Quiver

2026 Merida Big Trail vs 2026 Forbidden Heathen Framekit

The S2 is the Forbidden Heathen Framekit size closest to your MID Merida Big Trail. 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 Forbidden Heathen Framekit

Compared with the Merida Big Trail in MID, the Forbidden Heathen Framekit in S2 places the top of the head tube 15 mm lower and about as far forward, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 21 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.

Frame stack
−15 mm
Lower front end
Frame reach
±0 mm
About the same reach
Wheelbase
−21 mm
Shorter: quicker to change direction
Head angle
±0.0°
About the same head angle
Chainstays
n/a
One of the bikes has no number for this

The two frames

2026 Merida Big Trail (MID)The Merida Big Trail frame drawn to scale.J 1214

Only the Merida Big Trail is drawn. The Forbidden Heathen Framekit numbers we have for size S2 are missing the chainstay length.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementMerida Big Trail MIDForbidden Heathen Framekit S2Difference
Reach455455±0 mm
Stack645630−15 mm
Head tube angle6464±0.0°
Seat tube angle76.576−0.5°
Effective top tube603612+9 mm
Chainstay length435not listed
Wheelbase12141192.8−21 mm
BB drop70not listed
Standover724728+4 mm
Seat tube length420420±0 mm
Fork length551541−10 mm
Head tube length110100−10 mm
BB heightnot listed301

Differences are the Forbidden Heathen Framekit minus the Merida Big Trail. Full charts: 2026 Merida Big Trail, 2026 Forbidden Heathen Framekit.

Where each sits in its class

Merida Big TrailForbidden Heathen Framekit

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 Trail300Forbidden Heathen Framekit
FrameMerida Big Trail TFS IInot listed
ForkSR Suntour XCR34 2CRnot listed
ShifterShimano CUES U4000not listed
DerailleurShimano CUES U4000not listed
CassetteSunRace U9not listed
ChainKMC XGlidenot listed
CranksetShimano CUES UT-400-1not listed
Bottom bracketShimano BB-UN101not listed
WheelsetMerida Comp CC IInot listed
TireKenda Regolithnot listed
HubShimano TC500-B, Shimano TC500-HM-Bnot listed
RimMerida COMP CC IInot listed
BrakeShimano MT200not listed
RotorShimano SM-RT10not listed
HandlebarMerida Comp TR IInot listed
StemMerida Comp TRnot listed
GripsMerida Comp TRnot listed
HeadsetAcros ICR EXTERNAL necknot listed
Dropper postMerida COMP TR IInot listed
SeatpostMerida COMP TR IInot listed
SaddleMerida Comp SLnot listed

Know what is on every bike.

Add your bike to Quiver. Keep its parts, setup, and service history together, then share your build.

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