FINAL VERDICT
Although each of these bikes is impressive in its own right for quite different reasons, it wasn’t especially difficult to pick a winner. Sometimes price plays the most significant role in deciding which is best, but that’s not the case here. Yes, the Merida is the most expensive on test, but upgrading to a similar-priced Vitus Sentier with a dropper post or a Specialized Fuse with 29in wheels and posher kit still wouldn’t unlock performance to rival the Merida Big.Trail’s.
What is it that helps edge the Big.Trail 500 ahead? Its geometry, which is on the slacker, lower and longer end of the scale (assuming you upsize), and greatly benefits the way it rides. Calm-feeling handling on both the ups and downs means you can access higher speeds and steeper trails more comfortably. It’s not perfect, however. The wide chainstays are frustrating, and it may also be beyond your budget – not helped by a £100 price increase while we were testing.
That’s where the Vitus comes in. At just £899.99, the Sentier 27 represents fantastic value for money and is only a few, relatively inexpensive upgrades away from great performance. The overall package makes it well worth considering, but be warned that the long seat tube limits its potential on steeper sections, so make sure your inseam is long enough for this to not be a problem.
And then we’ve got the Specialized Fuse 27.5. This feels like the most refined and premium bike on test, despite not being the most expensive. The low stack height holds it back slightly – although it isn’t terrible to ride on steeper trails, more care needs to be taken. We’d recommend considering the 29in-wheeled version if that option is open to you.
Circling back to the Merida, then, its geometry, spec and overall feel make it the best on test. It’s a platform worthy of upgrading, too, once your cashflow permits, with a few choice upgrades likely to further expand its potential for raucous riding, if that’s your thing. If it weren’t for the wide chainstays and the big price difference compared to the Vitus, we’d have awarded the Big.Trail a full five stars.