2025 Santa Cruz Highball vs 2026 Merida BIG.NINE TR 700
The XL is the Merida BIG.NINE TR 700 size closest to your XL Santa Cruz Highball. 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 Merida BIG.NINE TR 700
Compared with the Santa Cruz Highball in XL, the Merida BIG.NINE TR 700 in XL places the top of the head tube at about the same height and 10 mm further back, relative to the bottom bracket. Its wheelbase is 8 mm shorter, which can contribute to quicker direction changes.
- Frame stack
- ±0 mm
- About the same height
- Frame reach
- −10 mm
- Shorter frame reach
- Wheelbase
- −8 mm
- Shorter: quicker to change direction
- Head angle
- −0.1°
- About the same head angle
- Chainstays
- +4 mm
- Longer: more planted
The two frames
Santa Cruz Highball, XLMerida BIG.NINE TR 700, XLDrawn to scale and lined up at the bottom bracket.
Geometry side by side
| Measurement | Santa Cruz Highball XL | Merida BIG.NINE TR 700 XL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reach | 490 | 480 | −10 mm |
| Stack | 633 | 633 | ±0 mm |
| Head tube angle | 67° | 66.9 | −0.1° |
| Seat tube angle | 73.5° | 74.2 | +0.7° |
| Effective top tube | 677 | 659 | −18 mm |
| Chainstay length | 426 | 430 | +4 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1207 | 1199 | −8 mm |
| BB drop | 60 | 57 | −3 mm |
| BB height | 313 | not listed | |
| Standover | 756 | 723 | −33 mm |
| Seat tube length | 530 | 470 | −60 mm |
| Head tube length | 135 | 115 | −20 mm |
| Fork length | not listed | 530 |
Differences are the Merida BIG.NINE TR 700 minus the Santa Cruz Highball. Full charts: 2025 Santa Cruz Highball, 2026 Merida BIG.NINE TR 700.
Where each sits in its class
Santa Cruz HighballMerida BIG.NINE TR 700
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 | Santa Cruz HighballGX AXS | Merida BIG.NINE TR 700700 |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | RockShox Sid SL Select+ | Manitou Machete Comp |
| Shifter | SRAM Pod Controller | not listed |
| Derailleur | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission | Shimano Deore M6100 |
| Cassette | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission | Shimano Deore M6100 |
| Chain | SRAM GX Eagle Transmission | KMC X12 |
| Crankset | SRAM GX Eagle DUB Transmission 34t | Shimano Deore MT512 |
| Bottom bracket | SRAM DUB | Shimano MT501 |
| Tire | Maxxis Rekon Race | Maxxis Rekon |
| Hub | DT Swiss 370 | not listed |
| Rim | Race Face ARC Offset 27 | Merida COMP CC II |
| Brake | SRAM Level stealth Bronze | Shimano MT200 |
| Rotor | SRAM HS2 | Shimano SM-RT10 |
| Stem | SRAM Atmos Stem | Merida TEAM CC III |
| Headset | Cane Creek 40 IS Integrated Headset | Acros ICR EXTERNAL neck |
| Seatpost | Race Face Next | Merida COMP TR |
| Saddle | SDG Bel Air V3 | not listed |
| Frame | not listed | Merida BIG.NINE TR LITE III |
| Handlebar | not listed | Merida EXPERT CC |
| Grips | not listed | Merida Comp TR |
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