakdown on the Big Trail. Super helpful and honest — especially the part about the low BB and handling. I’ve been eyeing one lately and your comment gave me a better sense of what to expect. Did you stick with the 2.6” tires or go back to something slimmer eventually?
flag Gravelben
O+
Posted: Jul 25, 2025 at 2:43 Quote
derick1 wrote:
Hey man, just wanted to say I really appreciated your breakdown on the Big Trail. Super helpful and honest — especially the part about the low BB and handling. I’ve been eyeing one lately and your comment gave me a better sense of what to expect. Did you stick with the 2.6” tires or go back to something slimmer eventually?

No worries, obviously the guy who was asking all the questions has left the forum and his posts are deleted leaving mine looking like I was talking to myself! But glad it was useful.

I stuck with 2.6", currently Specialized Eliminator front and Ground Control rear and pretty happy with that combo for a compromise between fast rolling and decent grip.

The new model Big Trail has much more aggressive geometry - longer reach, slacker head tube, steeper seat tube. I'd be going a size smaller on the new model than my 2021 version, but still enjoying mine and I think the old model is more of an 'all-rounder' so no plans to change anytime soon.
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