BIG.NINE 700

To get the most out of an aluminium tube in terms of shape or varying wall thickness, we apply various forms of manipulation. The most complex but also the most effective is hydroforming, where an aluminium tube is inserted into a negative mould, and a hot emulsion of water and oil is forced through at pressure. The end result is a perfectly shaped aluminium tube that enables us to create beautifully crafted and lightweight aluminium frames.

By using a specific tube shape and careful design of the seat- and chainstay of our hardtail bikes, we enable them to work like flat leaf springs, absorbing surface bumps and reducing vibrations. This makes the rear end more comfortable, can improve power delivery and has a positive impact on rider fatigue. In particular, on performance bikes that are ridden over long distances and uneven surfaces, this can have a great effect on the overall riding performance and enjoyment.

Steering precision is vital to safe and confident handling, and the X-TAPER HEADTUBE allows us to significantly boost this precision. A larger headset diameter at the bottom paired with a smaller one at the top helps to deal with the strains modern riding and equipment can put on the headtube, all without adding unnecessary weight. It allows tapered forks to be fitted with ease and delivers precise and confidence-inspiring steering.

This is a process we use to give a nice flat finish to our welds instead of the scaled, 'stack of coins' effect TIG welded joints often have. The welder uses the welding torch to go over the joint twice, helping to smooth out the filler material. It takes a lot of skill to do this, but it delivers strong and smart-looking frames that have the appearance of a carbon fibre frame at first look.

On the majority of our frames, we run the gear and brake cables and hoses through the frame. The cables enter and exit the frame through smooth sockets, or we use one of our other systems like SMART ENTRY or WIRE PORT to be routed through. Running the cables inside the frame protects them from the elements, gives a clean and neat look and can offer aerodynamic advantages.

DOWN TUBE EXIT is a feature seen on some of our frames with internally routed cables. By slightly overlapping the downtube where it connects to the bottom bracket, it leaves a small space that allows cables to exit easily. This means they are easily accessible for routine maintenance or replacement, but it prevents excessive movement and noise that can cause wear and distraction.

Shimano's Di2 electronic shifting system offers fast, smooth and reliable shifting. In particular, in the road world, it has proven itself as the primary choice when top performance is at the top of the agenda. With that in mind, we have a broad selection of performance road frames that are Di2 READY and can accommodate the electrical cable, battery and other little tweaks that the system requires.

We use a minimum of 6061 grade aluminium on all our bikes. It’s particularly well suited to being shaped with our hydroforming and technoforming processes, which allow us to vary the wall thickness to create double-butted tubing and complex frame shapes. It’s also an alloy that welds easily, and once it has been carefully heat treated to maximise strength, it means we can create strong and lightweight bicycle frames for you to enjoy.

Being able to turn your bike into an all-weather commuter that has mudguards and other fittings can be a real plus, in particular when riding on wet and perhaps muddy roads and tracks on a regular basis. To make fitting easy, some of our bikes are F-MOUNT equipped. These integrated fittings mounts make adding mudguards fast and simple. Please note that some bikes require model-specific mudguards.

Similar to our F-MOUNT, where various fixing points for mudguards are part of the frame offering, the C-MOUNT equipped bikes have the fixing points for a rear rack already integrated, making fitting fast, simple and reliable. The C-MOUNTS are an additional feature that improves the day-to-day versatility by adding loading capacity to your bike, ideal for commuting and shopping trips. Please note that some bikes require model-specific rear racks.

MERIDA designed headsets that enable all control cables from the handlebar to enter the frame through the headset cover, creating a clean and uncluttered look, allowing for a lighter, stronger and more aerodynamic frame structure than with conventional cable ports. Depending on the model, the cables are run completely internally (including the bar and stem) or semi-integrated, where the cables enter the frame underneath the stem.