Quiver

2026 Merida Big Trail vs 2026 Forbidden Heathen Framekit

The S4 is the Forbidden Heathen Framekit size closest to your XLONG 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 XLONG, the Forbidden Heathen Framekit in S4 places the top of the head tube 15 mm lower and 10 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket.

Frame stack
−15 mm
Lower front end
Frame reach
−10 mm
Shorter frame reach
Wheelbase
−1 mm
About the same
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 (XLONG)The Merida Big Trail frame drawn to scale.J 1272

Only the Merida Big Trail is drawn. The Forbidden Heathen Framekit numbers we have for size S4 are missing the chainstay length.

Geometry side by side

MeasurementMerida Big Trail XLONGForbidden Heathen Framekit S4Difference
Reach505495−10 mm
Stack663648−15 mm
Head tube angle6464±0.0°
Seat tube angle76.576−0.5°
Effective top tube657657±0 mm
Chainstay length435not listed
Wheelbase12721270.6−1 mm
BB drop70not listed
Standover729764+35 mm
Seat tube length475470−5 mm
Fork length551541−10 mm
Head tube length130120−10 mm
BB heightnot listed311

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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