2024 Merida BIG.NINE TR vs 2026 Santa Cruz Highball
The XL is the Santa Cruz Highball size closest to your XXL Merida BIG.NINE TR. We match frame stack and reach. This is a geometry comparison, not a fit recommendation; stem, spacers, handlebars and saddle setup also affect your riding position.
What changes on the Santa Cruz Highball
Compared with the Merida BIG.NINE TR in XXL, the Santa Cruz Highball in XL places the top of the head tube 10 mm lower and 10 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 28 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.
- Frame stack
- −10 mm
- Lower front end
- Frame reach
- −10 mm
- Shorter frame reach
- Wheelbase
- −28 mm
- Shorter: quicker to change direction
- Head angle
- +0.1°
- About the same head angle
- Chainstays
- −16 mm
- Shorter: livelier
The two frames
Merida BIG.NINE TR, XXLSanta Cruz Highball, XLDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Merida BIG.NINE TR XXL | Santa Cruz Highball XL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 500 | 490 | −10 mm |
| Stack | 643 | 633 | −10 mm |
| Head tube angle | 66.9 | 67° | +0.1° |
| Seat tube angle | 74.2 | 73.5° | −0.7° |
| Effective top tube | 681 | 677 | −4 mm |
| Chainstay length | 442 | 426 | −16 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1235 | 1207 | −28 mm |
| BB drop | 57 | 60 | +3 mm |
| Standover | 759 | 756 | −3 mm |
| Seat tube length | 500 | 530 | +30 mm |
| Fork length | 530 | not listed | |
| Head tube length | 125 | 135 | +10 mm |
| BB height | not listed | 313 |
Differences are the Santa Cruz Highball minus the Merida BIG.NINE TR. Full charts: 2024 Merida BIG.NINE TR, 2026 Santa Cruz Highball.
Where each sits in its class
Merida BIG.NINE TRSanta Cruz Highball
Each bike is ranked against the other XC bikes on Quiver, on frame geometry alone. Not your hand position or ride feel.
What each ships with
The stock build of each bike's first listed trim. Parts that match are dimmed.
| Part | Merida BIG.NINE TR5000 | Santa Cruz Highball90 |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Merida BIG.NINE TR CF3 III | Santa Cruz Highball |
| Fork | RockShox Judy Gold | RockShox Sid SL Select+ |
| Derailleur | Shimano XT | SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission |
| Cassette | Shimano Deore M6100 | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Chain | KMC X12 | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission |
| Crankset | Shimano Deore MT512 | SRAM 90 Eagle DUB Transmission |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano MT501 | SRAM DUB |
| Tire | Maxxis Rekon, Maxxis Rekon Race | Maxxis Rekon Race |
| Rim | Merida EXPERT CC II | Race Face AR Offset 27 |
| Brake | Shimano SLX M7100 | SRAM DB 8 |
| Rotor | Shimano SM-RT54 | SRAM HS2 |
| Handlebar | Merida EXPERT CC | SRAM Atmos Flat Bar |
| Stem | Merida TEAM CC III | SRAM Atmos Stem |
| Grips | Merida EXPERT EC | SRAM Standard |
| Headset | Acros ICR INTEGRATED | Cane Creek 50 IS Integrated Headset |
| Seatpost | Merida EXPERT TR LIGHT | Race Face Next |
| Shifter | not listed | SRAM 90 Eagle Transmission |
| Chainring | not listed | SRAM 90 Eagle |
| Wheelset | not listed | DT Swiss + Raceface DT Swiss 370 / RaceFace AR Offset 27 |
| Hub | not listed | DT Swiss 370 |
| Saddle | not listed | SDG Bel-Air V3 Lux-Alloy |
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