MERIDA BIG.TRAIL 600

What impressed us was just how enjoyable and capable these four bikes are. They all have geometry that you’d have found on hardcore enduro bikes just a few years ago, and we had to take these machines off the beaten track to really test their limits. Blue and red trail centre loops are well within their comfort zones.

While the angles are good on the KTM Ultra Evo DiM, its tall seat tube, limited sizes and moderate reach mean it won’t fit all riders. The frame has some great details, which make it versatile, and its handling is high on the ‘fun-o-meter’, but its lower-spec gears and less surefooted tyres mean it doesn’t quite match the others here as an all-round package. Where the KTM is short, the Saracen Zenith Elite LSL is long, which gives it great stability, and the aggressive tyres and powerful brakes let you push hard. However, the frame is stiff and takes some manhandling, and has fewer details to make it stand out.

The Trek Roscoe 7 is a great package and an engaging ride for the money. Sure, the brakes are less sharp, but the Deore drivetrain is solid and the wide size range means you’ll be able to find one that fits you well. The tyres might be a bit Marmite, but the Trek impressed us overall. Lastly, there’s the Merida Big.Trail 600. Yes, it’s the most expensive here, but it has (marginally) the best spec and, while it’s not the longest, its short seat tube makes it easy to size up for more reach and its angles deliver a great ride. It’s the bike we picked when going out for extra laps.