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2022 Merida Big Trail vs 2021 Giant Fathom 29

The Giant Fathom 29 size closest to your L is the L. Compare the L instead

What changes on the Giant Fathom 29

Compared with the Merida Big Trail in L, the Giant Fathom 29 in S places the top of the head tube 28 mm lower and 30 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 42 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
−28 mm
Lower front end
Frame reach
−30 mm
Shorter frame reach
Wheelbase
−42 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
+0.5°
Steeper: sharper steering
Chainstays
±0 mm
About the same

The two frames

2022 Merida Big Trail (L) and 2021 Giant Fathom 29 (S), lined up at the bottom bracketBoth frames drawn to scale. The Merida Big Trail is drawn in full with its measurements, and the Giant Fathom 29 is the colored outline on top.J 1196

Merida Big Trail, LGiant Fathom 29, SDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementMerida Big Trail LGiant Fathom 29 SDifference
Reach455425−30 mm
Stack650622−28 mm
Head tube angle65.566.0°+0.5°
Seat tube angle75.575.0°−0.5°
Effective top tube622not listed
Chainstay length435435±0 mm
Wheelbase11961154−42 mm
BB drop66.560−7 mm
Standover725730+5 mm
Seat tube length430380−50 mm
Fork length550not listed
Head tube length11095−15 mm

Differences are the Giant Fathom 29 minus the Merida Big Trail. Full charts: 2022 Merida Big Trail, 2021 Giant Fathom 29.

Where each sits in its class

Merida Big TrailGiant Fathom 29

AggressivePositionUpright
CalmSteeringQuick
PlayfulBalancePlanted

Each bike is ranked against the other trail 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.

PartMerida Big Trail200Giant Fathom 291
FrameMerida BIG.TRAIL TFSGiant ALUXX SL
ForkSR Suntour XCM32 DSGiant Crest 34 RCL
ShifterShimano Deore M4100SRAM SX Eagle
DerailleurShimano Deore M5120 Shadow+SRAM SX Eagle
CassetteShimano Deore M4100SRAM SX Eagle
ChainKMC X10not listed
CranksetShimano Deore M5100TruVativ Descendent
PedalsVPE-891not listed
TireKenda RegolithMaxxis Minion DHF, Maxxis Aggressor
HubShimano MT400-Bnot listed
RimMerida COMP TRnot listed
BrakeTektro M275Shimano MT401
RotorShimano SM-RT10not listed
HandlebarMerida EXPERT CCnot listed
StemMerida COMP CCnot listed
GripsMerida COMP ECnot listed
HeadsetMerida M4455not listed
SeatpostMerida COMP CCGiant Contact Switch
Wheelsetnot listedGiant AM 29

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